Random Flying Object
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- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
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- 455
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Yes, the rail buttons(size 15) fully retract to conform to the body tube. They are pneumatically actuated and triggered from the flight computer. The button shown will get replaced by a conformal teflon button after final alignment to the body tube. During my initial research for this project I was absolutely amazed at how much drag rail buttons account for. I have seen numbers up around 30%. I understand the weight trade off may not be in my favor, but they sure look cool.
Ahh who cares about the weight that IS cool as hell :headbang:
Random Flying Object,
Sure would like to see the cam / rocker mechanism if you wouldn't mind sharing?
Feckless
Is that Kapton tape for cable bundling?
Random Flying Object,
May I please ask what you're flying as data logger? Thermocouples and an optical pyrometer are off standard equipment.
Feckless
The conduits carry a few lines: 2x CAT5e(one for ethernet and PoE, the other is pad interlocks, both are pad breakaway connection), staging igniter connector, several thermocouples running down the length of the motor tube, optical pyrometry fiber exposed to exhaust gas, three precision ground ejector pins for stage release, over pressure exhaust(part of stage separation pneumatics), pneumatic line for rail button retracts, and one last conduit that reenforces a piece of all thread that runs up to the aft AV bay bulk head.
View attachment 174150
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Wow, I think I just rocket-geeked all over myself.
Random Flying Object,
Yeah, that's a well organized collection of parts. Is it fair to say your primary gig is automated test equipment?
Feckless
The retrackable rail buttons are way cool looks like a lot of weight and headache. Could'nt you have the rail buttons spring loaded
Random Flying Object,
Yeah, that's a well organized collection of parts. Is it fair to say your primary gig is automated test equipment?
Feckless
"Random Flying Object" would be a good name for it
:y:The conduits carry a few lines: 2x CAT5e(one for ethernet and PoE, the other is pad interlocks, both are pad breakaway connection), staging igniter connector, several thermocouples running down the length of the motor tube, optical pyrometry fiber exposed to exhaust gas, three precision ground ejector pins for stage release, over pressure exhaust(part of stage separation pneumatics), pneumatic line for rail button retracts, and one last conduit that reenforces a piece of all thread that runs up to the aft AV bay bulk head.
View attachment 174150
Sent from my iPad using Rocketry Forum
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