JetSum: SMA actuator based undersea unmanned vehicle inspired by jellyfish bio-mechanics

Scott Bressers; Sanghun Chung; Alex Villanueva; Colin Smith; Shashank Priya

doi:10.1117/12.847595

30 March 2010 JetSum: SMA actuator based undersea unmanned vehicle inspired by jellyfish bio-mechanics

Scott Bressers, Sanghun Chung, Alex Villanueva, Colin Smith, Shashank Priya

Proceedings Volume 7644, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2010; 76440G (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.847595
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Previously, we reported an undersea unmanned vehicle (UUV) termed as JetSum, inspired by the locomotion of medusa jellyfish, [12]. The propulsion of JetSum was based on shape memory alloy (SMA) wires replicating the contraction-relaxation cycle of natural jellyfish locomotion. In this paper, we report modified design of JetSum that addresses problems related to electrical isolation and power consumption. The modifications lead to significant improvement in functionality, providing implementation of a full continuous bell, bolstering critical sealing junctions, and reducing the overall power requirement. A LabVIEW controller program was developed to automate and optimize the driving of JetSum enabling reduction in power consumption for full contraction of SMA. JetSum locomotion in underwater conditions was recorded by using a high-speed camera and analyzed with image processing techniques developed in MatLab. The results show that JetSum was able to achieve velocity of 7 cm/s with power consumption of 8.94 W per cycle.

Citation Download Citation

Scott Bressers, Sanghun Chung, Alex Villanueva, Colin Smith, and Shashank Priya "JetSum: SMA actuator based undersea unmanned vehicle inspired by jellyfish bio-mechanics", Proc. SPIE 7644, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2010, 76440G (30 March 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.847595

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