Design Process

Previous Design Considerations

Frame

Functional Requirements

The frame must be able to sink with a data collecting buoy and five buoy housing (pods) up to 50 meters in depth. The frame must also have a rubber mat underneath that will stay flush to the ocean floor. Following the staggered release of the buoy pods, the frame must resurface with the rubber mat.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Version 4

Version 5

Version 6 : Final

Final Design Justification

The final version of the frame is the most optimal design choice because it incorporated the best design decisions from other versions. As the design came together more components were added like the rubber mat, holes for water flow and a bar for the central weight.

Buoy Housing Pods

Functional Requirements

Each buoy pod must be rated to withstand pressure at 50 meters of depth. The pods must also be able to release from the frame and resurface however the pod must resurface with at least three inches above water in order for the GPS tracker to work.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Version 4

Version 5

Version 6

Version 7

Exploded Final Version

Final Design Justification

The final version of the buoy pod combined the best parts of previous design iterations. It holds the buoy sphere by squeezing it with two horizontal sheets. The units is 15 inches tall and 11.5 inches by 8 inches. The L-brackets, nuts, bolts, and washers are all stainless steel to combat corrosion from salt water.

Full Unit

Finite Element Analysis

Figure 1

Figure 1 demonstrates the displacement of HDPE due to the buoyant force the buoy sphere will apply on the pod housing. The fixture is a strap across the bottom layer. The highest displacement is 3.49 mm.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 2 demonstrates the stress concentrations on one of the frame central column walls induced by the weight of the ballast weights secured to the divider bar.

In Figure 3, the maximum stress concentrated in the washer of the bolt is shown.

Figure 4

Figure 4 demonstrates the stress concentrations on the frame under the loading of five buoy pods and the ballast weight. Some parts of the system were omitted in order to show stress concentrations.

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