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Maroon Harpoon Sets Aggie Speed Record at 5.445 Knots during 10th International Sub Races

The 10th International Human Powered Submarine Races were conducted over a 100 meter straight course located in the towing tank at the David Taylor Model Basin in Bethesda, Maryland from June 22-26, 2009. The team placed 3rd overall in the field of 22 submarines with a top speed of 5.445 knots, which is an Aggie record.The submarine speed was measured as the submarine passed through timing gates space 10 meters apart located about 2/3 of the way down the race course.

This year the Ocean Engineering students used new propellers, a new pitch adjusting propeller hub, and a glass rear bearing to help increase the speed. Data logging of shaft rpm and torque were attempted with an inline torque sensor and a data acquisition housing that was inline with the shaft between the rear bearing and the drive gear box. Unfortunately, the data acquisition system failed due to communication software problems. The submarine team shown below had a great time at the submarine races and represented Ocean Engineering and Texas A&M very well. The team’s sponsors were Oceaneering, Offshore Technology Research Center, MTS Houston Section, SNAME Texas Section, Paradise Scuba, Penske Trucks, Texstars, Duna USA, Diab Group, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Baumann Propellers, Tarleton Supply, and Montgomery Monograms.

More race results may be viewed at http://isrsubrace.org.

 

The 2009 Human Powered Submarine Team. Front (L-R): Alyssa Baker (Pilot), Casey Hodges (Co-team leader), Chris Ryan, Chris Dearing. Back (L-R): Abel Medellin, James Lightfoot (Pilot), Alex Knoll, Jeff Phillips, David Neat, Cynthia Vittone, Duncan Brotzman (Pilot), Sean Finn, Sarah Schlosser (Co-team leader).