University of Florida

“Swamp Thing”

9th International Submarine Races9th International Submarine Races

IntroductionIntroduction

Interdisciplinary Team ME, AE, EE

Team Leaders Ryan K. JonesJonathon Jeske

Captains Drive Chad HodgkinsHull Jonathon JeskeControls Charlie ShupardPropeller Joey WindleDriver Charlie Shupard

Safety Divers Raphael DiazNic FischerRyan D. Jarrett

Chef Brandon Crone

Overview | GoalsOverview | Goals

• Obstacles•Time constraint• Funding• Construction location• No precedence

• Goals• Bring UF back to this competition• Allow this program to continue• Gain design engineering experience• Abide by ISR standards

Design PhilosophyDesign Philosophy

• Keep it simple• Minimal machine availability• Machining takes time• Less moving parts

• Hydrodynamic• Only the necessary area for driver clearance• Smooth mold• Minimal drag

• Maneuverability• Ergonomically driver friendly• Ability to adjust abrupt movements• Appropriately sensitive

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationHullHull

• Ellipsoid shape• Transom rear and bull nose• Largest diameter at pedaling motion

• Plug mold• No wasted fiberglass• Can be made fairly smooth

• Shell materials• Fiberglass, bondoglass, bondo putty

• Protective Coating• Epoxy primer base• Acrylic enamel paint

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationDrivetrainDrivetrain

• Chain and Pedal Assembly• Similar to a bicycle

• Reinforced Parts• Stronger crank arms and drive gear• More support for the frame assembly

• 90° Transmission• Allows an easy connection• Adjustable final gear ratio

• Driveshaft• Solid aluminum• Press fit

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationPropellerPropeller

• Single propeller• Three blade assembly

• Hub• Interchangeable parts• Sturdy assembly

• Blades• Optimizated using CAD program • Reusable mold• Fiberglass cloth construction• High aspect• Weight vs. Strength

• Variable pitch• Driver-controlled

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationControlsControls

• Control Surfaces• Two externally adjustable bow planes• Two rear rudder planes• Two rear elevators

• Balsa Wood Structure• Fiberglass cloth exterior• Resin coated interior

• Pushrod Controllers• For each control (rudder, depth)• PVC rod through PVC sleeve• Tie rod connectors• C-bend in pivoting PVC loops

• Removable Fins• Bow planes held in by one nut• All others tapped and bolted

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationLife Support SystemLife Support System

• Main Air• 72 ft3 onboard steel tank• Smaller in size yet still adequate• Strapped in for safety and easy positioning

• Backup Air• 3 ft3 spare air tank• Allows 57 breaths on the surface

• Personal Harness• Removable snare drum harness• Requires no restraints on driver

Design | FabricationDesign | FabricationSafety SystemsSafety Systems

• Emergency Buoy• Sealed, gasketed, plastic container• Activated via a dead-man switch • Attached by 50ft of line separate from the switch• Fits flush with the hull for aesthetics

• Strobe Light• Press-fit into the hull and sealed into place• Visible for up to one mile underwater• Flashing rate of once per second

• Door Latch• Spring-loaded steel tube into a sleeve in the door• Line is run from the tube to the driver’s hands

• Windows• Allow visibility of the driver

Testing | TrainingTesting | Training

• Dry Testing• Driver fitment• Emergency systems• Drivetrain alignment and tolerances• Installation of the control surfaces

• Wet Testing• Pool test – buoyancy, driver fitment, emergency systems

• Diving• Two team members got scuba certified• Driver is a certified rescue diver

Journal | BudgetJournal | Budget

• Photographic Records• Pictures taken nearly every work day• Over 1000 photos taken and over 350 logged

• Written Journal• Plans in effect to keep useful tips and tricks for the succeeding teams

• Sponsors• Attempts at local sponsorship failed• University of Florida’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department • ASME student chapter at UF`

• Overall Budget• Around $6000

Closing RemarksClosing Remarks

We are truly greatful for the chance to bring the Gators back into the International Submarine Races and compete with other human powered submarines.

The raw learning experience, applied engineering skills and unveiled perseverance that bring a project of this magnitude from nothing but a dream to competitively racing in three months awards this team its own personal win regardless of any further outcomes.

For us, this has been about expanding the design project possibilities for the young engineers at the University of Florida – and so we’ll leave #1 regardless of the scoreboard.

GO GATORS!