Kelly
Usually remembers to get the pointy end up
I often try to put my AVbay in the nosecone, since it makes sense to have the weight there. This generally means that as the ejection charge blows the NC clear, it is also blowing the 'chute down into the tube. I've been thinking about different options for dealing with this. I've come up with something, not sure if it's been tried, I don't think I've seen it here. Here's what I'm thinking:
On the inside of the sustainer, a few inches below the shoulder of the NC, put a small shelf. (Ignore for the moment that the 'chute could hang up on this; that problem can be solved.) On top of the shelf sits a loose disk, the diameter of the body tube. The shock cord is attached to, and passes through, the disc. The charge well is on the bottom of the nosecone, and when the nosecone is in place, there is a small gap between the NC and the disc. When the ejection charge goes off, the space is pressurized, ejecting the NC forcefully, which pulls out the disc and the laundry.
Advantages of this system:
1) Less BP needed for the charge, as the pressurized volume is smaller
2) Consistent pressurized volume - not dependent on the laundry or motor sizes.
3) Ejection charge does not contact the 'chute nor the majority of harness, eliminating the need for baffles or nomex, not to mention BP residue in tube.
4) Ejection charge cannot push 'chute further down into the body tube
Foreseeable disadvantages:
1) Because of the small pressurization volume, the NC may eject before the charge fully burns, and much of the necessary ejection pressure could be lost.
2) Costs you a few inches of space in body tube (or does it? Seems you could probably have the charge well almost touching the disc.)
Has this been done? Does it make sense?
On the inside of the sustainer, a few inches below the shoulder of the NC, put a small shelf. (Ignore for the moment that the 'chute could hang up on this; that problem can be solved.) On top of the shelf sits a loose disk, the diameter of the body tube. The shock cord is attached to, and passes through, the disc. The charge well is on the bottom of the nosecone, and when the nosecone is in place, there is a small gap between the NC and the disc. When the ejection charge goes off, the space is pressurized, ejecting the NC forcefully, which pulls out the disc and the laundry.
Advantages of this system:
1) Less BP needed for the charge, as the pressurized volume is smaller
2) Consistent pressurized volume - not dependent on the laundry or motor sizes.
3) Ejection charge does not contact the 'chute nor the majority of harness, eliminating the need for baffles or nomex, not to mention BP residue in tube.
4) Ejection charge cannot push 'chute further down into the body tube
Foreseeable disadvantages:
1) Because of the small pressurization volume, the NC may eject before the charge fully burns, and much of the necessary ejection pressure could be lost.
2) Costs you a few inches of space in body tube (or does it? Seems you could probably have the charge well almost touching the disc.)
Has this been done? Does it make sense?