Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Abstract

Team 16 has sought the task of assisting the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in devising a novel solution regarding the methodology for the deployment of small payloads from a host unmanned underwater vehicle. This task is to be achieved without compromising the host's reliability and functionality with its deployment method approach. Unmanned underwater exploration capabilities introduce new avenues of understanding for the world below the surface. An au- tonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) can house scientific instruments, other vessels, and various payloads allowing access to remote or otherwise di cult to access locations. Team 16 has developed a novel design solution for deploying payloads from a host UUV utilizing pneumatics. Approaching a solution in this sub-sea domain includes consideration of a variety of factors contributing to the underwater space's challenging environment including temperature, pressure and salinity.

Design work detailed here includes the creation of several modular subsystems comprising a functional prototype. The prototype fabrication prioritizes deploy- ment in order to demonstrate that a pneumatic system is a viable solution to NUWC's challenge. The design includes a test platform, hatch mechanism, and launch chamber interfaced with a pneumatic actuator to deploy payloads radially from the host at speed. The test platform remains on the surface of the water while the payload and housing are submerged to demonstrate how the payload dynamics underwater. Enclosed is the explanation regarding design choices, the use and construction of the system, as well as assumptions made in the analysis.

Comments

Team Name: Team 16

Sponsor: Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Sponsor Representative: Peter Phelps

Document Reference: MCE-402-016-2021

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