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Western submarine dives into competition
by Amanda Winters
Friday, May 30, 2008
Six Western students from the Human-Powered Submarine Team are gearing up to compete for their third year in the Human-Powered Submarine Contest July 23-27 in San Diego, Calif..
An estimated 18 teams will participate in the competition, which is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The competition judges submarines in several areas including best overall performance, speed, innovation and design.
The Western team entered a two-person submarine last year and set a team record of 4.775 knots, which equals 5.5 miles per hour, placing them third for speed.
This year, a new submarine was designed for one person instead of two, and they hope to reach a speed of 5 to 7 knots, said Nicole Larson, assistant professor of engineering technology and the team advisor.
“It’s a more competitive class, and we’re hoping it’ll be a faster submarine because it doesn’t have to be so big,†Larson said.
Western alumna Emily Przyblinski named the submarine Irukandji after a small but deadly jelly fish from Australia.
“It’s small; it’s compact; it’s silent but it’s very effective, and that’s basically how I wanted the sub to be for this year," she said. “Last year our sub was gigantic and very heavy, so I wanted to design a small, light-weight submarine.â€
Przyblinski, who graduated in December, said after last year’s competition she asked Western senior Wes Petersen to help her design the new submarine.
“We spent so much time and basically dedicated our entire summer to designing this,†she said. “I’d really like to see it be successful.â€
Petersen said designing the sub required knowledge and skills that went beyond things he learned in class.
â€There’s a lot of stuff you learn in the classroom that you apply to it, as far as engineering,†he said. “But on top of that, there’s all the research that goes into hydrodynamics, how to pack people in there, scuba diving—all kinds of things.â€
The experience and knowledge students gain from being part of the team is valuable, Larson said.
“They learn everything from fundraising and finance to project management, machining, hydrodynamics and integration of systems,†she said.
Different companies financed the project with donations of materials and money.
Western senior Lindsey DeLaney said the team made parts for the sub over a period of two weeks.
“We have some gears and stuff that you have to buy,†she said. “Other than that, everything is custom made.â€
DeLaney said the team learned how to work together efficiently and effectively and hopes they’ll carry that on to the competition.
“You have to be organized, and we’re hoping to be organized this year,†she said. “Everyone knows what their job is and knows how to get the sub in the water quickly and efficiently.â€
Petersen said the team will continue preparing for the competition by fine-tuning the submarine and conducting several tests in Lake Whatcom.
“Anybody is welcome to come see what we're doing and help,†he said.
Western submarine dives into competition
by Amanda Winters
Friday, May 30, 2008
Six Western students from the Human-Powered Submarine Team are gearing up to compete for their third year in the Human-Powered Submarine Contest July 23-27 in San Diego, Calif..
An estimated 18 teams will participate in the competition, which is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The competition judges submarines in several areas including best overall performance, speed, innovation and design.
The Western team entered a two-person submarine last year and set a team record of 4.775 knots, which equals 5.5 miles per hour, placing them third for speed.
This year, a new submarine was designed for one person instead of two, and they hope to reach a speed of 5 to 7 knots, said Nicole Larson, assistant professor of engineering technology and the team advisor.
“It’s a more competitive class, and we’re hoping it’ll be a faster submarine because it doesn’t have to be so big,†Larson said.
Western alumna Emily Przyblinski named the submarine Irukandji after a small but deadly jelly fish from Australia.
“It’s small; it’s compact; it’s silent but it’s very effective, and that’s basically how I wanted the sub to be for this year," she said. “Last year our sub was gigantic and very heavy, so I wanted to design a small, light-weight submarine.â€
Przyblinski, who graduated in December, said after last year’s competition she asked Western senior Wes Petersen to help her design the new submarine.
“We spent so much time and basically dedicated our entire summer to designing this,†she said. “I’d really like to see it be successful.â€
Petersen said designing the sub required knowledge and skills that went beyond things he learned in class.
â€There’s a lot of stuff you learn in the classroom that you apply to it, as far as engineering,†he said. “But on top of that, there’s all the research that goes into hydrodynamics, how to pack people in there, scuba diving—all kinds of things.â€
The experience and knowledge students gain from being part of the team is valuable, Larson said.
“They learn everything from fundraising and finance to project management, machining, hydrodynamics and integration of systems,†she said.
Different companies financed the project with donations of materials and money.
Western senior Lindsey DeLaney said the team made parts for the sub over a period of two weeks.
“We have some gears and stuff that you have to buy,†she said. “Other than that, everything is custom made.â€
DeLaney said the team learned how to work together efficiently and effectively and hopes they’ll carry that on to the competition.
“You have to be organized, and we’re hoping to be organized this year,†she said. “Everyone knows what their job is and knows how to get the sub in the water quickly and efficiently.â€
Petersen said the team will continue preparing for the competition by fine-tuning the submarine and conducting several tests in Lake Whatcom.
“Anybody is welcome to come see what we're doing and help,†he said.