tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74029373309526825702024-03-12T22:04:15.779-04:00Carnegie Mellon Solar SplashUpdates on design, construction, and testing.Michael Barakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648577165756270346noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-68731863521890800342012-06-15T00:54:00.000-04:002012-06-15T00:57:00.669-04:00Solar Splash Competition 2012<br />
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After taking a detour in Cincinnati to pick up a CMSS team
member, we made it to Cedar Falls, Iowa in a rental vehicle late Monday night,
ready to start the competition the following morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Tuesday we finished modifying the propulsion system to
hold the electric motors the further above the water and also added pontoons to
increase stability. </div>
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The modification to
the propulsion system limited us to attaching one Etek motor, which will be
used in both the endurance and sprint events. The pontoons allow the boat to safety operate in windy
conditions at the lake where the 2012 Solar Splash competition is being held (in Cedar Falls, Iowa) while also adding a minimal amount of drag.</div>
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On Wednesday, the team passed the electrical and mechanical
inspections and competed in the maneuverability qualifying event. Driven by Nate, the boat completed a test demonstrating the basic maneuverability of the boat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Testing at the lake before the competition.</div>
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Nate is pulling the boat over to the launch area.</div>
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Launching the boat into the water.</div>
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Jon is holding the boat in place despite the wind while it is being inspected.</div>
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Nate is in the boat ready to do the maneuverability test.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Cedar Falls, IA, USA42.5348993 -92.445316142.4880978 -92.5242801 42.5817008 -92.3663521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-69088329459120881902012-05-06T12:42:00.002-04:002012-05-06T12:42:59.828-04:00If it looks like a boat...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boat is finally starting to look like a boat. Gunwales and bulkheads are installed. The only problem is that it's not 100% waterproof.</div>
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To solve this, we added another coat of Gluvit epoxy-based undercoater/sealer. This time we added white pigment so we can't paint right over it. We're thinking orange.</div>
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<br />Paul Kimballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999708414738385558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-61658299175031472672012-03-24T16:55:00.011-04:002012-03-24T17:25:51.361-04:00Boat Building 101<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Hull construction is now fully underway and things are looking up. At the end of the layup process, we had our fair share of concerns. While the fiberglass went on exceptionally smooth (thanks to the efforts of Nate and Zach), the vacuum bag didn't exactly function according to plan: as in there was no vacuum. The result was a surface that intermittently smooth and gridded. Still, it matched the hull form nearly perfectly, with far fewer bubbles than the last time we did this.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktTSWfBI0es/T242CPM1xYI/AAAAAAAAAB8/hIBrTJ6CsPk/s1600/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B3%2B04%2B08%2BPM.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktTSWfBI0es/T242CPM1xYI/AAAAAAAAAB8/hIBrTJ6CsPk/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B3%2B04%2B08%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723571588502504834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">And thus began the long and arduous process of removing the foam from the boat. Each member had their own preferred method, mostly involving chisels, hammers, wedges, drills, and jigsaws...or some combination thereof.</span></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRSnL4nrbxc/T244gT06HTI/AAAAAAAAACI/PXALCPctQzE/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B3%2B26%2B27%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723574304163634482" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">By the end of day 1, less than half of the foam had been removed. We payed special attention to leaving several foam cross-sections in the hull so they can act as bulk-heads. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Z5Ujp_kX8/T245Qzp5EBI/AAAAAAAAACU/AR1FlL4CBvs/s1600/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B20%2B50%2BPM.jpg" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Z5Ujp_kX8/T245Qzp5EBI/AAAAAAAAACU/AR1FlL4CBvs/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B20%2B50%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723575137341083666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>After everyone left for the night, Robbie and I decided to do a simple waterproofing test: pour a bucket of water into the hull and see if any leaks out.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjk5sLggaxk/T245_Ixl-pI/AAAAAAAAACg/GZ__Jb_g-yA/s1600/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B26%2B28%2BPM.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjk5sLggaxk/T245_Ixl-pI/AAAAAAAAACg/GZ__Jb_g-yA/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B26%2B28%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723575933284514450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Unfortunately, it did. You can see the droplets forming on the outside of the hull, meaning that water is passing through the hull.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf_NCJQmhWQ/T246sOjqxeI/AAAAAAAAACs/zEQFsrkyxo0/s1600/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B27%2B11%2BPM.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf_NCJQmhWQ/T246sOjqxeI/AAAAAAAAACs/zEQFsrkyxo0/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B23%252C%2B5%2B27%2B11%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723576707930834402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>During our Saturday session, the rest of the foam was removed (with the exception of flooring support). It actually looks like a boat now! Most importantly, it's shaping up to be our best boat yet!</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAXG5vZxIgQ/T247DobUaHI/AAAAAAAAAC4/bYxIf4vujYw/s400/Photo%2BMar%2B24%252C%2B3%2B15%2B28%2BPM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723577110012127346" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><br /></div>Paul Kimballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999708414738385558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-12549363205874881112012-01-20T11:11:00.002-05:002012-01-25T16:59:46.275-05:00Making the MoldBack from break, we are continuing work on manufacturing the boat hull. We are gluing together the foam pieces of the plug and will soon be coating and finishing the plug.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-48244679301648438382011-12-06T16:08:00.009-05:002011-12-15T07:51:50.652-05:00Status Update: Fall 2011<div style="text-align: left;">Sorry for the yearlong delay, but we're still working hard here at CMSS. This year we've been trying to incorporate some newer technologies into our work. One of our biggest improvements is the fact that as opposed to the old hot-wire method for cutting cross-sections, we have CNC'd our pieces with the help of the drama department and Ben Carter.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZorMWgRCRIQ/Tt6EWQ0irPI/AAAAAAAAAA8/1RXLYtj-v_M/s1600/cncpieces.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683125297795476722" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZorMWgRCRIQ/Tt6EWQ0irPI/AAAAAAAAAA8/1RXLYtj-v_M/s400/cncpieces.JPG" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">With the pieces cut, the outline of our newest hull can begin to take shape:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683133319760791778" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlzGlOcYdwE/Tt6LpM-HSOI/AAAAAAAAABI/l_um0Jni-90/s400/hullpieces.JPG" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of you may be wondering how we ended up with such a radical design. Well, with the trust of Michlet genetic algorithm hull creation software (as well as SolidWorks verification), this was the final product. We're currently performing some layup testing as we're hoping to build a female mold this year, and want to get the best finish as possible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I apologize for the lapse in updates, but keep posted to our blog in the future to watch how this season unfolds.