Jettisoning Systems of Deep-sea Manned Submersibles: A Review

Deep-sea manned submersibles enable researchers to explore in-situ geological features, marine biology and ocean resources at an unexplored abysmal depths of oceans. In manned submersibles, the jettisoning systems are used in controlled descent & ascent during normal operations and in emergency ascent in distress situations. The recommended rules for jettisoning systems by different members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) are reviewed to provide a guiding knowledge for the design of jettisoning systems. The subsea jettisoning systems in manned submersibles use mechanical, hydraulic, electromagnetic, acoustic, pyrotechnic, galvanic-corrosion and shape-memory-alloy-based release mechanisms. These mechanisms are reviewed with their advantages, disadvantages, applications and the future trends in related technologies are presented to provide background knowledge for future innovation and applications.