2016-2017
CUAUV
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CUAUV is a team of 40 undergraduate students who create autonomous underwater vehicles to compete in the AUVSI RoboSub competition. During the competition, the AUV would have to traverse a large underwater environment and autonomously complete mission tasks. I joined the team during my freshman year, where we achieved first place and were the only team to compete with two separate underwater vehicles to divide and conquer mission tasks.
Kill-Switch
On the mechanical subteam, I designed a sealed, underwater kill-switch to maintain enabled and disabled states for the vehicle. This project introduced me to many design fundamentals including O-Ring seals, integration of PCBAs, sliding interfaces, coating, FEA, manufacturability, and others. In some ways, it was almost like my first IP68 design!
Since the device needed to operate underwater, a traditional on/off switch was not practical. Instead, to send the enabled/disabled signal, the assembly utilized a hall-effect sensor within a sealed enclosure to detect if a magnet on the external pull handle was within range. To verify that this concept was feasible, I prototyped the components and tested them with a multimeter to ensure the sensor could function.
To maintain its integrity underwater, the device also featured a sealed SEACON HUMMER connector, resealable bore seal end-cap, potted interfaces, and type 3 hardcoat anodization. It was also analyzed under hydrostatic pressure and pull loads at the fully extended state.
Lastly, the sliding handle features locking grab-latches, delrin material, large ergonomic handle, and two handle configurations for each of the underwater vehicles.