Vent system for detecting fill on a hybrid rocket
yes this one is important
Overview
Over my sophomore year, I developed, tested, manufactured, and owned the system that lived on the top of the N2O tank for my rocketry team’s very first hybrid rocket. The purpose of the system was to be able to control and gauge the nitrous level with a solenoid-controlled dip tube inside the tank. When the fill was at or above the right level (determined by the height of the dip tube), the nitrous would exit the solenoid as a liquid and at a gas if this condition was not met.
Components
The best way to explain this system is to split it up into its core components and give a descritption oe
COMPLICATINS S ED
Vent-RTD Fluid system
This was the main focus of the project. The
1
Top run tank bulkhead
This was the most involved component to make. I was given a template to start with: the top bulkhead on our test stand. My starting point luckily had validated retention and sealing geometries (threads and o-ring grooves respectively) but weighed 3.3lbs and could be optimized and weight reduced for flight and to get more ullage.
Initial CAD of the system with the old bulkhead design. It has filleted internal edges and relatively little volume above the sealing surfaces.
Outcome
- RTD was sketch
- Load cell is better
- This year’s design