Solar Boat Propulsion Design

This lecture focuses on the design of the propulsion system for the Swiss Solar Boat, a unique hybrid boat that hovers just above the water, presenting a novel challenge in propulsion design. The students analyzed various boat types, contacted suppliers for propellers and motors, and used fluid simulation systems like ANSIS. They designed an initial torpedo shape optimized for volume efficiency, selected suitable motors, and worked on integrating them into the boat's structure. Calculations were made for custom gearbox sizing and thermal analysis for water cooling. The lecture concludes with the development of an optimized torpedo design based on hydrodynamic principles, ready for integration with other subsystems in the upcoming semester.