Hello Joe
Thanks for the input. I'm using Solidworks which can convert just about any type of CAD file you might have. I could send you IGES, STL, or some other file types that your Auto CAD could read. Better yet for quick looks at designs I can send you a animated file of the different design ideas in a HTML format or E-Drawings program that is a free downloadable program from Solidworks. I haven't started any CAD files of the ring thruster since I've been working on some other areas of my trimaran sub design. But I'll see what I can come up with shortly. Maybe a belt drive version would have less water resistance inside the outer ring housing then a gear type. This way you wouldn't have to worry about any oil in the main housing. A stainless steel chain drive may also have less resistance. The spinning internal ring with the blades on it could ride on some sort of sealed bearing system or have opposing magnets on all sides to make the ring float in the center not touching anything but a couple of UHMW guides or the like. Those are just some of my preliminary untested ideas. I'm sure there are all kinds of holes in them that could be filled by one or more of the mechanical wizards in this group.
Does anyone here in the group know the inventors of this ring thruster?
| Inventors: | Holt; John K. (Ft. Pierce, FL), Kennedy; Gregory C. (Ft. Pierce, FL) |
| Assignee: |
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Inc. (Ft. Pierce, FL)
|
Brent Hartwig freezing in so many ways
From: Joe Alvarez <joeoutland@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Ring Thruster Data
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 09:02:07 -0800 (PST)
Brent;I would be more then happy to give you any input that I can on your ideas. I used to draft in college a little so I can read blueprints and I am familiar with Auto CAD. I don't have formal engineering training but I have lots of practical experience with machinery.I had a few ideas about this design. The first was the simplest and easiest way to look at it was to take a large sprocket and cut the inside out. From there I could weld down a thin flat layer of metal that would serve as the seal for an outer ring and the surface to hold the prop blades. I would need to play with it to determine if packing the entire insides with grease or oil would be best or not. I had toyed with the idea of making it very large and mounting the ring to the side or back of the craft and use the touch point as a sealed joint but that's just my mind wandering.The other idea was to use a standard brush-less electric motor design but one that allowed the center to be exposed for making the ring prop inside. I am sure I am over simplifying that concept but its a place to start.Let me know what you think.Sincerely,Joe A!