CAVE Visualization and Modeling of the Phantom II Human-Powered Submarine
Project Members: Heath Beres and
Jeff Mattingly
Project Advistor: Dr. Ron Kriz
Background
The Phantom II is the Virginia Tech Human-Powered Submarine. The submarine is approximately
10 feet long, constructed of fiberglass. The submarine contains two SCUBA-certified divers;
one responsible for the providing the propulsion (ie. 'leg power') and the other responsible
for controlling the submarine. Controlling the submarine consists of maintaining the
submarine at the proper depth (approximately 20 to 30 feet below the surface), and maneuvering
it through the given course. The international competition is being held in June 1998 in
Panama City, Florida, where the course will be a 400 foot oval course in open water.
Overview
We are both ESM undergraduates working on the submarine for our senior engineering project.
Without going into detail, our senior design involves designing a variable-pitch propeller
system for the submarine. A report is available at the main ESM office, for those interested.
In conjunction with our senior design project, we decided to work on modeling the existing
submarine and our senior design project in the CAVE. The design of the submarine is an ongoing
project, where components change as the design changes. For this reason, we concentrated on
modeling the hull of the submarine and the component we were designing. AutoCAD modeling and
conversion into the CAVE is still in the beginning stages of development, so this project
encorporates some design and some experimental AutoCAD-CAVE work.
Project Objectives:
The main objectives of the class project are:
- Investigate AutoCAD techniques and their visualization in the CAVE
- Establish quidelines on AutoCAD modeling in the CAVE
- Establish steps for converting AutoCAD .DXF files into CAVE (Performer .PFB) format
- Visualize AutoCAD modeling of the Phantom II submarine in the CAVE environment
- Develop a multimedia/web and CAVE presentation
Written By:Heath Beres
Page Last Updated: 4/30/98
