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Design Your Own AUV

ISE's QuickDesign©

In the development of an AUV, there is really only one requirement: ensuring that the AUV meets the needs of your mission.   Because the attributes of these missions will vary, a range of vehicles with different payload configurations, depth ratings and endurances will be needed. No single design — small, medium or large — will be capable of meeting these diverse requirements. This document discusses the design approach to ISE's Explorer platform.     

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Designing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

NOAA's Aquarius

This document outlines a classroom activity for students in grades 9-12 to teach the principles behind the design of AUVs.   Students will:

  • construct a model of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
  • be able to explain how drag, thrust, and lift forces affect the performance of their model AUV
  • be able to explain how their AUV can be designed to optimize drag, thrust, and lift forces
  • be able to compare and contrast the locomotion of AUVs and aquatic organisms like fishes, sea turtles, or whales
  • be able to explain the difference between mass and buoyancy of an object immersed in water, and explain why AUVs and aquatic organisms need to adjust their buoyancy
  • be able to explain how potential energy turned into kinetic energy in real AUVs, the AUV model, and swimming organisms
  • be able to compute energy and power released during a swim

Download Designing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

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