Shaghai to San Francisco in 100
minutes: China reveals plans for 'supersonic submarine' using an underwater
bubble - and it could even help you swim faster
·
Vessel travels inside a
'bubble' to reduce drag
·
Could reach
supersonic speeds
·
Technique could also be
used to develop superfast swimsuits
China is developing a'supersonic' submarine that could travel from
Shanghai to San Francisco in less than two hours.
Researchers say their new craft
uses a radical new technique to create a 'bubble' to surround itself, cutting
down drag dramatically.
In theory, the researchers say, a
supercavitating vessel could reach the speed of sound underwater, or about
5,800km/h.
+2
The new sub envelops a submerged
vessel inside an air bubble to avoid problems caused by water drag
HOW IT
WORKS
The new
sub is based on Soviet technology developed during the cold war.
Called
supercavitation, it envelopes a submerged vessel inside an air bubble to avoid
problems caused by water drag.
A Soviet
supercavitation torpedo called Shakval was able to reach a speed of 370km/h or
more - much faster than any other conventional torpedoes.
In theory,
a supercavitating vessel could reach the speed of sound underwater, or about
5,800km/h, which would reduce the journey time for a transatlantic underwater
cruise to less than an hour, and for a transpacific journey to about 100
minutes, according to a report by California Institute of Technology in
2001.
The technology was developed by a
team of scientists at Harbin Institute of Technology's Complex Flow and Heat
Transfer Lab.
Li Fengchen, professor of fluid
machinery and engineering, told the South China Morning Post he
was 'very excited by its potential'.
The new sub is based on Soviet
technology developed during the cold war.
Called supercavitation, it envelopes a submerged vessel inside an
air bubble to avoid problems caused by water drag.
A Soviet supercavitation torpedo
called Shakval was able to reach a speed of 370km/h or more - much faster than
any other conventional torpedoes.
In theory, a supercavitating
vessel could reach the speed of sound underwater, or about 5,800km/h, which
would reduce the journey time for a transatlantic underwater cruise to less
than an hour, and for a transpacific journey to about 100 minutes, according to
a report by California Institute of Technology in 2001.
The Chinese system constantly
'showers' a special liquid membrane on its own surface.
+2
Traditional submarines suffer
from drag underwater, which limits their speed.
Although this membrane would be
worn off by water, in the meantime it could significantly reduce the water drag
on the vessel at low speed.
After its speed had reached
75km/h or more the vessel would enter the supercavitation state, Li
said.
However, Li admitted problems
still needed to be solved before supersonic submarine travel became feasible.
A powerful underwater rocket
engine still needs to be developed.
The technique could even be used
to aid awimmers, he believes.
'If a swimsuit can create and
hold many tiny bubbles in water, it can significantly reduce the water drag;
swimming in water could be as effortless as flying in the sky,' he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment