Kemper Engineering is a long-time participant at Underwater Intervention. We have used this forum and its association with the Marine Technology Society to share information of new developments in and seek feedback. We are also supporters of the Manned Underwater Symposium, which is sponsored by MTS. Patrick Lahey was a keynote speaker at this year’s Marine Technology Society meeting, where he shared his life-long passion for the sea and exploration.
This year we gave two presentations. One was on Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), also known as Debarkation Syndrome. Those with this condition have permanent “land legs”, where they feel like they are underway on a vessel even after weeks or months from being underway. The disorientation can become so severe it prevents people from walking or working. Krista Kemper developed this neurological disorder during an submarine excursion, in part because it’s seen as a “middle aged woman’s condition”. While being diagnosed through the US Veterans Administration, it became apparent there are sailors, merchant mariners, and offshore workers who appear to have the same condition but it’s termed “unspecified vertigo.”
The other presentation is on “Design by Analysis for PVHO Windows.” The current method for developing glassy polymer transparent pressure vessel sections is largely unchanged since 1973. Conventional pressure vessel design methods have changed significantly, to include embracing Finite Element Analysis with codified “design by analysis rules.” The ASME Codes and Standards Committee for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy has begun a “Design By Analysis” task group to provide a method to reliably use new shapes, optimize for new materials, and new applications. This is, in part, in anticipation of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code introducing acrylics as a pressure vessel material for non-PVHOs, such as liquid chromatography chambers.
Conferences such as Underwater Intervention are vital places for exchanging information, building relations, and making the connections needed to develop the new ideas and technologies.
Company presidents Krista Kemper of Kemper Engineering and Patrick Lahey of Triton Submarines. at Underwater Intervention 2020 in New Orleans, La.
Krista Kemper with the acrylic window from Triton Submarine’s LIMITING FACTOR. Bart Kemper presented on new ASME task group “Design by Analysis” for PVHO windows.
Bart and Krista Kemper at UI2020 as they prepare to give their presentation on Debarkation Syndrome (Mal de Debarquement Syndrome, or MdDS).
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