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Black powder (.2 g per firebolt)
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Piston
- Modified Phoenix sustainer piston mount
- Phoenix sustainer diaphragm
- Phoenix sustainer cup
- Set screws
- Shear 3x 6-32 shear pins
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2 Firebolts (passed all testing)
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Piston T fitting
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2 Brass NPT Plugs
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Gloves
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Alligator clips
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Weighboats and popsicle sticks
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Teflon tape
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bricks/weights
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Vacuum chamber & pump
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Safety glasses
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Close toed shoes
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A very long wire
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9V battery
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Scale
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Perform integration according to the Piston Integration Procedures above.
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Run wires from outside to inside the blast chamber. Make sure that the wires are shorted on the outside of the blast chamber. On the inside, unshort the e-match leads and connect it to the wires.
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Place the piston in the vacuum chamber (firebolt-fitting assembly pointing down).
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Clamp the piston between two bricks.
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Put the lid on the chamber and turn on the vacuum pump until pressure level reaches 0 psi.
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Wait five minutes.
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Repressurize vacuum chamber.
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Inspect piston for any signs of shear pin weakening/breakage.
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Return piston to vacuum chamber in the same orientation and replace weights.
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Put the lid on the chamber and turn on the vacuum pump until pressure level reaches 0 psi.
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Only after exiting the chamber and closing the door, perform a countdown and connect the outside wires to a voltage source (battery).
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In the event of a misfire, disconnect the battery and wait at least 60 seconds before allowing anyone to enter the chamber/approach the test article.
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After firing, wait at least 60 seconds before entering the blast chamber.
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Results:
- Vacuum was pulled to ~2 inHg
- No premature extension was observed
- Piston was still able to break the shear pins as usual
- When vacuum was released on the second piston, the piston was observed to compress by about 50% of it's length (but not the first piston)
- Indicates the piston mechanism will still be viable at high altitudes
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