Submarine Design

A submarine is a research or warship vessel with a streamlined hull designed to operate completely submerged in the ocean or beneath the sea for protracted periods and is equipped with a photonics mast..

SEARCH: LIBRARY of CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGS

TECHNOLOGY - T

Subclass TC183 - 201: Submarine building.

Submarine - Types

Submarine - Design

Submarine - Warfare

Submarine - Propulsion

Submarine - Components

Submarine - Nuclear Power

Submarine - Fluid Dynamics

Submarine - Solid Mechanics

Submarine - Materials Sciences

Submarine - Structural Analysis

Submarine - Performance and Structure

Submarine - Automatic Control and Guidance

Submarine - Factory Architectural Design Plan

SUBJECT EXPERTS I

SUBJECT EXPERTS II

RESEARCH GUIDES

SUBMARINE NEWS

Program Development

Submarine design along with the construction processes must be well understood at both the macro/micro levels by the facility planning and engineering team(s) to ensure that an appropriate building concept is developed that is intergrated with manufacturing needs.

Design Aspects

The primary aspects of submarine design are: Propulsion, Controls, Mass, and Structure. The various design aspects are joined together into a coherent whole. All submarine design involve compromises of these factors to achieve the design mission.

Design Constraints

The design process starts with the submarines intended purpose. Research submarines are designed to observe ocean terrains while military submarines are are designed to perform surveillance along with providing support and warfare protection to logistical operatives.

Design Optimization

Modern research submarine and military submarine design projects are of such a large scale that every design aspect is supervised by different teams comprised of both engineers along with technicians and then amalgamated into a highly operable submersed vehicle which is able to function under diverse subterranean conditions.

Computer Designed Submarine

The design and engineering of submarines requires automated design. Computer languages allow electrical and mechanical engineers along with technicians to write programs using computer assisted design software structured to enhance efficiency and safety of deep water exploration and logistical maneuverability.

Design Process/Simulation

Submarine conceptual design involves forming a variety of possible configurations that meet the desired design specifications. The design process is maintained and regulated by adhering to both industry along with national standards. Structural configurations must satisfactorily meet all the requirements of the aformentioned design aspects .

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MARINE ENGINEERING 2024

It is in the exploration of this vast deep-sea region that the finest field for submarine discovery yet remains.

- Edward Forbes: 1815 - 1854: AZ Quotes

Designing a Modern Submarine

A nuclear submarine is a ship powered by atomic energy that travels primarily under-water, but also on the surface of the ocean. Previously, conventional submarines used diesel engines that required air for moving on the surface of the water, and battery-powered electric motors for moving beneath it. The limited lifetime of electric batteries meant that even the most advanced conventional submarine could only remained submerged for a few days at slow speed, and only a few hours at top speed. On the other hand, nuclear submarines can remain under - water for several months. This ability, combined with advanced weapons technology, makes nuclear submarines one of the most useful warships ever built.

QUALITY CONTROL

The vital role it plays in national defense, the fact that the lives of its crew depend on its proper functioning, and the dangers inherent in its nuclear reactor ensure that quality control is more important for a nuclear submarine than for almost any other manufactured product. Before construction begins, the materials which will be used to build various components are inspected for any structural flaws. Previously when a new design for a nuclear submarine was proposed, a scale model was built to see if any improvements could be made. Scale drawings of the new design were made, then expanded into full-size paper patterns that allowed small details to be studied closely. A full-sized mockup of the interior is made in order to give engineers/technicians a chance to adjust the location of components in order to save space or make them more readily accessible. Presently, design modeling, modification, and simulation are all enhanced by the use of computers.

When the steel plates are cut and rolled to form the hull, they are inspected to ensure that all dimensions are accurate to within one sixteenth of an inch (0.16 cm); smaller parts may need to be accurate to within one ten-thousandth of an inch (0.00025 cm) or less. Proper welding of all steel components is inspected with x - rays. Pipes are inspected by filling them with helium and checking for leaks. Every instrument is tested to ensure it works properly. In particular, the nuclear reactor undergoes stringent tests to ensure that it is safe. As a result of these precautions, the Naval Reactors Program is considered to have the best safety record of any nuclear power program. After the submarine is commissioned, it undergoes a mock cruise to see how it would operate in wartime conditions. The speed and maneuverability of the submarine is tested to ensure that it meets the necessary requirements.