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Creating the cross sections.</div></div></div></div></div>Paul Kimballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999708414738385558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-60015790917407399102011-12-05T16:51:00.000-05:002011-12-05T16:53:22.154-05:00Does this thing still work?Yes it does! That mean's we'll be posting our status shortly!Paul Kimballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16999708414738385558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-87378754214419351582010-10-09T00:57:00.000-04:002010-10-09T00:57:19.029-04:00River Test Followup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">After our first river test, we decided to change the gear ratio to the propeller and get more data on a second river test! Luckily the weather agreed; today was the first warm, sunny day in weeks.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">First, we ran the propeller in a plastic bin, performing a "bucket test" to check the load of the propeller and to calibrate the current sensors.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Then, we drove the boat to the river and let some people drive it around and collect data.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Frank Driving Around</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ibuki Driving</div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Some more boat driving</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-82214858258567445782010-10-04T15:40:00.008-04:002010-10-04T16:45:18.184-04:00Let's hope you're still not counting...<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >While procrastinating instead of writing this blog, I decided to take a look-see at older posts to see what my predecessors saw fit to fill these web pages. As I clicked from one post to another, a disturbing and yet oh-so-comforting trend began to emerge: </span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />"The spring semester is well underway and so are we! My apologies for not keeping up this semester, but I've got blog fever yet again, so not to worry!"</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />"Let me assure you that while the blog appears silent, it masks a very productive and busy undercurrent that has produced a new hull design."</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />"70 days, but who's counting?"</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Turns out I am not the only one who struggles with thinking up clever and diverse ways of saying, "Looks like I haven't updated the blog in a very long time." Actually, that last one isn't really about lack of updates...I just read it that way because of how guilty I am. But in my imagination I reach out, pat the poster on the shoulder and say, "No one is counting, buddy, no one at all."</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Anyway, see below for a photo update of all that CMSS has been up to so far this semester. And when you finish with that, check out some of the older posts; there are some real gems in there.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo6F11Cv2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/MSYaRk3i7HU/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo6F11Cv2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/MSYaRk3i7HU/s320/IMG_1340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291764946648930" border="0" /></a>After the Activities Fair we held a "Donuts and Fiberglass" event to show interested students the lay-up method documented in the last blog post.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo6FfzRg3I/AAAAAAAAAIw/4Grp_uocNCo/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo6FfzRg3I/AAAAAAAAAIw/4Grp_uocNCo/s320/IMG_1342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291759033647986" border="0" /></a>New CMSSers get ready to begin the layup.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5lMKiYMI/AAAAAAAAAIo/UUwWVLPw9kk/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5lMKiYMI/AAAAAAAAAIo/UUwWVLPw9kk/s320/IMG_1343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291204006699202" border="0" /></a>Triumph!</span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5kuj8WpI/AAAAAAAAAIg/gMyEfiFznDc/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5kuj8WpI/AAAAAAAAAIg/gMyEfiFznDc/s320/IMG_1346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291196060195474" border="0" /></a>Using the heat gun to mold the core to the half-pipe.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5kHb5tWI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/2_1P_iRE_4A/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5kHb5tWI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/2_1P_iRE_4A/s320/IMG_1361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291185557484898" border="0" /></a>Moar molding!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5juKEWjI/AAAAAAAAAII/4gdHqKb4muU/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5juKEWjI/AAAAAAAAAII/4gdHqKb4muU/s320/IMG_1367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524291178771798578" border="0" /></a>Dunkin Donuts: the ultimate social lubricant.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5Af80ZII/AAAAAAAAAIA/nMXb41e84vQ/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo5Af80ZII/AAAAAAAAAIA/nMXb41e84vQ/s320/IMG_1379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524290573662708866" border="0" /></a>Bonding with interested students over the boat.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_8d8jBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/nbWCWs3nVIY/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_8d8jBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/nbWCWs3nVIY/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524290564137978898" border="0" /></a>Creating the vacuum seal.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_tt4HXI/AAAAAAAAAHw/kf6acY131dw/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_tt4HXI/AAAAAAAAAHw/kf6acY131dw/s320/IMG_1409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524290560178265458" border="0" /></a>The finished product.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_CpBNhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/gp9zRqKc3Tc/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4_CpBNhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/gp9zRqKc3Tc/s320/IMG_1411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524290548615165458" border="0" /></a>The finished product, unbagged.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4-je2piI/AAAAAAAAAHg/6Uc39hTVFRo/s1600/img_1434.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4-je2piI/AAAAAAAAAHg/6Uc39hTVFRo/s320/img_1434.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524290540251031074" border="0" /></a>Hauling the boat to the first River Test of the year!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4So-rNUI/AAAAAAAAAHY/sTDibKxzAdU/s1600/img_1448.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4So-rNUI/AAAAAAAAAHY/sTDibKxzAdU/s320/img_1448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289785812432194" border="0" /></a>In the water.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4SNaKo8I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/dy5oSOB9WA0/s1600/img_1449.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4SNaKo8I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/dy5oSOB9WA0/s320/img_1449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289778411545538" border="0" /></a>An unusually lovely day for Pittsburgh.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4R2xeZOI/AAAAAAAAAHI/K0p8zQoQ4UY/s1600/img_1474.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4R2xeZOI/AAAAAAAAAHI/K0p8zQoQ4UY/s320/img_1474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289772335293666" border="0" /></a>Backin' her up. I hope he's got on water shoes.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4RbkBxxI/AAAAAAAAAHA/MSOnr89CYj0/s1600/img_1478.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/TKo4RbkBxxI/AAAAAAAAAHA/MSOnr89CYj0/s320/img_1478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289765031134994" border="0" /></a>It wouldn't be CMSS without noms.<br /><br /></span></div>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-71867392107222887892010-08-16T14:25:00.003-04:002010-09-05T14:59:42.148-04:00Summer Core Materials ResearchWith fresh ideas from competition, this summer we have been researching improvements we can make to our boat! We have been researching a new drivetrain and hull for the upcoming build year. Specifically, we are investigating an inboard propulsion system that has the potential to significantly increase system efficiency.<br />
