Pressure Testing of U-Boat Worx submersibles – How we test our submarines to the limit and beyond

08/12/2015

We’re often asked how we can assure that our submarines can handle the enormous pressures at depth. For example; at a depth of 300 meters, every cm2 of the pressure hull is exposed to a force of +/- 30 kg. This means the entire surface of the pressure hull can easily resist a total force of almost 3,900 tons.
After a meticulous design and engineering process, and subsequent verification that we indeed use the best materials as ordered we will assemble the submersible’s main pressure vessel. To guarantee that the end result is as strong as calculated we put it through a hydro static pressure test in one of the world’s largest pressure test facilities in Scotland. During the pressure test we not only go to the maximum operating depth of the submarine, we take it beyond the limits!

We actually put all the individual pressure resistant components up to the ultimate test as a final verification of the design and the material quality. Alongside the main pressure hull of the submersible, we also load up the battery compartments, air- and oxygen cylinders, and electronic bottles.

Recently we tested the Super Yacht Sub 3 pressure hull. To illustrate this process the image below shows the pressure chamber in which we exposed the Super Yacht Sub 3 to its test pressure and simulated several dives. To verify that it’s structurally safe and can become part of a real U-Boat Worx submersible, the pressure hull is thoroughly inspected by DNV-GL, specialist surveyors and U-Boat Worx engineers after the test.

This test is one of many we perform for each individual submersible that we proudly build in the Netherlands. For more information about our company, click here.

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  • C-Researcher series

    C-Researcher Series
    • C-Researcher 2
      500 M 1,640 Ft
      5,750 KG 12,700 Lb
      2
    • C-Researcher 2
      1,140 M 3,740 Ft
      7,200 KG 15,800 Lb
      2
    • C-Researcher 2
      3,000 M 9,840 Ft
      9,960 KG 21,950 Lb
      2
    • C-Researcher 3
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      6,300 KG 13,900 Lb
      3
    • C-Researcher 3
      1,140 M 3,740 Ft
      8,900 KG 19,620 Lb
      3
    • C-Researcher 3
      2,500 M 8,200 Ft
      11,300 KG 24,910 Lb
      3
    • C-Researcher 3 LH
      500 M 1,640 Ft
      4,100 KG 9,040 Lb
      3
    • C-Researcher 3 LH
      1,700 M 5,570 Ft
      10,500 KG 23,150 Lb
      3
    • C-Researcher 5
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      8,600 KG 18,960 Lb
      5
    Learn about the C-Researcher series
  • NEXUS Series

    NEXUS Series
    • NEXUS 7
      200 M 650 Ft
      11,000 KG 24,000 Lb
      7
    • NEXUS 8
      200 M 650 Ft
      12,000 KG 26,000 Lb
      9
    Learn about the NEXUS Series
  • Cruise Sub series

    Cruise Sub Series
    • Cruise Sub 5
      500 M 1,640 Ft
      8,500 KG 18,750 Lb
      5
    • Cruise Sub 5
      1,140 M 3,750 Ft
      11,000 KG 24,250 Lb
      5
    • Cruise Sub 5
      1,700 M 5,570 Ft
      16,000 KG 35,260 Lb
      5
    • Cruise Sub 7
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      9,500 KG 20,940 Lb
      7
    • Cruise Sub 7
      1,140 M 3,740 Ft
      14,500 KG 31,970 Lb
      7
    • Cruise Sub 9
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      11,000 KG 24,250 Lb
      9
    • Cruise Sub 11
      200 M 650 Ft
      13,300 KG 29,320 Lb
      11
    Learn about the Cruise Sub series
  • Super Yacht Sub

    Super Yacht Sub 3
    • Super Yacht Sub 3
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      3,800 KG 8,380 Lb
      3
    Learn about the Super Yacht Sub
  • C-Explorer series

    C-Explorer Series
    • C-Explorer 3
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      6,010 KG 13,250 Lb
      3
    • C-Explorer 5
      200 M 650 Ft
      7,340 KG 16,180 Lb
      5
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  • NEMO series

    NEMO
    • NEMO 2
      100 M 330 Ft
      2,500 KG 5,510 Lb
      2
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  • Super Sub

    Super Sub
    • Super Sub
      300 M 1,000 Ft
      9,000 KG 19,800 Lb
      3
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    UWEP
    • 120 OCCUPANTS
      150 M 500 Ft
      120
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  • Nautilus

    Nautilus
    • 17 occupants
      150 M 500 Ft
      17
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Model Overview
feet/poundsmeter/kilogram
  • Occupants (min.)

    2
    99
  • Depth (min.)

    100
    3000
    328
    9840
  • Weight (max.)

    2480
    1300000
    5465
    2500000
  • Height (max.)

    150
    1000
    60
    1000