Page History

...

Research into other medthods: Nitrocellulose, Separation Events, https://wikis-mit-edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/confluence/download/attachments/120175068/Jim_Jarvis_Highaltitude_deployment_2013.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1491853101000&api=v2, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-FvnbYQmETId8Ko6nY0LdCxwcloM4aGdy2pHURnmPTc/edit

Meeting Goals:

Week 1: initial research

Week 2: cost analysis, pick deployment system, have rough sketch with dimensions (calculate amount of co2/black powder necessary), research testing procedures

Week 3: have idea of all components necessary, start on CAD

Maybe try and get in contact with SPL to do a piston test in the vacuum chamber sometime in the next two weeks?
Or figure out a way to use the mini vacuum chamber in lab

Piston

Used on Phoenix, Staging Demo and HADES
Piston failure experienced on Staging Demo II (resulted in sustainer destruction)
Pressure sealed so can be used at high-altitudes

Although risk of no pressure seal on the firebolts (mitigated using hydrostatic testing)
Overall black powder is less reliable at higher altitudes (lower pressure slows down combustion propagation)
Test hot glue instead of epoxy as a sealing method for the firebolts

Takes up 8 inches in length of mpt
Can be reused
Look into & test shorter pistons?

Variety of piston lengths: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/pistons/double-acting-round-body-air-cylinders/

More info on different types of pistons: https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/fluid_power_components/pneumatic_equipment_components/air_cylinders
BP calculator: https://rocketrycalculator.com/rocketry-calculator/bp-estimator/

CO2 Canisters

Good for use at high-altitudes (20k ft+) b/c completely pressure sealed
Takes up approximately 5 inches in length of mpt
USCRPL Recovery Presentation https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-FvnbYQmETId8Ko6nY0LdCxwcloM4aGdy2pHURnmPTc/edit
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3029&context=honors_research_projects

This is an article someone wrote about how they designed/built/tested a CO2 deployment mechanism using a solenoid
CO2 has lower pressure impulse than black powder
Discusses difficulties with sealing
Also gives approximate calculations for how to find co2 canister size
fruity chutes info: https://fruitychutes.com/files/blog/Rocketry%20Recovery%20Technology.pptx

...

COTS CO2 Canisters:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/downloads/PDFs/CD3_Manual2009.pdf
https://www.tinderrocketry.com/rocketry-co2-ejection-system (instruction manual gives bp to co2 conversion)

Preliminary Design

CO2 canister sizing

Chute packing volumes

main chutes

sustainer main: 4.3 oz 48 inches, 26 in^3 packing volume
booster main: 16.3 oz 96 inches, 90.5 in^3 packing volume

drogue chutes (estimates)

sustainer drogue: 1.7 oz 18 in diameter, 9.67 in^3 packing volume
booster drogue: 4.5 oz 36 in diameter, 21.2 in^3 packing volume

Image Added

Multiply the black powder charge size (grams) by 5.0 to determine the amount of CO2 (also in grams) required to achieve the same compartment pressure.
If using this method we need to remember the compartment for Phoenix (that we used 0.2g for) is the inside of the piston, not the recovery compartment