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To accommodate an inboard propulsion system, a new hull is being designed. One item we have been researching for the new hull is core material. We just performed a test layup with plastic honeycomb and are very pleased with the results.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPnXk_EehI/AAAAAAAABFw/Ej4RLyN-f1s/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPnXk_EehI/AAAAAAAABFw/Ej4RLyN-f1s/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The fiber glass has been soaked in epoxy and is being applied to the mold. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPndrFLyTI/AAAAAAAABF4/nTFx0amCM2U/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPndrFLyTI/AAAAAAAABF4/nTFx0amCM2U/s320/IMG_1263.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The mold is complete and to be left under vacuum for 12 hours.</div><br />
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<div align="center">The layup is being unbagged the next day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPnnsqavJI/AAAAAAAABGI/xiWHXwNEo4U/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TIPnnsqavJI/AAAAAAAABGI/xiWHXwNEo4U/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The layup has been cleaned up and looks amazing!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-49368056259930751362010-06-13T23:59:00.001-04:002010-06-16T00:24:59.472-04:00Competition 2010: Back in PittsburghThe Carnegie Mellon Solar Splash team has safely made it back to Pittsburgh. We were very excited for the opportunity to go to competition and came back with many ideas on how to redesign our mechanical systems. Although we were not particularly successful, we gained some much needed experience and knowledge that we hope to apply this next school year. Needless to say, the new sprint mount will be chain driven and more thoroughly tested.<br /><br />Next year holds many possibilities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-15861761895023461232010-06-12T23:46:00.000-04:002010-06-16T00:09:08.322-04:00Competition 2010: Day 4 - Leaving Arkansas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBhOLLn7b5I/AAAAAAAABB8/ZGAxjVgw6JE/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG"><br /></a><br />With both of our lower units out of commision the team was not able to compete today in the endurance event. This appears to be all but inevitable. The maximum continuous power rating the endurance motor could withstand, the Magmotor C40-300, was well under what we were expecting to draw for the endurance event. The added load during the slalom qualifier only expedited the motor's demise.<br /><br />For reference, during the endurance races we were expecting to run the endurance motor at 24 Volts and 29 Amperes (14.5 Amps from the batteries and 14.5 from the panels, assuming sunny conditions). This exceeded the peak current rating of 20 Amps and far exceed the continuous rating of 12 Amps.<br /><br /><br />Out of the competition running, we decided to watch both the morning and afternoon endurance races and then leave afterwards.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBhOLLn7b5I/AAAAAAAABB8/ZGAxjVgw6JE/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBhOLLn7b5I/AAAAAAAABB8/ZGAxjVgw6JE/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483218500329369490" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-6482611049053270632010-06-11T23:59:00.014-04:002010-07-07T15:50:40.047-04:00Competiton 2010: Day 3 - More Qualifiers and Some SurprisesToday we put the sprint mount, and the endurance motor, to a much needed but ill fated test, the slalom event.<br />
We had previously troubleshooted all of the existing problems with the sprint motor mount, but failed to take into account the low tolerances that needed to be maintained in the belt driven system.<br />
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With the lower unit properly engaged and the QD bushing set in place, more energy than ever was pushed through the system. This, combined with the misalignment of the drive shaft and motor flywheels, caused the timing belt to slip off and become shredded. This rendered the sprint mount inoperable and the boat dead in the water.<br />
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Afterwards, we were informed we could redo the qualifier and take the penalty of doubling the recorded time. This option was selected and instead of using the sprint mount, we decided to use the endurance mount. We also decided to run the endurance motor at 36 Volts, to try to maintain a somewhat fast pace. Although the specifications for motor indicated it could run anywhere from 12 to 120 Volts, this mistake proved fatal. The additional power being driven through the motor at the increased voltage caused the motor to smolder and smoke. The event was completed successfully, but the motor was no more.<br />
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With different parts of the two mounts malfunctioning, the team attempted to mount an E-tek sprint motor to the endurance lower unit but to no avail. The e-tek motors drove the sprint mount with a JA bushing, while the endurance motor was coupled with an SK bushing.<br />
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This incompatibility left neither mounts functioning, effectively ending the competition early for the team. As a result, the team was not able to compete in the sprint events today and will not compete in the endurance event tomorrow.<br />
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The only pictures I have of today are the disassembly of the endurance motor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMF3BheiI/AAAAAAAABBc/mUjS4Ss4ltA/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMF3BheiI/AAAAAAAABBc/mUjS4Ss4ltA/s320/IMG_0991.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The bolts holding the motor together are being unscrewed.</div><br />
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<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMGuA15UI/AAAAAAAABBk/R2-53G2Dh0A/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMGuA15UI/AAAAAAAABBk/R2-53G2Dh0A/s320/IMG_0992.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The bolts have burnt material on them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMGwGLVYI/AAAAAAAABBs/BXQGegLjT30/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMGwGLVYI/AAAAAAAABBs/BXQGegLjT30/s320/IMG_1001.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="center">The motor windings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMHWBX6qI/AAAAAAAABB0/1_u1MjZo8Dw/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBcMHWBX6qI/AAAAAAAABB0/1_u1MjZo8Dw/s320/IMG_1004.JPG" /></a></div></div><div align="center"><br />
The motor casing. RIP Magmotor C40-300.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-89371942879313393942010-06-11T00:22:00.010-04:002010-07-07T16:48:53.162-04:00Competition 2010: Day 2 - QualifiersWe started out the day with the announcing of the scores for the Technical Report. We received the prize for second place, scoring 88 out of 90 possible points.<br />
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Next, we participated in a sprint qualifier, a 75 meter course. Paul decided to slowly ramp up the throttle to check for any indication of slippage that was previously occurring and the noise reoccurred at approximately 40% throttle. Upon hearing the noise, he reduced the throttle and finished the event at a cautious pace so as to not damage any drive-train components.<br />
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The next event was the maneuverability qualifier. Austin drove the boat around several buoys to demonstrate the boat's turning abilities. During this event the steering wheel sheered off and temporarily caused Austin to careen out of control. Austin then drove the rest of the event using the rope steering cables. Afterwards the steering wheel was reattached more securely. <br />
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In the afternoon, Mike and Paul continued their quest to diagnose and cure the sprint mount. They stopped by the same marina they had been to previously but realized that the problem might not actually be residing in the lower unit but somewhere higher up on the mount. On the way home from the marina they noticed an Autozone car center sign saying, "Parts, Service, and Advice", and decided to see if anyone could trouble should the timing belts on the sprint mount. Amazingly someone at Autozone was able to provide the third option, some advice. He noticed the QD bushing attaching the drive shaft to the timing belt was loose and moving up and down. This was apparent by the chunks of metal screws on the QD bushing had removed. Upon returning to the lake, Paul tightened the set-screws to the QD bushing.<br />
