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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/
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Initial Testing for Piston at low pressure
Layout
Shear Pins
Phoenix had 3 on sustainer nose cone and 4 on booster
Medusa needs more shear pins on secondary deployment to ensure there is no early deployment
Swivels
Options:
1500lb ASP Rocketry https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/Barrel-Swivel-1-500-Lb-Test.cfm?item_id=159&parent=51&navPanel=
6000 lb from fruity chutes. Supports rockets up to 400lbs https://shop.fruitychutes.com/collections/recovery-and-launch-hardware/products/6000-lb-stainless-steel-swivel
CO2 System
Solenoids
Weight
Sustainer: 15.8 dry, 35 wet. Total: 50.8lbs
Booster: 103lb dry,
CO2 Canisters
Good for use at high-altitudes (20k ft+) b/c completely pressure sealed
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Need a mechanism to poke hole into CO2 canister
Spring-loaded system
Spring forces may be unpredictable at higher altitudes
Vulnerable to vibrations during launch
Needed to by loaded during launch, so risk of early deployment
Solenoid
Arm attached to solenoid that moves to poke hole once once
0-1Mba https://www.amazon.com/Solenoid-Valve-0-1-0MPa-Pneumatic-Natural/dp/B09TJS3Y32?th=1
0-1Mpa https://www.amazon.com/Solenoid-0%E2%80%911-0MPa-Pressureless-Connection-Electric/dp/B09NC4QWLV
Pyrotechnic system
Still contains issues with black powder
Look into finding better way to seal
Reliable on ground, but questionable at high altitude
Servo
Valves
Powered by outside source that would open valve instead of poking a hole
Avionics potentially in nose cone depending on direction of gas canister
Need to figure out if one way is more effective for parachute deployment
Issues to test for:
Leaking of CO2
Premature puncturing
Failure to puncture
Tests should take into account low temperatures at higher altitudes, forces/vibrations during flight, etc.
Weight Imbalances from co2 canisters and co2 release mechanism
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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
Canister Size
- 12g CO2 Canisters
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Other Research
Misc Links
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