Good Idea Fairy: Hybrid sensor to notify LCO that venting has occurred

[cwbullet]

Ok, this is a military term: "Goof Idea Fairy". I have an idea for a sensor at the away cell that detects the temperature drop from venting and notifies the LCO that a launch is possible. Has anyone done it before?

 

[KennB]

Yes, the late Bill Spadafora had built a remote system for the hybrid rockets he and other CMASS members flew. His profession was plumbing and he held a bachelors degree from Tufts in Mechanical Engineering. A rocket could be set up at the HPR pad with the system and then be triggered remotely to fill the rocket's tank when that pad's turn came up. There was a flashing white light to indicate the system was operating. A thermocouple would be positioned next to the vent as past of the set up. When the TC sensed the temperature drop, a yellow flashing light was triggered. This signaled the LCO to wrap up the patter and start the count down.

 

[dhbarr]

Vent sensor and dump valve are, IIUC, two of the features that higher end GSE has.

 

[Voyager1]

Yes, in the wireless hybrid controller I am currently building I use a temperature sensor adjacent the Nitrous vent to detect when the venting occurs. This event is transmitted to the launch controller at the LCO table and a beeper sounds at the pad.

 

[jderimig]

Yes I did one about 10 years ago and sold a few. Bill Spadafora used it.

Edit: If there is interest I will make another run. But I will need at least 20 committed orders to make it worthwhile. Which likely means it will never happen.

 

[cwbullet]

Yes, in the wireless hybrid controller I am currently building I use a temperature sensor adjacent the Nitrous vent to detect when the venting occurs. This event is transmitted to the launch controller at the LCO table and a beeper sounds at the pad.

Cool stuff

 

[KennB]

Yes I did one about 10 years ago and sold a few. Bill Spadafora used it.

Edit: If there is interest I will make another run. But I will need at least 20 committed orders to make it worthwhile. Which likely means it will never happen.

Hi John. Thanks for this information. I knew Bill got some of the system from a vendor but I didn't know who.
You're right, with the win at the Supreme Court level, the popularity of hybrids has fallen off. Getting 20 clubs/individuals who want one now would be tough.
One of our club members has expressed interest in taking control of the equipment but nothing has happened in that vein yet.

 

[H_Rocket]

Yes I did one about 10 years ago and sold a few. Bill Spadafora used it.

Edit: If there is interest I will make another run. But I will need at least 20 committed orders to make it worthwhile. Which likely means it will never happen.

I still want one...