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Tomorrow is the first 300 meter sprint race, and we are anxious to see the how the sprint mount fares.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLoofHNnI/AAAAAAAABAs/tTkrcvdES8Q/s1600/IMG_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLoofHNnI/AAAAAAAABAs/tTkrcvdES8Q/s320/IMG_3950.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A much overdue photo, the National Instruments touch panel computer in action.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJUdBfpCI/AAAAAAAABAM/tAF9kg0rAN0/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJUdBfpCI/AAAAAAAABAM/tAF9kg0rAN0/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A closeup of the (previously mentioned) solar panel mounting hardware.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLp5XLlRI/AAAAAAAABBE/TXg42qEBWtk/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLp5XLlRI/AAAAAAAABBE/TXg42qEBWtk/s320/IMG_4058.JPG" /></a></div>The boat being wheeled over to the water.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLpIvOW-I/AAAAAAAABA0/Y_b_O1GMmG8/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLpIvOW-I/AAAAAAAABA0/Y_b_O1GMmG8/s320/IMG_4009.JPG" /></a></div>Paul accelerating away from the starting line during the sprint qualifier.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLpps7R-I/AAAAAAAABA8/u7u4E7JHiow/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481386137915967458" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLpps7R-I/AAAAAAAABA8/u7u4E7JHiow/s320/IMG_4013.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Paul is on his way back from the sprint qualifier event.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLqgxJanI/AAAAAAAABBM/4UZi6OgU40I/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481386152697621106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHLqgxJanI/AAAAAAAABBM/4UZi6OgU40I/s320/IMG_4062.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
The boat being loaded into the water, gracefully.</div><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJT3legdI/AAAAAAAABAE/2wlR9PbRiHw/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481383564662440402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJT3legdI/AAAAAAAABAE/2wlR9PbRiHw/s320/IMG_0883.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Austin is ready for some action.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHMZjDCxBI/AAAAAAAABBU/sY6JrZu_rc0/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481386960763405330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHMZjDCxBI/AAAAAAAABBU/sY6JrZu_rc0/s320/IMG_4159.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Austin received some action.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJU5RcVHI/AAAAAAAABAU/DhJNEMQczE0/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481383582295151730" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJU5RcVHI/AAAAAAAABAU/DhJNEMQczE0/s320/IMG_0935.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Barb and Randy Wedler arrived today.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJVWXkOAI/AAAAAAAABAc/fSOjU4vqzag/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481383590105462786" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJVWXkOAI/AAAAAAAABAc/fSOjU4vqzag/s320/IMG_0937.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
The sprint mount is being repaired.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJV10DajI/AAAAAAAABAk/XU2tnSB_PX0/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBHJV10DajI/AAAAAAAABAk/XU2tnSB_PX0/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" /></a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A circular arc has been scraped out of a supporting piece of aluminum on the sprint mount by screws on the loose QD bushing.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-6596016907027740732010-06-09T23:02:00.009-04:002010-06-29T01:27:39.287-04:00Competition 2010: Day 1 - Check InAfter a night's sleep in the local hotel, Sleep Inn, we headed to the Fayetteville lake to unload, diagnose the sprint lower unit, and perform some other last minute repairs.<br />
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Mike and Paul both headed to a local marina for a second opinion on how to fix the sprint lower unit. After consulting with a technician about the E-Tek motor specifications, it was discovered that the motors run at a maximum of 3,000 RPM, less than the expected RPM of the propeller that was attached. It is hypothesized the slippage occurred because of this. To rectify this problem, a different propeller was purchased with a larger radius and a lower pitch. This new configuration should work but needs to be tested.<br />
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Also pictured below are the new solar panels mounted on the boat. The panels have been graciously loaned to CMSS from the CMU Solar Decathlon team (specifications for the panels, as well as all other critical system components can be found in the <a href="http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/solar-splash/media/dox/cmss_tech_report_2010.pdf">2010 Technical Report</a>.) The mounting system is hinged at the center and held in place with pins to allow for easy removal of the solar panels from the boat. <br />
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Back at the lake, the final decals were applied, with the front Hydra logo looking particularly good. The entire hull was then waxed and polished to reduce drag.<br />
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<div align="center"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBoswO2IlI/AAAAAAAAA_E/k0MmWPiSFEM/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480995864580596306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBoswO2IlI/AAAAAAAAA_E/k0MmWPiSFEM/s320/IMG_0879.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div><div align="center">Baby Bear (the boat trailer) is being unloaded from Papa Bear.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBosTWO6NI/AAAAAAAAA-8/ZHz3nc4D_xA/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480995856826951890" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBosTWO6NI/AAAAAAAAA-8/ZHz3nc4D_xA/s320/IMG_0876.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div><div align="center">Chris is unloading a solar panel from the trailer.</div><div align="center"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBot7Yo3mI/AAAAAAAAA_U/AfOtVe8ipos/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480995884754329186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBot7Yo3mI/AAAAAAAAA_U/AfOtVe8ipos/s320/IMG_3824.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div><div align="center">Ibuki is chilling next to the boat. The solar panel mounts are in the upwards configuration.<br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBoryq1N_I/AAAAAAAAA-0/oqGZPkxr8nI/s1600/DSC03205.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480995848054978546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBoryq1N_I/AAAAAAAAA-0/oqGZPkxr8nI/s320/DSC03205.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div align="center">The new solar panels mounted on the boat.<br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBunKDCEPI/AAAAAAAAA_s/lxkQ3hIuy_8/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481002365500920050" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBunKDCEPI/AAAAAAAAA_s/lxkQ3hIuy_8/s320/IMG_3862.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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<div align="center">David is explaining the motor controller box for the electrical inspection.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBqWwW4zOI/AAAAAAAAA_k/RlpjhN-AdEQ/s1600/IMG_3887.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480997685680458978" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBqWwW4zOI/AAAAAAAAA_k/RlpjhN-AdEQ/s320/IMG_3887.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div align="center">The hull has a reflective finish after being waxed and polished.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBvunHw26I/AAAAAAAAA_8/WAZIT9hc7cA/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481003593076104098" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TBBvunHw26I/AAAAAAAAA_8/WAZIT9hc7cA/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div align="center">Chris, David, and Austin are analyzing data and working on the LabVIEW code.<br />
