• Summary since Oct.16: Recieved new SEACON plugs, finished machining new aluminum endcaps, many pool tests were failures due to the bad wiring job or the malfunctioning GoPro. Every week involved redoing some wiring issue. A new electronics rack is designed along with new electronics layout. See Design page for new modifications and pictures of new parts.
  • Dec. 2, 2014: Final design documentation is turned in for review.
  • Dec 1, 2014: The team meets for the last time of the semester.
  • Nov. 11, 2014: Critical Design Review Presentation
  • Nov. 10, 2014: The wet connects arrive and are heavier than anticipated. It is determined that more weight needs to be shifted to the front of the sub to counteract the waterproof connections.
  • Nov. 6, 2014: Critical Design Review Demo
  • Nov. 5, 2014: The pneumatics system is tested in the pool. It is discovered that the left solenoid is non-operational due to corrosion in the interior of the system. The use of a spring powered torpedo launcher is discussed.
  • Nov. 3, 2014: The idea of using tube batteries is vetoed in favor of the current batteries. Designs for a battery housing are investigated.
  • Oct. 29, 2014: The front endcap with heat fins is insulated during the pool test to prove that they are unnecessary. The new front endcap design is approved and validated.
  • Oct. 27, 2014: The team decides to move away from Roborealm in favor of a more relevant coding language such as C++. The addition of microphones to register sonic pings is discussed.
  • Oct. 22, 2014: The Solidworks models for the endcaps are finalized.
  • Oct. 20, 2014: The team contacts Mike Kappus from NAVSEA for the first time. The idea of replacing the rectangular batteries with tube batteries is explored.
  • Oct. 19, 2014: Slight adjustments to the endcap design are made including adding a custom made tab for the latches to ensure the bolts going through the aluminum won’t punch through the aluminum.
  • Oct. 17, 2014: The idea of using waterproof push button sensors for the Buoy Mission is explored.
  • Oct. 16, 2014: Pool test reveals solution to left and right strafing controls being switched. Additional insight is gained into how to better the Buoy and Follow Line Missions.
  • Oct. 16, 2014: The team meets with Libby Miller and Dylan Solomon with NAVSEA to go over the new RoboSub designs.
  • Oct. 16, 2014: New Microsoft Lifecam is recieved for replacement of GoPro front camera.
  • Oct. 14, 2014: Final order with SEACON is made for underwater connection system. Expected arrival is in two weeks.
  • Oct. 14, 2014: The team website is launched.
  • Oct. 13, 2014: Travis Alpers, Computer Science, joins the team. The potential for a waterproof casing for the batteries is considered to increase access to the batteries.
  • Oct. 12, 2014: Heat transfer calculations are performed to determine that fins on the endcaps are not necessary.
  • Oct. 11, 2014: Linux and open source robotic programming installed on test computer for experimentation. Fixed mismatched motor connection.
  • Oct. 10, 2014: Recieved final quote for parts from SEACON. Placed order for several test cameras.
  • Oct. 5, 2014: Pressurization of the tube is considered as a method of leak detection but later vetoed due to the resulting loss in buoyancy.
  • Oct. 2, 2014: Using a shorter tube that can be slid along the frame for an increased ease of balancing the sub is discussed. Potential to add an IMU and graphics card is considered.
  • Oct. 1, 2014: The first pool test for Blue November is successfully accomplished. All controls are operational. There is minor leaking through the endcap but not enough to damage the electronics.
  • Sept. 30, 2014: The team undergoes their Preliminary Design Review.
  • Sept. 29, 2014: The alternatives are reviewed and ranked to determine the best designs for the future sub. The endcaps will utilize a latch design (solidworks model created), the batteries are to be placed external to the chassis tube of the sub, and the wet connects, to be ordered from SEACON, will be threaded through the endcap.
  • Sept. 22, 2014: Design alternatives for necessary improvements are determined. Sketches for various endcap designs are created. A new laptop is purchased since it was discovered that the previous laptop was lost during the competition in July.
  • Sept. 18, 2014: The team considers various design changes. The endcap, method of inserting the electronic hardware, placement of the batteries, type of wet connects and waterproof switches, type of internal plugs, camera setup, and wiring arrangement are determined to be in need of improvement.
  • Sept. 11, 2014: The team meets for the first time and examines the Blue November, looking for ways to improve the previous team’s autonomous submarine.