Evaluation of Alumina Ceramic Housings for Deep Submergence Service. Fifth Generation Housings. Part 1
2006
Johnson, R. P. | Kurkchubasche, R. R. | Stachiw, J. D.
An unmanned undersea vehicle external pressure housing was designed for ocean depths of 20,000 feet (9,000 psi) using 96-percent alumina ceramic for the major hull components. The pressure housing assembly, with an outside diameter of 36 inches and an overall length of 91 inches, consists of two alumina cylindrical bays joined by a central stiffening titanium joint ring with forward and aft alumina hemispherical end closures. The exterior of the housing is protected with a spectra fiber reinforced epoxy composite fairing. The alumina-ceramic components of the housing assembly successfully withstood proof testing to 10,000 psi (1.1 times the design operating pressure). The forward and aft head end closures also completed 500 cycles to 9,000 psi without catastrophic failure. The 26-inch diameter housing assembly has a dry weight of 876 pounds and displaces 1,796 pounds when submerged in sea water, resulting in a net lift of 620 pounds. The net lift generated by the alumina ceramic housing assembly is approximately three times greater than the net lift that would be achieved by an equivalent rib-stiffened titanium housing assembly designed to the same operational requirements
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