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Tomorrow both configurations will be tested in the qualification events.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-64807382988837056032010-06-09T02:24:00.003-04:002010-06-09T03:01:19.092-04:00Competition 2010: The Road to CompetitionWe have made it to the Sleep Inn in Fayetteville, Arkansas where we will be staying for the duration of competition. <br /><br />Although relatively straightforward, the journey was not without perils. The rental van was in unsatisfactory condition to say the least. The van needed the right turn signals to be replaced but we were desperate for a vehicle and took it anyways. They said the repairs were minor and we could be reimbursed for any induced costs.<br /><br />Immediately after hooking the van up to the trailer we discovered in addition to the turn signal bulb needing to be replaced, much of the van's electrical wiring was either disconnected or plain wrong. Austin and David were able to go to work on it and get the trailer lights working but the problems with the vehicle continued.<br /><br />During the ride to Arkansas, it was discovered that the air conditioner was non-functioning, the steering assembly was loose and rusted through, and the gas pedal had a tendency to stick. The rental place has agreed to drive a replacement van down to Arkansas and switch it out with this van tomorrow morning. Well we made it, here are some pictures from our journey.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA81z1d63XI/AAAAAAAAA-A/LoH9uaR05iY/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA81z1d63XI/AAAAAAAAA-A/LoH9uaR05iY/s320/IMG_0848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480658436175355250" border="0" /></a><br />We departed from CMU at 4:30 am EST and arrived in Fayetteville at around 11 PM CST.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA810a0zYlI/AAAAAAAAA-I/4ADSnFtnXFM/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA810a0zYlI/AAAAAAAAA-I/4ADSnFtnXFM/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480658446203445842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Driving westward through the Ford-Pitt tunnel.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8104c94XI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/_Cx8q0d4Vk8/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8104c94XI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/_Cx8q0d4Vk8/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480658454156534130" border="0" /></a><br />Passing through ohio.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA811-Aj8CI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/nxux7orrA0A/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA811-Aj8CI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/nxux7orrA0A/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480658472827875362" border="0" /></a><br />Making it past the arch with Mike sleeping.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-20217106899993260262010-06-08T01:34:00.000-04:002010-06-09T02:23:42.383-04:00Pre-Competition UpdateWe have been hard at work finishing up new additions to the boat. New items include reinforced floor panels, a new driver panel, and a new throttle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sZm8WGDI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/_ruvQGlpsMM/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sZm8WGDI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/_ruvQGlpsMM/s320/IMG_0740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480648089995188274" border="0" /></a><br />Robbie and David eating some sauteed mushrooms while Austin sands a piece for the motor controller box.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sYL_aTVI/AAAAAAAAA9A/PaRxCtjkqoE/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sYL_aTVI/AAAAAAAAA9A/PaRxCtjkqoE/s320/IMG_0706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480648065580420434" border="0" /></a><br />David is laying out the layup materials for a new floor panel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sY9lbxXI/AAAAAAAAA9I/mNekkmEQziQ/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sY9lbxXI/AAAAAAAAA9I/mNekkmEQziQ/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480648078893237618" border="0" /></a>The floor panel under vacuum.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sXXa4qmI/AAAAAAAAA84/F9tLiDb7SJI/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sXXa4qmI/AAAAAAAAA84/F9tLiDb7SJI/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480648051468577378" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The plastic for the driver panel being CNC milled by Harrison.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sWkf4CnI/AAAAAAAAA8w/xdlbCLR9VBw/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8sWkf4CnI/AAAAAAAAA8w/xdlbCLR9VBw/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480648037799299698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The new throttle Jimmy made.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w3DijRLI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4T1OjiVbYA0/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w3DijRLI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4T1OjiVbYA0/s320/IMG_0756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480652993934345394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Vacuum-formed plastic for waterproofing the electronics.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w2qJ1uuI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/zinjazcI_Rk/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w2qJ1uuI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/zinjazcI_Rk/s320/IMG_0777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480652987119811298" border="0" /></a><br />Harrison showing off his finished dashboard.<br /></div><br /><br />We have also been testing the sprint lower unit with less than favorable results. When the throttle is turned up above 30% a grinding noise occurs, indicating slippage. Our new testing location is the Monongahela River near the Birmingham Bridge in Southside.<br /><br />Initial testing of the sprint mount showed that it was shifting out of gear into neutral. A plate was manufactured it to keep the shifting pin from turning but a second test indicated this did not fix the problem and some sort of slippage still exists.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w4mtZtGI/AAAAAAAAA9w/NFWo6-3G7jY/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w4mtZtGI/AAAAAAAAA9w/NFWo6-3G7jY/s320/IMG_0828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480653020554966114" border="0" /></a><br />The boat is being put into the water with the Birmingham Bridge in the background.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w37HBV3I/AAAAAAAAA9o/ZdR3A3xIjgU/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w37HBV3I/AAAAAAAAA9o/ZdR3A3xIjgU/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480653008851261298" border="0" /></a><br />Initial Testing of the Sprint Mount<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w5YaQYQI/AAAAAAAAA94/FR4IUtFxDBg/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TuLnIyIMZhw/TA8w5YaQYQI/AAAAAAAAA94/FR4IUtFxDBg/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480653033896435970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After consulting with Outboard Exchange, the seller of the lower unit, they have suggested that the slippage occurs near the propeller attachment and a dirty fix is to epoxy the propeller in place. We are currently investigating this option. Expect more details on this tomorrow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-4576003238788655922010-04-30T09:19:00.017-04:002010-04-30T10:04:38.476-04:00Well, Hello There...<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Geez…it certainly has been an uncomfortably long time since the last update, hasn’t it? Well, rest assured that this hiatus in updates in no way reflects the work we’ve been doing. With competition looming ever closer, the past weeks have been a lot of hard work and some noteworthy progress.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
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<br />For one thing, we finally had that BBQ that we’ve been putting off since last semester. The gang met up in Donner Ditch for burgers and bonding, as well as some intermittent frisbee and pineapple-related activities (please reference pictures for clarification on what exactly that means…).</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9ra3i_TnII/AAAAAAAAAEI/IJEpzI3TDcI/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9ra3i_TnII/AAAAAAAAAEI/IJEpzI3TDcI/s400/IMG_0915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465921745587510402" border="0" /></a>In addition to serving as our President, Mike also serves us burgers.
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbI9m19hI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/fUkkRQLkNR0/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbI9m19hI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/fUkkRQLkNR0/s400/IMG_0910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465922044790437394" border="0" /></a>Power Management waits for noms.
