Parameters that affect the digging of a biologically-inspired underwater borrowing robot

RoboClam 2 is a device that burrows based on the movement of the Atlantic razor clam. A functional RoboClam 2 has been built. Testing was conducted in a controlled laboratory environment to determine what parameters of the device and its operation affect its ability to dig both speedily, deeply, and efficiently. Smaller contraction and dilation volume, heavier device weight, and longer contractions above a theoretically calculated minimum fluidizing velocity were all found to correlate with faster digging speed. Future work will involve experimentally determining the minimum fluidizing velocity and the effect of contraction speed on digging ability.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Guitron, Steven Paul

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Daniel S. Dorsch and Amos G. Winter, V.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98962

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/98962