Atmospheric Diving Suits
Discussion
I know nothing about diving but when I was growing up I remember reading about JIM suits (well I remember 2000AD where M.A.C.H.1 had to take out a bad guy wearing one) but these days when I watch the news and there is story with a deep water aspect, such as the current BP oil spill the first choice of tool appears to be ROV.
Is there a reason that ROVs are more popular than Atmospheric Diving Suits (e.g. cheaper to operate, more effective, safty concerns)?
Is there a reason that ROVs are more popular than Atmospheric Diving Suits (e.g. cheaper to operate, more effective, safty concerns)?
freecar said:
That wasn't an atmospheric diving suit - that was a pressurised suit ... hence when the pressure went off, the occupant went squish.I seem to recall (other than the cost and risk) that JIM suits had a problem with the joints - they weren't actually bending joints, but a collection of circular interlocking rings. That meant that the occupants could get all kind of pinches that could really hurt (and break bones).
ROV's can operate at greater depths too, a modern atmospheric suit can operate at about 700m depth whereas an ROV can probably do twice that.
wiki said:
1997: the ADS 2000, developed jointly with OceanWorks International Corp. and the US Navy, is an evolution of the Newt Suit to meet US Navy requirements. The ADS2000 provides increased depth capability for the US Navy's Submarine Rescue Program. Manufactured from forged T6061 aluminum alloy it uses an advanced articulating joint design based on the Newt Suit joints. Capable of operating in up to 2,000 feet (610 m) of seawater for a normal mission of up to six hours it has a self contained, automatic life support system. Additionally, the integrated dual thruster system allows the pilot to navigate easily underwater.
aclivity said:
freecar said:
That wasn't an atmospheric diving suit - that was a pressurised suit ... hence when the pressure went off, the occupant went squish.I seem to recall (other than the cost and risk) that JIM suits had a problem with the joints - they weren't actually bending joints, but a collection of circular interlocking rings. That meant that the occupants could get all kind of pinches that could really hurt (and break bones).
So are these suits the ones in that james bond movie?
If so then I think it's pretty obvious, loads and loads of joints, still limited mobility and if a failure occurs then it's curtains.
With limited mobility bought on by all the joints an ROV would probably do a better job and be more flexible. Plus unless there was an umbilical there would be range problems as more air would need to be bought down for them. Plus if it was lost it would be tragic instead of expensive!
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