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<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbJgIS0OI/AAAAAAAAAEY/3ZOeBGGBAzw/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbJgIS0OI/AAAAAAAAAEY/3ZOeBGGBAzw/s400/IMG_0908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465922054057545954" border="0" /></a>Paul's sweet frisbee moves astounded us all. But mostly just me.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbRqspLwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FHoMbG7GyGU/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbRqspLwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FHoMbG7GyGU/s400/IMG_1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465922194333314818" border="0" /></a>Most of the group.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rcMTB86cI/AAAAAAAAAEw/1w09nSwHQxU/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rcMTB86cI/AAAAAAAAAEw/1w09nSwHQxU/s400/IMG_0933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465923201592519106" border="0" /></a>Thus begins the Pineapple Adventures.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rcNqPdlLI/AAAAAAAAAFA/4GyVW1WPdCA/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rcNqPdlLI/AAAAAAAAAFA/4GyVW1WPdCA/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465923225003070642" border="0" /></a>Delicious.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbcK9OC-I/AAAAAAAAAEo/MG-iSvTj12w/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rbcK9OC-I/AAAAAAAAAEo/MG-iSvTj12w/s400/IMG_1008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465922374791465954" border="0" /></a>Pineapple Tower of Might.
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<br /></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >In other, more exciting news (although it is hard to top that pineapple tower), we have officially voted on next year’s executive board! Congratulations to Ibuki, President; Paul, Vice President; Rahee, Treasurer; and Leenie, Public Relations Chair.
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">We also recently submitted three more SURG proposals (that’s Small Undergraduate Research Grant, for those non-CMU readers out there) in the hopes of getting some more moolah for the budget. The three proposed projects were 1. design of a brushless DC motor controller, 2. design of a modular solar panel, and 3. use of dimples in the reduction of pressure drag forces, for which we were awarded $800. Check out the kiva to read through the final drafts.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />Finally, despite Dave’s warning that we should plan on having only one pool test (just in case they see what we do and don’t let us back), we were actually able to fit in two pool tests, the most recent of which took place last Wednesday, April 21. This second test may or may not have been scheduled due to the first being a complete bust—but! either way, we are in good shape for our lake test this Saturday, May 1.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9re60sDadI/AAAAAAAAAFI/t4LyvUFE5Tg/s1600/DSC03695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9re60sDadI/AAAAAAAAAFI/t4LyvUFE5Tg/s400/DSC03695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465926199924713938" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stylin' for the Pool Test.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfRvIPtAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/NiX7iN9AONo/s1600/DSC03699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfRvIPtAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/NiX7iN9AONo/s400/DSC03699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465926593569338370" border="0" /></a>Yes; people really do swim in there.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfwVGOUiI/AAAAAAAAAFo/6MRD3a-bmoI/s1600/DSC03707.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfwVGOUiI/AAAAAAAAAFo/6MRD3a-bmoI/s400/DSC03707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465927119157482018" border="0" /></a>Long view. How artsy -- who was taking these pictures?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfSMZJHYI/AAAAAAAAAFg/dviE2JuS6iM/s1600/DSC03703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rfSMZJHYI/AAAAAAAAAFg/dviE2JuS6iM/s400/DSC03703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465926601424838018" border="0" /></a>Fiddling with wires.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rg0tWCKTI/AAAAAAAAAGA/FgDV8mjoh5Y/s1600/DSC03710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S9rg0tWCKTI/AAAAAAAAAGA/FgDV8mjoh5Y/s400/DSC03710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465928293897349426" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Since no one has sent me the video yet,
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I decided to titillate you all by including this blurry
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">picture of Austin taking the video. They say
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">expectation is almost as satisfying as indulgence.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stay tuned for more updates regarding the lake test and our final haul towards competition.</span></p><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >
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<br />egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-62705989805079460132010-03-15T15:38:00.005-04:002010-03-15T16:15:31.494-04:00SciTech at the Carngie Science Center<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hello everyone, and welcome back from Spring Break! This past weekend, while you were all sleeping in and playing Halo, Ibuki and Leenie were representing CMSS at the Carnegie Science Center's biannual SciTech Days. Super fun! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">SciTech is an year-round initiative that features Pittsburgh projects in Biotechnology, IT, Robotics, Advanced Materials Processes, Environmental Technology, Nanotechnology, and Green Technology. The SciTech Days (held in November and again in March) is a week-long event geared towards Middle and High School students in the Pittsburgh area.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last week's SciTech Days (March 9-13) set aside special</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> "Green Technologies Area," where our exhibit was featured. We put together a few presentations and brought in some toys for the kids to play with -- out endurance motor mount, a model solar panel, and the requisite foam/ fiberglass composite. Anyone who's interested in checking out our display boards can find them propped up somewhere in the High Bay.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See below for pictures!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SCOdN4pI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Q8SG4XOHPsM/s1600-h/IMG_0788.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SCOdN4pI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Q8SG4XOHPsM/s400/IMG_0788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448953166102913682" border="0" /></a>First day! Clearly, this was after the woman in charge explained to us in three different ways why we couldn't block the exit with our posters...and before she explained to us using the phrases "sharp edges" and "small children" at least four times why we couldn't leave the motor mount on the floor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SCemt6WI/AAAAAAAAADY/l51LHM0ZrQ8/s1600-h/IMG_0793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SCemt6WI/AAAAAAAAADY/l51LHM0ZrQ8/s400/IMG_0793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448953170437728610" border="0" /></a>Some awards we dug up in the High Bay. Go us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SC2UR4WI/AAAAAAAAADg/bf4w_Pl-at0/s1600-h/IMG_0795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SC2UR4WI/AAAAAAAAADg/bf4w_Pl-at0/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448953176802845026" border="0" /></a>Ibuki explains the motor mount. Leenie listened carefully in the background so she could repeat his spiel to future visitors and make them believe she knows how a motor works. They were a good tag team.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SDeE5bYI/AAAAAAAAADo/0ARjJXv7xmk/s1600-h/IMG_0811.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56SDeE5bYI/AAAAAAAAADo/0ARjJXv7xmk/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448953187475746178" border="0" /></a>Day two! By this time, we were experts at not creating a hazardous environment of blocked exits and sharp edges.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56UzIDxXlI/AAAAAAAAADw/BKIpsQbvstU/s1600-h/IMG_0816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S56UzIDxXlI/AAAAAAAAADw/BKIpsQbvstU/s400/IMG_0816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448956205222420050" border="0" /></a>Our neighbors during the second day of exhibits. These people were pretty neat -- they create solar-powered art installations. The integration of art and technology makes both disciplines more accessible to artists and techies alike.<br /> </div>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-58608548430018139812010-02-22T17:15:00.006-05:002010-02-22T17:31:23.156-05:00Woopie<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLeenie%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You know a meeting is getting somewhere when someone clearly and unabashedly states that “we need woopie.”
