Hernando County Schools11th International Human Powered Submarine
Race – June, 2011
OverviewPrevious VersionsPhilosophy
Single pilot Propeller Torpedo-shaped hull Pivot steering
Started in 1991 as a two-person sub.
In 2003, a new, single-pilot sub was made for the 7th ISR.
Since then, it has been subject to many modifications.
Focus on:◦ Improving and perfecting
Steering cable system New propellers
◦ Handcraft everything
HullControl SurfacesPropulsionLife Support and SafetyHatch and Emergency Buoy
Built for the 2003 ISR (22”H x 20”W x 11’6”L).
General form shaped with NACA 66-0015 coordinates.◦ Fiberglass shells crafted from mold
◦ Halves joined
Plexiglass (¼”) window installed. In 2007, knee pods were built into the hull.
Cable-controlled rudder and dive planes steer the sub◦ Joystick control◦ Stationary horizontal
stabilizers Four stationary
pivot fins established a pivot point
Propeller-driven◦ A bike crank turns a spiral bevel gear which turns
the prop. This year two new props were designed
◦ An MA409 wing shape was used to hopefully improve performance by 10% Bottom wing chord is concave to improve water flow off
the rear.◦ Both props are thinner and more polished, differing
in diameter.
SCUBA◦ Air tank strapped in
the rear◦ Regulator and hose
fed up to front Spare Air Bow is heavily
reinforced
The hatch lock is closed with a spring-loaded lock.◦ A safety cable connects to a latch-pin on the hatch
allowing quick release.◦ A clearly marked outside lever assures that outside
help has access to the pilot.
The emergency buoy is also spring-loaded.◦ Floats up when control lever is released.
TestingTraining
Primary testing locations ◦ Gulf of Mexico◦ Weeki Wachee River
Weeki Wachee’s clear waters offered the perfect testing environment.
The new team members became certified SCUBA divers.
Weekly testing/training sessions with both submarines took place in the Gulf.◦ Learning the
loading/unloading procedure and how to pilot the submarine.
Sessions provided an abundant amount of swim and SCUBA practice time.
Testing in the Weeki Wachee River
Team with Sublime submarine
Team with SeaWolf submarine
Team members
not pictured in team photos