Since the invention of the Jet Ski in 1973, personal watercrafts (PWCs) have become one of the most popular choices for aquatic motorsports enthusiasts. Almost all commercially available PWCs employ internal combustion engines for their powertrains which release pollutants into the surrounding aquatic ecosystems and produce high noise levels. Due to these environmental concerns, there is an opportunity to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline powered PWCs. Previous MQP teams successfully replaced the gas powertrain of a 1997 Sea-doo SPX with an electric powertrain. However, there was room for improvement for cooling, top speed, and overall efficiency. This year’s MQP addresses these by introducing new cooling systems, improving throttle tuning, adding sensors to essential components, optimizing battery life, and installing a variable diameter nozzle at the inlet. This report focuses on the research behind these modifications and their implementation as well as evaluating the project’s overall success.

• 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

• Hammel, James
• Tufts, Isaac
• Therrien, Zachery
• Pedersen, Blake
• Hyland, Patrick
• Fredo, Matthew
• Boudreau, Samuel
• Torres, Antonio
• Michaud, Mathieu

Subject

• Environment
• Sustainability
• Project-Based Learning
• Energy
• Innovation

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042723-144910
• 106396

Advisor

• Bhatia, Mehul A.
• Bitar, Stephen John

Year

• 2023

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Date created

• 2023-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Source

• E-project-042723-144910

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-06-23