Submersible Vessels

Abstract

A submarine has a pressure hull ( 20 ) which includes a number of adjoining transparent viewing sections ( 21 and 22 ) in the shape of truncated spheres. The sections ( 21 and 22 ) are clamped to a body section ( 23, 24 ) by a cage ( 40 ) and tension rods ( 44 ) which pass slidably through a thrust ring ( 38 ) interposed between the transparent sections. Access to a passenger compartment within the pressure hull is obtained via a hatch ( 32 ) in a mid section ( 23 ). The pressure hull is housed in an external hull designed for surface cruising. Ballast tanks are formed between pressure hull and the external hull, and the tie rods pass through low pressure seals to pivotal anchorage points within the ballast tanks.

1 . A submersible vessel having a pressure hull which includes:
 a body section ( 23 ,  24 ),   a substantially transparent part-spherical end section ( 21 ) having a single opening, and   at least one substantially transparent part-spherical intermediate section ( 22 ) having a pair of openings and being disposed between the end section ( 21 ) and the body section ( 23 ,  24 ), the transparent sections forming part of a common passenger compartment ( 30 );
 characterised by 
   
     a cage ( 40 ) partially surrounding the end section ( 21 ), and 
     a plurality of tension elements ( 44 ) connecting the cage to the body section ( 23 ,  24 ), disposed externally of the intermediate section or sections ( 22 ). 
   
   
       2 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 1  in which the cage ( 40 ) comprises a tension ring ( 41 ) and a plurality of anchoring elements ( 42 ) projecting from the tension ring for connection with a respective tension element ( 44 ). 
   
   
       3 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 2  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) are pivotally connected with the anchoring elements ( 42 ). 
   
   
       4 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 1  in which a thrust member ( 38 ) is interposed between the end section ( 21 ) and the adjacent intermediate section ( 22 ). 
   
   
       5 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 4  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) pass slidably through the thrust member ( 38 ). 
   
   
       6 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 1  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) are anchored to the body section ( 23 ,  24 ). 
   
   
       7 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 6  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) are anchored to the body section ( 23 ,  24 ) by pivotal connections. 
   
   
       8 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 1  in which the body section ( 23 ,  24 ) of the pressure hull is provided with external ballast tanks. 
   
   
       9 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 8  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) extend sealably ( 47 ) into the ballast tanks. 
   
   
       10 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 1  in which the tension elements ( 44 ) are arranged in two groups disposed at top and bottom regions of the transparent sections ( 21 ,  22 ). 
   
   
       11 . A submersible vessel according to  claim 10  in which both groups have the same number of tension elements ( 44 ).