Buoyancy Engine

Nose

The nose of the underwater sea glider was designed using an engineering drawing software called "SolidWorks" which gives the ability to design models in a very accurate and detailed way. After the nose was designed, a high quality 3D printer has been used to 3D print the whole model. The model was designed to be pointed just like the front side of the fish so that it can swim under the water smoothly. The nose has four holes on the top so that clear rubberd hose can go through easily, and these hoses play a big role in chanelling the sea water into the syringes that are placed inside. Moreover, the one big hole which is placed on the right side of the nose is where the presure sensor going to fit. The hole was threaded using a tapper do that the pressure sensor can be screwed so that it can be completely seald as shown in the right picture above. The nose hase four holes for screws so that the nose can be attacjed to the next part which is Endcap.

Syringes and Syringe Plunger

The syringes, which are made of plastic, are crucial parts which play a major rule when testing the underwater sea glider.  The part that goes into the syringes is called " Syringe Plunger" and these plungers push the water through the front hole of the syringes. The front side of the Syringes plunger has a part attached to it which is made of rubber to prevent the water from going through in the backward or the oppisite direction. The readings on the syringes helps in determining the amount of water that is going to be pushed out.

The Endcap

The endcap is the second component of the underwater sea glider. like the nose, the endcap was also designed using a Solidworks and it was 3D printed using a high quality 3D printer. by looking at the top view of the end cap , the four holes that are on the edges is where the screws will go to connect the end cap to the nose. The four holes in the middle is where the syrniges will go through to be connected to the hoses. The small hole in the middle is where the wires for the pressure sensor will go through. The gaps when looking at the end cap from the above and the side is where the O-ring, which is made of rubber, is going to be placed. in addition, looking at the bottom view of the Endcap, the four holes in the middle is where the syringes will be placed. For the four holes on the edges, this is where the support rods will be placed that helps in being connected to the next part which is the the syringe bracket.

Support Rods

The four support rods are made of a strong material which is Brass and they were machined using a machine called laith forming a very accurate diameter support rods. These support rods go through the holes of the previous parts. 

Syringe Bracket​ and Piston Bracket Fastner

Using an engineering cad that is solidworks, is how the syringe bracket was made. After that, it was 3D printed and painted blue to look like what it is shown on the picture. by looking at the top view, the for cutted holes is where the back of syringes going to be placed. There are four holes in the edges of the syringe Bracket and in each of them there is a small bronze sleeve bearing. it has a significant impact which will make the support rods move smoothly. Moreover, the yellow part is the piston Bracket Fastner and it was designed and 3D printed as well. it helps a lot in securing the back of the syringes so that it won't move when testing the underwater sea glider.

Threaded Rod and Coupler

The threaded rods affects how the way the under water sea glider opperate. it is connected to a motor and rotates which helps in moving the piston and the middle support rod. The coupler helps in connecting the threaded rod to the motor. The video above is how the coupler was made.

Driver Container

The driver container helps to secure the driver so that it won't move while operating the sea glider. the driver itself is what helps the threaded rod rotating.