Hovercraft Group #1Hovercraft Group #1

Matt Walker

Travis Smith

Melissa Huynh

Mark Reimer

Jason Rubin

David Duncan

Matt Walker

Travis Smith

Melissa Huynh

Mark Reimer

Jason Rubin

David Duncan

Design ProcessDesign Process

First couple of meetings were spent brainstorming and voting on ideas.

Decided to first build a prototype to test ideas on so that we don’t have to worry about perfect dimensions and appearance.

Final version is the one where we carefully measured everything and used color coordinated materials.

First couple of meetings were spent brainstorming and voting on ideas.

Decided to first build a prototype to test ideas on so that we don’t have to worry about perfect dimensions and appearance.

Final version is the one where we carefully measured everything and used color coordinated materials.

Base DesignBase Design1st - Meat packages. 1st - Meat packages.

•Found that it wasn’t aerodynamic enough and the lip wasted the lift by having to fill up a larger volume for the same distance off the ground.

•Also, it just didn’t look that cool!

Base DesignBase Design2nd - Pointed Nose2nd - Pointed Nose

This design was inherently unstable and had issues with directional control.

Base DesignBase Design3rd - Rounded Nose3rd - Rounded Nose

This design proved more stable and much easier to control the side to side motion but it wasn’t quite what we needed.

Base DesignBase DesignFinal DesignFinal Design

This final model is the perfect balance between weight and stability.

The longer body adds stability and extra room for components.

Number of FansNumber of Fans Originally, we considered having 2 fans. 1 down for lift and 1 backwards for thrust.

Originally, we considered having 2 fans. 1 down for lift and 1 backwards for thrust.

Then, we thought about using each fan for both thrust and lift by dividing the air stream.

We finally decided to use a larger motor for thrust and a fan for lift.Really Big Motor!

Number of FansNumber of Fans

Since the new motor and its battery weighed considerably more, we decided to use two fans for lift.

Fan PlacementFan Placement

We originally thought of two fans, one in front of the other. This caused the craft to be unstable and too long.

The side by side design gives good stability and allows for a shorter length.

Lastly, we had to move the fans a couple of inches forward because the thrust of the large engine pushes the nose down.

We originally thought of two fans, one in front of the other. This caused the craft to be unstable and too long.

The side by side design gives good stability and allows for a shorter length.

Lastly, we had to move the fans a couple of inches forward because the thrust of the large engine pushes the nose down.

Skirt DesignSkirt Design

We considered an open, full, and tubular design.

The tubular design was too complicated.

The open design didn’t hold enough air in.

We finally decided on a full skirt with holes to let some of the air out because it is simple and reliable.

We considered an open, full, and tubular design.

The tubular design was too complicated.

The open design didn’t hold enough air in.

We finally decided on a full skirt with holes to let some of the air out because it is simple and reliable.

RudderRudder

We decided to add a rudder because we already had all the parts and it greatly increased the maneuverability and control.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Learning to steer

AppearanceAppearance

For the final design, we chose an all black and yellow appearance.

When we looked at the craft from above it reminded us of Pac-man so we decorated accordingly.

For the final design, we chose an all black and yellow appearance.

When we looked at the craft from above it reminded us of Pac-man so we decorated accordingly.

ChallengesChallenges

Greatest challenge was working as a team Exchanging ideas without stepping on others Not killing each other.

Greatest challenge was working as a team Exchanging ideas without stepping on others Not killing each other.

Burning out the smaller motors (we went through 4)

Having the batteries charged when we needed them.

The two batteries have different connectors.

Shorted out the receiver and had to replace it.

Finding the center of gravity.

Equipment List:

2 sheets of core board $1.86

5 motors $12.50

1 switch $2.86

1 battery connecter $1.60

1 rudder kit $2.10

1 big motor free

2 batteries free

Radio controller and receiver free

Total: $20.92

OU Engineering: Priceless

START

FINISH

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Version 1.0

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Final Version