ECE791: ORAL PROPOSALMEASURE OF OAR BEND TO QUANTIFY

ROWING EFFICIENCY

Jonathan DwyerKenneth WeigelEric Donovan

Project Advisor: Wayne Smith PhD.Presentation Date: 10/27/2011

General Issues

No objective method of determining rowing efficiency

No simple, objective method of comparing rowing effectiveness between rowers

All methods of boat selection rely on subjective determinations of speed

Introduction: Basic Oar Anatomy

Oar Blade: The “paddle-face” of the oar. Oar Shaft: The long, cylindrical

midsection of the oar. Oar Collar: The portion of the oar that

sits within “Oar Lock.” Fulcrum. Oar Lock: Portion of rigger that fixes oar

to the rigger. Rigger: Attaches the boat and the Oar

Lock.

Oar Anatomy - Picture

Basic Rowing Technique – The Catch

“The Catch”: The blade’s placement into the water, ideally enters at the speed of the water.

Basic Rowing Technique – The Drive

“The Drive”: Portion of stroke with most power application. This is where the peak bend rating will occur.

Basic Rowing Technique – The Release

“The Release” – Blade pressure lessens, oar shaft straightens, blade pushes back on water, causing air pocket to form allowing for easy blade extraction.

Oar Bend - Picture

Basic Rowing Technique - Video

Design Objectives

Use a strain gauge to measure bend of the oar during execution of stroke

Program microcontroller to store and manipulate bend readings

Store values on external memory, transmit to cable-connected iPod (real time), display on LCD (real time)

Program to allow after-the-fact performance analysis

Block Diagram

Final Proposed Implementation

Start/Stop Timed “pieces” functionality (i.e.

stationary bike) LCD displays strokes per minute, average

bend rating, time remaining/elapsed, most recent bend rating (rating of previous stroke)

iPod shows LCD’s information in real time to coxswain

On-pc program will display graphs and data tables allowing for post-practice analysis

Project Impact

Coach can view data of multiple rowers from multiple pieces to determine work ethic, efficiency, power

Allows for objective comparison between athletes (avg. rating vs. avg. rating)

Coxwains can evaluate rowers based on data, allowing for more relevant feedback

Plan

Strain gauge epoxied onto oar shaft Wire connects gauge output to integrated circuit

for voltage scaling, amplification, and noise reduction

Integrated circuit feeds into microcontroller Microcontroller connects in serial to LCD for

display Microcontroller output connects via adapter to iPod Microcontroller output connects to external

memory via USB port External memory will connect back to home

computer for post-workout efficiency analysis

Relevant College Coursework

ECE541, ECE548, ECE617, ECE618, ECE651 – analog circuit design

ECE562, ECE583, ECE649 – microprocessor design and implementation

PHYS407, PHYS408 – basic mechanics analysis

ECE633, ECE634, ECE714, ECE757 – filter design and communications systems

CS415, CS416, CS515, CS516 – object orientated programming, software design

Potential Issues

Difficult-to-analyze voltage readings Bend gauge durability Interfacing iPod to Arduino

microcontroller Determining scaling circuit amplification

parameters Storage of values onto external memory Operational efficiency (memory) Open source technology can cause

unexpected problems (not to “industry grade”)

Proposed Budget

1 Arduino Mega 2560 = $58.95 1 Phi-2 Interactive Shield Kit (Display) = $29.95 1 iOS Developer Program License = $99.00 5 Inventables Bend Sensor = $64.75 1 Gorilla Glue 8 fl. Oz All-Purpose Adhesive = $10.97 1 Redpark Serial Cable for iOS w/ P4 Serial Adapter =

$66.00 1 Used Sweep Oar, Blade Design Irrelevant = $50.00 1 Wire Lead Package = $10.00 1 DB9 M/F Null Modem Adapter = $09.99 1 VDip1 Adapter = $35.00 1 USB Key (“flip drive”) = $20.00 Power Supply = $05.00 Total Cost = $459.61

Project Implementation Schedule

Questions?