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For those of you who aren’t familiar with the intricacies of the CMSS lexicon, “woopie” is a metal cylinder that sits on top of the drive shaft. Designed by alum Will Wedler in the spring of 2007, it was lovingly dubbed “woopie,” a name that has stuck for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, that piece was custom-made for the old shaft and we will have to make a new one because, well, it’s hard to find a piece that fits.
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With Spring Break just around the corner, we are working hard to make some progress before we become distracted by warmer weather and that pungent smell of manure around campus. After ordering and receiving some important parts, we are ready to start designing the layout of the charge controller printed circuit board. We were able to get a student rate for printing at Advanced Circuits, so once the board is designed we should be set to print it. Still no response from the cell company, Sineva, but even with that setback we are on schedule for the panels. We will certainly have them for competition, if not lake testing</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking ahead, we are preparing for a pool test, which will occur immediately after Spring Break. This pool test is crucial in that it allows us to calibrate our sensors, which will provide us with valuable race day stats come competition. Unfortunately, we were unable to calibrate our sensors last year, so the information we gathered from competition was virtually meaningless. This will be a good change going into this year’s competition.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Also, look for us at the 2010 SciTech festival at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Carnegie</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Science</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>! We will be presenting on our various projects on Friday and Saturday, March 9<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup>. We will keep you updated.</span></p> egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-84984327803262800612010-02-01T16:35:00.007-05:002010-02-01T17:16:54.334-05:00A ReCap in Pictures!Apologies for the brief hiatus! For those of you who missed Activities Fair and our Meet and Greet: check out the pictures below, feel a little sad about all the fun you missed, and contact us for ways to get involved.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNtMJ6LQI/AAAAAAAAACA/DDZh6oMhs8M/s1600-h/IMG_0163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNtMJ6LQI/AAAAAAAAACA/DDZh6oMhs8M/s400/IMG_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433396914198031618" border="0" /></a>"Pretend like you're friends!"<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNtv18t_I/AAAAAAAAACI/FUiAXiWxCjA/s1600-h/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNtv18t_I/AAAAAAAAACI/FUiAXiWxCjA/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433396923777988594" border="0" /></a>Showing me all of the people who signed up -- a grand total of 15?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNuKjw9sI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ia6mMND1GTY/s1600-h/IMG_0166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNuKjw9sI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ia6mMND1GTY/s400/IMG_0166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433396930949478082" border="0" /></a>Activities Fair can be a good place to pick up a lot of useless SWAG. And he didn't even sign up for the club...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNuZlDN1I/AAAAAAAAACY/Irs8UbcAXxo/s1600-h/IMG_0168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dNuZlDN1I/AAAAAAAAACY/Irs8UbcAXxo/s400/IMG_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433396934981400402" border="0" /></a>One of these doesn't belong.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQ89jQgoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5jE-aH_kPY8/s1600-h/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQ89jQgoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5jE-aH_kPY8/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433400483690611330" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Zoiks! Isn't Solar Splash fun, guys!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dRl9epedI/AAAAAAAAADI/sqnaQloERNg/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dRl9epedI/AAAAAAAAADI/sqnaQloERNg/s400/IMG_0189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433401188045912530" border="0" /></a>The thinkers...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQdHxqHsI/AAAAAAAAACw/Ba2SJ9mU3uQ/s1600-h/IMG_0204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQdHxqHsI/AAAAAAAAACw/Ba2SJ9mU3uQ/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433399936679550658" border="0" /></a>...and the doers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQ9JmyEBI/AAAAAAAAADA/yK_Uz82CMWs/s1600-h/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S2dQ9JmyEBI/AAAAAAAAADA/yK_Uz82CMWs/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433400486926618642" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Check out our website (link to the right) to learn more about how you can become part of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CMSS</span>.<br /><br />Also, a quick thank you to the people who have been leaving comments! For those of you who have used the information here towards your own projects, we would love to hear about what you are working on. We're glad this blog could help you out.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more updates.egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-65089893752466064362010-01-20T19:22:00.004-05:002010-01-20T20:30:20.796-05:00Meet and GreetLooking to join the fun? We are hosting a Meet and Greet as well as an informal Information Session tomorrow from 5:30pm-7pm at the High Bay. Enjoy some Jimmy John's and get to know our members and different CMSS groups.<br /><br />For those of you who don't know where the High Bay is, it's in the bottom of Hamburg Hall near Newell-Simon. Below is a map with a dotted line from Forbes and Morewood to the High Bay.<br /><br />Any alums in the area should definitely stop by!<br /><br />Hope to see you there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1etiNmA3jI/AAAAAAAAAB4/8bvCM8R-_Ko/s1600-h/directions+to+highbay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1etiNmA3jI/AAAAAAAAAB4/8bvCM8R-_Ko/s400/directions+to+highbay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428998679094681138" border="0" /></a>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-54313571403303933542010-01-18T16:33:00.010-05:002010-02-15T17:56:32.105-05:00Back to WorkWelcome back everyone! Last Monday we held our first Exec meeting of the semester. While there's still quite a bit to be done, things really seem to be coming together. Over break, Paul bought a new lower unit for Hydra, something we are all excited about. It's a little banged up around the skeg, but nothing we can't fix.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1TXNCMuWII/AAAAAAAAABg/zljZZlnd23k/s1600-h/0108001439a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1TXNCMuWII/AAAAAAAAABg/zljZZlnd23k/s400/0108001439a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428200069816801410" border="0" /></a> New lower unit!<br /></div><br />On the cell front, we will finally be able to buy them soon. After a failed lead that took us to a Chinese company, which would have sold us cells at an obscenely inexpensive price (child labor, perhaps?), it turns out that there's actually a good old American manufacturer willing to supply us with the necessary goods.<br /><br />As for batteries, we're still puzzling over that one. To quote Dave, "There's no ideal battery for us, and the best we could have done was the old batteries we used to have...and we can't seem to find [that model] anymore." Turns out the old ones were bordering on explosive, which is just enough of a safety threat for Chemical Safety to wait several months before removing them from our workspace. Yeah. So anyway, we've found a battery "that will do," but it doesn't quite match what we had before, and purchasing 6 volt deep cycle battery would add an extra 100 lbs to the boat.