Notes
- A GSE system should be capable of the following:
- Control the flow or N2O into the oxidizer tank.
- Provide the signal for engine ignition
- Safe mode the vehicle by rapidly dumping N2O from the vehicle via the nozzle without ignition (purge system, accomplished with CO2)
- Receiver only needed on GSE, not on rocket (electrical quick disconnect)
- Electrical quick disconnect routed along N2O line
- Pressure from fluid quick disconnect forces electrical connector apart
- Ignition sequence:
- Igniter first, then open engine valves
- Manually timed (RC transceiver channels)
- Electrical system completely independent from rocket/avionics electrical power
- 12V battery within GSE enclosure
- Electrical quick disconnect leading to vehicle servos
- Servos, transceiver run off of regulated 5VDC
Polaris GSE Components
- Nitrous feed system
- Connects to N2O tank via CGA 326 connection
- Pressure gauge to measure pressure
- Check valve to prevent contamination
- Servo actuated ball valve
- Purge system
- Connects to CO2 tank via push-to-connect
- Servo actuated ball valve
- Fill system connection
- Connects the rocket to both Nitrous feed system and Purge system
- RC Transceiver
- Allows for control of Servo actuated ball valves (in GSE and on rocket)
- Accepts regulated 5V from power supply
- CH1: Igniter relay
- CH2: Nitrous fill valve
- CH3: Vehicle nitrous valve
- CH4: Vehicle ethanol valve
- CH5: Purge valve
- CH6: unused
- Power supply
- 12V car battery, used for powering igniter on rocket
- Regulated down to 5V for use with servos and RC Transceiver
- Relay
- Controls 12V battery power via 5V signal sent by RC Transceiver
- Connected to igniter on rocket to allow remote ignition
- Enclosure
- Steel toolbox with holes drilled for fluid and electrical connection
- Electrical quick disconnect
- Four wires: Power (+5V), Ground, Nitrous valve servo and Ethanol valve servo
- Header pin connector placed on fluid quick disconnect
- Fluid pressure from quick disconnect forces header pins apart on launch
Electrical Diagram
Model
Bill of Materials
Part | Desc. | Quantity | Link |
Battery 12V | 1 | ||
Servo | Used to actuate ball valves | 2 | |
Transceiver | 6 channels; controls servos and igniter | 1 | |
Ball Valve | 2 | ||
Regulator | Generates regulated 5V from battery voltage | 1 | |
Enclosure | Steel toolbox | 1 | |
20AWG wire | Red, black, white; for interconnecting | N/A | |
Relay | PWM controlled, driven off of 5V | 1 | |
Adapters | High pressure adapters & fittings | ||
Tubing | High pressure chemical hoses | ||
Check valve | 2 | ||
PTFE Tape | Seals NPT fittings |