JILL ELLIS SCM 330 Deep Submergence Vehicle: Alvin

What is Alvin? Manned research submarine Seats two scientists and one pilot Capable of reaching about 63% of the ocean floor Capable of taking samples of rocks, sediment, fluids and other sea life Can dive 4,500 m for up to six to ten hours

Alvin in its original form in the 1960s Brief Background: Built in 1964 Navy Ownership Operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 4,200 dives

Alvin’s Fame and Glory Most widely known for three discoveries: * The location of a lost hydrogen bomb in the Mediterranean Sea in 1966 * The exploration of thermal vents in the 1970s * The discovery of the sunken RMS Titanic in 1986

Inside Alvin Submarine Simulator

How it Works Maneuverability Uses 6 reversible thrusters Hover Rest on the sea floor Diving and Surfacing Controlled by gravity and buoyancy Water ballast and expendable steel weights Trim system to control pitch angle

Lighting the Depths of the Ocean 12 quartz iodide and metal halide lights Lights take up a large portion of the power source

Outer Equipment Hydraulic, robotic arms  Help to take samples and maneuver equipment and materials outside of the submarine A large basket  Can carry up to 1,000 lbs of equipment and samples

Scientific Operational Digital cameras Multibeam sonars Viewing lights Data system that acquires real time data CTFM sonar for flat bottom navigation Altimeter, readout in meters every second Six hydraulic valves Subsystems

So What’s so Revolutionary about Alvin? Instrumental in confirming the idea that the sea floor was spreading along the Mid Atlantic Ridge Confirmed the existence of thermal vents Have recorded over 300 new species  Including bacteria, clams, and tube worms Alvin succeeded in bringing a National Geographic-like quality to ocean discovery

The New and Improved Alvin Ability to dive 6,500 m Capacity to carry more observers Improved battery access More robust sphere design 12 km fiber-optic cable Able to reach 99% of the sea floor