2007-2008 Submarine Team

Human-powered Submarine, San Diego Click on the link to go to the HPS team Technical Website to learn more about the project.

Since the fall semester of 2001, mechanical engineering students at the University of Maine have been striving to design and build a Human Powered Submarine.  As with all senior undergraduate design projects, HPS requires students to combine mathematical and engineering skills learned in the classroom with modern manufacturing techniques.  So far, the product of the team’s work is a nine-foot-long, one-man submarine, constructed out of fiberglass and equipped with electronic and mechanical control systems.  After the nine-member team of 2008 completes their portion of the project, the sub will be taken to compete in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ HPS 2008 competition, held at the Offshore Model Basin facility in Escondido, California.  There are two vehicle categories at HPS 2008: propeller driven and non-propeller driven subs.  The UMaine team is proud to say that their sub belongs to the second category, as it employs a Hobie Cat fin-based drive system.  This pedal-powered system has proven to be ideal for UMaine’s submarine, as it is both reliable and efficient.  Theoretical analysis suggests the drive should be able to propel the sub upwards of 8 knots (9.21 miles per hour).  This means that the sub has a shot at breaking the world record for a non-propeller driven human powered submarine, which currently stands at 4.642 knots (5.342 miles per hour). The work of the 2007-2008 team cannot be described as mere fine-tuning, although after they’re done with their work the submarine should be fully functional.  Their goals are to design, install, and configure a pair of bow planes to help control the submarine, as well as to improve the sub’s fly-by-wire and mechanical backup control systems.  One of the problems in the past was waterproofing the sub’s electrical components; the sub isn’t a sealed vehicle, so anything electrical must be isolated from water.  Failed waterproofing has kept the sub from competing before, but this year’s team is determined to keep the water where it belongs.  With luck there won’t be any surprises at HPS 2008 to stand in the way of a world record.

 

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