MANUFACTURE

The manufacture of a submarine is highly complex because it utilizes both manual and automated processes. Large sheets of steel are rolled and welded into the shape of the inner and outer hulls. Scaffolding is erected during manufacture so accessibility remains unencumbered. Every aspect of manufacture is checked by inspection and quality control measures. For example, welded steel components are inspected with x rays. Pipes are filled with helium in order to check for leaks. As a result, the Naval Reactors Program is considered to have the best safety record of any nuclear power program.

• 1 Because nuclear submarines are only manufactured for military use, the decision to build them is made by a national government. In the United States, the Undersea Warfare Division of the Navy is responsible for requesting that a group of submarines, known as a flight, be manufactured.

• 2 The Navy accepts bids from thousands of companies to manufacture the many components which make up a nuclear submarine. The hull of the submarine is generally made by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation.

• 3 Funding for nuclear submarines is included in the defense budget presented by the President to Congress. If approved, the manufacturing process begins. The nuclear reactor is supplied by the government's Naval Reactor Project. The methods used to manufacture these nuclear reactors are closely guarded and disclosure would be considered a breech of national security.

HULL CONSTRUCTION

• 4 Steel plates, approximately 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm) thick, are obtained from steel manufacturers. These plates are cut to the proper size with acetylene torches.

• 5 The cut steel plates are moved between large metal rollers under tons of pressure. The rollers, each about 28 in (71.1 cm) in diameter and about 15 ft (4.6 m) long, are set up so that one roller rests on two others. As the steel plate moves under the top roller and over the two bottom rollers it is bent into a curve. The plate is rolled back and forth until the desired curvature is obtained.

• 6 The curved steel plates are placed around a wooden template that outlines the shape of the hull and bars of steel are heated until they are soft enough to bend. Automatic hammers strike the ends of the bars, producing a curve matching the hull. They are then welded together by hand to form a section of the hull. The section is lifted by a crane and placed next to another section. The two sections are rolled slowly under an automatic welder, which seals them together. The rotating sections move beneath the welder several times, resulting in an extremely strong seam.

• 7 The welded sections are strengthened by welding curved, T-shaped steel ribs around them. These are made by heating. The manufacture of a submarine is highly complex and utilizes both manual and automated processes. Large sheets of steel are rolled and welded into the shape of the inner and outer hulls. Scaffolding is erected during manufacture so accessibility remains unencumbered. Every aspect of manufacture is checked by inspection and quality control measures. For example, welded steel components are inspected with x rays. Pipes are filled with helium in order to check for leaks. As a result, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) is considered to have the best safety record of any nuclear power program.

• 8 Welding several sections together produces an inner hull. The same process is repeated to form an outer hull. The inner hull is welded to steel ribs that are then welded to the outer hull. The steel ribs separate the two hulls, allowing space for the ballast tanks that control the depth of the submarine. The outer hull only extends as far as the bottom and sides of the inner hull, allowing the submarine to remain upright.

• 9 Meanwhile, steel plates are welded in place inside the inner hull in order to divide the submarine into several watertight compartments. Steel decks and bulktheads are also welded in place. Exterior welding seams are polished by high-speed grinding wheels, making them smooth. Not only does this improve the surface for painting, but it also provides the submarine with a streamlined surface that experiences little friction during travel. The hull is then painted with layers of protective coatings.

EXTERIOR DESIGN COMPLETION

• 10 External components such as rudders and propellers are made using various metal working techniques. One important method used for many metal components is sand casting. This process involves making a wood or plastic model of the desired part. The model is then surrounded by tightly packed, hardened sand held in a mold. The halves of the mold are separated, allowing the model to be removed. The shape of the desired part remains as a cavity in the hardened sand. Molten metal is poured into the cavity and allowed to cool, resulting in the desired part.

11 The hull is surrounded by scaffolding, allowing workers to reach all parts of it. The external components are welded or otherwise attached. Certain components, such as sonar equipment, are attached to the hull then covered with smooth sheets of steel in order to reduce friction during underwater travel.

INTERIOR DESIGN COMPLETION

• 12 Large equipment is placed within the inner hull as it is being built. Smaller equipment is brought into the inner hull after it is completed. The submarine is launched before much of the interior equipment is installed. After the launching ceremony, the submarine is towed into a fitting-out dock, where work on the interior continues. Vital components such as periscopes, snorkels, engines, and electronic equipment are installed. Equipment for the comfort of the crew, such as refrigerators, electric stoves, air conditioners, and washing machines are also installed at this time.

