Awards & Nominations
Proyecto KACNU has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Global Nominee
UNDER PRESSURE
High-Level Project Summary
Our solution is a device that employs a mechanical pressure and electromagnetic mechanism to press a bolt. The mechanical mechanism clamps the bolt while the electromagnet is powered. When the electromagnet changes its polarity, the mechanism opens and expells the bolt. This system solves the challenge by not using pyrotechnics, explosions, or violent reactions. Thus, avoids generating space debris. It is reusable, allows for maintenance, testing, and safety protocols. It is also easy to manufacture, adaptable to different dimensions of bolts. It is important as it offers a different and cleaner method for releasing, separating or deploying two parts in satellites, space shuttles, etc.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
Inspired by a very commonly known mechanism, found on the safety tags used on clothes, we decided to try to replicate this system, as an alternative to the explosive bolt or “frangibolt”.
Our solution is based on mechanical and electromagnetic mechanisms, which allow us to avoid the use of pyrotechnic or explosive methods, which leads to hazardous and violent results.
To close the system, the electromagnet is given a certain polarity to attract the moving mechanism (blue) and the clamp mechanism (red) closes, pressing tightly the bolt. Springs on the bottom help also keep the moving mechanism pressed against the electromagnet (for redundancy).
To open the system, we invert the polarity of the electromagnet, so it repels the mechanism and opens the clamp mechanism, releasing and also pushing out the bolt.
Benefits:
It functions with mechanical and electromagnetic mechanisms.
It is a non-pyrotechnic and non-explosive deployment system.
It does not use gases or other substances to generate motion.
It does not generate waste or special debris by releasing spare and disposable components.
It can be reusable, suitable for multiple testings, safety measurements and protocols.
We hope to aid the spacecraft industry by bringing a more reliable and controlled solution to a very unpredictable and dangerous previous method, for a deployment or separation mechanism used in spacecraft applications. In order to reduce considerably the overall risk of the mission, the spacecraft, and most importantly of the crew.
To develop this project prototype design, we used SOLIDWORKS program to design, assemble, and animate the mechanism. We also started doing Finite Element Analysis to determine the load which could withstand the clamping system, and taking in consideration the electromagnetic force provided by the electromagnet to hold the moving mechanism.
Space Agency Data
We are inspired by the following data:
Earth Landing Subsystem
At the beginning our inspiration came from the cutting lines, as time went by we changed our focus, but we did not forget the main problem, that's why we consider important the aspects that are integrated in the Earth Landing Subsystem
Reefing Line Cutters (Northrop-Ventura) - Each assembly is about the size of a fountain pen and consists of slow-burning powder, small explosive charge, blade, and hole tnrough which the reefing line passes. Burning powder sets off a charge, which drives the blade into the reefing line, severing it and allowing full inflation of the parachutes. pp: 95
Eight parachutes are used in the earth landing subsystem: two drogue, three pilot, and three main. The reefing lines run through rings which are sewn to the inside of the parachute skirts and reefing line cutters. When the suspension lines pull taut, a lanyard pulls the sear release from the reefing line cutter and a pyrotechnic timedelay is started. When the delay train has burned through, a propellant is ignited, driving a cutter through the reefing line.
Each of the drogue parachutes has two reefing lines with two cutters per line. Each of the three main parachutes has three reefing lines with two cutters per line. Two of the three reefing lines are severed after 6 seconds, allowing the main parachutes to open slightly wider than when deployed. pp: 97
Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based launch lock
Model of the launch lock mechanism that includes a lock, an SMA ring, and a ring flexure. What we took from this information was the design and its decoupling system, using the following sequence:
Working sequence of the launch lock. In the locked configuration the SMA ring is not heated and the ring outer diameter is located in a groove on the inside of the lock. This way, the lock is constrained to move axially with respect to the SMA ring and flexure. In the next step, the SMA ring is heated and its outer diameter shrinks below the inner diameter of the lock freeing the lock to move axially. Once the two components are separated enough axially, the power to the SMA ring is shut off, the SMA ring cools and regains its original configuration pp: 1,2
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THE GMI LAUNCH LOCKS
IBS LAUNCH RESTRAINTS (IBS LR)
From this article was the series of tests they performed on the IBS system to measure the progress of a tested and integrated hardware design, ready for testing as an instrument.
