While modern electronics technology has facilitated the development of small, low-power Unmanned Surface Vessels, common propeller-driven marine propulsion systems are not optimized for such crafts. The goal of the Electrodynamic Water Arc Propulsion (EWAP) project is to develop a solid-state water arc explosion propulsion engine and implement it on a USV. When a high voltage arc is struck through water it has an explosive effect, causing a high pressure, and expelling the water from its chamber. In order to apply this phenomenon to marine propulsion, the EWAP team developed several explosion chambers, and evaluated each design through comprehensive analyses. The team’s research culminated in the development of the final EWAP USV, called the Water-Arc Explosion Vessel – I, or WAEV-I.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Jhunjhunwala, Rohan
• Ewing, Tyler Jon
• Byrne, Christopher Michael
• Egan, Christopher William
• Jackman, James Deane

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043015-152641

Advisor

• Onal, Cagdas
• Michalson, William R.

Year

• 2015

Sponsor

• New Energy Foundation

Date created

• 2015-04-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright