A sprint to the finish line, or how to design build, and test a new model in 3 weeks

[bigdave]

Looks like there is a good chance I can make the Carmel fun run this year. (Fingers crossed)

So with only three weeks left I started my vector thrust sub.
I have been collecting the parts and drawing up different designs for a while.
I first saw one of these last year in a German model boat publication.

The wheels started turning and I said I can do that!

So now it is today and I am 4 days into the build.
It will basically have a standard hull teardrop shape. I will have it split in the center with a bayonet ring seal.
A tech rack will be mounted to the rear section. I will be using a brushless motor meant for low RPM
And high torque. That is if my Engel order gets through customs.
I will have a Seawolf style pumpjet that will gimble in the rear on a large U-joint.
The trick will be to keep the torque at bay. Hence the stiff rubber booty.
I will be using four links on my sub and not the two on the pictured German model.
No ballast tank. Eventually I would like to give it a steam punk look too.
I will post more as I go. Wish me luck. BD.[ATTACH=CONFIG]610

[salmon]

Liking the steam punk idea! That will be an eye catching sub. Oh how I wish I could make it to Carmel.....sigh.

[greg w]

Ok so call me names bd but was is "steam punk". Is that just an angry young kid?

[JWLaRue]

What is "steampunk"....?

Courtesy of Wikipedia: "Steampunk refers to a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery"

Those of us sub modeling types will appreciate this as well:

"Many of the visualisations of steampunk have their origins with, among others, Walt Disney's film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), including the design of the story's submarine the Nautilus, its interiors, and the crew's underwater gear; and George Pal's film The Time Machine (1960), with the design of the time machine itself."

Bottomline: think of the look and feel of the Victorian era as applied to the technology of today.

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Yea, what he said.
There is a great episode of Modern Marvels on steam.
It's probably on U tube. Anyone that has not seen it should if you like steam.
If just to see Jay Leno's steam cars and engines. BD

[greg w]

I get it now but how can you do that BD when you rarely paint anything

[bigdave]

Did anybody ever tell you that you are a pain in the *ss? BD

[JWLaRue]

Hey, BD,

Perhaps it's time to get out the brass sheet stock and a soldering iron?

-Jeff

[bigdave]

I like the way you think Jeff.

[bigdave]

I did some work on the front and rear bearing supports/booty mount.
I am using an Engel motor mount/seal assembly in the VB. (Vector Boat)
There is a simmering seal in the long section that sticks outside the rear bulkhead.
Normally a longer prop shaft will continue out the end to a bearing in the end of the sub at the prop.
But in this case it is a short shaft with a big U joint attached.
I needed a bearing at the end of the motor mount to deal with the side loads as the simmering is not designed to do this.
Plus a needed a mount for the forword end of the rubber booty to attach too.
I made this on the lathe out of alumilite blanks I keep for tooling.
I installed a Rulon bearing to handle the side loads.
Then on the other end of the U joint I made a reverse assembly like the front one.
But turned to the size to mount the rear rubber booty and pump jet.
I will also mount the posts for linkage attachment to this assembly.
Here is a photo and I am working on uploading a short video of the entire rear end as it stands now.
Just to get an idea of how it will work.

[bigdave]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvuk0RRc4ro

[bigdave]

It works.
Yeeppeeee!
Just tested this morning and it did not self distruct which is a good thing.
I had to use a different motor as the a Engel order is still stuck in customs.
Now to start back on the tech rack. BD

[bigdave]

Here are a few more photos.
I am working on the tech rack now.
From the front to back will be the receiver, battery, servos, and ESC.
The indented section where the front and rear sections meet will have a ring cut from the PVC pipe in the photo.
I will use this to cover the split and to also mount the sail to the hull.
Fun stuff! BD

[greg w]

Looking good so far BD. Ar the control shaft exiting the hull like a delfin with rotary seals?

[bigdave]

Yes they are. BD