Team Underwater Impulse Generator
| Project Name | The Bubble Buddies |
| Project Title | The Underwater Impulse Generator |
| Abstract | The Underwater Impulse Generator was a project proposed by Dr. Buck to develop a low-decibel impulse generator. The goal was to replace his original device, which relied on now-unavailable components in the U.S., particularly incandescent light bulbs. Dr. Buck envisioned a new design capable of producing low-frequency impulses around 170 dB without disposable parts or the need to be manually reset after each use. He also specified that it should be portable by one person and compact enough to fit in a standard car trunk.
Building on the principle of implosion used in the original design, we developed a system featuring a compressor, hose, and interchangeable nozzles. Compressed air (between 90–120 PSI) is sent through a 100 foot long hose to a watertight box containing a depth sensor and a solenoid valve. The depth sensor tracks the operating depth, while the solenoid controls the release of air. When activated, the nozzle directs the rapid decompression of air to generate a low-frequency impulse. Above water, the setup includes a rechargeable, battery-powered compressor and an electrical control box. The lightweight, 10 lb compressor is easy to carry and requires no external power. The control box houses the electronics needed to operate the system, with a main power switch and a solenoid activation switch. The internal code triggers the solenoid to open and close within 5 milliseconds, with a 4-second delay between impulses to prevent rapid firing. |
| Faculty Advisor | Dr. Howard Michel |
| Sponsor | Dr. John Buck |
| Team Lead(s) | Nathan Hill, Nathanael Winchell |
| Team Members | Joshua Alves, Piper Dienst, Aaron Fernandes, Nathaniel Picard |
| Video Link | … |
