Not one for the sonar girls :p
 

A question for the nukes out there. It's the job of the shaft seals to stop water entering the people tank where the shaft penetrates the hull. It does this by using pressurised water from the auxilliary seawater system to leak "outwards". My question is, what happens if the pump fails? Is there a chicken switch to seal the shaft more completely possibly at the loss of propulsion? Thanks for any help.

Great site, btw. :)

Nick

If I remember correctly there's an emergency/maintenance inflatable seal that can be used (I haven't seen it but imagine it's like a toroidal airbag) but the shaft can't/shouldn't turn while it's in use.

they have that problem with the russian oscar class submarines if the shaft isnt turning then water comes in (what helped kill the Kursk crew).

so clamps and special air bags have been fitted to some submarines just not all of them.

Thanks for the replies!

Nick

Is this true of all modern submarines? :o

not all i dont think as i believe only the oscar class have this issue its such a big issue with them that they have to clamp the submarines shaft before it reaches the pier hence why its toed in and out by two or three tugs.

No, it's not. Sounds like a design or maintenance fault.

its a problem with oscar and also the typhoons and delta's seems only to be with twin screwed subs western subs no clue

Righto! USS Tullibee had to use the emergency seal when their screw fell off in the Med. :o

June 16, 1978: "The propeller shaft of the TULLIBEE snaps just outside the hull causing limited engine room flooding and loss of propulsion while TULLIBEE is submerged in the Mediterranean. The flooding is stopped by tightening the emergency packing on the propeller shaft. The submarine quickly surfaces and is assisted by other US naval ships. The TULLIBEE is subsequently towed to Rota, Spain, for repairs."

http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn597.htm

How does the propellor shaft snap? Is it metal fatigue or something else?

never heard anything like that not a total loss of a propellor, heard about throwing a propellor blade HMS Onyx threw a blade during one op.

but a whole propellor what the heck?

throwing a blade can snap the shaft - althow i doubt this is possible in a sub

Arrgggh I clicked on your sig link ... braaainzzz. :hulk:

In Tullibee's case, it was a combination of corrosion and metal fatigue. :oops:

Not one for the sonar girls :p
 

Graaaagh!

Me too...
:oops:

Brainz, Brainz, Brainz
Where can I get a new set?
:-?