Submarine Project

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by kc135delta, Jun 19, 2006.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    Hello,

    I was considering building a passage making submarine as a long term project. I understand US subs or whatever has pitched the idea with no success. The only difference would be I am doing this on a personal basis. Not commercial, and it would be more utilitarian. Not some glorified underwater aquarium. The overall design I am working on is somwhat vauge but it's LOA is going to be between 120-140ft. I was looking at general sub design and particular models. I think an Akula or Alfa style sail would be the most economical, hull will follow suit being the round Nuclear age set up also being more economical and providing more interior space. I've looked all over the net only to be dissapointed. It seems that the only two major reasources are Psubs.org and the Euronaut website (http://www.euronaut.org/index.php.html)

    I'll be drawing up designs as I go along here, and any support/ideas/critisim is welcome. I"ll need a total design laid out before the first piece of steel is cut in order to get it certified and insured. So don't expect it to start for a couple years.

    Thanks,

    Drew DeBord
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. marshmat
    Joined: Apr 2005
    Posts: 4,127
    Likes: 149, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 2043
    Location: Ontario

    marshmat Senior Member

    Definitely an ambitious project, Drew.
    Submarines, by nature, are far more difficult to design and build than surface craft. There's a good reason why US Subs wants $78 million for their flagship model- the engineering needed to build one of these is not simple. Assuming you have the budget, which will be into the eight figures by the time it takes to the water, your first step should be to assemble your team- find some good NAs, engineers, etc. who have experience with subs. Every successful submarine in history has had a solid engineering team behind it, and few projects without such a team have ever taken to the water.
    Being based in the US, your design will probably need to be built to ABS +A1 Manned Submersible classification if you want to certify and insure the vessel.
     
  3. FranklinRatliff

    FranklinRatliff Previous Member

    Have you considered taking a look at older proven designs (like German U-boats) and updating them with modern materials and technology?
     
  4. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    I would rebuild an older design but none suit my wants and needs, such as the fact that it has to be utilitarian enough and visually/physically comfortable, so the family can stand long passages and voyages.


    just think of it as the "ultimate expedition yacht". Just a question but does anyone know how to make very large (40ft long) seals on doors for a sub? I need to make some 40ft long doors to facilitate some special toys in which the rear deck behind the sail opens up down the center, one half going to the left and the other to the right. The sub will only dive to 300ft in standard operation so it dosn't have to be that serious.

    Thanks, Drew
     
  5. solrac
    Joined: Feb 2006
    Posts: 138
    Likes: 5, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 42
    Location: 34'54"35"47S - 56'07"48"98W

    solrac 100% sudaca

    Jeeeesus.... just wondering where will you shop for the nuclear power plant...:p
     
  6. SeaSpark
    Joined: Mar 2006
    Posts: 593
    Likes: 17, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 96
    Location: Holland

    SeaSpark -

    serious

    40ft * width of doors * 300ft water pressure = serious number

    Doors over 1/3 of loa?

    How serious are you about this project?
     
  7. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    300ft isn't that bad, and I am very serious about this project. I'm mostly looking into the type of seals that I could be using, I'm drawing up a seal between the doors right now, and it's simple to say the least.

    I'll post it in 5min.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. Wellydeckhand

    Wellydeckhand Previous Member

    It simplier to built a underwater tunnel connected home than a submarine..........:) I am curious......... that is a HUGE budget....... How much do you think your initial Cash on hand for this project............? Just think maintance will cost more than a simple Megayachts............. Hull material gonna be copper nickle or you gonna have barnical for lunch......everyday:D
     
  9. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    I have enough to buy US sub's flagship model, but as I said, it's not for me.
     
  10. FranklinRatliff

    FranklinRatliff Previous Member

    Doors

    The Navy has had a lot of experience with taking large objects in and out subs, but they do it through hatches that are at the most eight feet in diameter.

    An alternate method for subs to carry large objects is the way first used by the Japanese during WWII, a large pod mounted on the aft deck behind the sail.
     
  11. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    I could do that but It's a bell 206 and it will need most of the aft deck for operations, which in turn cannot be cluttered.
     
  12. FranklinRatliff

    FranklinRatliff Previous Member

    Hangers

    Since you won't need periscopes, I suppose you could consider making the sail the hanger.
     
  13. kc135delta
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 48
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: Eastern Europe, for now

    kc135delta Junior Member

    I have thought about that also but it would require even more complex seals than if it were just a colaps$able one like the Ilona.
     
  14. marshmat
    Joined: Apr 2005
    Posts: 4,127
    Likes: 149, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 2043
    Location: Ontario

    marshmat Senior Member

    Static pressure at 300ft is about 10 atmospheres. Not an easy seal to make reliable. Many subs that do have such compartments operate them at ambient pressure- that is, as you dive, you increase the air pressure in the compartment by 3 atm for every 100ft. This puts far, far less stress on the doors. Not sure how the JetRanger would like it though....
    I've never heard of a sub carrying a chopper before. While interesting, this will take up an awful lot of space.
    You'll certainly end up giving a lot of thought to the trade-offs inherent in the design. Carrying the heli will cut your underwater speed and range considerably due to the housing needed to protect its bulk. And of course there's the tradeoffs between battery capacity for underwater vs. diesel capacity for ocean crossing, low cost vs. increased complexity and capability, etc, etc.
    Have you given any thought to what yard might build this thing for you?
     

  15. Wellydeckhand

    Wellydeckhand Previous Member

    See This

    I thinks these picture might help........ your sub nuke powered?:)
     

    Attached Files:

Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.