Featured Projects
Marine Design and Build specializes in new product development, whether it's mechanical systems like the Landship Custom's Solar Sail, or fully integrated controls solutions like the Variable Displacement Spar Buoy (VDSB) Smart Control System and Buoy Control App.
Landship Custom Solar Sail Design and Manufacturing
The Landship Customs' Solar Sail presents the cutting edge of van based solar collection and integrated storage.
The design is modular, consisting of mounting points, side panels, an automated lift system, and solar panels on the lid.
MDB Design Role:
Sheet metal design
Hardware selection
Cost reduction and design for manufacturability
Manufacturing drawings
Communications with the manufacturer
Quoting
Design Considerations:
Fitment to 3 different vans (Sprinter 144, 170, and 170 ext.)
Kinematics of lifting lid and integrating linear actuators
Minimizing manufacturing cost and reducing part count for straight forward assembly process
Minimizing weight while ensuring side wall strength and lid walkability
Variable Displacement Spar Buoy Control System and Software
The VDSB Control System, developed for Tend Ocean Variable Displacement Spar Buoy, controls the onboard electronics, affecting sinking and rising of the buoy while monitoring onboard sensors. The goal of the system is to be able to raise and lower a seaweed or kelp farm on command, for storm avoidance or depth cycling, on a command from a shoreside station.
The control system work consisted of microprocessor selection, radio selection, and software development.
MDB Design Role:
System architecture design
Hardware selection
Software development
Control system testing
Deployment support
Design Considerations:
3 to 5 mile communication range
Use cOTS hardware
Maximum battery life
Onboard data storage
Utilize local pressure sensors and IMU for buoy state control
Example of Software State Diagram
The simplified state diagram shows the different paths the system may take
Benchtop System Testing
This bench top test system allowed for testing and troubleshooting the full functionality of the hardware and software before deployment
Variable Displacement Spar Buoy Control App
The VDSB Control App, developed for the Tend Ocean Variable Displacement Spar Buoy project, allows a user to remotely control the buoys either indivually or as a group. The goal of the system is to be able to raise and lower a seaweed or kelp farm on command, for storm avoidance or depth cycling, on a command from a shoreside station.
The app provides inputs for the user to choose a message type, fill out message details, and send the message to the buoys. The app also provides feedback from the buoys, showing their status and recording the communicated buoy data.
MDB Design Role:
System architecture design
Hardware selection
Software development
Control system testing
Deployment support
Design Considerations:
3 to 5 mile communication range
Use cOTS hardware
Maximum battery life
Onboard data storage
Utilize local pressure sensors and IMU for buoy state control