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Most films shot from inside vehicles during volcanic eruptions show similar things; wipers struggling to clear ash, dirt and mud from the windscreen, very poor visibility, lumps of rock banging on the bodywork. And if there's a pyroclastic flow on the way, you're in real trouble.
Strangely, even trained
volcanologists seem to have these problems, arising from using off-the-forecourt conventional vehicles.
What's needed is a specially designed and adapted road (and off-road) vehicle for volcano research.
BorgCo's latest offering is just right. Based on proven military technology, the spacious interior can accommodate several scientists and their equipment. Periscopes allow safe observation and filming of the surroundings, protected from lava bombs and debris. A recirculating air system protects the occupants from poisonous or asphyxiant gasses; the engine too is provided with special filtering.
The profile of the hull is shaped so as to naturally shed falling ash, with ports for air sampling and other functions. In the event of a pyroclastic flow, the composite insulation protects all critical systems from excessive temperature rise, so the vehicle can continue to move to safety; bottled air allows the engine to run for short periods even when there is little or no ambient oxygen available.
A comprehensive communications, navigation and telemetry package is included as standard.
Both wheeled (6 x 6 or 8 x 8) and fully tracked versions will be offered.
(?) It makes me think of this horrible movie
http://wtf-film.com...Damnation-Alley.jpg
[Klaatu, Jun 03 2011]
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[+] This sounds like it can work, but I'm bunning this because just about 20 minutes ago I had an idea for a volcano toilet!!! (Hah) We weren't exactly on the same wave length... |
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please please please link to your vt idea! |
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And it has an IR vision system which can see through
thick smoke. You've invented the American
presidential limousine. |
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(With heavy slavic accent at the used car lot) |
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"Sure, is volcano vehicle, would I lie you?
Guarantee
extra safe. I know, look like '85 Volvo, but made
special to drive in volcano, you drive out no
problem. This paint, it not peel to 1 million
degrees,
have, how you say... scientific formula keep you
cool inside. So cool you need heater keep you
warm.
Unfortunately, heater not work so I cut you deal. I
even throw in volcano proof fuzzy dice hang from
rear view mirror." |
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The engine would need a special intake filter. Hopefully better than European aircraft have. |
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You mean the "European" aircraft that use Pratt & Whitney and General Electric turbofans ? |
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Actually, I don't know about that. How about Briggs and Stratton? I'm referring to the ones that mostly don't speak Englische. |
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The problem is that visible light does not penetrate all that volcano stuff enough. What is needed is a visualization system based on something more energetic, like neutrinos. Those would cut thru the smoke like nothing, and even largish chunks would just look like semitranslucent rain. The neutrinocam would be great for prospecting as well. |
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What are the wheels made out of, to stop them
melting? |
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Probably it just carries spares. Lots of spares. |
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If you're not going too close in, then the wheeled option is fine; but if you're planning on driving over hot ash, then go for the tracked option. |
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Do expect high wear rates and short service intervals; ash is very abrasive. |
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Instead of fighting the heat and ash, work with it. Perhaps the vehicle could travel like a slug, on a slime trail of molten ash. |
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lava/atmosphere stirling engine. |
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Why not use dynamic motivators to power the
wheels/tracks/bogies/whatever, linked to a great big
battery charged by a turbine? That way you can run off
battery power when oxygen is absent, which I would think
to be more reliable and probably longer-lasting than an I-C
engine sucking bottled air (especially considering the high-
displacement plant needed to shift this beast would suck a
helluva lot of air even at idle). |
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I also humbly suggest a small cryogenic plant or other
method of artificially cooling the cabin in case thick
insulation isn't enough in the middle of those pesky
pyroclastic flows; I know I'm pointing out the bloody
obvious, but insulation doesn't keep things cold, it just
slows down the rate at which the temp changes. If exposed
to superheated gasses for too long, the inside of the
vehicle could still be an oven long after the outside is cool
to the touch. |
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//What are the wheels made out of, to stop them melting?
// |
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High-density ceramic, perhaps? |
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The Stryker NBCRV (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
Reconnaissance Vehicle would be ideally adapted to
this, save for the tires. Even has soil-sampling
equipment. Maybe a tracked vehicle like a Bradley? |
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An 80's Toyota Hilux perhaps? |
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That's right...Top Gear already looked into this. |
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Problem with pyroclastic flow, I would suggest, is less
the heat (even though it could be 1000 degrees) -
but the fact that it is travelling at up to 500 miles an
hour (if my Uni geology is remembered correctly).
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Not much good being comfortable vis a vis your
temperature, if you are rolling down the mountain in
you vehicle at a few hundred miles an hour... |
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Automatic Hovercraft Mode: |
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Auto-detect wheel melting.....In that case deploy
water sprinklers, not to stop the wheels from
melting, silly! |
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The water released under the vehicle will instantly
vaporize (rapidly increasing volume), making this a
hovercraft! |
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