Switch box
Date2005-2012
Object number00055458
NameSwitch box
MediumPolycarbonate, silicon fluid, metal
DimensionsOverall: 445 × 330 × 135 mm, 5624 g
Copyright© Ron Allum Deepsea Services
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection gift of Ron and Yvette Allum
DescriptionPolycarbonate switch box designed by Ron Allum for the submersible DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, piloted by James Cameron to dive to the bottom of the Marina Trench in 2012.HistoryRather than using heavy, thick walled pressure vessels to encase the electronics, battery assemblies are placed in a dielectric (non-conducting) fluid which can be housed in a lightweight container of any shape. Because these containers are not designed to withstand pressure, the electronics they house have to be capable of working at the ambient pressure of the surrounding sea water.
SignificanceOn 25 March 2012, James Cameron piloted the submersible DEEPSEA CHALLENGER to the bottom of the Marina Trench in the first solo dive to this depth. Australian inventor and deep-sea pioneer Ron Allum began work on the project in secrecy in 2005 in his workshop in Leichhardt, NSW. Allum designed the unique pressure-balanced and oil-filled electronics for the submersible.
2005-2012
