A New Generation of ADS Capabilities

This paper presents a case study describing submerged work at Shaft 19 of the Delaware Aqueduct, which evolved to become the most complex atmospheric diving suit (ADS) project ever undertaken. The limitations imposed by existing atmospheric systems are considered along with very significant improvements in ADS capability now being developed for both commercial and scientific diving. For more than a century, ADS has offered the enticing potential of allowing men to work effectively at great depths without suffering the effects of increased pressure. Unfortunately, early suits did not function well at depth, and pilots could be more accurately described as observers peering through the small viewports of “diving bells” outfitted with crippled appendages. The modern rotary joint was patented in 1985 offering great promise, but even during the past 25 years, atmospheric diving has remained specialized, underutilized, and largely left in the wake of remarkable advances in saturation diving and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology. Underwater work performed at Shaft 19 contributed to development of Exosuit™, the next generation in atmospheric diving. Substantial improvements in mechanical suit design have been integrated with an optical fiber umbilical, computerized control systems, and modern electronics to dramatically improve ADS capabilities. The Exosuit itself can power multiple tools, a variety of hand pod end-effectors are presently maturing, and atmospheric diving may now be poised to assume far greater significance in deep diving operations.