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Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.

Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.
Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.
Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.
Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.
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Barton, Matthew
Jefferson Grau inspects viewport window for inconsistencies.
Still Image
08/15/2012
graphics/Alvin_Ballast_Sphere_Test/IMG_1520.jpg
Image Of the Day caption:
WHOI technician Jefferson Grau inspects a new Alvin viewport (window) to make sure it doesnt contain bubbles or inclusions such as bits of dirt, which could cause the viewport to crack under the extreme pressure of the deep sea. The viewport is made of a kind of plastic that is firm but not brittleunder pressure it will actually change shape. As part of a major upgrade, the research submersible is being outfitted with more and bigger windows than it had previously, to give the pilots, researchers, and observers inside a better look at the watery world they will visit.
Caption from Oceanus magazine, Vol. 51, No. 1, pg. 32:
The new Alvin has five windows. It has three up toward the front that are 7 inches across on the inside (and 17 inches across outside), and two smaller ones off to either side that are 5 inches in diameter on the inside (and 12 inches across outside). These are considerably larger than the windows we had before. The larger sides of the windows face out to the ocean, so that as Alvin goes deeper and is subjected to greater pressure, the windows will be forced inward against the titanium hull. That strengthens the seal between the window and hull.
Photo by Matthew Barton
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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