Hybrid Ballast Tank/Piston System

[Bob Gato]

Like Deitrich said to the precinct in the sitcom Barney Miller, Where the hell did you get the atomic bomb?
VeryHigh Tech, Nick..almost a shame to hide it in a hull!-BG

[Monahan Steam Models]

I apologize for the lack of updates lately and I apologize that this id only a brief update. My main focus currently has been on the structuring and fail safes of the code for the sub. It is a big project. The hardware side was easy comparatively. Here's what I have:



Overall forward compartment with upgraded pump controllers in the center.



Overall look of the cylinder. Top is forward.



Another view of the forward compartment showing the new stacked pump controllers.



Rear compartment command unit.



Overall view of the WTC.



Another overall veiw, Stern (top) Bow (lower)

I left out the vent plumbing fitting at the top central ballast tank on purpose (safeguard from myself) . This keeps me from the temptation of premature dunk testing the before the rest of the work to the cylinder has been finished.

Will be focused in the coding land and testing from here on out, before any more build updates are posted. So far everything is working awesome.

Nick

[QuarterMaster]

That is awesome Nick, yay Engineering!!

[Monahan Steam Models]

Testing for the bow piston trim tank of the hybrid ballast tank project. This code tests the inner and outer most limits set for the piston’s travel when in dive or surface mode. The distance is recorded by the Lidar sensors mounted at the rear of the cylinder. Also shown at the end of the video is the vent or blow function for the main ballast tank. Most of these functions will be automated in future code updates. This is just a demonstration of the manual override function.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N-qLerV6rqw

Nick

[Bob Gato]

[Monahan Steam Models]

I'll join you for a whisk(e)y. Congratulations!

Cheers to that!

[trout]

I'll join you for a whisk(e)y. Congratulations!

[Monahan Steam Models]

Okay this is a probably a waste of a post but screw it.

After beating my head against the wall for hours on end, day after day, writing multiple different coding strategies for the Arduino to interface quickly and accurately with 7 receiver input channels while not interrupting the main program loop, and keeping the program small, I finally nailed it! Holy hell I swear I was about to loose my beans trying to crack this problem.

Solution achieved just in time for Friday night. Now I can rest. Downs some whiskey while writing this. Hey I earned it.

Most of the code and information exchanging has been written for the overall main program that deals with the pressure sensors and laser range finders, gyros and so on. I had to stop work on that code until I could establish a rock solid communication with the damn receiver that wouldn’t overburdened and block the main code from updating.

Long story short. I win and can now move forward with the project. Will post updates when it’s worth sharing.

[Monahan Steam Models]

I have not posted any updates in a while but I assure you some progress has been tirelessly made between posts. Been working on this project from pre-dawn to dusk, everyday since the last post. The hardware updates were simpler and will try to post updates soon. The software updates have been a handful and have been taking up most of my time lately.

Mostly focused around getting a solid compatible Interrupt based communication link between the receiver and Arduino have been a main challenge. I need the data interrupts to the main program loop to be fast. I’ve optimized this in the latest software code build. But it has brought problems into other functions of the build. Hence my silence.

[Monahan Steam Models]

If needed to open the xt60 or xt90 connectors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czR-za8OPO0

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4797111

Gantu

Great find! Thank you for sharing these links!

[Monahan Steam Models]

Do you do anything else to the 3pin to make them waterproof? I.e. use grease?

Short answer is yes Sir!

I plan to go into detail about water proofing the bulkhead 3 pin connections in a future post as currently they are just mocked up and not finished. As far as water proofing the external connections, I’m exploring some simple design options and will hopefully find something that will do the trick.

I’ve had to switch gears back to looking deeper into the overall command structure for the controls, programing code strategy, ease of use and failsafes. This will dictate the final signal wiring layout.

Getting there slowly.

Nick

[gantu]

If needed to open the xt60 or xt90 connectors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czR-za8OPO0

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4797111

[coryhenry]

Do you do anything else to the 3pin to make them waterproof? I.e. use grease?

[Monahan Steam Models]

Thank you Gantu!

Yes Sir, they were printed and this is exactly how they came out of the printer. I have not done any finish work to them other than remove a couple small supports needed for the 3 pin holes. Yes I agree, the Amass 3pin connectors are great. This is the first project that I have used them on and I am very happy with them.

Best Regards,

Nick

[gantu]

Fantastic work did you print the endcaps there look the surface so even? The 3 pin connector from amass i do use also for me the best.