Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

“Chinese dragon” hidden to 5000 m deep

the reporter Yu Jianbin

Core Tip “dragon” Following last year’s record dive depth of 3759 meters of records, set sail again, the impact of 5000 m depth record.

compared with 3000 m depth of 5,000 meter-scale sea trials face the difficulties and challenges? How to protect submerged safety? See correspondent reported.

7 3, “Xiang Yang Hong 09″ test the mother ship carrying the “dragon” manned submersible, according to the schedule to work towards the northeast Pacific Ocean test area. Reporters learned that the present experiment the mother ship and the “dragon,” everything is normal.

7 1, at, as the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863) major projects, the Chinese “dragon” manned submersibles carried by the mother ship, set sail from Jiangyin, Jiangsu, started a period of about 47 days 5000 m sea level experiments.

the impact of 5000 meters water depth, if successful, to reach 70% of the global ocean ocean floor

July 13 last year, “dragon” in the South China Sea, hitting a 3759 meters of the dive depth record, making China the United States, France, Russia and Japan after the fifth country to master more than 3,500 meters deep manned deep diving technique. If the impact of 5000 meters water depth of success, “dragon” can reach 70% of the global ocean ocean floor.

3000 compared to 2010 meter-scale sea trials, sea trials this will be more challenging task: testing waters from the mainland about 10,000 km, the ship sailing time to reach half-way; test environment is relatively distant sea, sea conditions increase the complexity of the … …

Under the arrangement, “dragon” to dive 4 times, strive to test the depth of the target.

5000 meters deep submersible compression test performance and communication capabilities

test compared with 3000 m, 5000 m trials which particularly difficult? Manned deep submergence chief architect of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation 702 South, said dioxin researcher Xu, water pressure to the deep dive of the structure, materials and other aspects of high demands. Meanwhile, with the dive deeper, more communication will also be tested.

depths of 5,000 meters of water, 1 square meter area of ??about 5,000 tons of pressure to bear, when more than 3000 meters water depth of 2,000 tons.

can carry three people “dragon” in the air weighs less than 22 tonnes. According to Xu dioxin South, the “dragon” is mainly used titanium alloy, flexible, able to withstand high pressure. It reduced the pressure in the deep sea after being returned to the sea and be able to bounce back, while its corrosion resistance is also very good.

experts told reporters on the 5000 m test, if the rate of half a meter per second dive, is expected to require 160 minutes.

“dragon” manned submersible with a large number of unmanned submersible technology, can also be seen as an intelligent underwater robot. Xu dioxin South, the “dragon” is equipped with a lot of underwater sensors, and arm, and higher degree of intelligence. Underwater navigation can be automatically directed, will be high, given the deep. “This makes submerged in her work more efficient, better to focus on the expedition work.”

as the depth increases, consumption of larger waves, underwater communications capabilities have also been tested. According to experts, in the sea, the “dragon” and the communication between the mother ship, able to send color pictures, data and voice. Voice communications about twenty-three seconds delay, basically close to real time.

The use of underwater sonar systems, submersible like with the nose, ears, eyes and other “features”, in a complex seabed environment, topography can be measured.

“is directly proportional to the depth and difficulty.” Xu told reporters dioxin South, “dragon” design maximum depth is 7,000 meters, its design and performance indicators are also required to implement by 7000 m of. “If the 5000 m-deep to break through, and test the various functions, safe return, even if this test done.” Secretary-General of the China Ocean Society, said Kim was built.

6 名 submerged will experience the claustrophobic isolation environment test

building was introduced, according to Kim, the total of six submerged dive mission execution, including 3 people have submerged more than 3000 meters at the end. At trial, each will have three submerged into the water, six to a record depth of 5000 meters the impact turns.

meter-scale sea trials in 3000 when submerged in water up to 9 hours spent around 5 hours in the sea. In the 5000 m level of the test, the two time must be increased accordingly. Submerged to face in the long-closed space, the test of the body, and the claustrophobic isolation environment on the psychological test.

submerged living and working in the 2.1-meter diameter sphere cabin, space is very small, just can only put 3 people, but three individuals making it difficult to stand up.

cabin is the atmospheric pressure environment, specifically oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide equipment, odor of gas can be absorbed. 5000 meters at the end of the temperature was about 2 degrees Celsius, but the cabin temperature is higher. “Cabin humidity problems, there is no solution.” Xu said dioxin South.

the main drivers of manned submersibles as submerged team leader. Experts told reporters that the main driving a very high demand – he must be able to skillfully control the submersible body and mechanical arm, but also to fully understand the currents of the sea conditions.

31-year-old “dragon,” the main driving Tsung Yeh said that after 3000 m of the test, we have accumulated some experience, but the 5000 meters this record, which means greater challenges. In this regard, I and other submerged member has already done enough preparation.