Since the beginning of the world, controlling
the ocean has been a key part in the power struggle. Whoever has domain of the
waters, regulates trade, ports, and people. Today’s world has evolved quite a
bit, but the principle remains the same. The airplane was an amazing feat,
being able to propel something that was heavier than air through the skies is
mind blowing. At the same rate, submarines are just as much an innovation
miracle. The idea that you could submerge you and your crew underwater for
months at a time is astounding. Submarines are common knowledge today, they are
known by most everybody. At the same time, submarine technology is developing
rapidly, and the future of submarines is exciting and terrible. Today nuclear
submarines are the cutting edge of aquatic science.
A Recent History
In 1954, just after
WWII, the United States crafted the first nuclear submarine, The Nautilus.
Before the Nautilus all other subs were powered by diesel fuel, and were very
limited in range, because they had to come up to the surface to be recharged
and refueled. However, since the Nautilus was nuclear powered it could be had
virtually unlimited range. Also, up until that point submarines were designed
to skim the surface of the water and occasionally dive. The Nautilus was made
to stay deep underwater for its entire voyage. This presented a real threat to
other countries because now a submarine could travel the length of an ocean and
engage enemy ships, completely undetected. The designers of the Nautilus ran
successful voyage after voyage with it, and eventually armed it with powerful
missiles.
The Parts
The bare bones of a
submarine are two parts: the outer hull, and inner hull. The outer is what
gives the submarine it’s cucumber shape, and allows the submarine to travel
through the water like it does. It is also incredibly thick and resilient.
While diving the submarine is subject to enormous pressures caused by water.
The inner hull is the pressured residence of the computers, cabins, and crew.
In between the two hulls are the ballast tanks. These tanks take on and release
water, and help distribute the weight of the submarine. Towards the end of the
submarine are the propeller and rudder, which allow the submarine to dive and
ascend. There is nuclear reactor, which is essentially a glorified steam
engine, which powers the submarine.
Final Thoughts
Nuclear submarine are
amazing. They are the peak of the modern warfare and technology for power. They are also a reminder that nuclear energy can be harnessed
and used in gigantic feats, like powering a forty thousand ton vessel across
the ocean and back again. At the same time, nuclear energy and development
still have miles to go before we will see the energy in our homes. But if
nuclear energy is able to keep a crew safe a mile under the sea, we are sure to
be seeing it show up in the common activities of modern life.
Author Bio:
As the operations office
manager for a website marketing business, Daniel Holdeman labors as a posting
guest to service companies in the U.S. such as Don
Rowe. He works in The State of California, and is drinking in these
times with his special woman and three rug rats. Dan-the-man invites
individuals to preview his Google Plus info anytime.