Appendix B 



EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURE FOR 

 EXPERIMENTAL PHASE 



INTRODUCTION 



Information relative to the design and operation of equipment for 

 the simulated operational tests on full-scale viewports is contained in this 

 appendix. The testing requirements were as follows: 



1. Test at least three sizes of full-scale viewports 



2. Pressure range, to 4,000 psi 



3. Temperature range, 35° to 70°F 



4. Test time, 1 year 



5. Cycling to simulate dives of an undersea vehicle 



Due to the size of the viewports and the length of time of the tests, a 

 decision was made to design pressure vessels and a refrigeration system 

 specifically for these tests. As a result, pressure vessels with other capabili- 

 ties would not be tied up for a year. 



HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM 



Pressure Vessels 



The pressure vessel design was as shown in Figure B-1 . This 

 particular design yielded the following advantages; 



1 . Efficiency — each vessel tested two viewports at one time. 



2. Safety — low volume of fluid to negate "bomb" danger. 



3. Economy — materials and fabrication costs were low. 



4. Ease of operation — simplicity and compactness of design allows 

 ease in pressure and temperature cycling. 



5. True simulation — low-pressure face exposed to constant room 

 temperature while high-pressure face exposed to simulated 

 cycling of temperature and pressure. 



41 