The Root of the Problem: What Caused the Ares I-X Parachute to Fail?
Considering the most elementary aspect of the challenge, we took into account the risks involved with pyrotechnical systems, like this one
“For the Ares I-X team the trick was in that "pull cord" step. After a thorough root cause analysis, NASA has pinpointed the likely culprit behind the Ares I-X parachute system anomaly -- an errant cord yank that caused one reefing line pyro charge to fire prematurely while still in the parachute pack.” We therefore decided to employ a safer and more reliable method
Finally, we found further inspiration from other sources such as some videos, which illustrated the operation of a satellite decoupling or improvements to a recreational rocket.
Hackathon Journey
How would you describe your Space Apps experience?
It was a very exciting event,
The fact of meeting new people from different parts of the country, listening to their visions, their ideas, seeing their creativity, stressing us but having fun at the same time made us live an unforgettable hackathon.
At all times the organizers supported us, gave us clear instructions and motivated us to move forward. The learning was varied in each team member, however I dare to mention that each one of us has been inspired to follow our dreams and we know that teamwork is key to the development of a good project.
What did you learn?
Without a doubt we learned to be patient, time was not in our favor and there was no room for frustration, as a team we went through moments that discouraged us, but we kept the goal clear and tried again, each member takes away a valuable lesson, but in general we overcame some challenges, such as organization, focusing completely on a task and above all doing an excellent teamwork, the keys were communication, respect and constant motivation.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
What inspired your team to choose this challenge?
To select a challenge, we first analyzed each of the challenges and informed ourselves about the possible solutions, so we decided to choose based on our individual and team strengths. This is how we opted for the challenge "Let it go (without a Bang)" as we felt it was the most suitable challenge to put all our knowledge and skills into practice.
What was your approach to developing this project?
We were inspired by non-explosive systems and use of more reliable technologies, we developed a decoupling mechanism, using electromagnetism and a mechanical pressure system.
How did your team resolve setbacks and challenges?
We had some team losses that caused many setbacks and at the last minute two people joined the team, thanks to the support of the organizers. When we were almost complete, we left everything behind and started to solve the problem, we organized ourselves to work together, we were always aware of the needs and with a lot of effort we tried to contribute valuable data to the research. Each setback was communicated and we discussed the possible solutions and opted for the most successful ones.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Is there anyone you'd like to thank and why?
We thank Cesar Agusto and Daniel Reynoso for their support for giving us their support to find a solution for our project
And a very special thanks to the members of the team, who despite not knowing each other, we managed to work in harmony with the same objective and at all times offering 100% of their motivation.
References
Adam Sexton, Chris Dayton Ron Wendland Joseph Pellicciotti, "ESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THE GMI LAUNCH LOCKS"
Ed. NASA, pp: 2,3, 4, 7, 8 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20110016488/downloads/20110016488.pdf
Mircea Badescu, Xiaoqi Bao, and Yoseph, "Bar-Cohen Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based launch lock" Ed. Jet Propulsion Lab/Caltech, Pasadena, CA , pp: 1, 2, 6
https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/45484/14-0701_A1b.pdf?sequence=1
Jennifer Stanfield (2010) "The Root of the Problem: What Caused the Ares I-X Parachute to Fail?" Ed. NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/parachute_results.html
Daniel Marín(2017) "Despresurización de una cápsula espacial: el incidente de la Soyuz MS-02" Eureka (personal blog) https://danielmarin.naukas.com/2017/10/21/despresurizacion-de-una-capsula-espacial-el-incidente-de-la-soyuz-ms-02/
Selter magnetic systems, "FUERZA DE ATRACCIÓN LOS ELECTROIMANES" Selters S. A.
http://docs.gestionaweb.cat/1880/forca-de-traccio-dels-electroimants-2.pdf
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucHGZlwFI6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgKvjypXSUs
And Tools:
https://www.canva.com/
SOLIDWORKS
Tags
#releasemechanism # safety #innovation #technology #spacecraft #spaceshuttle #spacedebris #solidworks
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.