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