Development of acrylic plastic submersible hulls with panoramic visibility

Pressure resistant hulls have been fabricated from acrylic plastic to give the crews of research submersibles underwater panoramic visibility. Two standard spherical hull designs are currently available; (a) 66 inch outside diameter and 2.5 inch thickness for 600 ft. operational depth and (b) 66 inch outside diameter and 4.0 inch thickness for 1000 ft. depth. The hulls are fabricated by adhesive bonding of 12 thermoformed spherical pentagons, two of which incorporate metallic hatches. These hulls have been incorporated in NEMO, JOHNSON-SEA-LINK, AND MAKAKAI submersibles. These pressure resistant hulls meet the certification requirements of the U. S. Navy as well as of the American Bureau of Shipping.