[PSUBS-MAILIST] FYI: Human Powered Submarine

[Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@Sun.COM>]

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From: "Harrison Jenkins" <hjenkins@u.washington.edu>
To: <ray@psubs.org>
Subject: Human Powered Submarine
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 22:29:41 -0800
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Mr. Keefer

I recently ran across your web page for the Personal Submersibles Organization.  
I myself am involved in the construction of a personal submarine as a research 
project for the University of Washington Mechanical Engineering Department.  I'm 
not sure if you've heard of the human powered submarine competitions or not, but 
there are bi-costal races held annually in which many universities and private 
individuals compete, the main requirement being that the submarines are human 
powered, usually pedal power.

Our team is currently building a one man wet submarine to enter in this year's 
competition in June.  We have run into some complications forming our windows 
however and I was wondering if you might assist us with some expert advice.  We 
are attempting to form polycarbonate sheets (3/16" thick) but have limited 
resources in terms of heating ovens.  The way we are constructing our hull is by 
building two female molds (already completed) out of fiberglass and then laying 
up the 'part' inside of these (we will later join the two hull halves with more 
fiberglass).  Our plan is to form the polycarbonate in these female molds and 
then lay-up the fiberglass hull around them so we get a perfect fit.  

We were considering building a make shift oven out of reflective insulating foam 
around the portion of the mold where the window would be located then laying the 
PC sheet inside and supplying heat via heat-guns, does this seem reasonable?  We 
are unsure how to proceed and any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thank 
you for your time

Sincerely,

Harrison Jenkins, Team Captain
University of Washington

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Mr. Keefer

 

I recently ran across your web page for the Personal Submersibles Organization.  I myself am involved in the construction of a personal submarine as a research project for the University of Washington Mechanical Engineering Department.  I'm not sure if you've heard of the human powered submarine competitions or not, but there are bi-costal races held annually in which many universities and private individuals compete, the main requirement being that the submarines are human powered, usually pedal power.

 

Our team is currently building a one man wet submarine to enter in this year's competition in June.  We have run into some complications forming our windows however and I was wondering if you might assist us with some expert advice.  We are attempting to form polycarbonate sheets (3/16" thick) but have limited resources in terms of heating ovens.  The way we are constructing our hull is by building two female molds (already completed) out of fiberglass and then laying up the 'part' inside of these (we will later join the two hull halves with more fiberglass).  Our plan is to form the polycarbonate in these female molds and then lay-up the fiberglass hull around them so we get a perfect fit. 

 

We were considering building a make shift oven out of reflective insulating foam around the portion of the mold where the window would be located then laying the PC sheet inside and supplying heat via heat-guns, does this seem reasonable?  We are unsure how to proceed and any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time

 

Sincerely,

 

Harrison Jenkins, Team Captain

University of Washington