My capstone thesis project for my mechanical engineering degree was performed with support from the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), NAVSEA, and the U.S. Navy. The vessel was designed and built to compete in ASNE's Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) competition, going against over 100 other universities.
My role was focused on the frame and layout of the vessel - I designed, manufactured, assembled, and tested the internal frame assemblies and subassemblies, maintaining high safety factors and ensuring that every component was mounted in the correct place with sufficient strength. In doing this, I assumed a leadership role within the team to ensure that the other sub-teams (powertrain, controls, cooling, and electrical) were designing around each other.
The hull was 3D scanned to acquire the geometry of the underside - this data was used for CFD analysis, to determine optimal weight distribution, and as a reference when designing the internal frame of the vessel.
I then designed the frame from the scan data, using 1/8" 6061 aluminum as the material. FEA was performed to meet strength and weight requirements for optimal efficiency while also resisting loads from impacts on the water. The frame brackets were bonded to the carbon fiber hull using high-strength adhesive, and the ribs were bolted to the brackets. This design allows for easy disassembly and maintenance, which was a requirement the team decided on to allow for future teams to make modifications and repairs.
