Saturday, September 30, 2006, 06:30 PM
The second major work day for the fall occurred today, with a packed shop. As many as 20 students and ASA engineers worked in the ASA shop today on both the computer and propulsion engineering teams. To start the day, the propulsion team assembled the propellant tanks that were painted last week:
After this long task, the team took a break and reviewed the rocket motor design homework that the students worked on during the previous week. This led to more discussions about the design, and then back to the nozzle shape study, which two students will complete in the following week.
Next, we broke into a few smaller teams. One team assembled the wooden test stand mockup, another team started creating a bracket to mount a pneumatic valve actuator to the main alcohol valve, and the third team started assembling the low pressure helium system plumbing - which including some tube flaring practice:
Also, we needed to mount the motor injector on the mockup test stand, so several students got a chance to use the drill press to drill a few holes in the injector for the mounting bolts:
To end the day, Laura reviewed the fluid dynamics (plumbing) system equations with the students, answered many questions, and then assigned homework for the upcoming week. The next work day will be October 7, starting at 9am.
| permalink
Saturday, September 23, 2006, 03:30 PM
After a break for the summer, the propulsion and computer engineering teams are back in action. Today these two talented teams of students met for a long initial work day which was very successful. This work day occurred at a new facility, owned by Boeing. Boeing donated the use of this room to ASA for the fall, and we are very appreciative.
The propulsion team started the day setting up our work area, then started prepping the alcohol tank and propellant tank stand for painting. After applying an initial coat of primer to the tank and stand, the seven students then learned about basic rocket nozzle design theory from Jeremiah:
After another coat of primer and a nozzle lecture wrap up, we broke for lunch. Following lunch, the group learned about types of plumbing components and proper assembly techniques for threaded pipe. Next, the students learned about the basics of fluid dynamics from Laura and got an overview of combustion chamber ablative cooling systems from Amanda.
This was followed by more painting:
To end the day, Rob explained the basics of rocket motor design theory, and walked the students through the equations needed to calculate the basic shape of our rocket motor.
Lastly the students received homework for next week - First, using the equations presented by Rob, calculate the performance of the ASA rocket motor and the diameters of the combustion chamber and nozzle throat. Next, using these two diameters and the equations outlined by Jeremiah, design the subsonic portion of a rocket nozzle small enough for the ASA rocket. Finally, using the fluid dynamics principles outlined by Laura, calculate the pressure drop in the first section of piping upstream of the rocket motor injector.
Overall, it was a good work day and we got a lot accomplished. The next work day for the propulsion team will be 9/30 from 9am to 4pm.
| permalink
Saturday, June 24, 2006, 09:04 PM
Today, the propulsion team assembled the bolted connections of the tank stand for the first time. The welded components of the tank stand were welded together by Nathan Smith on June 22 (thanks again, Nathan) and the complete structure was completed today. The stand was quite rigid and performed well.
Here is the assembled stand, with propellant tanks and plumbing installed:
After assembling the tank stand, we plumbed the fuel side of the rocket motor from the helium tank to the exit of the main valve. The helium tank, in this case, was the other propellant tank. Using compressed air and water, we tested the pressure losses through the fuel system plumbing. The system used actual hardware where possible, with the exception a few extra pipe fittings, two rubber hoses and a garden hose sprayer that was used to simulate the pressure loss of the injector (which is not yet complete). This setup can be seen below:
Using compressed air and water, we demonstrated the fuel side pressure losses within 5% of the predicted values. Considering this was a low pressure test, though, the water flow was slow enough to stay laminar in most of the valves and lines so future tests are needed to develop a complete pressure loss profile. These tests will be performed when ASA begins again this fall.
| permalink
Back Next
