Ocean gate TITAN IMPLOSION

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6/25/2023

Some in-depth thoughts and data on the implosion of the Ocean Gate submersible.

 These data points emphasize the immense pressures experienced at various depths in the ocean and highlight the significant challenges posed by exploring the deep-sea environment.

• Air pressure at sea level: 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI)
• Water pressure increases by one atmosphere (14.7 PSI) for every 10 meters (32.8 feet) descended
• Depth of the Titanic wreckage: Approximately 12,500 feet below sea level
• Separation between the bow and stern of the Titanic wreckage: Over 2,600 feet
• Distance of the Titanic wreckage from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada: 400 miles
• Pressure at 100 meters depth: 10 atmospheres or 145 PSI
• Weight on a one-foot by one-foot board at 100 meters depth: 20,880 pounds
• Depth equivalent to the height of the Empire State Building (381 meters): Pressure of 37.4 atmospheres
• Weight on the board at a depth of 381 meters: 80,000 pounds
• Maximum dive depth of the C-Class U.S. Navy submarine (490 meters): Pressure of 48.5 atmospheres
• Weight on the board at a depth of 490 meters: 94,800 pounds
• Depth equivalent to the height of the Burj Khalifa (828 meters): Pressure of 82 atmospheres
• Weight on the board at a depth of 828 meters: 173,520 pounds
• Depth of the Titanic wreckage (approximately 3,800 meters): Pressure of 376 atmospheres
• Weight on the board at the depth of the Titanic wreckage: 797,000 pounds
• Maximum dive depth of the Ocean Gate Titan submersible: About 4,000 meters
• Deepest manned descent by the deep-sea Challenger (constructed in 2012): 11,000 meters (36,000 feet)
• Pressure at the deepest point on Earth (Mariana Trench, 11,000 meters): 1,090 atmospheres
• Weight on the board at the depth of the Mariana Trench: 2.3 million pounds
• Airplane cruising altitude (36,000 feet): External pressure around 3 PSI, internal pressure between 10 and 12 PSI

These observations highlight why more people have traveled to space than have ventured into the deepest parts of our oceans. 

In contrast to commercial aviation, the implosion of the Ocean Gate submersible reveals the lack of regulatory oversight in international waters. While the company had to register the parent vessel for transportation from Canada, operations in open waters are minimally regulated. As a lover of engineering, it is challenging to illustrate my feeling because while I appreciate the ambition and thought, I also understand the importance of safety measures and protocols. 

Aviation serves as an example of a highly regulated industry, where numerous stakeholders, including aircraft manufacturers, engineering test officials, and regulatory bodies like the FAA, ensure comprehensive safety standards. However, in the case of deep-sea exploration, such rigorous oversight is absent.

Operational Lifetime

The Ocean Gate submersible itself was an impressive engineering achievement, constructed with a carbon fiber layup, composite structure, and titanium components. It offered a viewing window (even though tiny and hard to see out of) for exploring the Titanic, enabling feats that were previously impossible. However, every engineering device has an operational lifetime, determined through testing to determine its endurance and safety margin. For example, aircraft undergo regular inspections and complete overhauls to identify any flaws or stress concentrations that could lead to failure. After a specific number of operational hours, an aircraft is retired, even if it could potentially continue flying safely. This concept of an operational lifetime seems crucial, but it remains uncertain whether the Titan submersible had a defined operational lifetime or underwent non-destructive testing to assess the condition of its carbon fiber components.

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber is a relatively new engineering material, distinct from the extensively studied high-strength steel and aluminum. It offers impressive strength and performance but lacks a century of historical knowledge and experience. Venturing into new frontiers, such as deep-sea exploration, can be exciting and glamorous, like the upcoming space tourism industry. However, these endeavors also come with unknown risks and challenges. Building vessels capable of withstanding the immense pressures of the deep ocean involves dealing with many unknown variables, lacking a well-established playbook. Commercial versions of such vessels are scarce due to the complexities involved.

It appears that the Titan submersible experienced some form of deformation or structural failure over a few cycles. While it successfully descended and resurfaced three times, it crumpled on the fourth attempt. In my opinion, no vessel exploring the Mariana Trench or depths of 12,000 feet in the Atlantic should have an extended operational lifetime. It is likely that Stockton Rush, the founder of Ocean Gate, aimed to make tickets for these expeditions more affordable. However, the price range of $125,000 to $250,000 might not have been sufficient. A more realistic cost would have been around one to one and a half million dollars, allowing for periodic vessel replacements or comprehensive disruptive testing to replace critical components.

In conclusion, the implosion of the Ocean Gate submersible highlights the lack of regulatory oversight in deep-sea exploration and the importance of defining operational lifetimes, conducting thorough testing, and accounting for the unknowns associated with new engineering materials and frontiers. Safety and robust protocols should always remain paramount, even in the pursuit of ambitious and groundbreaking endeavors.

-CET

5/4/2022

Patent claims effectively define what aspects of your invention others are not allowed to use, make, or sell without your permission. Claims are checked for infringement, making them essential in protecting your invention. While you don't necessarily need to write your own claims as an inventor, understanding how they work ensures your patent application covers the important aspects of your invention.

A patent claim is similar to a deed for real estate, specifying exactly what the invention is and what others are prohibited from doing without permission. Claims are the focus when determining infringement. A regular patent application includes claims, while provisional applications may or may not have them. We'll provide simple claim drafting examples to illustrate how claims work.

For instance, we'll consider a hypothetical claim for a car with a vinyl roof, which provides advantages in styling flexibility. We'll introduce the concept of independent and dependent claims, where the latter further restricts or limits the invention described in the former. Dependent claims can include additional features or structures not present in the independent claim. Having a range of claims, from broad to specific, is generally considered advantageous in a patent application.

When reading and proofreading claims, it's important to ensure that they don't introduce new terms not explained in the written description. Verifiability and discoverability are also key considerations, as you should be able to determine if someone is making, using, or selling your invention. We provide examples to illustrate these concepts.

By understanding the basics of patent claims, you'll be better equipped to review claims in your own patent application and ensure they accurately protect your invention. These insights will be valuable as you develop your patent applications.

-CET