University of WashingtonHuman Powered Submarine

Systems Report

Michael Thompson-Team CaptainBrian Matters-Dive Captain

Contents• Introduction• Submarine class• Propeller design• Power transmission system• Life support• Safety systems• Hull evaluation• Design summary

Team Introduction• University of Washington Human Powered

Submarine Team– Michael Thompson, Captain– Brian Matters, Co-Captain & Diving Coordinator

• Design Teams– Propulsion– Submarine Systems– Hull Design

Submarine Class

Propeller Design• Goals and Assumptions– Single screw– Optimize thrust– Design for specific power requirement– Design parameters based on research over

intuition– Design for ease of manufactuing

Propeller Research• Importance– Previous propeller design was based solely on

intuition– Specific revolution rates and power ranges were

needed– A way to evaluation propeller designs

• Propeller Dynamometer• Pilot Ergometer

Propeller Dynamometer• Test scale model propellers• Provide physical data• Compare and evaluate computer models

Pilot Ergometer• Better understand the human ‘engine’• Determine power output and rpm ranges• Optimize pilot ergonomics

Propeller Selection• Airfoil shapes researched• Ergonomic data used to constrain design• Propeller design evaluated using CFD and

tested on Propeller Dynamometer

Power Transmission• Design challenges– Previous system had extensive backlash and prone

to gear slip– Bearings degraded when exposed to water

• Goals– Reduce bearing friction– Properly design gear interface– Allow for transmission to be easily removable

Gearbox Design• Sealed gearbox to eliminate fluid drag• Enclosed shaft and supports• One piece design

Life Support• SCUBA component evaluation– Air consumption rates– Airway & breathing restriction

• Tanks size requirements– Staging and run times– Breathing rates

• Regulator selection– Pilot comfort

Primary Life Support System• Tank– AL-40– Enough air for five runs

• Regulator– Ocean Reef G-diver– Full use of airway

Emergency Air Supply• Design factors– Independent system– Removable in event of emergency accent

• Tank– Al 13 pony

• Regulator– Aqua Lung Titan LX

Safety Systems• Submarine paint scheme• Emergency egress• Diver restraints• Pilot visibility• Emergency beacon• Emergency buoy

Paint Scheme

Egress and Restraints• Egress was made to be as simple as possible• Pneumatic cylinders activate hatch release• Hatch release deployed with activation of

dead-man’s switch• Pilot is no longer actively restrained in the

submarine

Emergency Beacon and Buoy• Beacon system– Beacon is attached to top of hull for

maximum visibility

• Buoy design– Buoy system is self contained to

ensure line doesn’t tangle– Buoy is spring loaded and deploys

with retractable pneumatic cylinder

Hull Design• Design focus– Design and manufacture new hull– Renovate existing hull

• Existing hulls– Dubsub: sleek but cramped– Sirius: extra real-estate but large cross-sectional

area– CFD analysis

Hull Selection• Team race goals– Optimize for speed– Research automated controls– Limited manpower

• Formally Dubsub– Internal frame structure– Modular design

Hull Layout

Summary• Team goals– Further research into Marine Engineering– Increase public interest in Undersea Research– Apply education through real world application– Encourage younger students to pursue science as

it relates to the marine industry– Reflect well upon the University of Washington

and strengthen the team structure for the future

Questions?