• 13 The nuclear reactor begins operating as the submarine begins its first sea trials. The crew is trained during an Atlantic Ocean cruise. Weapons are launched and tested, often in waters off Andros Island in the Bahamas. The submarine is officially commissioned in a ceremony which changes its designation from "Precommissioning Unit" (PCU) to " United States Ship" (USS). The submarine then undergoes a shakedown cruise before entering active service.

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Designing a Modern Submarine Facility

Submarine manufacturers require cost-effective, high-quality, and often highly technical facilities. To address these objectives, this webpage provides an overview of several key considerations for the design and construction of a facility for submarine development and its associated components.

Everything about submarine manufacturing and assembly building must be driven by the manufacturing process, including process flow, process rate, and process requirements. The building must fully support the process, in addition to maintaining a safe working environment. The manufacturing process must be well understood at a macro level by the facility planning and engineering team to ensure that an appropriate building concept is developed that is integrated with manufacturing needs. In addition, individual manufacturing areas within the building must be understood on a finite level to ensure that the facility and infrastructure supports manufacturing efficiently. Following are key considerations related to an assembly building that must be evaluated during planning to establish an appropriate building overall design:

• Manufacturing process type and style — The manufacturing process type and style may include flow line, fixed position assembly, parallel assembly, subassembly shops, and fishbone assembly, all of which will determine the buildings' size and layout. Different manufacturing process flows will likely be used for different components or steps within the overall process.

• Assembly rate and work-in-process — The assembly rate and work-in-process determine the total building size. The building's designers and engineers will need to know how many submarines will be built annually. Also, how many units will be in production at one time and in how many assembly positions.

• Methods of assembling components — Methods of assembling components may include bonding, riveting, fasteners, or even welding. These methods determine the necessary support utilities and potential hazards to assembly workers, defining which safety features will need to be incorporated into the building design.

• Sizes of components — Sizes of major components including hulls, horizontal stabilizers, engines, main body, and mechanical joint components are critical. These determine the overall size of the facility necessary to accommodate the various components, as well as the types of doors, their speed, and staging space requirements.

• Manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and jigs — Manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and jigs are directly related to the manufacturing process, space requirements, and utilities. Determining how components move into the tooling or whether the tooling moves to meet components are critical issues. If tooling is “parked” out of the way during certain processes or if there are submarine component(s) relocation, this means that additional space is required.

• Materials conveyance — Materials conveyance includes getting the components into the building and moving them around inside. Components may arrive via aircraft, ship, train, or truck. Specialized fixtures are often used to transfer components into the assembly building. Once inside, material conveyance may involve true vertical lift cranes, under-hung cranes, transfer bridge cranes, multiple hoist / cranes, fixed jib crane assembly stations, wire guided vehicles, air bearing jigs on floors, carts, tugs, forklifts, and man lifts. The selected systems impact the overall building height, structural support requirements, floor quality, floor flatness, floor joint types, and floor finishes.

• Submarine materials — Although submarine pipelines are designed with an external coating as the primary system for corrosion control, a cathodic protection system is normally installed as a back-up for any deficiencies of the pipeline coating, including defects induced during coating application, transportation, installation or operation. Space may need to be provided to acclimatize components or parts received from outside or other buildings prior to assembly. In addition, exposure to direct sunlight is usually prohibited due to thermal issues. Composite components may also require critical humidity and ventilation control. Composite materials, when machined, can create hazardous dust and fibers. Composites, when bonded, often need solvents for cleaning and adhesives that can have strong odors or generate hazardous fumes. Raw composite materials are often stored in freezers to extend their expiration date. Corrosion control coatings on metals, such as alodine and chromium, are often considered hazardous, but may be necessary to apply or for touch up at assemblies, joints, or fasteners.

• Manufacturing utilities — Some components of submarine manufacturing have a high reliance on clean, dry compressed air as a primary utility. Therefore, providing redundancy, reliability, maintainability, and distribution and access flexibility for compressed air is critical. 400Hz aircraft power is often a critical test requirement. It needs to be close to the submarine due to voltage loss. Also, exhaust air for fumes or heat processes is often necessary.

Concluding Notes:

The greatest concern dealing with wastes produced by nuclear submarines involves the radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors. Although the waste produced by a nuclear submarine is much less than that produced by a larger nuclear power plant, similar problems of disposal exist. The Naval Reactors program has an excellent record of safely storing radioactive wastes. Some environmentalists, however, have expressed concern about the possibility of radioactive material being released if a nuclear submarine is sunk by accident or during military operations.