Figure 6. Configuration of a thick-disc hull 

 for a surface power plant. 



The surface power plant 

 containment hulls selected for study 

 were unmanned, double-hull, thick- 

 disc, surface-following steel structures 

 of modular construction. Three basic 

 hull designs were established for the 

 five power levels selected for the study 

 program. The hulls are not space 

 limited and, therefore, eliminate 

 arrangement problems. Snorkel 

 systems are included with all hull 

 designs. IVlodular construction permits 

 the complete interchange of machinery 

 space to eliminate at-sea overhaul and 

 increase reliability. A typical configu- 

 ration of a thick-disc hull for a surface 

 power plant is illustrated in Figure 6. 

 The hulls selected have been scaled to 

 approximately the same proportions 

 as the dimensions of the General 

 Dynamic monster buoy.* Since the 

 structural design is available, the 



thick-disc hull would provide optimum performance at minimum cost. Table 7 

 summarizes all the characteristics of the thick-disc hull. Machinery weight, hull 

 weight, reserve buoyancy capacity, usable interior volume, fuel storage and 

 trim system capacities, hull characteristics, and typical fuel replenishment are 

 all defined in the table. The reserve buoyancy capacity for larger plants was 

 reduced to allow for a larger on-board fuel supply. This added fuel supply 

 would provide a more reasonable refueling cycle for the larger plants. All 

 surface hulls were sized to carry an adclitional 50,000-pound external load 

 imposed by the underwater transmission cable. The trim system was sized to 

 compensate for variations of the external load. 



A welded, double-hull construction from low carbon steel was 

 recommended for the surface hulls. The external skin should be fabricated 

 from 1/4-inch plate of higher strength steel. An entrance hatch, air intake 

 and exhaust stacks, navigational lights, and radio antenna would be supported 

 or contained in the snorkel mast. All surfaces of the hull would be painted 

 with corrosion-resistant coatings for protection against the ocean environment, 

 leakage, flooding, and condensation. 



A. R. Devereaux and F. Jennings. "The monster buoy," Geomarine Technology, 

 April 1966. 



35 



