Q

1. We would like the dimensions of props and the dimensions of the glacial melt flow tunnel
The props are drawn to scale in SketchUp. You can find the dimensions by using the "tape measure" tool, We can add the scaled dimensions to the drawings and send them to you. We will building these soon and be able to post actual photographs soon as well. Let us know if you need the dimensions added and new skecthup files sent to you, or if you can take the dims of the drawings. We use sketchup because anyone can get it (free) and use it.(easy) We know its not the best but....it works

2) 2. We would like to know the orientation of everything if possible, such as a map of the pool that gives us the relative positions of where we should expect to find the tunnel, the anchor, the sensing station and so forth.

I have attached a tentative map of the placement of the props in the pool. There are two setups with two missions running simultaneously. The placements are subject to change. Once we build the props and test the placements then they will be final

I 3. We would like to know more about the depth measurement aspect, will it be from the surface of the water, or the surface of the box, in other words what is our reference point. Are the point for measurement accuracies exclusive like if your within 2.54 cm of the depth do you get the 25pts and the 15pts for being within 5.08cm or just the 25pts. We assume it’s the later because that makes the totals add up

The depth will be from the surface of the water down. Also is you get the 25 points, you do not get the 15 as well. ite one or the other.

The entry fee is $250.00 which is non-refundable. It is due by April 24th 2009. After April 24th the entry fee will be $300.00

6) 5. Are you providing accommodations for X number of competitors from each team or do we have our own housing expenses to cover?

Unfortunately we do not have the funding at this time to help with accommodation, that will have to be on your own.

The speed of the current as well as the force has yet to be officially established, but will be posted soon.

7. Can you provide some detail on how the current is generated? i.e is there a grating somewhere, in the glacial tunnel? Is there a big propeller ... or pump intake... we need to be aware of?

It will either be a trolling motor or pump located at the top of the glacial tunnel. There will be a simple grating in the tunnel near the top right after the trolling motor or pump. The intake will be near the top inaccessible to an ROV

8. Are the grab rings for the vials of bacteria the core sample and the anchor chain ferrous (magnetic)?

The rings will be made of PVC, no metal this year, had to make it a little harder

9. It says for the bonus points that we cannot use fossil fuels to recharge the batteries, would that also include biofuels, such as waste cooking oil? Also it states, without using existing electrical infrastructure, would that include using Embry-Riddle's solar panels?

It would only include biofuels if, if the combustion of the fuel creates a bigger carbon footprint than traditional fossil fuels. You must provide documentation proof of this reduced carbon emissions if you intend to use it. Existing electrical infrastructure refers to electrical outlets. Existing solar panels qualifies for the bonus points.

10. On the damaged ROV, do we have to activate the emergency system or could we retrieve it in some other fashion?

11. Can we set up markers underwater along the pool edge to assist the ROVs in determining their position?

Yes you can set up markers, but it must not damage the pool or the props or there will be a penalty.

12. If we are running two ROVs, does our green power production need to be applied to both or just one ROV?

13. From the specification are we interpreting that we need to charge our batteries during the competition window (30 minutes) and a voltage measurement will be taken of our battery after we complete our session?

You can charge any time while you are at the competition, not just during the 30 minute window. The 20% drop is the voltage you measure before you charge to prove to the judges that you battery is sufficiently discharged.

14. If we are using team members in the production of green power do these team members counts towards our 10 deck crew?

15. What is the size of the rings for the biological and core samples, from measuring the sketch up I get 1” I.D.

They are 1” ID like you checked; if there is a discrepancy when we build the actual prop then we will make the adjustment know to all. The goal is a 1” ID

The core samples will be slightly negative, enough to make it fall to the pool floor if released. The sample will not be weighted to require large amounts of energy to lift, just enough to fall. An actual Newton measurement will be release when the prop is built.

The biological samples will be slightly negative, enough to make it fall to the pool floor if released. The sample will not be weighted to require large amounts of energy to lift, just enough to fall. An actual Newton measurement will be release when the prop is built.

It is not determined yet, however it will be announced and posted as soon as the final determination is made.

20. For the green portion of the challenge when will the 20% voltage drop be measured?

Right before you want to charge your batteries, you have the judges verify that you are 20% lower than your nominal charge. This would be done before your round of the mission. It is a way to verify that you gave a battery for charging that would get a significant charge before your mission.

