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Swath Movement & Operational Controls

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Overview

We need to build a movement and operational control system that can be used in a swath vessel (what is a swath?) or our SeaPod GT model. This same system can be slightly modified and used in these additional projects Plug in platforms, Self Connecting Platforms, and Aquatic Service Drone. Here is a 1:20 scale model we built. A full-size model is about 30% complete at our factory. We need a navigation and electronic control system for this vessel.

Why this is important: This is a core technology that will be essential in building a wide variety of water based vehicles that will be essential for a floating community. This technology can be used for surface level delivery and transport drones, underwater vehicles, high speed human transport vehicles, moving platforms, and more.

 

Requirements
  • Control between one to four thrusters (electric motor-driven propellers or RIM drive motors) of up to 2 kilowatts per thruster. We are currently using these trusters.
  • Each thruster should be able to be controlled in forward and reverse movement.
  • Precise control of one and five control surfaces like rudders and fins using stepper motors so we have directional control and they could potentially be used for stabilizing movement when stationary in the water.
  • A fuel level indicator for gas or diesel.
  • A battery charge level indicator.
  • Control four Trim Control Tanks: We will have multiple trim tanks which can be filled or emptied with water with pumps. Two tanks will be at the front (one on the left and one of the right). Two tanks will be at the back (one on the left and one of the right). These tanks do not need to fill or empty water too fast as the trim will not need to be changed often or rapidly. They will help keep the vessel level when weight is moved around on the passenger platform. We will need pumps to move the water or air from tank to tank.
  • Control four Buoyancy Control Tanks: We will have up to four buoyancy control tanks which will add/remove water/air as needed from the tanks to adjust the height of the vessel depending on whether the vessel is in movement or docked or in other situations that require the height to be adjusted.
  • All pumps will run on 12, 24 or 48VDC
  • The vessel should be able to connect via API to the Ocean Builders web server when in range of internet (specific API's to be determined later).
  • Movement (9 axis accelerometer) -  REQUIRED 
  • Water level sensor in buoyancy tanks -  REQUIRED 
  • Water level sensor of vessel relative to the ocean -  REQUIRED 
  • Water/Air temperature - Optional
  • Additional sensors- Optional

 

Project Prizes

Winner(s) for each level will be judged by Ocean Builders and the Sponsor.

  • Level 1: Submit a detailed outline of your proposal. Up to 3 winning teams or individual applicants will be choosen based solely on your detailed proposal. Prize for this level is set to $100 which will be paid by our sponsor in Ghost cryptocurrency to each team entry or single member applicants.
  • Level 2: Build a basic working proof of principle hardware device with any 2 required sensors (can't be the same for both) & controllers for 2 thrusters that allow variable forward and reverse control.
  • Level 3: Use accelerometer to control pumps in trim tanks to balance the vessel in changing weight distribution conditions
  • Level 4: Control the height of the vessel by pumping air into buoyancy control tanks
  • Level 5: 
  • BONUS: Connect to the Ocean Builders backend server with API's. Prize is $500 paid in Ghost.

 

Here is the

Project Management Page
(coming

Coming soon).soon

 

Participants/Teams:

Applicants

needed

Project Manager
Grant Romundt (temporary). The main project manager will be announced soon.

 

This project is being developed as an open source project with the following open source licensing:
  • Software: 
  • Hardware, Design & other Intellectual Property: 

 

Related Project(s):

Dynamic Positioning, Swath Engineering, Plug in platforms, Self Connecting Platforms, and Aquatic Service Drone, SeaPod GT model, and RIM drive motors

 

Sponsorship

Prizes for this project are sponsored by Ghost and they will be held in escrow by Ocean Builders until each prize level has been completed.

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