Design and Evaluation of a Propulsion System for Small, Compact, Low-Speed Maneuvering Underwater Vehicles

<p>Underwater vehicles used to perform precision inspection and non-destructive evaluation in tightly constrained or delicate underwater environments must be small, have low-speed maneuverability and a smooth streamlined outer shape with no appendages. In this thesis, the design and analysis of a new propulsion system for such underwater vehicles is presented. It consists primarily of a syringe and a plunger driven by a linear actuator and uses different inflow and outflow nozzles to provide continuous propulsive force. A prototype of the proposed propulsion mechanism is built and tested. The practical utility and potential efficacy of the system is demonstrated and assessed via direct thrust measurement experiments and by use of an initial proof-of-concept test vehicle. Experiments are performed to enable the evaluation and modelling of the thrust output of the mechanism as well as the speed capability of a vehicle employing the propulsion system.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Mbithi, Florence M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Matthew J. Rutherford, Ph.D.
• Jennifer Hoffman
• Kimon Valavanis
• Mohammad Mahoor
• Nikos Vitzilaios

• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Propulsion and Power

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/414

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1413