1. Project M.E.T.E.O.R. Flying Rocket Team P07109 Combustion Assembly
From Left: Luke Cadin (ME), Dave Hall (ME), Geoff Cassell (ME), Brian Whitbeck (ME), Zack Mott (ME), Andrew Scarlata - Team Leader (ME), Garett Pickett (EE)
P07109
Introduction: Project METEOR (Microsystems Engineering and Technology for the Exploration of Outer Space Regions) is a hands-on, multi-phase, multi-disciplinary, teaching, and research program for investigating and developing micro-systems technologies for the exploration and utilization of outer space. The short term goal of this project is to put small payloads into low Earth orbits. The long term goal is to land the payloads on near Earth asteroids and lunar surfaces. The project is currently in its construction phase. The main objective of the Flying Rocket team is to construct and ground test a flight ready rocket stage.
Top Shell
The top shell is made of aluminum, and houses the pressure vessel while providing a concentric surface for guidance system integration.
Pressure Vessel
The composite overwound pressure vessel holds the nitrous oxide (N2O). It is rated to 3295 psi.
Middle Shell
The middle shell is made of aluminum and houses the NODS. It is fastened to the top shell by a custom machined aluminum bracket, and is fastened to the bottom shell through the injector plate.
Nitrous Oxide Delivery System (NODS)
The nitrous oxide fuel delivery system is the internal plumbing system that controls the flow of the liquid fuel oxidizer from the pressure vessel to the rocket engine. The flow is controlled with a series of check valves, a servo-actuated high-pressure ball valve and a quick-disconnect mechanism.
Injector Plate
The injector plate is machined out of Grade 2 Titanium for its weldability to the bottom shell. It contains a pattern of 9 injector holes which flash the N2O into a vapor.
Bottom Shell
The bottom shell is made of grade 5 titanium and houses the combustion assembly. It is welded to the injector plate. Grade 5 titanium shows high strength at elevated temperatures and is lighter than steel.
Insulation
Nozzle
Post-Combustion Chamber
Fuel Grain
Pre-Combustion Chamber
Injector Plate
Combustion Assembly
Ignition System
The Igniter uses a PWM signal from a micro-controller and filters it through a low pass filter. It then ramps up current through the ignitor as a function of the PWM duty cycle using Darlington configured transistors.
Special thanks to our advisors, Dorin Patru & Jeffrey Kozak, Dave Hathaway and the rest of the machine shop staff, and all others in the RIT community that supported project METEOR.