Mini-Submarine Randy Draeger Grant Stockton David Upp

Problem Statement  As High School students, we have not fully investigated or applied the concepts and applications of electronics, fluid dynamics, energy systems, mechanical systems, calculus and physics in the construction and use of submersible technologies  Mathematic and physics equations were the basis of the submarine design  Combined a lot of units of study in tech class with physics principles  Realistic goal, and submersibles have a place in the modern world

Group Devlopment  Randy – Leader due to personal experiences and strong will for the completion of the project  Grant – Scribe due to neat hand writing and attention to detail  David – Time Keeper due to his past experiences with engineering and his ability to accurately a lot time for each task

Background  First submarine made by Dutch. Used oars underwater for propulsion  First military submarine was produced by an American  Nicknamed Turtle  Failed during trial run in the civil war  Consequently submarine projects were abandoned until the 20 th century  Modified with internal combustion engines, newer ballast control systems, silent propulsion systems, a nuclear missiles

Customer  Mr. Pritchard – ITC instructor and will serve as our supervisor  Ms. Brandner – AP Calculus BC instructor and will serve as our mathematical and physics expert

Project Scope  Research, design and build submersible  Deliverables:  Submarine  Final Report  Final PowerPoint Presentation  Consult Experts:  Teachers  Hobby Experts  Hardware Experts  Less than $400

Research How does a submarine work? What materials are submersibles made out of? How do RC components work underwater? Ballast Systems Hull Design Propulsion Systems

How does a submarine work?

Archimedes’ Principle

Free Force Body Diagram  The force of weight is combating the force of buoyancy  Recall as the volume of the object decreases, so does the buoyant force  This allows the force of weight to take a more pronounced effect in bringing the submarine down underwater  When the volume increases, buoyancy becomes stronger, forcing the object towards the surface

How is neutral buoyancy obtained?

Ballast Systems  Gas vs. Piston

Hull Design  Wet vs. Dry Hull  PVC is optimal because it is a polymer / composite with a density near 1 and rather strong

Propulsion  Propellers attached to waterproof motor  Ranking characteristics for power  Angular frequency  Slant length  Length of blade  Number of blades

RC Components  Water disrupts radio waves  AM frequency will go down to 20 feet good reception  FM frequency stops at 5 feet  RC frequencies stop around 4 feet underwater  Possibility of extending the receiver wire to the surface in tether cord

Criteria  Must function underwater  Waterproof  Electronic components are protected (safety)  Movement with 3 degrees of Freedom  Ballast System  Maintain Neutral Buoyancy [still and motion]  Diving range 5-10 ft.  Video Feed (optional)  Lighting (optional)

Constraints  Limited weight due to buoyancy  Limited Budgets ($400)  Materials must withstand underwater pressure  All materials must run off the same power source with the voltage drop  Depth is limited to tether line

Explore Possibilities  Submarine vs. ROV  Wet vs. Dry Hull  Piston vs. Gas  Remote Control vs. Tether

Randy’s Design

David’s Design

Grant’s design

Select an approach Criteria Design 1 (Randy)Design 2 (Grant)Design 3 (David) 3 degrees of freedom 434 Waterproof353 Camera Feed533 Functional (underwater) 111 Diving range below 4 ft. 111 Electronics protected YYY Total141312

Mathematical Based Design  The ballast tanks must be large enough to change the volume of water displaced to the point that the submarine will sink  Based on our list of materials,

Initial Design  Saddle Ballast Tank Design  Wanted to keep ballast tanks away from the center hull to keep electronics dry  Middle tube is dry  2 outside tubes are the ballast tanks  Gas powered ballast  Solenoid Valves release air

Prototyping Everything was cut Then all the pieces were assembled Divide and Conquer Took 1 ½ months for first prototype

In the navy Safety Glasses

TEST plan 1 (specs) Purpose Keep submarine within constraints Procedure Measure dimensions Expected results Fit with 2x2x3 Results Fits within dimensions

Test Plan 2 (Propelled buoyancy) Purpose Ensure buoyancy system is operational during motion Procedure Attain neutral buoyancy Move with obstacle (cage) Expected results Pass with obstacle Results Never attained stationary bouyancy

Test Plan (3 Degrees of freedom)

Test plan 4 (video feed) Purpose Check webcam is providing input Procedure Plug in webcam Use geometric shapes to verify input Expected results Webcam provides input Results Webcam was water damaged

Test plan 5 (Water proof)  Purpose  Procedure  Expected results  Results

Waterproof problems Problems Epoxy and silicon sealant Fiber glass casing Re-fitting

Test plan 6 ( Stationary Neutral buoyancy) Purpose Verify buoyancy while not moving Procedure Attain neutral buoyancy Measure time at neutrally buoyant Expected results Prototype attains neutral buoyancy Results Never attained neutral bouyancy 

Test photos

Test conclusions Waterproofing Buoyancy Issues Further Refinements

Refining Waterproofing Center of Buoyancy Added Weight to Adjust Water Inertia Web Cam view Tether Tension Top Cap Screw Outer Body Fiber glass Shell

Future refinements Trim tanks Different Canisters Propeller Placment

Lessons Learned (Randy) Unforeseen Problems Construction Importance of calculations

Lessons Learned (Grant)  Water Vs. Grant

Lessons Learned (David) Water is a challenge Importance of physics concepts

Summary