The
Layout and description of the Corsair RS-1 Diesel Electric Submarine
| The U.S. Corsair - Lloyds
Certified and SOLAS Compliant - is a reliable and economical sub-sea Intervention
vessel, engineered for coastal water through continental shelf research, commercial
and naval applications. It's Diesel / Electric Power configuration allows for
rapid independent transits, superior submerged autonomy with large area coverage
capabilities. |  | |
The fully zinc galvanized,
high tensile strength steel pressure hull consists of three sections bolted together.
The forward section is conical shaped with a hemispherical panoramic viewport
installed in the bow. A cylindrical trunk located in the sail provides ingress
and egress between topside and the forward compartment. The upper section of the
trunk serves as an auxiliary surface conning station or as an additional viewport
during submerged operations. Crew accommodations and a portion of the Next Generation
Submarine Batteries are also located in this compartment.Beyond
the first bulkhead are the head and engineering spaces. This section houses the
diesel engine, electric motor and generator, rotary converters, electrical distribution
cabinets, various pumps as well as ballast and trim tanks. In the conventional
propulsion mode, the submarine system consists of a diesel engine driving an electric
motor / generator via a clutch and a hydraulic pumping aggregate. The main screw
is positioned along the vessel's centerline. Normal transits are steered conventionally
by rudders and dive planes. For maximum maneuverability at or near zero speed,
the submarine is fitted with bow, stern and vertical lift thrusters. The latter,
when not in use are retracted into the sail, forming a hydrodynamic shape. Folded
out and downwards, the thrusters are unobstructed by the hull and allow for pinpoint
maneuverability in 3 dimensions.
The
Hard Ballast System consists of three internal tanks, and is used for adjusting
the vessels buoyancy. The ballast system is gravity filled and emptied by drain
pumps with back up systems. The Main Ballast tanks are formed into the exostructure
and streamlined fairings. This system is used to achieve reserve buoyancy on the
surface and is blown using HP air. Life support systems are comprised of three
50-liter O2 bottles with dosage valves and monitoring systems for O2, H2 and CO2.
CO2 scrubbers utilizing SodaSorb® are installed in appropriate locations throughout
the submarine.
The Diesel
Engine has sufficient power to allow for rapid surface transits and charging of
the batteries simultaneously. The submarine can be operated during unpleasant
weather in the snorkel mode, with only the air intake and periscope (Radar, Radio,
GPS and Camera Systems) above the surface plane. The vessel has sufficient battery
reserves to allow for long distance transits while totally submerged, minimizing
weather related down time. Contact Kokes Marine Technologies for details on the
Argon Closed Cycle Diesel Power Plant.
Features
of particular interest:
*
The RS-1 uses HyPack® Software and Inertial Navigation Systems with Ring Laser
Gyro to meet exacting survey standards.
