156B Week 2

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Finished first design proposal for sampler and dispenser

  • Working on optimizing sampler design

  • Prototyping telescoping rod design with parts purchased from first risk reduction test

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Finished individual component analysis for materials, ratchet, camera, and spring

  • Met with sponsor to discuss progress and possible design solutions

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • All: Address initial sampler design issue with extruding blades

  • All: 4/9: Meet with sponsor to study type of algae we will sample. We will perform a risk reduction test to see how much force is required to cut the algae.

  • Bridget: Prototype telescoping rod design (with caps, cord, and hand crank).

  • Joseph: Welding T-shaft with Tom

  • David: Research different hand winches

  • Tanima: Research possible electronic methods for telescoping rod

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Meeting with Chuck on 3/29:

    • He suggested using a standard protocol line for the dispenser, to use a weight to help lower device

      • The sampler, which will be mounted to the smallest rod, will act as our weight and can be lifted and dropped using the winch.

    • He told us that boat hooks have a similar mechanism to a telescoping rod

      • We think having a collapsable telescoping rod is more advantageous than just using a boat hook (long pole with hook on end). The telescoping rod dispenser will make the device more compact and easier to maneuver and use.

    • Twisting rod mechanism for dispenser with some kind of locking mechanism is another idea

    • Sampler idea: have a netting (sort of like a laundry basket) around a column of water and closing both the top and the bottom. The cords attached to top and bottom of sampler could be pulled taut to close off sample for collection

    • We are still considering this idea for our sampler. Currently with our design, we think cutting the algae will give us the most consisent sample size collection. However, our upcoming risk reduction test may show us that we cannot cut the algae as easily as we think.

  • Sealing bottom of sampler ideas

    • • • Clam shell grabber: similar to Van Veen sampler - grabs sample with a clamping mechanism

        • Multi-direction grabber: encloses sample from all directions (similar to camera lens shutter) - could possibly be spring loaded

    • Chuck also preferred a password for the website

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Last week's meeting: Professor T. was concerned about the algae getting in the way or caught with our sampler.

    • We are still unsure exactly how moveable and flexible the algae is. We are planning to meet at at Camp Pendleton or a lagoon in Ocean Beach to see how well we can maneuver the rod and in 10-15 ft. depths.

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Risk Reduction presentation: Some were confused by our problem definition and why we are taking the samples.

    • We are clarifying the problem definition for our next presentation

    • We will talk to Kara and Chuck more on electronic and acoustic methods they currently use

  • Risk Reduction presentation: Sampler-operator interfacing

    • Although this was not addressed in our presentation, we are now getting a better idea of how the operator will be able to take samples. This will be presented in our initial design proposal.

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Sampler blades protrude from our device

  • How well will the blades cut the algae?

  • Can the dispenser properly expand just by having a cord attached to the smallest rod? (prototyping this week to test)

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • We need to learn more about the type of algae we'll be sampling. Hopefully we can gain some insight at our meeting on Saturday!

Schedule

• • 4/4: Presentation

  • 4/6: Team meeting to brainstorm more sampler ideas, work on project report

  • 4/9: Meet with sponsor

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Spent: $45.80

  • Remaining: $2554.20

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Website: Project background, team webpage, project management

  • Report: outlined report