Personal recreation underwater vehicle

Dear boaties,

I am currently a final 4th year Industrial Design university student studying at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. The final year course extends over an 8 month period consisting primarily of a major research dissertation/thesis and a following design product.

I am proposing to focus the design towards a personal recreation underwater vehicle. The first semester of the course will involve a detailed research and analysis phase that will result towards the research dissertation/thesis. The knowledge and experience gained through this will provide relevant information to implement towards the design process and eventual product. The critical research and analysis phase involves an understanding of the following:

 Technology review
 Ergonomic/human factors
 Materials exploration and manufacturing liaison
 Component and assembly cost/sourcing
 Environmental and safety issues
 Product engineering
 Existing product range

Through study of the supportingwebsite, I realised boatdesign.net is focused towards boat builders and designers. Although not dirctly related towards my project, I am hoping to gain positive feedback that you view as being suitable.

In approaching your site I have been informed by my university supervisor that I need to approach possible stakeholders who may be in a position to provide guidance towards my project; individuals who are able to provide professional experience and expertise towards the design project. The potential is to gain contact with relevant assistance throughout the 8 month period focussing on such aspects as:

 Water properties and hydrodynamics
 Vehicle propulsion, with a direct reference to free energy sources and self powering motion
 Breathing apparatus
 Buoyancy
 Safety and environmental considerations
 Noise and vibration
 Mechanical and electrical engineering
 Ergonomics/human factors
 Materials and waterproofing
 Lighting
 Water pressure, and its effect towards the product and humans
 Existing product range
 Existing marine life

Through this initial contact with supporting individuals I am looking to gain approval and positive support towards the final design project. In addition, if you are able to provide me with the names of alternative contacts or manufacturers in related fields would be greatly appreciated.

I am hoping to hear from anyone in the near future and look forward to the potential of your support towards my design project.

With many thanks


John Panayotou

 

Check out:
http://www.oe.fau.edu/other/subrace.html
These people could help you get networked. There's a nationwide organization of people here in the U.S. with interests similar to yours.

 

Also see:
http://www.isrsubrace.org/
http://www.isrsubrace.org/isr_links.htm
http://www.yellowsubclub.com/main.htm
http://www.yellowsubclub.com/links.htm
http://members.tripod.com/ASME_SD/HPS2002/HPS2002.htm
http://omer.etsmtl.ca/

 

Also:
http://web.mit.edu/org/s/spiral/www/projects.html
http://auvlab.mit.edu/
http://www.psubs.org/

As for manufacturers, try
http://www.benthos.com/
http://ussubs.com/
http://www.stardots.com/market/submarines.shtml
http://www.diveweb.com/uw/archives/arch/janfeb01.04.shtml
http://www.ivccorp.com/ssinfo.html

A hot topic now in military sub design is powering them with fuel cells. I think Greece is already building a fuel cell sub, and Sweden is building one with a sterling engine.

 

This is a bit of a tangent, but I've always been intrigued by this near-surface recreational sub for home builders. Admittedly, it's probably not that practical because the depth is very limited, but it captures my imagination - it looks like something straight from the movies I watched as a kid, and I know I would have loved to have one of these when I was younger.



Dry inside cabin
No scuba gear necessary
Powered by two electric trolling motors
Build for $1500

http://www.rqriley.com/aquasub.html

 

Subeo, a specialist engineering company, has created the World's first underwater sports car, GEMINI.

GEMINI is a submarine designed as a recreational vehicle and has a depth range of 50m, even at this depth the pressure on the hatches is about 14 tonnes and the total pressure on the pressure vessel itself is about 125 tonnes. The operating depth is 50m as this is the maximum depth for breathing normal air which will enable users of the craft to flood the vehicle in the event of entanglement and escape the vehicle using normal breathing apparatus. The most interesting viewing is above 50m.

http://www.subeo.com/

 

Manned Submersible Research Papers - Web Links
http://www.mtsociety.org/pro_committees/mannedsubmersibles/links.html



Integrity 40'
40' LOA
30 tons weight in air maximum
750' depth capability
8 – 12 passengers
Ample power for submerged and surface speeds
6-7 knots surface, 2-4 knots submerged with burst capabilities
8 – 12 hours standard submerged endurance
Additional 72 hours emergency submerged life support
Surface cruising range 20 nautical miles or more
Obstacle Avoidance Sonar
Side Scan Sonar

http://www.olympictool.com

http://www.nauticalniche.com/

 

