Tank Enclosure

[5ata]

I was recently watching Jean Michel-Cousteau's Ocean Adventures and noticed a unique setup the expedition team used for their open circuit tanks. It appears that they were using two 10 liter tanks inside some sort of a plastic or carbon fiber enclosure to reduce drag while diving. Are there any companies making such a thing?

I've attached some screen captures from the DVD to show what I am describing.

 

[mike_s]

call me crazy, but that looks like it would create more drag than an single AL80 does.

makes me wonder if they are doing it more for "show" than anything else..


I think that US Divers used to sell something like this...
look at Diving Machines,submarines, submersibles, minisubs, personal subs, subs, tourist subs and look for the UDS 1 (yellow enclosure)

They also had a similar item called the Advanced Breathing System (ABS). which was several small tanks enclosed.
see Vintage Double Hose :: View topic - ADVANCED BREATHING SYSTEM (ABS) US DIVERS--HISTORY

Why doesn't anyone else use these? there must be a reason. Either they aren't cost effective or the create more problems or drag than they are worth.


check out this old thread also
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/sea-hunt-era/63188-triple-tank-triple-manifolds.html

 

[kiwi_diver]

I think they were more of a gimmick than anything else. Just so the Cousteau crew looked like they had cool cutting-edge gear. IIR, in the "Undersea World Of JC" that used to air on TV in the '70's they used those yellow backpacks and had yellow helmets too, but not Kirby-Morgans, with a light and I/C fitted. Some dive shops have those old USD DS1's on display as antiques.

 

[jeraldjcook]

From that first screenshot it looks to me like they're triples. AL40s perhaps??? Weird.

 

[Luis H]

Take a look at these web sites:
Flashback Scuba Products: C-Shell


I have seen the shell that Ryan makes and it is cool.


Here are more shots Cousteau’s Calypso divers shell integrated dive systems.
A lot was for show (it looks good in camera), but there were many functional features design into the systems.
scuba museum

Cousteau Museum



For the most part shells are often not worth their complication, but they are cool. From the reports that I have heard, some are great to dive with, but not all.

My impression is that a lot has to do with the balanced feel the diver may get out of multiple tanks versus a single large cylinder. At the low speed that we swim, the hydrodynamic drag is not as big of an issue as it is often assumed. Of course there is drag and you want to reduce it, but adding a the fearing probably reduces drag less than…for example putting your arms streamed lined next to your body rather than in the praying position that many divers use now a days.


All that being said… due to the cool factor, at some point I may have to get one of Ryan shells.

Ryan modeled his after the Technisub RAID system (odd_equipment ), which was a very well design system with many features not available in other dive units.


There are definite advantages to our present modular approach to dive gear, but like in everything, there are some compromises.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Jean Michael Cousteau spoke at our college scuba club in 1985 - just before the rediscovery of the world voyages. At that time he discussed the new equipment under development and one of the items was a UDS type shell system using 4 very slim hoop wrapped tanks at 300 bar pressure and holding (if memory serves me well) 130 cu ft of gas.

The unit did look pretty streamlined and at scooter propelled velocities it woudl have been more efficient than, for example twin 72's holding a similar 130 cu ft.

I think the cool factor has always been part of the TV era Cousteau equation but that is understandable given that the films were intended for National Geographic and other TV specials. But on the other hand I think that serious equipment develop was also always part of the Cousteau equation.

 

[Luis H]

Jean Michael Cousteau spoke at our college scuba club in 1985 - just before the rediscovery of the world voyages. At that time he discussed the new equipment under development and one of the items was a UDS type shell system using 4 very slim hoop wrapped tanks at 300 bar pressure and holding (if memory serves me well) 130 cu ft of gas.

The unit did look pretty streamlined and at scooter propelled velocities it woudl have been more efficient than, for example twin 72's holding a similar 130 cu ft.

I think the cool factor has always been part of the TV era Cousteau equation but that is understandable given that the films were intended for National Geographic and other TV specials. But on the other hand I think that serious equipment develop was also always part of the Cousteau equation.

Take a look at this picture from Cousteau rediscovery:
museum


re_equipment


The set you are describing sounds similar to this 5000 psi set below (notice the yoke connection). Ryan brought that system to Florida to our vintage equipment gathering (Sand Dog IV) at Weeki Wachee last spring. It is cool. He dove a reproduction RAID system.

And here is the scooter that goes with that set. The two pods on the side are for a cylinder in each pod.

Yeah...One of Cousteau biggest interest was the filming and the showmanship, but there was some decent developments behind some of the equipment.

 

[Stu S.]

Most of us have seen Cousteau's film World Without Sun. I saw it in 1965 at age 11. France was not involved in the Space Race, but there were plenty of space-looking things in that film. The diving saucer was a functional shape, but the silver wetsuits were probably styled after astronauts. Space themes abounded all over. (Even my uncle's Oldsmobile had a rocket on it.)

This was French national pride showing. The oceans were their new frontier. It was referred to as "Inner Space". The younger Cousteaus are following the family tradition.

 

[mike_s]

.

To me that just just completely voids any rules of "keep it simple".

You've got 4 tanks to vis, having to take them apart and put back together to do that.

Also, it just invites the chance of rust. You have to make sure you halfway take that thing apart just to rinse it good fo salwater.

to me, it looks like a problem created for something that didn't need a solution.

no wonder they didn't sell. Too many extra parts make it way to expensive for the regular diver to buy over a single tank setup.

 

[Luis H]

To me that just just completely voids any rules of "keep it simple".

You've got 4 tanks to vis, having to take them apart and put back together to do that.

Also, it just invites the chance of rust. You have to make sure you halfway take that thing apart just to rinse it good fo saltwater.

to me, it looks like a problem created for something that didn't need a solution.

no wonder they didn't sell. Too many extra parts make it way to expensive for the regular diver to buy over a single tank setup.

That set up was never for sell. That was never the intention. It was not intended for a sport diver.

There was not much for it to "rust". The tanks are titanium and the fittings are mostly stainless.

The hose clams screws are showing some rust, but surface rust is not uncommon on some of the low grade 18-8 stainless. You commonly see that.

My understanding is that this system was not successful do to the titanium alloy selection, but I don't really know the details.