I was just a moment ago struck by an idea that is probably a re-invention: parachute deployment by a spring.
Make a floating piston. Attach it by a spring to a vented bulkhead above the motor mount, with a spring in between. The back of the piston and the front of the bulkhead would have small screw eyes or some other kind of attachment points for a string that holds the piston down close to the bulkhead, one attachment centered in the piston and two on the bulkhead diametrically opposite. The ejection charge melts or burns through the string and the piston pushed out the 'chute. The piston probably should pop out rather than hit a stop, so it'd have to be tied to the shock cord.
Here's a rough schematic of the bulkhead:
I haven't worked out how to pull the piston back and attach the string, but I'm sure that's solvable.
Has anybody done this or seen it done?
Make a floating piston. Attach it by a spring to a vented bulkhead above the motor mount, with a spring in between. The back of the piston and the front of the bulkhead would have small screw eyes or some other kind of attachment points for a string that holds the piston down close to the bulkhead, one attachment centered in the piston and two on the bulkhead diametrically opposite. The ejection charge melts or burns through the string and the piston pushed out the 'chute. The piston probably should pop out rather than hit a stop, so it'd have to be tied to the shock cord.
Here's a rough schematic of the bulkhead:
I haven't worked out how to pull the piston back and attach the string, but I'm sure that's solvable.
Has anybody done this or seen it done?