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UEC-1 First Experiments |
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Strain gage samples in various stages of completion |
The 3 test coatings, from left to right: w1 wax only; B coat, J coat, and w1 coat combination; and J coat only. |
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MIDN Justis attaching the strain gages to the beams. |
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This experiment will test three (3) different coatings, alone and together, for their ability to protect the strain gages from the submarine environment.
The results from this experiment will be used to mount the strain gages on future experiments. These future experiments will be testing a new piezo electric SONAR material being developed by Professor Chiang for the Undersea Warfare Center, in Newport RI.
The strain gages are mounted on PVC beam. PVC was chosen because is not corroded by the marine environment.
Beam Test Number |
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Description |
N/A |
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B-Coat Only:Provides good saltwater protection and excellent adherence it bonding surface. |
A1 |
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W1-Coat (was) Only:Provides excellent water protection, but poor mechanical protection. |
C2 |
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J-Coat Only:Provides good saltwater protection and excellent mechanical protection. |
B2 |
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All Coatings Layer:W1 provides backup water protection to J coat. J protects all coatings mechanically. B adheres coatings to PVC sample. |
Future UEC-1 versions and experiments will need onboad electronics. This experiment will explore a method for packaging electronics for submergence. This experiment is still under preparation.
The Wheatstone bridge circuits (for the strain gage experiment) and a simple blinking light circuit will be compensated in an oil bath in order to protect the electronics from the corrosive effects of seawater.
