High-Level Project Summary
Our strategy to solve the problem was designing a decoupling device between an object and a parachute with mechanical-electrical operation to replace an explosion, which is what's used now; we call it "Heartbreaker". Our device does not need to dispose parts to operate, therefore the device is reusable and does not generate fragments that become space debris right after the explosion. Heartbreaker operates under hemispherical object conditions and considered an earth-like environment while bing developed. It can support 248,478 N and has a safety factor of 1.78. This mechanism can replace all the systems used to launch parachutes or separate objects as stated in the challenge.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
Team integration:
Our team involved to design and develop the requested part within the challenge has been selected with specific skills in mechanics and operation of physical systems. We have 6 engineering students, three of which are majoring on mechatronics, one on computer systems, one on aeronautics and one on industrial. All the collaborators have different strengths and abilities so that a tangible and affordable solution can be found while encountering the least possible issues.
What is Heartbreaker?
Heartbreaker is a connector/disconnector tool intended to replace the currently used parachute cutters and explosive tools. The mechanism we created is capable of separating 2 pieces with a heavy axial load, it does not generate space debris and it can work under the spatial conditions mentioned within the challenge.
Furthermore, all parts of our device are reusable. The piece has a main screw-type mechanism, where both pieces to be attached are screwed together and the rotary movement to disconnect the two points with precision is carried out by a Geared Motor (ZWMD012012).
Safety measures have been proposed to preserve the operation completely free from the rotation (bearings located in both locations).
Specifications of our proposed piece:
Heartbreaker has dimensions of 2cm x10.32cm and weights just 108.35 grams. Our part was modeled, designed and tested with the SolidWorks 2020 software. Furthermore, the measurements and calculations were made with special focus on the strength of the bolts.The considerations of our prototype are within an Earth's atmosphere with a 20 km high drop where the parachute mechanism is opened in the middle of the trip (10 km).
According to our calculations [where we consider that the parachute was opened in conditions on Earth] the prototype is made to withstand an axial of 1.38GPa. Its safety factor is 1.74 (248,478 N) and has an operating temperature -20 to 85 ° C
Space Agency Data
The resources we used from the space agency are:
- the explanatory video about the types of coupling mechanisms currently used.
- the CSM12_Earth_Landing_Subsystem_pp93-98 file located in resources
We used this specially as inspiration, since we used the frangibolt-like element as a base to create a reusable element that is able to disconnect from a parachute after its travel so that the heavy object can land safely.
All the resources we used from the Space Agency Data was focused as the primary source for brainstorming and planning a reusable motor-driven mechanism that can withstand space conditions.
Hackathon Journey
One word that could perfectly sum up our experience is: Challenging. It does sound very simple, mostly because well... it's supposed to be a challenge. However, when we first decided to join this experience, we thought what would be most important was to have a great idea, everything else we didn't think too much about. But, from the very first day we noticed that to complete the challenge we were gonna need a lot more than that. Not only was our creativity tested but also our will to continue working past our regular schedules, our teamwork skills, and mostly our investigation abilities. We struggled, like any other team who's new to Space Apps Challenge. There were many moments in which we were simply stuck, in which we really were thinking of giving up but we pushed each other to the finish line and to turn in something that we are really proud to present: Heartbreaker. We had no idea we had it in us to make such an amazing project and we are really happy with our results, and really just want to express our gratitude to everyone behind Space Apps that made such an amazing experience for us to participate in.
References
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/parachute_results.html
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/parachute_results.html
https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/45484/14-0701_A1b.pdf?sequence=1
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM12_Earth_Landing_Subsystem_pp93-98.pdf
https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/45484/14-0701_A1b.pdf?sequence=1
https://www.voestalpine.com/highperformancemetals/argentina/app/uploads/sites/23/2018/10/Titanio-Grado-2.pdf
https://www.tractermia.com/templado-del-acero/
https://www.upv.es/materiales/Fcm/Fcm02/fcm2_2.html
https://www.zwgearbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ZWMD012012PDF.pdf
http://www.sc.ehu.es/sbweb/fisica/dinamica/paracaidista/paracaidista.html
http://www.sc.ehu.es/sbweb/fisica/dinamica/paracaidista/paracaidista.html
All our visuals were developed with Solid Works 2020
A special thanks to NASA for giving out such amazing resources that made Heartbreak possible
Tags
#hardware
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.