Olympic 105 (left) Olympic 40 (right)



Olympic 105
LOA: 105'
LWL: 100’
Beam: 14'
HAWL: 12'
HOA: 22'
Draft: 10’
Displacement: 105 Tons
Operational Depth: 1200 ft
Max. Surface Speed: 9-10 Knots
Surface Cruising Speed: 8 Knots
Max. Submerged Speed: 6 Knots
Range Surface: 1200 nautical miles
Range Submerged: 4 hrs @ 5 knots
8 hrs (a) 3 knots
12 hrs @ 2 knots
15 hrs @ I knot
Propulsion System:
Diesel/Electric, twin 300 hp diesels,
350 hp electric motor/generator
Controllable Pitch Propeller

Deep Ranger



Deep Ranger
LOA: 19’8”
Beam: 4’
Weight: 4500 Ibs
Operational Depth: 200 ft
Max. Speed: 5 MPH
Range Submerged: 10 Miles
Propulsion System: Two Electric 2HP Motors
Hydraulic Steering & Control System
Occupancy: 3 people
Life Support for 72 Hours

Olympic Tool and Engineering / Olympic Submarine Technology

http://www.olympictool.com/

 

One thing I wonder is how fast you could get an undersea glider to go. It would have no propeller, but instead would alternate between positive and negetive bouyancy and move forward in accordance with its "glide ratio."

 

Interesting, but if it was a large distance between up and down, you might feel like "you can't get there from here" esp. if you were sight seeing. And if it was a small cycle, I'm not sure I would enjoy the ride after a while (thinking of the feeling I get on a small commuter plane when it's turbulent and the plane lifts and falls.) Of course, I have no experience with submarines other than looking at them, so I'm really just speculating. It's an interesting idea.

 

U.S. Submarines is the manufacturer I remember seeing featured in the popular boating magazines a year or so ago. If only I had an extra ten million dollars


The Discovery 1000
The smallest of our luxury submarines, the four passenger Discovery has a pressure hull composed of transparent acrylic and is the most advanced small submarine in the world today.


The Nomad 1000
The 20-meter (65 ft.) long Nomad has a luxurious interior similar in size to that of an executive aircraft. This is the original personal luxury submarine.


The Phoenix 1000
The ultimate personal transportation device, 65 meters (213 ft.) in length with 470 square meters (5000 sq. ft.) of interior space on 4 levels.

And I see they've added a two-person mini sub to their lineup as well:


The Triton 650 dives to 200 meters
with mission times of up to 12 hours.

Specifications:
Operating Depth ..................... 200 m
Passengers ...................................... 2
Length.................................... 3.40 m
Beam ..................................... 2.50 m
Height.................................... 1.80 m
Draft ...................................... 0.80 m
Weight ................................. 2.7 tons
Max. Speed ............................ 5 knots
Submerged Range ................... 20 nm
Max. Mission Time.................. 12 hrs
Life Support ............................ 96 hrs

With an overall height of 1.8 meters and an over-all length of only 3.8 meters the Triton will fit on many mid-level boat decks, and at 2.7 tons it can often be launched with the existing davit systems. The Triton can also be trailered behind a truck or SUV or shipped in a standard container.
With your submarine based aboard your yacht you will have the extraordinary opportunity to explore a myriad of sub-sea environments as you cruise.

http://ussubs.com/

Edit: Oops... I just noticed US Subs is in Stephen's post above as well - sorry about that.

 

Alternative free energy sources

Thank you both Stephen and Jeff for your extremley useful, immediate responses. It was great to receive such important , relevant information from you both.

One immediate concern I am focusing on is the use of alternative free energy sources to provide propulsion for the proposed underwater vehicle/scooter. Considered solutions include the use of solar, wave, hydrogen, and fuel cell technology, however my knowledge in such fields is limited.

I am hoping for further assistance from individuals who may be able to provide relevant resources.

Kindest regards,


John Panayotou

 

John,

You've an interesting topic there, am currently working with someone who may be interested in this project and able to guide you in some direction. Email me at melinda_valent@hotmail.com

Personally I am an past Design student although not from UTS.

Mel

 

John,

Forgot to mention something important....I and relevant party live in SYDNEY area!

ok

Mel

 

A personal underwater device

http://www.sfdj.com/bob/bob.htm

from Mel in Sydney again