Divers to Use Underwater Computers 潜水员将使用水下计算机Divers may soon be equipped with personal computers. 不久，也许就能够给潜水员配备小型计算 机 The underwater computer Wet PC, fastened with a strap to the diver, is designed for use by oceanographers and other submarine workers who need to record data, consult maps, gather information, count fish and diagnose equipment faults. 这种名叫 Wet-PC 的水下计算机是由一条皮 带扎劳在潜水员身上，它是专门为海洋学 家和其他水下工作者设计的，他们需要记 录数据、查阅地图、收集情况、计算鱼量 和判断设备故障With acoustic transmitters and receivers the underwater computer will help divers swim in dark water, and with a modem, it will be able to communicate with other underwater computers. 水下计算机依靠声音发射器和接收器帮助 潜水员在黑暗的水中自由游动，依靠调制 解调器能够同其他的水下计算机进行联络 通讯。
The underwater computer is the invention of a marine technologist in Australia. 水下计算机的发明者是澳大利亚的一位海 洋技术专家 He predicts that it will become as valuable a tool for oceanographers as laptop computer already is for land-based scientists. 他预言，水下计算机将成为海洋学家一种 有用的工具，如同膝上计算机是以地面为 基地的科学家的有用工具一样 He says that time spent by divers in the water is critical in terms of research costs and the threat of nitrogen narcosis （氮麻醉）. 他说，就研究费用和氮麻醉的威胁来说， 潜水员在水中的时间是至关重要的Processor electronics（信息处理电子仪） of the underwater computer are put in a sealed module （密封的模件）installed on the diver's air tank（压缩空气瓶）. 水下电子计算机的信息电子仪放在一个密 封的模件内，该模件安装在潜水员背上的 压缩空气瓶上。
As the diver swims deeper, air is drawn from the tank to balance the increased water pressure and as he ascends, the air is released. 当潜水员向深处游时，他从瓶中吸出空气 以平衡增加的水压，当他上升时，空气随 之逸出A cable connects the underwater computer to a display on the diver's mask and another cable（省略?） to an oil-filled keyboard in front of the diver's chest. 水下计算机通过一根电缆同潜水员面罩上 的显示器相连，通过另一根电缆同潜水员 胸前的充满油的键盘相连Without having to leave water, the diver can refer to work files and maps, and consult data. 潜水员无需离开水就能够查阅工作资料、 地图和数据。
The Australian technologist invented the underwater computer to improve the efficiency of the survey work on reefs. 这位澳大利亚技术专家发明水下计算机的 目的，是为了提高勘查暗礁的工作效率 However, scientists believe that it could be a powerful tool for police searches, naval operations and the maintenance of offshore oil rigs. 但是，科学家们认为，对警察搜查、海军 作业和海上石油钻机的维修来说，水下计 算机可能是一种强有力的工具This submarine device is also being combined with a navigation system, allowing divers to move around sub-marine structures in darkness. 这种水下计算机也正在同一种导航系统结 合使用，使潜水员能够在漆黑的水中绕着 水下结构游动。
The computer can calculate the diver's position to within 10 centimeters, or give directions along a predetermined line. 水下计算机能够计算出潜水员的位置，误 差不超过 10 厘米，或者沿着一条预先确定 的路线指示方向 It can also record the diver's path for follow-up visits to the site. 他还能够记录潜水员游动的路线，以便今 后继续造访此地 The navigation system could be used by marine archaeologists to map a shipwreck in three dimensions. 海洋考古学家可以使用这种导航系统去绘 制沉船的立体图The inventor says that the underwater computer should sell for about the same price as a quality laptop. 发明者说，水下计算机的售价与高级膝上 计算机大致相同。
Australian Institute of Marine Science has applied for a patent on the underwater computer. 澳大利亚海洋科学研究所已经为水下计算 机申请了专利。