SOLAR SPLASH^© '98 Photos

1		SOLAR SPLASH '98 June 17 - 21, 1998 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sponsored by: ASME Solar Energy Division, EDS, EATON, IEEE, Miller Brewing Co., Marquette University, State of Wisconsin, & Wisconsin Electric
2		The whole gang welcomes you to Solar Splash ‘98. It is never possible to get everyone into a shot like this but we did do pretty well. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, a few teams were not able to make it, but, as you will see, it was a great Event and a really good time was had by all.
3		The first order of business after registration is getting the boat through Technical Inspections. One group of inspectors handle Mechanical areas, one measures the output of the solar arrays, and one does the Electrical. This boat is in the Endurance configuration. It is not unusual to see from left to right, the Student Team Leader, a very attentive female skipper, and other team members talk with the Inspector. Life jacket, lanyard for the "Dead man switch" and part of the air horn are visible.
4		In the evening, everyone gathers for our Mixer. After supper, we see a group from one of our sponsors, EDS, introducing themselves and telling everyone about the activities to follow. Although the teams are competitive on the water, the cooperation and willingness of everyone to pitch in and help makes it possible to run the Event with a very small staff.
5		Having completed Technical Inspections in the Paddock area, each team is checked on-the-water for certain requirements before Qualifying. Here, Ottawa Hills Tech Prep is preparing to run their 70 meter Sprint qualifier. They must also successfully complete a Maneuverability course, part of which can be seen in the background. In addition to the competition on the water, there are two "supporting" Events. Technical Reports are submitted and judged prior to the Splash and then reprints are available for future teams.
6		Visual Presentations are the second off-the-water competition. These are a nice way for visitors to learn about the various participating schools and their programs.
7		The venue for the Splash is a lagoon, adjacent to the Summerfest grounds at the lakefront in Milwaukee. Some of the downtown buildings can be seen in the background. The University of California at Santa Barbara is ready for their Qualifying. "The Bomb" adorns the bow while the names of the team members can be seen towards the stern, complete with a flame job.
8		This year a great deal of emphasis was placed on proper means of launching and retrieving the craft. Many teams used the ramps while some chose to use the intermediate spaces. Columbia made their lifting frames out of ordinary half inch iron pipe. Eventually, one joint failed but, fortunately, no damage was done and they went on to win 2nd Place Overall. The University of Arkansas, Little Rock, made excellent frames with square steel tubing and slings which worked very well and they were kind enough to share them with several teams.
9		In addition to the awards previously mentioned, many design awards are presented from various sponsors. The University of Michigan Student Team Leader is explaining to Dr. Jeff Morehouse, current Chair of the Solar Energy Division of ASME, the drive and steering system of their Sprint configuration. Note the unusual five bladed props. Due to the very high torque, it can be seen that they are counter-rotation to keep the boat on a level plane. For the Endurance Event, this entire drive train is removed and a much more energy-efficient one is mounted in the bracket on the centerline.
10		The rules for the Splash encourage innovation and creativity. The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth has built their hull from carbon fibre over a Nomex honeycomb. To keep their drive motors from overheating, they have this dual water pump system which delivers the relatively small amount of cooling water needed.
11		As can be seen, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy believes in the "KISS" principle, (keep it simple, stupid). It really paid off. Although they finished 5th Overall, a missed mark on their first run on the Maneuverability course was all that kept them from winning the World Championship.
12		Some teams see the Splash as a mechanical engineering project where they need help from E.E.’s, while others see it the other way around. It is not uncommon for the "electricals" to design and build their own circuitry. Testing must include reliability and the capability to withstand water since it is difficult to keep everything dry.
13		One area where the "mechanicals" really get busy is in prop design. Previously, we saw the very exceptional U. of Michigan Sprint props. This more conventional three bladed design is one teams’ solution to the endless problem of System Integration. It also looks as if it has been on and off the drive shaft quite a few times, a tribute to testing.
14		No matter how much testing is done in advance, dilemmas always crop up in the field. Here we see one of the Student Team Leaders from Grand Valley State University pondering what seems to be an electrical problem. He is actually an M.E. but after three years of participating in the Splash, he has obviously honed many skills.