Multidisciplinary Senior Design Project
Charles Alexander, Tom Christen, Kim Maier, Reggie Pierce, Matt Fister, Zach Mink
Underwater ThermoelectricPower Generation SystemP14254
• Team: Charles Alexander M.E.Tom Christen M.E. (Lead Engineer)Kim Maier M.E. (Project Engineer)Reggie Pierce M.E.Matt Fister E.E. Zach Mink E.E.
• Faculty Guide: Rick Lux• Primary Customer: Dr. Robert Stevens
Introductions
• Problem Statement• Background Information• Deliverables• Scenarios Considered• Constraints• Customer Requirements• Engineering Requirements• House of Quality• Preliminary Project Schedule• Issues and Corrective Actions
Agenda
● Current State:○ Boeing’s current UUV, the Echo Ranger has a maximum mission time of 28 hours.
Boeing would like to significantly extend this mission time.
● Desired State:○ Boeing would like to utilize a thermoelectric system to significantly extend mission
time of their UUVs.
● Project Goals:○ Demonstrate proof of concept of thermoelectric system
■ Use a temperature differential to charge a battery■ Achieve maximum thermoelectric efficiency over a range of temperatures■ Establish a UUV-based research partnership between Boeing and RIT
● Constraints:○ System must operate underwater○ System must utilize a thermoelectric device○ System must operate autonomously
Problem Statement
Background Information
Boeing’s UUV, Echo Ranger● Developed in 2001 for seafloor
mapping for oil/gas industry
● Currently testing the idea for potential military applications○ ISR○ Harbor security
● Current run time○ ~28 hours
thermoelectric module picture thermoelectric IV curve
Background Information
●Functional prototype which demonstrates proof of concept for an underwater thermoelectric device
●Appropriate design, test, and integration documentation to support eventual inclusion in a UUV
●Test data verifying engineering requirements have been met
Deliverables
● Thermoelectrics have low efficiency○ They need a lot of heat supplied
2 Options:● Radioisotope● Fuel Cell
Use Scenarios
• Economical: • Budget Range - $950-$1800
• Technical:• Underwater Operation• Power generation - must be accomplished by
the use of thermoelectrics• Size - details have not been furnished
Constraints
● Continuously generate power● Charge a battery● Operate underwater● Heat source provided a constant source of heat● Waterproof● System can withstand desired water pressure
Customer RequirementsCustomer Rqmt. # Importance Description Comments/Status
CR1 9 Continuously generate power CR2 3 Operates at various water temperatures CR3 3 Operate efficiently CR4 9 Charge a battery CR5 3 Utilize passive safety features CR6 3 Operate autonomously CR7 9 Operate underwater CR8 9 Heat source provides a constant source of heat CR9 3 Fits within budget
CR10 9 Waterproof CR11 9 System can withstand desired water pressure CR12 3 System is lightweight CR13 3 Heat source resembles (in shape) available power options (radioisotope, fuel cell, etc)
• Power Output• Heat Source Power Input• Upper Ambient Operating Temperature• Thermal Overload Protection System• Operates Without User Input
Engineering Requirementsrqmt. # Importance Source Engr. Requirement (metric) Unit of
MeasureMarginal
ValueIdeal Value Comments/Status
S1 9 CR1 Power Output W 15 20 S2 9 CR8 Heat Source Power Input W 400 500 S3 3 CR4 Battery Voltage V
S4 9 CR2Upper Ambient Operating Temperature °C 30 40
Specs TBD based on Thermoelectric specs
S5 3 CR2Lower Ambient Operating Temperature °C 10 0
More based on seal integrity than power generation
S6 3 CR11 Waterproof Depth m 1 5 S7 3 CR12 Enclosure Size cm^3 8000 3375 S8 1 CR9 Budget $ 1900 950 S9 3 CR12 System Weight kg
S10 3 CR13 Heat Source Dimensions cm Resemble power sourceS11 3 CR3 Charging Efficiency %
S12 9 CR5Thermal Overload Protection System binary yes yes
S13 9 CR6 Operates Without User Input binary yes yes
● Continuously Generate Power● Charge a Battery● Waterproof
House of Quality
Project Plan
● Lack of defined engineering requirements - heat source, battery voltage, etc.● Obtain information from Boeing or design our own
● Little communication with the end customer● Find a direct contact with Boeing
● Completion of group tasks ● Ensure all group members are notified of current
statuses (Drive Notifications)
Issues and Corrective Actions
Questions?