High-Level Project Summary
Our project wants to simulate a separation device to avoid abrupt release of space capsules, without the use of pyrotechnics.A device was developed that meets the requirements of the challenge thanks to its geometry and the principle of a solenoid valve (NC), which by applying a magnetic field is capable of contracting its plunger and when it is allowed to supply current it will withdraw to its state initial.To solve the challenge, the Fusion 360 and Inventor software is used for the visualization of the project and a study of the material will be carried out that complies with all the characteristics of the spatial process environment.This system is important for secure of quipment.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
Our project is a separation device that is responsible for releasing the different parts of a rocket without a violent expulsion as what we commonly know as pyrotechnic devices. This project will help reduce the abruptness of the capsule ejection and will address the safety of the equipment and satellites within the rocket.
How does it work? Well, it's simple, we use the principle of a normally closed solenoid valve that when a magnetic field is applied to it is capable of contracting its plunger and when it stops supplying current, it withdraws returning to its initial state. In the case of our project, we are using a design like a banana plug that has two parts that when connected can pass current and are easy to separate. To include the solenoid we organize the structure and place the coil inside the female plug and the male plug will function as the valve plunger. For the operation of this logic, we have to select special materials that can be adapted to the conditions that are required. For the female connector we selected carbon fiber material, because when working with a magnetic field it cannot be a conductive material, it is also flexible and will help to support the entry of the male plug. Then the male plug has to be a magnet so we chose neodymium for this part. The structure and design of our device is very beneficial for mechanical resistance, guaranteeing the safety of the device's grip.
In simple words, thanks to the materials used when the coil is powered by electric current and the piston enters the inside of the female connector, the union between the capsule and the rocket would be ensured thanks to the magnetic field of the solenoid and when the capsule needs to be separated, we only have to invert the polarity for the expulsion. The beneficial part is that we do not use a violent explosion and the method is safe.
To demonstrate our idea, we used two functional simulation software, Fusion 360 for device design and Autodesk Inventor to analyze material strength. We hope to meet the challenge requirements and demonstrate the importance of this issue affecting space travel safety.
Space Agency Data
Reviewing the different resources provided by the NASA space agency, we analyzed the existing uncoupling systems such as gripping systems, cutting, expansion of material with memory, seeing as a common factor drive mechanisms with micro explosions which generates wear and damage to the system, making it not reusable for such reason taking as reference and inspiration the geometry of some of these systems we implemented a magnetic uncoupling system which aims to have a simple, resistant, efficient and reusable system in its use.
Hackathon Journey
The Space App program provides you with a comforting experience, as it encourages the development of new inventions and applications that are not only related to spatial data. They also make information related to each project available to the participants, which broadens their knowledge and encourages their thirst for research, and has mentors who are willing to answer your doubts at any time in a very friendly way.
Thanks to this program, new topics were learned of which previously there was no knowledge but which are based on a reality; Similarly, when investigating the possible solution of our project, the research sources, articles and publications provided by Space Apps that contributed to the final solution were used.
For the selection of the project, its feasibility, its complexity and finally the possibility of implementing easily accessible equipment and / or tools were taken into consideration. The greatest inspiration was to be able to implement a solution to avoid the use of pyrotechnics in the release of space capsules having time as the main adversary.
The main focus of the system is to develop a solution that does not use pyrotechnics, since these can cause damage to satellites that are nearby, and replace it with equipment that avoids forced and noisy separation when releasing the space capsules.
For the development of each deliverable, the availability of each member was considered and based on this, a brief meeting was held in which each one contributed their ideas and solutions to the project's problems. Likewise, the key points touched were sent via WhatsApp; Discord was also used as a faster and safer way to answer questions and queries.
The main gratitude is to each member of the team, since despite not having the most time, they were present and did not give up in the face of obstacles. On the other hand, to the closest relatives of each member who provided encouragement and were a fundamental piece in the development of the project.
References
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flseBQOwh8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ke45XZns4o&list=PL37Yhb2zout05pUjr7OoRFpTNroq_wd9f&index=16
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2020/ip_8.html
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20110016488/downloads/20110016488.pdf
https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/45484/14-0701_A1b.pdf?sequence=1
Tags
#software, #inventor, #fusion, #device, #rocket, #RASUTP, #RAS, #Space