Marinetech

Jason here with team one's first post.

Our team is making good progress the pieces are starting to come together. I have been doing research on getting our computer controlled ROV working, and as some of you have seen have had some limited success.

In the course of my research I came upon a few cool things I will share in case anyone is interested:

The US Navy academy participates in an AUV competition every year there 2002 team had an awesome Design for a depth sensor found here

I think I will use a different model the MPX5700GP available from Jameco Electronics for $18 it is rated from 0-100 psi (0-200 ft) I like their pressure compensating design and will use a similar though hopefully more aesthetic design integrated with our frame.

This Depth sensor outputs an analog signal, which is a voltage between 0-5vdc which corresponds to the depth.

We will also need something to capture this input. The board I ordered from lynxmotion had 4 inputs but will not be here in time for the class there is a supply problem there which won't be corrected till June. So I did a bit more research and came accross a site I wish I would have found sooner it is they specialize in controlling things with a computer. They have several preprogrammed Microcontrollers that I will get instead. The one I am interested in is here ($15) it has 4 analog 0-5vdc inputs and 8 digital (on-off) inputs the depth sensor will connect to one of the analog inputs and four of the digital inputs will be used to receive input from a dinsmore 1940 electronic compass ($15)

so for under $50 in electronics we will have depth and heading info. If any other teams are interested I will be happy to provide the software/computer necessary to do this so you too will have on screen display of depth/heading etc...

Pictures of our project will be forthcoming in the coming days as well as a website if time permits.

See you all next week

if you have not been surfing the site...

http://instructors.sbcc.edu/barthelmess/rov/assign3.htm

Procrastination creates havoc in the USV business..

For those of you working on wiring your control circuits- this is an excellent primer. Its alos linked on the site in several spots.

Thanks to Jason Patterson

http://www.distel.co.uk/DC_MOT_CON1.htm

ssignment #2 is due this week.

See week 4 on the course website.

-don

-don

Checkitowt.. inexpensive color cameras..

http://www.x10.com/cameras/index.html#cameras_wired

-don

Today was the trip to Lompoc for the ROV lab. I stayed at the MDT and worked on a lens setup for the nose of our ROV. I sandwiched a plexiglass port between two sheet metal rings and bolted them together with a heavy layer of marine goop. The end result will work but looks hideous.

I consulted with Jason Patterson and he found a source for clear PVC. I never heard of that before and it sounds like a good option for the nose as an endcap that is clear for the 4inch PVC tube would be more sufficient, cleaner looking, and have a zero chance of leaking. The end cap costs about $30.00. I do not know if we have any money left. I think we are maxed.

The frame has taken a slightly different shape as the construction takes place.

The team still seems set on fiberglassing the unit together with sintactic foam in the center. ( Jakai was able to secure a donation from dive con.) I personally think that foam would be far to bouyant for a lcrov, and that fiberglass would be counter productive to changing the use of the ROV later or fixing any parts immersed in solid fiberglass. The design we have now has a large amount of positive displacement. The foam added will mean we will have to add a solid lead keel on the bottom to keep things balanced. Jon thinks we can add lead to the inside of the pvc tube under the wiring. I think the addition of lead to close to the center will tend to make the lcrov spin under thrust and be unstable.

We will see how the project changes next! How's the blog looking Don?

Wednesday we worked more on the frame and the foreward 'eye" along with the electric system. The relays are pretty far along, and the gloves work very well as a control system. The power system will consist of a set of three 12 volt car batteries - acquired at discount prices. The main electrical will be protected by positive air pressure. All is going smoothly.

Week Two team --5 J's+ T,R
We decided on a base plan for the ROV, and began execution of the plans. We went to Ace and purchased some special ABS/pvc glue, some 2" thinwall pvc, and a chunk of 4" black abs with a screw in end cap for easy access to our inner electric relays. The team also kept up the work on the one of a kind glove control box- an original idea. The team was able to cut and connect the basic skeleton and the progress is good. We decided to use four 1000 gph bilge pump motors- I hope we have enough thrust for the huge body!

Jakai, Ryan, Jon, Tarrah, Jason, Jackson, and Jacob make up our team. We delegated work and began gathering pieces of the project. We have$400. to work with so we should have a good project.