A one atmosphere submersible simply describes a craft that provides the occupants with an environment which equals that of the surface in terms of pressure, oxygen and temperature. It is, in other words, a sealed environment where oxygen is "scrubbed" and temperature maintained to make it comfortable for humans at depths of three thousand feet and more.
As a one atmosphere submersible dives deeper, the pressure of the water upon the hull increases dramatically. As a practical example, SEAmagine submersibles with depth capabilities of 3000 feet require the acrylic sphere to be more than nine inches thick to safely withstand the pressure of that depth. Of course a significant safety margin is built into the sphere and every other aspect of SEAmagine submersibles.
Note: All submersibles manufactured by SEAmagine are of the one atmosphere variety.
Ambient Submersibles
The alternative technology is called "ambient" which means the pressure inside the hull of the submersible is always equal to the pressure of the surrounding water, no matter how deep the sub goes. Ambient submersibles are typically limited to dive depths of approximately one hundred feet and passengers are exposed to the same dangers and de-compression issues as scuba divers. |
