Abstract: Jeff Heaton UI/Workboat 2025
Topic: The Future of Atmospheric Diving Systems
Atmospheric Diving Systems are not a new concept. Armored Diving Dresses have been in recorded use since the early 1700’s. The basic premise behind ADS is to provide a one atmosphere environment for the diver to occupy so they are not exposed to ambient sea water pressure, and the barotrauma associated with that, yet provide enough dexterity through the pressure boundary for the diver to perform work. Early versions were very crude with little ability to be effective tools but still enabled divers to tolerate depths for durations that would have been impossible for standard diving systems of the period. Fast forward to early 20th century where the lure of ocean salvage creates the interest for new designs of ADS that have rudimentary articulated arms and legs. These designs have some commercial success. The onset of World Wars I and II continue to drive the designs again for Navy use and ADS designs advance again with improved limb movement and the incorporation of active ballast systems and improved life support. It is accepted that pivotal step in modernizing ADS happened in the mid 1960’s when a group of engineers working for UMEL (Underwater Marine Equipment Ltd) in the UK, resurrected a design from 1930’s named Tritonia. Tritonia saw fame and fortune by diving on the wreck of the RMS Lusitania. Built by Joseph Salim “Pop” Peress, the team at UMEL worked with Peress modernize the suit so it could be tested more effectively. With lessons learned, the famous JIM suit was born from that design. Later designs followed, each with an added component which improved the ability of the ADS to perform work. For example, thrusters were tried on JIM (Jet JIM) which resulted in the later design of WASP ADS which saw extensive use through the 1970s in offshore oilfield work. It can be said that the full commercialization of ADS was made possible by Phil Nuytten. Phil, being the founder of Oceaneering International, adopted the early use of ADS and saw the role ADS would play in the future of diving. Feeling so strongly about this, Nuytten stepped down from Oceaneering and started a new company, International Hard Suits, solely dedicated to the advancement in ADS. In the early 1980’s Nuytten patented the rotary joint concept which gave mobility to the ADS and allowed the suit to perform very complex tasks. The revolutionary “Newtsuit” worked in commercial projects worldwide. Moving forward to the 21st century, Nuytten’s new Company, Nuytco Research, advances ADS design with the Exosuit. With a further advanced joint design, and advanced electrical and life support system, Exosuit makes the ADS pilot more effective at conducting underwater work. In 2020, Nuytco Research entered into contract with the US Navy to push the limits of ADS once again. The goal: make an ADS that is so manoeuvrable that it can be used as a direct replacement for the Navy diver. The Nuytco DSEND system is the response to this contract. DSEND uses further advanced joint design and human factors optimization to provide an unprecedented level of dexterity and movement. The DSEND pilot can walk, hop, crawl, climb ladders, kneel, lay down, roll onto their back and orient back to their feet with ease. This has been the goal of ADS design since the beginning, but it was not feasible until the joint technology allowed the effortless movement that we now have in DSEND. DSEND will be the future of ADS with commercial and scientific models to work alongside the Navy counterparts.