21. For the live video feed signal do you want an NTSC signal on a RCA female connection?

22. For the audio feed do you want provide a “line out” signal on a separate RCA female connector?

23. How do you recommend that we resolve providing all of our measurement in SI units. Although many of the parts and equipment we purchase and use on the ROV are metric. There are parts that only come in Imperial measurements. i.e. ½ PVC, ¼-20 bolts, 3/8 motor shaft. Shall we just convert these measurement to metric.

Any where you document a measurement, state it in metric units. If you don't mention it, don't sweat it. Basically this would be your tech report, video or display. If they are not metric like 1/2 PVC then convert it. I know its awkward, but it prevents us from doing a "Hubble".

We hope to have the shallow pool like last year and have it open throughout the day, once you have past tech inspection

25. Will the QUALIFYING object with the 2 inch ring be lying on the bottom or standing up? Is the ring material of round or rectangular cross section.

26. For green battery charging, can we use solar panel during daylight hours on both Friday and Saturday?

28. Need weight data for the mooring anchor chains and ring. Weight per link and link pitch or weight per meter of chain. Specify if weight is under water or in air?

30. What is weight of the pinning mass on the ships anchor? Specify if weight is under water or in air?

As long as the auxiliary battery only assists the system and does not supply power directly to the batteries being charged, there should be no problem using it. It does not have be lumped into the mission batteries.

34. Attachment of rings to the luminescent vials. Is the ring rigidly attached to the end of the vial or does the ring swivel or flop around at the end of vial. The example arm video suggests that it is rigidly attached and by rotating the vial, you can also rotate the ring. The CAD drawing however shows a loose fit between the top of the light stick and the ring. The design of the grabber and related mechanism can be significantly affected by how the ring is attached. i.e. stiff. rigid vs loose/swiveling.

35. I was wondering if you know when the mission prop layout will be posted?

On the Q and A it says we can place markers, so am I correct that a teamate can drop the markers along the pool edge? Could we also place a light and/or camera array?

We will have more mission props pics up this week.. We were hoping to have pics from underwater...but we may pass on that.
So look for them this week.

As far as the markers, You are supposed to be in the "ocean" and not use the sides of the pool as something to use to assist you. Can you place or drop markers in the pool? Yes, but you must place them in the pool from your entry point that your rov enters the pool. You must assume there is no other pool edge. Can you drop in anotherr set of lights and cameras? Yes as long as you enter the pool from the same entry point that you enter the rov into the pool. Assume there is no other pool edge. Also you must make sure that you do not interfere are damage any of the mission pops, event camera video lines or any other mission cable connections. The person deploying all these things of your in the water cannot communicate any information at all to the pilots.

36. TETHER RINGS

Any update on the diameter of the ring and construction details.
i.e. what size pipe is it made from?
How wide is the slice of pipe?

The mooring chain rings are what you are referring to I think. They are 6 inches inside diameter and 6 3/4" outside diameter and 3/8" thick. It is made from pcv and it is negatively buoyant.

37. SCIENTIFIC PACKAGE

As constructed with ABS pipe and PVC ring, it is buoyant.
Will some weight be added to make it slightly negative buoyant?
If so, to what part of the prop is the weight added?.
The velcro patch looks very large on the prop. How many Newtons of force are required to tear it free?

The scientific package will be weighted to be "just" negatively buoyant. It will added to the inside and will not affect any dimensions. The velcro will be tested and adjusted to have the minimal adherence possible. It will have just enough to keep it from falling out. If velcro appears to be too much then some other adherence will be used. It will be tested and adjusted accordingly.

38.CORE SAMPLES

As constructed, the air void inside makes these buoyant. Will holes be drilled to make them negative buoyancy?

They will be slightly negative. Holes will be drilled. They will hang when grabbed by the ring.

40. In regards to the green energy production video, what formats can we submit the video in? Are youtube videos acceptable?

mpeg2, windows media or any format that can can be played on any standard computer media player. Turn in on dvd as data file or on flash drive. We must have the file in hand, youtube is not acceptable, although we do encourage you to post it on Youtube anyway for your exposure on the web.

42. In regards to the team intro video, if we choose to use a DVD, would we turn in the file, or should we use a DVD authoring application, and provide DVD menus?

DVD menus are not needed just the video file. You can use dvd authoring as long as the file can be ripped be by our media personel so they can be shown during the event. You disk or flash drive will be returned to you.