HYDRAULIC TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT EOR UNDERWATER SALVAGE 



Technical Note N- 1229 



43-003 



by 



G. L. Liffick and F. B. Barrett 



ABSTRACT 



Extending the U.S. Navy's underwater salvage capability will require 

 improved diver-operated tools and equipment. NCEL (Naval Civil Engi- 

 neering Laboratory) is conducting a program to develop hydraulic hard- 

 ware for future underwater salvage operations . Commercially available 

 hydraulic pumps, rigging, load handling and cutting equipment have been 

 evaluated at NCEL to determine characteristic diver performance and 

 mechanical suitability for underwater operation. Manually operated 

 hydraulic pumps were modified and pumped against a load cell to determine 

 reasonable levels of diver exertion. Tests have shown that divers can 

 be utilized as prime movers for small jobs and that some conventional 

 surface hydraulic equipment can be used underwater for reasonable periods 

 of time with a minimum of additional maintenance. Surface hydraulic 

 equipment suitable for underwater operation includes manual pumps, rams, 

 cylinders and several cutters. However, innovative new equipment is 

 urgently required for underwater salvage, particularly for load handling. 



Approved for public release; distriDurion uniimireu. 



