1. Team 14: The P.A.L Personal Autonomous Lifeboat
Megan Anders, ryan bradley, austin roden,
and laura van winkle

2. The Team Austin Roden, ECE Ryan Bradley, ECE Laura Van Winkle, ME
Megan Anders, ME
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
2/20

3. The Problem
Swimming in open waters alone is dangerous, especially when swimming long distances. 
Current Solutions: 
Tying a flotation device to the swimmer
Having a second person follow on a boat
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
3/20

4. Our Solution P.A.L – Personal Autonomous Lifeboat Creek boat
Tracks Swimmer
Autonomous to Manual
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
4/20

5. Mechanical Design Jet Unit Steering System
Weight Distribution and Water Proofing
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
5/20

6. Mechanical Design: Jet Unit
Vout
Vpump
Four Velocities dictate our design:
Vship
Vin
Vpump (impeller velocity)
Vout
Vin
Vship
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
6/20

7. Mechanical Design: Steering System
Gear Train to direct nozzle the opposite direction of desired direction
Desired
Direction
Nozzle
Direction
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
7/20

8. Mechanical Design: Weight Distribution and Water Proofing
Intake
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
8/20

9. Mechanical Design Status
Fall Semester
Research
Modeling in Solidworks
Interim
Building Model
Purchasing
Spring Semester
Building
Testing
Calvin.edu/facilities
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
9/20

10. Electrical Design Breakdown
Wireless Communication
Motor Control
CPU
GPS – Global Positioning
Power
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
10/20

11. Wireless Communication
Triangulation Method
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
11/20

12. Motor Control Brushed DC Trolling Motor Servo Motor
Half-Bridge Gate Driver
Servo Motor
Controlled Directly from Raspberry Pi
50 Hz Signal – Vary Pulse Length (350us-2.4ms)
180 Degree Rotation
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
12/20

13. CPU Micro-controller Selection Raspberry PI 3 Model B
Wireless LAN (WIFI)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Single Board
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
13/20

14. GPS – Distance Tracking
Adafruit GPS Breakout Board
MTK3339-Chipset based Module
-165 dB tracking sensitivity
66 Channels w/ 1Hz Updates
Internal Patch antenna + u.FL connector for external active antenna
Power usage: 20 mA during Navigation
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
14/20

15. Power Main Power Breakdown Trolling Motor – 12V automotive Battery
Servo Motor – A4450 Buck/Boost Voltage Reg (Low 6.7V
LCD and GPS A4450 Buck/Boost Voltage 5V
Raspberry Pi – 5V Battery Pack to MicroUSB
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
15/20

16. Electrical Design Breakdown
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
16/20

17. Electrical Design Status
This Semester:
Design/Research
Autonomous Software Testing – Engr325L
Interim
Order Breakout Boards and other Hardware
Schematic/PCB Layout and Assembly
Second Semester:
Begin Testing
Improve Design
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
17/20

18. Design Norms Stewardship Caring Trust Team Problem Solution
Conclusion
18/20

19. Conclusion Psalm 46:1 NIV Goal: Swimmers safety
“God is our refuge, and ever- present help in trouble”
Goal: Swimmers safety
Affects Design Decisions
Shapes Christian Perspectives
Team
Problem
Solution
Design Norms
Conclusion
19/20

20. Questions?
20/20