Manned Submersibles Terminology/Units
A number of terms herein will probably send the traditional submariner into a deep depression. With over a half century of tradition behind him, the military submariner has a ready-made field of jargon which quite appropriately applies to the military submarine. But, there is no traditional submersible and the jargon which has grown around this field comes from the aeronautical engineer, the scuba diver, the machinist, the scientist, the hobbyist and from the traditionalist himself. This variety is not surprising: With virtually all submersibles having been built and now being operated by the non-traditionalist, there is no uniformity in the terms used. This has been a hadicap to anyone in the field and is not likely to become one in the future. Indeed, as far as tradition is concerned, the operation of a manned submersible literally violates every tradition of the submarine service. Where bottoming or grounding a fleet submarine is to be avoided in all but dire emergencies, it is expected of submersibles. Where every attempt is made to keep a submarine’s lines hydrodynamically clean, there is absolutely no desire or need to do so in submersibles where speed is of little importance. A “long dive” in submersibles is 12 or so hours, to the nuclear submariner this would hardly classify as a dive. Then again, launching and retrieving a fleet submarine between dives is not only unthinkable, it is virtually impossible. So while the traditionalist might blanch, most of the jargon he will find distasteful is that which is in more or less common usage. A few examples might be in order.In some cases the term “broww” appears, this is not a typographical error, some vehicles (DEEPSTAR 4000) have a brow which over-hangs the forward viewport, it is synonymous with bow but with a specific kind of bow.
“Trim” is the means used by a submersible to either transfer weight or rearrange displacement forward or aft to incline the submerisble’s bow up or down. Trim in a submarine refers to arranging ballast such that the submarine is buoyantly stable at a particulr depth. Occassion the term “pitch” is synonymous with trim in submersibles.
“exostructure” herein refers to the structural framework external to the hull which supports the batteries, propulsion units and other components. Surrounding the exostructure may be a “fairing” which smooths out the envelope of the exostructure. Some manufacturers refer to the exostructure as the “framework” and fairings as the “skin.”
The term “operator” refers to the individual who controls the movements of the submersible and it is synonymous with “pilot”. Initially the term pilot was used and was quite descriptive, but in the late sixties the U.S. Navy introduced the term operator when it invoked certification for the operator(s). i.e., pilots, of submersibles. As long as the term operator has remained within the military it served the purposed, but in the private sector a submersible can be and quite frequently is owned by one company, operated by another and piloted by an employee of the operating company. The dilemma, therefore of the, is apparent when one speaks of the operator of the submersible, is it the firm or the individual? When this confusion looms, the term polit is used to distinguish the individual from the foirm.
Many other terms are used which are generally explained within the text, but the best appreciation for the diversity from vehicle-to-vehicle can be gained by noting the different names given to components on the schematics in Chapter 4. The names given to various submersible components are those used by the owners or operators. While it might be taxonomically satisfying to relabel these compoents with the same terms, one might find it difficult to communicate with the owner whose vehicle has been redesignated.
Finally, we arrive at units of measurement or, more precisely, the metric system versus the English system. Quite evident is the fact that nothing has been hone herein to advance the metric system. Recognizing the practicality of it over the the English system, the conversion of the many values from the latter into the former represents a job of considerable magnitude and leads to stange dimensions. A 6-foot diameter pressure hull would become one of 1.83 meters and still not be an exact measurement. So to simplify matters, where the original data are in meteres, it is so reported, and where feet and inches are used, they are given. And, as a final apology, a table to convert the various units is included in Appendix I.
