1. ISR 2011 : SCUBSTER Submersible Technical Introduction

2. Contents Introduction Concept Technical Presentation The Team
Partners & Sponsors

3. Introduction
The original project started in 2009 when Stephane Rousson with the support of his partners decided to release a new Submersible Concept with the Innovative Design support of Minh-Lôc Truong.
The first aim of the project was to introduce a new wet submarine concept, with a design inspired by the Swordfish, focusing on manoeuvrability, undersea wide vision and high capacity for an extended autonomy. With the help of his partners and collaborators, the original Demonstrator prototype was first tested in Nice area during summer 2010 and has never stopped being optimized since .
For its very first participation to the International Submarine Race, the team is pleased to introduce the Scubster Demonstrator.

4. Concept
The Scubster demonstrator was not designed as a pure speed “Racer” but more to validate a new hydrodynamics approach combining aestheticism, inspired by sea animal universe, and manoeuvrability.
An original drivability & propulsion layout concept, based on a twin contra-rotating lateral propellers idea, enables a complete 6 degrees of freedom management only based on a 360°independent propellers orientation + left/right propeller coupling manual control.

5. Technical Presentation
Model Testing
Hull
Bill of Materials
Safety
Propulsion Principle
Drivability
Propellers Study
Main dimensions
Main Characteristics and calculated Performance
Trials & Testing

6. Model Testing
In June 2010, the ISTV Engineering School (Toulon – France) released a Test Report of drag measurement in the school model test basin with a model supplied by the Scubster team prior to Demonstrator manufacturing. The aim of this test was to predict the Drag Coefficient (Cx) and establish the hydrodynamic performance of the Demonstrator.
The specific equipment (a pod equipped with a force gauge and driven at a pre-set speed range by an electric motor) was used for a 1:5 scale Test Model prototyped in stereolythography by E2R Company based on 3D CAD drawings provided by the Scubster team.

7. Hull (1/2) Carbon fiber + Epoxy resin pre-assembled hull
Half hull structure (desmountable pieces of wood with mirror possibility) for matrix mold core manufacturing
Hull half mold core preparation with carbon fiber sheets
Final assembly with gel coating prior to final sanding and painting

8. Hull (2/2)
Canopy kinematics Principle for easy opening and pilot access
(Supmeca students CAD study – Toulon)
Disassemby feature for compact packaging during transportation overseas

9. Bill of Materials Hull : Carbon Fiber Epoxy Resin coated
Canopy : Plexiglass Resin
Transmission : Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Bronze, Glass Fiber filled Nylon 66,
Carbon Fiber Tubes, rubber
Propellers : Epoxy coated Wood
Empennage : Aluminium
Seat : Carbon fiber Epoxy Resin coated
Safety Buoy : TBD

10. Safety (1/2) Emergency Exit :
The wide canopy with easy access and opening allows a fast and easy ability to evacuate the submarine (actuated either from inside or outside with an Escape hatch device)
Safety Buoy : To be completed
Strobe : Leakproof (70 m) diving flashing LED light (to be completed)

11. Safety (2/2) ΔP Pressure Regulation :
The standard 2 stages Pressure Regulator design doesn’t compensate the hydrostatic water pressure (Delta P) between the mouth and chest vertical locations which can generate a local external overpressure up to 0.05 bar (i.e. 0.7 PSI) on thorax muscles. This may cause a significant constraint against an easy breathing when the diver body top is close to vertical and does handicap overall C02 release and physical performance when racing.
The 2 stage “Mistral” Mark II type does improve this constraint by a relocation of pressure regulator on the top of the air bottle, much vertically closer to the thorax muscles, reducing significantly the hydrostatic pressure (Delta P) on thorax for a much easier breathing and limited C02 storage. Furthermore, the relocation of the Pressure Regulator at the rear of the diver’s head allows to evacuate breathed out bubbles behind the diver which keeps the diver vision clear of bubbles.
This new version will be implemented for the ISR 2011 Contest ΔP

12. Propulsion Principle (1/2)
+/-180° orientation control of propulsion axis
(left & right independantly)
Left & right propellers
coupling / uncoupling control

13. Propulsion Principle (2/2)
+/-180° orientation control
of propulsion axis
(left & right independantly)
Left & right propellers
coupling / uncoupling control

14. Propulsion Principle
COMPLETE PROPELLERS
COUPLING

15. Propulsion Principle
RIGHT PROPELLER
DECOUPLING
(RIGHT TURN)

16. Propulsion Principle
LEFT PROPELLER
DECOUPLING
(LEFT TURN)

17. Drivability (1/2)
Dive Up
Roll
U-Turn
Slow Down or Backward
Forward

18. Drivability (2/2)

19. Propellers Study
Based on expected performance and achievable submarine speed for a given RPM and supplied Power, a CFD Study of a 3 blades propeller was performed to optimize blades design for a good thrust efficiency.
This job was achieved in April 2010 by ENSTA Bretagne (Engineering School Specialized in Marine applications; Brest – France)

20. Main Dimensions

21. Main Characteristics and Calculated Speed
Sref x Cx : m² (from test results on Demonstrator with measurement
of drag force vs speed in a Swiming Pool)
Hull Volume : m3
Calculated Max Speed : m/s ( W developped power

22. Trials & Testing
Summer 2010 : First prototype trials undersea (Saint Jean - Cap Ferrat, Nice area)
February / March 2011 : 2 campains of testing in an Olympic size Swiming pool (Piscine Jean Bouin – Nice)
Drag coefficient (Cx) determination by measurement of Drag Force vs. Speed
Traction measurement with 2 types of propellers (submarine moored)
Speed Up and Max Speed measurement
Drivability trials with left/right propeller coupling/decoupling & orientation
April 22, 2011 : New trials in sea with last design optimization (Saint Jean - Cap Ferrat)
Reduced size of stabilization surfaces
Reduced tail volume (improved stability with better buoyancy center and reduced inertia)
Hull surface finish improvement
April 26, 2011 : Biometric Evaluation with Diving Medical Experts (Marseille)

23. The Team Project Leader : Stephane Rousson
Technical Team : Minh-Lôc Truong (Design)
Bruno Sertier (Engineering)
Divers : Terence Dewaele (diving instructor)
Delphine Del Cont
Robert Bonnar
Stephane Rousson
Team Coordination : Delphine Metayer
Laure Magneron

24. Our Partners and Sponsors
Ministère de la Santé, de la Jeunesse et des Sports (French Sport Ministery)
Aqualung
E2R
Sicomin
Mapyachting
Gates
Nice Diving
Lemer
Partners :
E-Props, Heliciel, Dynasub, Plexinautic
Air france Cargo, Janine Robin
Universities & Engineering Schools :
Supmeca (Toulon - France)
ISITV (Toulon - France)
ENSTA Bretagne (Brest - France)
The Scubster Team does also support sharks protection via Ecosyaction
(above painting from Belinda Bussotti, Artist in Monaco)