The world’s most advanced submarine company, Triton Subs,and
high pressure glass fabricator Rayotek Scientific, have joined forces
to design a full ocean depth submersible that will revolutionize
man’s relationship with the deep ocean.
With a planned descent rate of 500 feet per minute, the deepest spot in
the ocean, at 35,800 ft., can be reached in approximately 75 minutes.
The Triton 36,000 Full Ocean Depth Submersible's pressure hull utilizes
Rayotek’s patented manu-facturing process and proprietary technologies
to produce a sphere of high-strength specialty glass. Glass has been
successfully used in deep submergence for more than 40 years and
some spheres have been rated to almost 30,000 ft. (9,000 meters).
Rayotek’s proprietary technology is capable of overcoming previous
manufacturing limitations and producing perfect spheres of sufficient
diameter to accommodate three occupants. By incorporating no
metallic elements or through hull penetrations in the pressure
boundary, the design takes advantage of the fact that up to a very
high limit, glass becomes stronger with greater compression.
The Triton is designed for both scientific and commercial work, and
requires a minimum of support equipment and personnel.
All life support is internal to the pressure hull and control and monitoring
functions are carried out by wireless fiber optic systems that transmit light
through the glass hull as projections on the inside walls controlled with
touch-screen functionality. The glass is protected from point impact by
internal and external acrylic sheaths.