Construction

Introduction

Miniature Hovercraft Project

Victoria Rotberg

Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Systems Engineering II

Photo from:  http://anggun3.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/hovercraft.jpg

Week 27 Log B

Things accomplished

• Pieces cut to size
• Commencing sanding

Press Release

 

Press Release: Miniature Hovercraft

Figure 1: Example of a Mini-Hovercraft

Taken from: http://www.hov-pod.co.uk/photo/showroomhovpod.jpg

By: Victoria Rotberg

March 12, 2010

Introduction

            The 21^st Century is all about modernization and innovation. The number of technological advancements in our generation is at an all time high. Many of these advancements are intended to simplify many tasks in our daily lives, whether they are general or specific to certain tasks and jobs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lab stationed on Sandy Hook, New Jersey takes regular water samples of the surrounding water. One of these tests includes gathering samples of water to see the amount of plankton in the water. The organization has requested the students of the Marine Academy’s Systems Engineering II class to build a miniature hovercraft that can deploy a plankton net. An example of which can be seen above in Figure 1.

Project Description

            The main purpose for the miniature hovercraft is to leave the ecosystem unharmed and undisturbed. Because it will hover above water, it will not disrupt the animals or debris on the bottom. It will also be remote controlled so that it can be used from a safe distance. This will reduce human presence in the marsh. VR is the structural/civil engineer for the hovercraft project and her job is to design and construct a sturdy structure of the hovercraft that will house the necessary equipment that will make the hovercraft systems work. A plankton net will be positioned inside the back of the hovercraft in front of a hole that will allow it to be deployed and retracted. A cavity inside the hovercraft will house the plankton net so as to not get the electrical necessities wet.

Mentor Involvement

Each student has a mentor for his or her project. The mentorship program is designed to aid students in their specific field of study or research. So far her mentor has been guiding her and giving her advice on which materials to use and the quantity of each. Also, her mentor has been giving her advice and on how to put together a certain part of the hovercraft or correct her on points that he does not think will be feasible.

STEMM

So far the major concern has been weight. The hovercraft will not hover if it does not have sufficient power to lift it. The power is not VR’s concern but she has been working to decrease the weight so that her partner, TC, has an easier time of things. She has picked 3-layer plywood instead of 5-layer. This will lower rigidity but it will weigh significantly less so the benefits out weigh the losses. Another big factor that ties in with the hovercraft’s weight is stability. If the hovercraft is not perfectly symmetrical or is not built properly, it has the possibility to capsize.

Presentations and Expectations

The upcoming formal report of progress presentations will highlight the extent of VR and her partner, TC, construction thus far. The presentations are scheduled to occur on the 11th, 12th and 15^th of March. They will discuss what other steps they will need to take to complete their construction and get their project up and running and ready for testing. After presentations are concluded TC and VR will continue working until their project can hover and deploy and retrieve a plankton net as stated in their design brief.

Summary

            In closing, VR and her partner have begun their construction on their senior project in their System Engineering II class. They are building a Mini-Hovercraft that will be able to take plankton samples using a plankton net. Their Formal Report of Progress presentations will commence on the 11^th, 12^th and 15^th of March in the Marine Academy’s Media Center. Soon they will have their project completed and ready for display on that fine, balmy night in May.

Week 27 Log A

Plan of the Week

• Continue construction

Week 26 Log A

Plan of the Week

• Construction
• Press Release

Week 25 Log A

Plans For The Week

• Materials needed changed: plywood and possibly fiberglassing materials are available at school so  all I need is my skirt material and vinyl cement which I'm waiting for a final bid to complete the 3
• I can begin construction but I must wait on my partner to decide on a motor that is acceptable because it could change my dimensions