David Barnes, Sofija Mihajlova, Andrej Stojkovski and Mihail Naskov
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Topic:
to design a mechanical separation device that can cut a parachute reefing line, a bolt for an adapter ring, or a cable, or release two parts from each other smoothly in space without pyrotechnics.
Constraints:
Your device should survive temperatures of -50C to +80C
Your device should operate between 0C to +40C
No net debris should be allowed to escape. Everything needs to be captured or attached to one static body or the other.
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Process
Brainstorming and research
Look into low-shock devices capable of either releasing payload due to object separation or being triggered remote/on a timer.
Looked at military aircraft weapon platforms i.e. systems that focused on releasing bombing payloads.
Design and layout
Where these devices will be placed and how they can be triggered to work properly.
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Device
The device as though up by Mihail Naskov.
Using the reefer lines are held by a screw, on the other side, the screw is being held by a rotation device, such as a DC motor
When prompted, the device(dc motor in this case rotates), unscrewing the screw, releasing the lines
The motor can be triggered by a plc timer to go off after a certain amount of time after the payload covering is removed.
the DC is surrounded by a layer of heaters to adjust temperature, so it doesn't freeze nor melt
the bolts conduct temperature from the heaters, so they are also unlikely to freeze/melt
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Further addition can be made with the use of a HDRM
HDRM- Hold Down and Release Mechanism
Attaching a HDRM to the body of the satellite/payload and other parts that need to be held in place during launch with the reefing lines.
Once triggered by the motor the reefing lines would be pulled from the anchors of the HDRM for a low-shock transition
Thus limiting the possible damage to the satellite/payload and space debris.