Design and analysis of low-cost underwater glider for shallow water

Abstract

This paper aims to design a low-cost underwater glider to operate in shallow water. The proposed design was developed by manufacturing engineering software. Analysis of the hull using manufacturing engineering software and 3D computer-aided design (CAD). The analysis of hydrodynamics using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This glider was designed to operate in shallow water, coastal, lake and river for a maximum depth of 10 m and a maximum speed of current 12,96 km/h, or 3,6 m/s. To reduce and minimize the cost to manufacture this underwater glider, the mechanics, electrical, electronics, and power source were using common tools on the market, not on demand. Based on numerical model, the hull pressure had 30,127 psi or 0,2077162 MPa for maximum depth 10 m and max speed 12,96 km/h. Maximum pressure occurs on the nose and behind the wings. This unmanned vehicle was designed to be in 9 compartments. The first compartment and 8th compartment are used for ballast tanks. The others for: mechanics of ballast system, altimeter and attitude controller, payload, battery pack, main controller part, propulsion system, and propulsor.