<br /><br />There are still some heavy-duty MechE things to be done, such as finishing thermal analysis and and deciding where to position a water inlet. In other words, we'd like to drill a hole in the boat. This could prove to be an issue in terms of the mechanical inspection; according to competition regulations we can't change the wetted surface, so we probably would not be able to plug and unplug the hole for different races.<br /><br />If any alums are in town, stop by the High Bay and check out the shiny new finish on Hydra! The picture doesn't do it justice. You might want to grab someone with a key first, though -- some people just haul it through the window, but Paul is still shook up from that last time the cops questioned him...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1ecJtQ3tjI/AAAAAAAAABo/rjEMVoeyTJU/s1600-h/IMG_0121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1ecJtQ3tjI/AAAAAAAAABo/rjEMVoeyTJU/s400/IMG_0121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428979566401533490" border="0" /></a>How'd they get that so shiny!?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1ecKB4ilXI/AAAAAAAAABw/Tj5nKsKx8sc/s1600-h/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/S1ecKB4ilXI/AAAAAAAAABw/Tj5nKsKx8sc/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428979571936630130" border="0" /></a>"It's okay, Paul. I'll keep a lookout while you climb out the window."<br /></div><br />And for Carnegie Mellon students looking to get involved, look for us at the Activities Fair this Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 in Wiegand Gym.<br /><br />Keep checking back for more updates!egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-89563336624734435182010-01-04T20:08:00.006-05:002010-01-07T02:01:23.416-05:00Donate to CMSS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I hope that everyone is having a great break! Carnegie Mellon Solar Splash is looking forward to an exciting new semester and the 2010 competition.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you haven't already, please consider donating to CMSS. Anything you can give will greatly assist us in purchasing the solar cells we need to build our custom solar panels for the 2010 competition (see preliminary design in earlier post).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Donations can be made by credit card or personal check. To donate by credit card, go to the Carnegie Mellon University Giving website (</span><a href="http://www.cmu.edu/giving"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">www.cmu.edu/giving</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) and select "Give Now" at the top of the screen. Select "Other" and write in the "Preferred Designation" as Carnegie Mellon Solar Splash.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Checks can be mailed to:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />Carnegie Mellon University<br />P. O. Box 371525<br />Pittsburgh, PA 15251-7525<br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">All donations are tax-deductible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thank you!</span></div>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-71067805470623349492009-11-23T16:43:00.018-05:002009-11-24T12:56:25.188-05:00Design Review: New Solar Array<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyone who knows anything about the solar panels we have been using (which includes just about everyone except the person writing this) is aware of the various problems that have come up in the past: the panels are made for houses and not boats, output is roughly half of what it should be, and it is difficult to add thermal cooling to something that has already been built.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The goal of the project presented at the design review last week is to equip the boat with a custom-fit solar array in time for the 2010 competition. The new array should be lighter, more efficient, and, it's worth noting, a probable shoe-in for the coveted design award. No team has ever brought this kind of thermal cooling project to competition. As charming as South Hampton was last year, squirting water on their boat each time it passed the dock, we think we can do better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The team's design attempts to combine the "best of everything." It's kind of like a sandwich that allows water to be pumped through plastic channels, cooling strips of aluminum that will in turn cool the solar cells. Below are some images from the review:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/SwwTNi_8H7I/AAAAAAAAAAc/6v68TQ0WxHc/s1600/panel+exploded.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/SwwTNi_8H7I/AAAAAAAAAAc/6v68TQ0WxHc/s400/panel+exploded.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407718376019337138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Exploded view. Sandwich ingredients from top to bottom: cells, corrugated plastic (where water runs through) with aluminum strips, fiberglass, corrugated plastic (structural, no water), fiberglass. Yum.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/SwwTWSzrIfI/AAAAAAAAAAk/WGQcIZb_9cc/s1600/water+temp+graph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjcnMowER1E/SwwTWSzrIfI/AAAAAAAAAAk/WGQcIZb_9cc/s400/water+temp+graph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407718526291747314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cell temperature versus time and distance from the origin (in the plastic channel). Note that this model is actually incorrect. The team explained that they repeatedly crashed SolidWorks when trying to complete the modeling, so they went back to flint and did it themselves in MatLab. Which may have been a mistake...but it will be fixed for the future!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Check out the kiva for a more detailed explanation. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We'll keep you updated on the progress of this project and others in the weeks to come. </span>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402937330952682570.post-51359163219442268102009-11-16T21:53:00.003-05:002009-11-17T14:14:43.526-05:00Diving In<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Welcome to the first post of the Fall 2009 Carnegie Mellon Solar Splash Blog! Better late than never, eh? The semester has been fairly packed as we prepare for the coming spring. Our successes and, uh, misadventures at last spring's competition only left us craving more.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >First on the list was assessing equipment and getting up to speed with the state of the boat. Of course, not everything needs to be brand-spanking, shiny new for the boat to float. Along with efforts to acquire new toys, we have been salvaging what we can of last year's equipment. Or, as some of our more zealous members like to put it, "harvesting goods...like little squirrels. I believe Mike's response to that was a nervous smile and, "Okay then...well that sounds creepy."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Everyone can agree on one thing, though--money. A whole lotta money. That's what we want. For the past several weeks, Solar Splash has been networking, grant proposal-ing, and padding out budgets in an effort to fund all of our exciting endeavors. This year we were awarded a combined $1250 from Carnegie Mellon's SURG office for all proposals submitted (all of which can be found on the Kiva). As always, we are also looking into a number of other funding sources.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> In fact, certain unnamed (...male) Solar Splash members recently took it upon themselves to flirt shamelessly with middle-aged millionaires in the hopes that one of them would drop a big, fat check on our boat. Way to take one for the team, guys!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Never ones to turn down a chance to meet new people, Solar Splash also made an appearance at this year's SWE High School Day. The task: "explain to high school girls how engineering helped us fulfill our dreams." The general consensus was to send Paul. However smooth he is with the ladies, though, a valiant dream-sharing effort was put forth by <span style="font-style: italic;">several </span>members, including Riddhi, Dave, Morgan, and Robbie.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >More to come in future posts! In the meantime, everyone is gearing up for tomorrow's Design Review. To any alums in the area: stop by PH 125B at 5pm tomorrow, offer your feedback, and relive your college days with some free food.</span>egmobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563029282980373987noreply@blogger.com0