Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc
Multiple design iterations have been discussed
Current piston system is too slow, so we sought better options
Larger piston could work, but created different problems
Torque required by motor would be increased
Noise could potentially be increased
Current design incorporates two underwater thrusters and an air bladder
Two thrusters to control position
Moves the system much faster, and more quietly
Air bladder to control buoyancy
Likely only a small volume change will be required
Working on modeling volume change of main vessel at 90m ocean depth
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Advancement on design of housing
Acrylic housing for low compression and low water absorption.
Coat 3D Printed parts with water-proof coating.
New ideas of control system brought up
Using propeller and buoyancy PID control dual system for faster control to target depth
Greater grasp on problem definition
Main concern: slow control, noisy motor, and high cost of current system.
Potential for cost reduction by using off the shelf parts
Housing and sensors from blue robotics
This also reduces the risk of water ruining the electronics
Goals for Next Week (names after each item) Specific and measurable objectives.
Finish risk reduction
Analysis on volume change in system due to depth
Simulate compression due to depth using SOLIDWORKS - Duncan
Simulation on MATLAB - volume change of the system due to compression of the materials as depth changes - Zach and Dorris
Depth needed to create negative buoyancy for the system to sink, and force output needed from the motors to achieve this depth - simulate this for various masses of the system - Michael
Necessary volume change for our system for the buoyancy control (piston or air bladder)
Taking into account the compression of the system, simulate the volume change of the bladder needed to achieve neutral buoyancy at various depths - Hugo
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to address comments
Make the control response quicker and reduce noise
Designed a two part position control and buoyancy control system that requires (hopefully) less time to reach desired depth and is significantly less noisy
Achieve faster buoyancy control with more powerful motor and bigger piston, or air bladder.
Talked about similar projects for inspiration (de Callifon, Argo Float...)
How to make design water-tight:
check Parker O-Ring manual to decide what kind of o-ring configuration to use
Vacuum port
Instructor Last meeting and actions taken to to address these comments
Fill out problem definition worksheet - filled out worksheet
Gain inciteful understanding of project - met with sponsor
Brainstorm design concepts - came up with dual system design
Risk and areas of concern
Noise levels of the control system
Reduced with brushless motor thrusters and a reduced reliance on a buoyancy control system
Speed of the system needs to be increased
Hopefully this will be achieved by the addition of the thrusters
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Budget information - waiting for Jules, and an initial design concept
Schedule
Perform risk reduction analysis by Tuesday 3/21
Created Gantt Chart - Duncan
Budget
Waiting for approval from Jules and initial design concept
Progress on Report and Webpage
Uploaded progress report on website