《CERAMIC EXTERNAL PRESSURE HOUSINGS FOR DEEP SEA VEHICLES》.pdf

CERAMIC EXTERNAL PRESSURE HOUSINGS FOR DEEP SEA VEHICLES Dr. J.D. Stachiw Stachiw Associates Donald Peters and Glenn McDonald Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA ABSTRACT--Only glasses, ceramic and carbon fiber The findings of the program (References 1, 2, reinforced plastic can provide the necessary weight to and 3) were very encouraging for the potential strength ratio to make the external pressure housings for application of ceramics to housings for oceanographic undersea vehicles positively buoyant at the abyssal design or military applications at depths to 20,000 feet. depth. This group ofmaterials poses unique challenges to the designer and fabricator of pressure housings. This paper 1. Analytical expressions developed for the summarizes the findings of the R D program aimed at distribution of stresses and elastic stability of metallic developing the technology for the design, fabrication, and rib stiffened cylinders apply equally well to ceramic testing of ceramic housings culminating in the application of cylinders. ceramic housings to the WHOI ROV/AUV diving system 2. Rib stiffened ceramic cylinders did not fail under with 36,000 ft (11,000 m) capability (Figure 1). a single pressurization test so long as the principal