1:20 SCALE - JIG MODIFICATION MARCH 2024: ELIZABETH SWANN

 

 

Dig for gold with our A - Z or set sail for HOME

 

 

 

 

APRIL 2024 - Between February and March we increased the diameter of the base cradle and original Jig base and tower locator clearances. Having calculated the diameter of the larger hull tubes, it was a relatively simple matter to cut larger semi-circles in the wooden Jig. But this was very time consuming. In April, having re-sealed the cut wood, we were able to progress to the vessel itself. In this picture you can see we have, sealed, primed and painted the superstructure, onto which the aluminium aft and helm sections will be fixed. Please note that these modifications to the scale model, do not increase the estimated build schedule of the full size craft.

 

 

 

 

 

Through November and December 2023, into January and March 2024, revision to the specifications of the 1:20 scale model hull and onboard equipment, revealed that the displacement would be too low, with all the improvements in the design. Namely, a change to the helm design, that allowed more solar panels to be fitted. Of course, we wanted to be able to take advantage of all the developments. And that meant an almost complete redesign of the Jig. Because, it was constructed for much smaller diameter hull tubes.

 

 

 

 

 

These are the cutouts various - from the cradle semicircles and tower clearance arches. We hope there will be no need for any more hull modifications. The good news is, this is only in small scale. Better to find out as many snags as you can while costs are relatively low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making sure the increased diameter center hull fits in the newly enlarged cradles. Where the model in not 3D printed, but made by hand using traditional boat building skills, it is important to make sure any modifications work.

 

 

 

 

Did that mean making the Jig and Towers again? We decided against that, due to time constraints. Instead, we'd increase the diameter of the existing woodwork. That meant very carefully marking out and cutting the pine, plywood and chipboard components. A precision operation that would have to be done by hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the main solar harvesting, tracking, and motor propulsion components, with the vessel cruising toward you. There are 8 x 18 volt solar panels, providing some 144 watts peak energy. This is multiplied by around 12 hours of insolation, to provide 72 watts for continuous 24 hour cruising. At least, that is the theory, minus charging and conversion efficiency losses = 65 watts. It is possible to increase these figures, within the same power to displacement ratio. But we don't want a super-tuned craft. We want one that is possible to build economically at full size.

 

 

 

 

 

The sliding tower and sliding cradle, seen here rough cut, ready for fettling, involving rough and fine sanding to perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of which, the sliding cradle needed further modification, extending the larger diameter clearance, all the way along the base plates. The only way to achieve this was with out trusty 4" angle grinder. We have seven of these in the workshop, two of which are battery, rechargeable. For where power cords would be impractical.

 

 

 

 

 

We prefer working with solid wood, but these days it's all MDF and CAD-CAM machined bucks and prototypes. Or, why bother making a Jig at all. Just 3D print the model. We're not sure if that would be possible at 2.8 meters in length. For sure the practical side of things may be compromised.

 

 

 

 

     

 

The folds and returns have to carefully follow the pattern, the bends being that much harder to make over a wide length of metal. Alloy is much easier to form than steel. Though steel is far easier to join with welding. Aluminium welding requires TIG equipment, or a spool-on-gun MIG. The liners of the feeds cables may not be interchangeable, where steel or copper on alloy, produces a contaminated weld.

 

 

 

 

Finally, all that remained was to clean up the Jig and repaint (seal) all those bare patches, to protect from warping in a workshop that is subject to temperature changes, damp and very dry conditions in summer. It did not help that we had floods. Mainly due to global warming and climate change. Which is, of course, why we have undertaken this project : )

 

 

 

         

 

 

With the Jig re-engineered to take the larger hull tubes, all that remained was to seal the cuts in the wood. Several coats of an exterior grade (waterproof) paint were required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL 24TH - Leo is seen here offering up an aluminium fold, to check for length in relation to the deck, which is covered in solar panels. Leo is interested in boat design and practical metal working skills. In the background you can see a solar catamaran design that was tested a long time ago, in the development of the present trimaran design. We are hoping to have this model ready for another local United Nations event in November. So, we have our work cut out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very important to measure carefully. We work to a tolerance of around 0.25mm. But in practice, where there are folds, 0.5mm is usually acceptable with a little fettling at the joins. In the background you can see a SWATH design that was tested well before the Elizabeth Swann design hit the drawing board. The submerged twin hull concept proved to have a higher drag than expected, and it was difficult to trim. The radio controlled model had four tanks that could be flooded or pumped out, for trim and ride height adjustment for different sea conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEALED  - After all the cutting, the Jig is seen here re-assembled and painted in an exterior grade white paint. Phew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of the main components of the 1:20 scale Elizabeth Swan technology demonstrator. We applied for part funding for this project from the Dti's TRIG marine technology competition. But, they said they were concerned about cleaning of the panels of salt caking at sea, as applied to ships. We have solved that problem, and were prepared to share that information in return for helping us with development costs. We considered the automatic furling and sun tracking to be an important feature for applications like cargo ships, cruise liners and ferries - not so the UK government. But then, we suppose that most governments around the world are in a pickle. Looking for ways to power ships to meet with the IMO's zero targets for 2100 without much modification of hulls and decks. The target for 2030 is a 40% reduction in GHG emissions. The Elizabeth Swann is a clean-sheet-of-paper design. Not flavour of the month with fleet operators, as well we appreciate. But then progress is sometimes financially painful. In the commercial world it is all about profits. Now, the planet gets a look in, but still has to wait for existing ships to depreciate. We have suggested a scrappage scheme is applied to induce ship operators to change out hulls earlier, as was applied to cars some years ago.

 

 

 

JVH2: Jules Verne Hydrogen Trophy - World Challenge

Dig for treasure with our A - Z or set a course for HOME shipmates

 

1:20 SCALE MODEL - WORKING RADIO CONTROLLED SOLAR & HYDROGEN POWERED SHIP - ELIZABETH SWANN - WITH SOLAR TRACKING BATTERY CHARGE CONTROLLERS AND ELECTRIC POD DRIVES

 

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