At 07:51 AM 3/30/98 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote: >John, it has occurred to me that perhaps an improved (or, maybe, just >alternate) way to gather data on the paddler/paddle/boat system is to >place a force sensor *between the paddler's hands and the paddle shaft* >and an inertial displacement sensor *on the paddle shaft* at the hand >position. These, coupled with a knotmeter, and with real-time data >piped to some on-board data-gathering instruments, might allow each >paddler to tune his/her stroke style and paddle choice to achieve a more >objective estimate of what works best. The on-board data-gathering >stuff could be as simple and cheap as the system I use extensively with >my students (they are TI Calculator Based Laboratory units, interfaced >with a graphing calculator). The force sensor I suspect could be >cobbled together from thin pressure-sensing pads which could be made to >conform to the shape of the paddle. Don't know about the inertial >displacement sensors. Of course, knotmeters are off-the-shelf. Dave, we have discussed this topic in the past, somewhat. Your idea is sound. One would not have to use an inertial sensor to obtain the energy calculations. The force sensor, along with a knotmeter and a wristwatch should do it. Since power can be calculated as force times velocity, the power output and time can be used to compute energy output, although power output, itself, may be more useful. Letsd discuss this further. It sounds like a good student project and we can take the credit! ;-) Les Regards, *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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