Space Oddity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
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What is the point of using shear pins to retain nose cones and body tube sections before ejection?
I can't find an answer on the web apart from on the Apogee advice site. I think they are saying that the purpose of the pins (rivets) is to retain the cone if there is a big pressure differential between the inside of the tube and ambient. That seems to be a logical answer but is it correct? If so, that is a very big pressure difference. I'm sure there must be another reason for using them?
Again, if that is the reason, I'm supposing that acceleration is a factor. At what point should shear pins be used? I can't think of any instance where they would be applied to low, medium, or "low level" high power rockets.
Would appreciate some basic advice on the reason for using them.
SO.
I can't find an answer on the web apart from on the Apogee advice site. I think they are saying that the purpose of the pins (rivets) is to retain the cone if there is a big pressure differential between the inside of the tube and ambient. That seems to be a logical answer but is it correct? If so, that is a very big pressure difference. I'm sure there must be another reason for using them?
Again, if that is the reason, I'm supposing that acceleration is a factor. At what point should shear pins be used? I can't think of any instance where they would be applied to low, medium, or "low level" high power rockets.
Would appreciate some basic advice on the reason for using them.
SO.