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Hovercraft EfficiencyTeam: 10 School: Artesia High Area of Science: Physics Interim: Problem DefinitionHovercraft devices, also known as air cushion vehicles, are crafts that use a cushion of air flow provides movement and the ability to manuever past obstacles. The design of the device consists of a specially constructed fan that when energy is applied, air is dispersed evenly throughout the cushion or skirt of the device which allows it to “hover” above surfaces such as land, water, and ice equally as well. However, all the energy created by the fan of the device does not all directly go into lifting and propelling the craft. Problem Solution To solve this problem computationally, laws of pressure, lift, friction, aerodynamics, and smooth particle hydrodynmatics must be incorporated into software that is able to efficiently computate various amounts of energy to find the most efficient way of design. Progress to Date The program being used is Python. We have run into problems including the fact that not all of us completely understand the concepts we are trying to solve and have turned to using resources such as teachers, sponsors, and online lecturing. We have made sure each of our teammates are using the same tools which include Microsoft Word 2007 and Python. We are using GoogleDocs to effectively present eachother with research and writing for peer editing and commentary. Expected Outcome Via the computer program, locating the points of greatest energy lost will be found and from their the project will nullify any of those points to decrease the amount of enery lost. Bibliography Amyot, J. R. Hovercraft Technology, Economics and Applications (Studies in Mechanical Engineering, No. 11). New York: Elsevier Science Ltd., 1990. Print. "Bernoulli and Newton." Nasa.gov. Ed. Tom Benson. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 11 July 2008. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. Team Members: Michael Van Slyke Sponsoring Teacher: Randall Gaylor |
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