Alternate Solution 1
Orthographic View of Design #1
Design 1 has a closed, semi-circle hull as labeled “A” in both drawings below attached. Three round Jupe Skirts will be attached in a triangular pattern to its underside; one rounded skirt at each of the points of the triangle (labeled “B”). The rounded hull will be hollow, allowing space for motors and other electrical necessities to sit, as shown in Figure 1. A narrow slit will be cut out of the top of the rounded hull. This space will be used to holster the geared pulley system that will deploy and retrieve the plankton net (labeled “C”). This system will be activated by an electric motor. It will wind and unwind which will ravel and then unravel the plankton net. Inside the hull, one Lift Fan will be situated in the rounded “floor” of the hull so that air can reach the fan. The Lift Fan, when activated by an electric motor, will inflate the skirts that will produce the cushion of air that lets the craft “hover”. One or two fan propellers (not shown in the drawings) will be bolted to the back of the hull, standing vertically, to boost the craft forward. To steer the hovercraft AC has designed a few different systems which are illustrated and better explained in the brainstorming section. One of these steering systems (to be determined) will be applied to the hull.
Pros
· Easy construction
· Simple design
· Electrical equipment easily attached and stored away from the spray of water.
Cons
· More skirts = more drag = less efficiency = more required horsepower
· Plankton Net can possibly get caught in equipment
· Multiple motors needed to power fans and gear system = $$$
- Alternate Solution 2
Isometric View of Design #2
Design 2 consists of three rectangular, flat platforms all adjacent to each other. The two side platforms will each have a Segmented Skirt (labeled “A”) attached to the underside of the platform. Each platform top will have the motor and fan needed to inflate the skirt attached to it (labeled “B”). The two side platforms will be attached to a center platform, which is raised slightly higher than the two sides. The center platform will house the geared pulley system that will deploy and retrieve the plankton net and the electrical necessities that will go with it (labeled “C”). In the middle of the center platform a narrow slit will be cut out that will holster the geared pulley system. The net will hang under the platform freely and the pulley system will lower and raise it when activated. On the back of each side platform, one fan propeller (not shown in the drawings) will be bolted vertically. These two fans will thrust the craft forward. To steer the hovercraft AC has designed a few different systems which are illustrated and better explained in the brainstorming section. One of these steering systems (to be determined) will be applied to the hull and would need a motor.
Pros
· High Stability
· Ease of Steering
· Net system won’t get tangled
Cons
· More skirts = more drag = less efficiency = more required horsepower
· Multiple motors needed to power fans and gear system = $$$
Brittle structure; higher chance of breaking under weight- Alternate Solution 3
Isometric View of Design #3
Design 3 has a very basic hull shape. It is slanted in the front, flattens off, and then slants back down. The sides are flat as well (labeled “C”) . The two slants in the front and back, attach to a Bag Skirt (labeled “A”) under the hull. The hull will be hollow, allowing space for motors and other electrical necessities to sit. A narrow slit will be cut out of the flat top. This space will be used to holster the geared pulley system that will deploy and retrieve the plankton net (labeled “B”). This system will be activated by an electric motor. It will wind and unwind which will ravel and then unravel the plankton net. Inside the hull, one Lift Fan will be situated in the flat “floor” of the hull so that air can reach the fan. The Lift Fan, when activated by an electric motor, will inflate the skirt that will produce the cushion of air that lets the craft “hover”. One propeller fan (not shown in the drawings) will be attached to the back of the hull to thrust the craft forward. To steer the hovercraft AC has designed a few different systems which are illustrated and better explained in the brainstorming section. One of these steering systems (to be determined) will be applied to the hull.
Pros
· Simple hull design = easy construction
· Bag Skirt easily made
· Electrical equipment easily attached and stored away from the spray of water.
Cons
· Difficulty installation of propeller fan
· Plankton Net could possibly get caught in workings
· Not aerodynamic = possible steering difficulties
Alternate Solution 4
Orthographic View of Design #4
Isometric View of Design #4
This hovercraft is a round-ended rectangle based on an internal frame structure. It is longer than a circle for forward stability. It is lifted by two fans (labeled “A”). These fans are located on both sides and towards the front of the craft. Both fans are connected to one motor by means of belts. It is propelled by a fan in the rear (labeled “B”). Attached to the propulsion fan is a shutter box, which houses the shutters that steer the craft. Part of the frame is a structure that holds the net system, which will deploy and retrieve a plankton net (labeled “C”). This system has its own motor for retrieval. This structure rises above the components of the hovercraft, such as the fans, so the line will not interrupt the functions of those components. The fans, motors, batteries, and all other components will be external for purposes of construction and maintenance.
The internal frame is heavy and will slow the craft down, but will increase stability and momentum when pulling the net. This added weight will also decrease steering effectiveness. Having two lift fans increases output, hover height, and dependability but uses more power and is more difficult to construct. Having a single propulsion fan uses power more efficiently, but using shutters to steer the craft is not. However, shutters are the most efficient of the readily available steering systems. Having the net system above the hovercraft will keep the motor and line out of the way, but the line may get caught if it goes slack. Having the system on the side of the hovercraft will keep the line out of the way but will not balance when towing the net. Making the hovercraft components external will possibly expose them to water, but will be easy to attach and replace if necessary. If the first solution doesn’t work out, I think this solution will be next.
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