March 15th Log

Cut Tether

March 14 Log

Finishing touches on Poster and laid out the final electrical components.

March 9 Log

Working on the poster layout. Waiting for Quick disconnects and motors.

Feb. 14 Log

Happy Valentines Day! Today I am installing switches to the controller.

Feb. 9th Log

Got the Syllabus today and began planning out time frames for when I will do the Tri-Fold board.

Assembly

Tether Supplies

• Thermostat wires
• Quick disconnects (Male)

Tether Assembly

1. Cut two 20m lengths
2. Strip both ends of all wires 2 inches
3. Crimp male quick disconnects on each end of each wire
4. Zip-tie all wires together at 1m increments

Controller Supplies

• Thermostat wires
• 5 double pole double throw center off switches
• 2 single pole single throw switches
• Female disconnects
• Tupperware container

Controller Assembly

1. Cut slits into the lid of the Tupperware
2. Cut slits into the bottom of the Tupperware
3. Cut 1/2m of thermostat wire
4. Strip both ends of all thermostat wire
5. Insert switches into the slits
6. Crimp female disconnects to on end of the wire
7. Wire the Switches

Motor Supplies

• Atwood 3000 Motor
• 1m thermostat wire
• Hose clamps
• Zip-ties

Motor Assembly

1. Cut thermostat wire
2. Splice to motor
3. Crimp female disconnects

Camera Assembly

1. Crimp female disconnect to POWER wire
2. Crimp female disconnect to VISUAL wire

Feb. 3 Log

Went over diagrams with Ms. Green and helped me organize my thoughts.

Feb. 1st Log

This week construction takes form and hopefully a the control box will be done by Friday or early next week

Midterm

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Systems Engineering II course and the Capstone design project is to understand and employ the design process. Matthew Gannon is the Electrical Engineer for an ROV Competition team and must design, build, and operate the control system for the Remotely Operated Vehicle that is to replicate tasks done around the Lolihi Seamount. Figure MD1 is an example of a team competing at the ROV Competition. The controls include: movement in the x, y, and z axis, live video feed, sending temperature and hydrophone data, and operating the mechanical extension. Figure MD2 is the AutoCAD version of the final solution.

 Figure M1. A Team competing in the MATE ROV Competition.

  Figure MD2. The Final solution in CAD Drawing form.

II. SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

The electrical engineer of the MATE ROV Competition is forced to use the design process in order to even begin the project. Matthew’s solution is a circuit wired in parallel to allow for energy consumption when needed. His controller is an innovation using several already existing components. The controller is a closed system that controls open mechanical and informational extensions (ie. Motors, data package, and mechanical extension). Figure MD2 is what the controller will look like with the green switches representing the control of the motors and the light blue representing the controls of the data package. The engineering involved includes electrical, mechanical, and constructional; electrical due to the use of the battery and powering of the system, mechanical due to the motors used, and constructional because this system needs to be made. Manufacturing of the electrical components includes mass production and prefabrication from the parts being purchased (meaning that the parts being used are mass produced or prefabricated). Electronics manufacturing is the type of manufacturing the electrical portion of the MATE ROV Competition requires.

Figure MD3. Circuit diagram of the final solution wired in parallel.

III. SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS           

Electricity is the most important aspect of the electrical engineer. Electricity was discovered by Benjamin Franklin and made more functional for these purposes by Gastone Plante who created the first rechargeable battery which is the foundation of the battery used for the MATE ROV Competition. The controller is hooked up to a 12 Volt 25 Amp car battery that is used to power all of the ROV. The most important aspect of the energy across the circuit is how the energy is divided. The energy needs to be accessible when called upon which is why a parallel circuit is being used. Figure MD3 is a circuit diagram of the final solution.

Figure MD4. A car battery; what will be used to power the ROV. 

Figure MD5. A wire with multiple connections inside. The wire above is much like the wire desired for the ROV System.

IV. TECHNOLOGY CONCEPTS

Electrical, mechanical, and video technologies are the necessary technologies to be the Electrical Engineer. The electrical technology includes the 12 Volt 25 Amp car battery and the wiring throughout the entire system. The motors are mechanical technologies that coincide with electrical technology. Video equipment allows the electrical engineer to see and effectively maneuver the competition. Figure MD4 and MD5 are the technologies used in the system.

Figure MD6. Testing of the ROV Motors.

V. MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS

The electrical engineer need to know the voltage and amperage consumption of the circuit to successfully control the ROV. Ohms law is the equation used along with physical testing. Ohms law is the equation V=IR where V is voltage, I is current (amperage) and R is resistance. The electrical engineer uses a volt and amp meter in order to test the amount of resistance across a circuit. Thus far has been testing of the different motors and data platforms which can be seen in Figures MD6 and MD7.

Figure MD7. Voltage and Amperage testing.

VI. CONCLUSION

Electrical Engineering of constructing an ROV includes innovations, electrical and mechanical technologies, and mass production and prefabrication manufacturing. The final solution as the electrical engineer is an electrical system wired in parallel through a hand-held controller in order to distribute power when needed. Ohm’s law is the most significant math equation and electrical technology is the most important aspect to the electrical engineer. The construction and process behind the electrical system of the MATE ROV Competition exemplifies systems engineering and teaches the design process.  

FPU MP2

Devolopmental Work

Jan 7 Log

Wrote rough draft for the midterm. RB made cuts on pvc. Other day we changed dimensions and tested motors.

Jan. 3 Log

Brought in PVC for building supplies. Discussed the rest of the materials with Mr. Cuttrell and rest of group.