INITIAL SKETCH
The basic boat design concept was to have two propellers at the back with no rudder. For balloon popping, we thought about having multiple balloon poppers one on each side.
BUOYANCY CALCULATIONS
Mass estimate of the boat (M) = 8 lb
Density of water (p)= 62.4 lb/ft3
Approx volume of the boat under water = 180(inch2) * h
Submerged height of the boat under water (h) = (8*12*12*12)/(62.4*180) = 1.25 inches
Density of water (p)= 62.4 lb/ft3
Approx volume of the boat under water = 180(inch2) * h
Submerged height of the boat under water (h) = (8*12*12*12)/(62.4*180) = 1.25 inches
PROPELLER MECHANISM
The propeller mechanism for the boat has two propellers on the back side placed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the boat. The propellers are also used to control the direction of movement by changing the relative speed of the two propellers. The propellers are mounted on long shafts of 0.25" diameter which in turn are attached to DC motors through universal joint couplings. Universal couplings are available off-the-shelf in the market. We used a 5/8" by 1/4" coupling.
ELECTROMECHANICAL INDICATOR MECHANISM
The electromechanical indicator is a rotating light. This is available off-the-shelf in the market and we hacked into this to replace the switch with a MOSFET to operate it using a microcontroller.
FINAL FUNCTIONAL BOAT
This is the final functional model of the boat with all the components mounted.
LUC (LIVING/UNDEAD CONTROLLER) CAD
The LUC for our Alligator is a drum system. We used inverted buckets to use as drums; drum hits are used to give speed and direction signals to the boat. We mounted a cymbal which is used as a signal for activating balloon popping mechanisms.
TELEPHONE
We modified a rotary dial phone to use it as an input medium to connect to boats. The user dials the boat number on the phone and it establishes the communication between our controller and a boat.
FINAL LUC
This is the final functional design of the controller with all components mounted.