Underwater Thermoelectric Power Generation System P14254

Multidisciplinary Senior Design Project

Charles Alexander, Tom Christen, Kim Maier, Reggie Pierce, Matt Fister, Zach Mink

Underwater ThermoelectricPower Generation SystemP14254

• Team: Charles Alexander M.E.Tom Christen M.E. (Lead Engineer)Kim Maier M.E. (Project Engineer)Reggie Pierce M.E.Matt Fister E.E. Zach Mink E.E.

• Faculty Guide: Rick Lux• Primary Customer: Dr. Robert Stevens

Introductions

• Problem Statement• Background Information• Deliverables• Scenarios Considered• Constraints• Customer Requirements• Engineering Requirements• House of Quality• Preliminary Project Schedule• Issues and Corrective Actions

Agenda

● Current State:○ Boeing’s current UUV, the Echo Ranger has a maximum mission time of 28 hours.

Boeing would like to significantly extend this mission time.

● Desired State:○ Boeing would like to utilize a thermoelectric system to significantly extend mission

time of their UUVs.

● Project Goals:○ Demonstrate proof of concept of thermoelectric system

■ Use a temperature differential to charge a battery■ Achieve maximum thermoelectric efficiency over a range of temperatures■ Establish a UUV-based research partnership between Boeing and RIT

● Constraints:○ System must operate underwater○ System must utilize a thermoelectric device○ System must operate autonomously

Problem Statement

Background Information

Boeing’s UUV, Echo Ranger● Developed in 2001 for seafloor

mapping for oil/gas industry

● Currently testing the idea for potential military applications○ ISR○ Harbor security

● Current run time○ ~28 hours

thermoelectric module picture thermoelectric IV curve

Background Information

●Functional prototype which demonstrates proof of concept for an underwater thermoelectric device

●Appropriate design, test, and integration documentation to support eventual inclusion in a UUV

●Test data verifying engineering requirements have been met

Deliverables

● Thermoelectrics have low efficiency○ They need a lot of heat supplied

2 Options:● Radioisotope● Fuel Cell

Use Scenarios

• Economical: • Budget Range - $950-$1800

• Technical:• Underwater Operation• Power generation - must be accomplished by

the use of thermoelectrics• Size - details have not been furnished

Constraints

● Continuously generate power● Charge a battery● Operate underwater● Heat source provided a constant source of heat● Waterproof● System can withstand desired water pressure

Customer RequirementsCustomer Rqmt. # Importance Description Comments/Status

CR1 9 Continuously generate power  CR2 3 Operates at various water temperatures  CR3 3 Operate efficiently  CR4 9 Charge a battery  CR5 3 Utilize passive safety features  CR6 3 Operate autonomously  CR7 9 Operate underwater  CR8 9 Heat source provides a constant source of heat  CR9 3 Fits within budget  

CR10 9 Waterproof  CR11 9 System can withstand desired water pressure  CR12 3 System is lightweight  CR13 3 Heat source resembles (in shape) available power options (radioisotope, fuel cell, etc)

• Power Output• Heat Source Power Input• Upper Ambient Operating Temperature• Thermal Overload Protection System• Operates Without User Input

Engineering Requirementsrqmt. # Importance Source Engr. Requirement (metric) Unit of

MeasureMarginal

ValueIdeal Value Comments/Status

S1 9 CR1 Power Output W 15 20  S2 9 CR8 Heat Source Power Input W 400 500  S3 3 CR4 Battery Voltage V      

S4 9 CR2Upper Ambient Operating Temperature °C 30 40

Specs TBD based on Thermoelectric specs

S5 3 CR2Lower Ambient Operating Temperature °C 10 0

More based on seal integrity than power generation

S6 3 CR11 Waterproof Depth m 1 5  S7 3 CR12 Enclosure Size cm^3 8000 3375  S8 1 CR9 Budget $ 1900 950  S9 3 CR12 System Weight kg      

S10 3 CR13 Heat Source Dimensions cm     Resemble power sourceS11 3 CR3 Charging Efficiency %      

S12 9 CR5Thermal Overload Protection System binary yes yes  

S13 9 CR6 Operates Without User Input binary yes yes  

● Continuously Generate Power● Charge a Battery● Waterproof

House of Quality

Project Plan

● Lack of defined engineering requirements - heat source, battery voltage, etc.● Obtain information from Boeing or design our own

● Little communication with the end customer● Find a direct contact with Boeing

● Completion of group tasks ● Ensure all group members are notified of current

statuses (Drive Notifications)

Issues and Corrective Actions

Questions?