Hydrodynamic Propulsion System

The Boeing Company Engineering, 2005-06

Liaison(s): Robert Atmur, Carl Carrera ’75/76, Bryan Sydnor
Advisor(s): Mary Cardenas
Students(s): Rob Sweney (TL), Rosalind Beckwith (S), Hugues Bouvier, Peter Hillegas (F) Robert Panish, Jay Wright

Ocean Systems, a division of The Boeing Company, seeks to produce a new propulsion system for its Unmanned Undersurface Vehicles (UUVs). The system will pitch the blades of a shrouded propeller, using them as control surfaces to provide maneuverability and thus eliminating the need for rudders and guide fins. The Clinic team will produce a prototype of its design, submit an algorithm to control the system, and conduct a performance evaluation to test system viability.