Spherical Sector Windows With Restrained Edge for Undersea Applications

Abstract

A new concept for the mounting of spherical sector windows has been experimentally evaluated under short-term, long-term, and cyclic pressure loadings. The new mounting concept requires that the spherical sector windows be provided with square edges instead of conical edges. The horizontal bearing surface of the square edge carries the axial and the vertical bearing surface the radial thrust of the spherical sector window. Experimental evaluation of the new mounting concept has shown that the spherical windows with square edges are subjected to larger flexure moments than similar windows with conical edges. However, the short-term critical pressures of spherical sector windows with square edges and included angle 75 deg < α < 180 deg were found to be only 10 percent less than those of similar windows with conical edges. For spherical sectors with α < 75 deg the square edge mounting provides significantly higher short-term implosion pressures than conical edge mountings. Based on the short-term critical pressures, strains, stresses, and cyclic fatigue data generated by this study, the spherical shell sector windows with square edge mounting are considered acceptable for service in manned submersibles, habitats, or diving bells.