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Keeping a sub level

M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi,

Ok I have a r/c submarine and i need some form of electronic sensor to keep
it level. Onboard power is 7.2V.

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

Michael
 
J

Jasen Betts

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi,

Ok I have a r/c submarine and i need some form of electronic sensor to keep
it level. Onboard power is 7.2V.
mercury tilt switches are the traditional tool for detecting tilts.

but would it be possible to lower the centre of gravity enough that it
could be self-leveling?

Bye.
Jasen
 
M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jasen Betts said:
mercury tilt switches are the traditional tool for detecting tilts.

but would it be possible to lower the centre of gravity enough that it
could be self-leveling?

Bye.
Jasen

The problem is that you have to alter the angle to dive. So if it was
self-levelling then it would never get under.

Michael
 
A

Alexander

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
The problem is that you have to alter the angle to dive. So if it was
self-levelling then it would never get under.

Michael
Have you tried gyros???
 
J

Jasen Betts

Jan 1, 1970
0
The problem is that you have to alter the angle to dive.

I thought subs dived by emptying thier float tanks...
So if it was
self-levelling then it would never get under.

that's not a big problem just have fins at the bow or a movable weight
that can point the front up or down.
 
M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jasen Betts said:
I thought subs dived by emptying thier float tanks...


that's not a big problem just have fins at the bow or a movable weight
that can point the front up or down.

In a real sub, you first fill the ballast tanks and that gets them under,
then you use the 'fins' at the front and back to change depth. However some
of ours just use the planes to go under.

Thanks for the answers, however I have one question:
I have a play controller from many years ago now, that when you turn it, it
turned the car, character whatever on screen. There is a little window on
it, and through that window you could see a chip. Couldn't I use a chip like
that?
Michael
 
J

Jasen Betts

Jan 1, 1970
0
In a real sub, you first fill the ballast tanks and that gets them under,
then you use the 'fins' at the front and back to change depth. However some
of ours just use the planes to go under.

Thanks for the answers, however I have one question:
I have a play controller from many years ago now, that when you turn it, it
turned the car, character whatever on screen. There is a little window on
it, and through that window you could see a chip. Couldn't I use a chip like
that?
Michael

it really depends on how that controller works...

the earth turns at 15 degrees per hour so if that device
is detecting rotation after half an hour your sub will be
7.5 degrees off level...

If it's detecting gravity (acceleration) it'll give incorrect readings while
the sub is accerleating (speeding up, slowing down, or cornering)

If it's detecting torque it'll probably drift over time...
 
J

Jasen Betts

Jan 1, 1970
0
I don't know how. no solution is perfect.

measuring (or comparing) the water pressure (ie depth) at each end of the
sub might be another option...

Bye.
Jasen
 
Q

quietguy

Jan 1, 1970
0
I am not really sure what you are after - do you mean level while moving
forward? Or level while stationary? Or level out after a dive/surface?

If you just want to keep level while moving forward then I presume you would use
servo controlled 'fins' (whatever they are called) to set the sub level. Feed
the fins servo with a signal derived from a sensor that detects level - you could
make one easily - say use a circular 'wheel' of material (perspex?) that has been
coated with a paint of variable graded transluctance (eg ranging from almost
black to clear) use a LED one side and a LDR the other - both mounted to the subs
hull - and arange a small weight hanging down from the wheels axle.

What you will get from this arrangement is a resistance that varies according to
the angle of the hull in respect to the earths centre. Use that resistance to
drive a PWM PICAXE and bobs your aunty - a self leveling sub

David

J
 
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