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Phase I News
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Meeting
Minutes
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November
18 , 2002 |
| Meeting minutes for Monday, 11/18. [view]
- Ignition on Labscale
- Injector head
- Test Plans
- CDR
- Data Acquisition
- Documentation
- Fuel
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Meeting
Minutes
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November
11 , 2002 |
| Meeting minutes for Monday, 11/11. [view]
- Labscale Testing
- End of week goals
- Schedule
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Meeting
Minutes
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November
4, 2002 |
| Meeting minutes for Monday, 11/4. [view]
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Meeting
Minutes
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October 28,
2002 |
| Meeting minutes for Monday, 10/28. [view]
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Meeting
Minutes
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October 9,
2002 |
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Meeting minutes for Wednesday, 10/9. [view]
- Labscale Testing
- N2O Questions
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Meeting
Minutes
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October 7,
2002 |
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Meeting minutes for Monday, 10/7. [view]
- Subsystem Definition
- Hypergolics/Ignition
- Labscale Testing?
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Meeting
Minutes
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September
30 , 2002 |
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Meeting minutes for Monday, 9/30. [view]
- Definition of Project Requirements and Goals
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Conceptual Design Review
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September
25 , 2002 |
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We had a Conceptual Design Review today with the Aerospace department.
It went well.
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Meeting Minutes
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September
16 , 2002 |
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Meeting minutes for Friday, 9/16. [view]
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New Team
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September
6 , 2002 |
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After a long summer break from the project, it's back in full swing.
A new team is taking over and is ready to take on the next step
of Phase I.
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TEST FIRE!!
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June 27,
2002 |
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We fired the engine twice using two different grain sections: Mx1-L-3
and Mx1-L-4.
The first shot went for 4 seconds and had the following performance:
Pc=400psi, Plox=500psi, burntime=4sec, thrust=800lbf (estimated).
The second one was an amazing nominal performer, up until the last
1/4 second when a material failure in the injector caused a blowout.
It had the following performance: Pc=500psi, Plox=850psi, burntime=4sec,
thrust=1000lbf (estimated).
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More Setup
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June 26,
2002 |
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We almost fired the engine today, but just ran out of time. We
did do another LN2 flow test, though, to show lockheed how the injector
and lox system work together..
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Engine Setup
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June 21,
2002 |
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Spent the day making a fixture to mount the test stand to, and
working on the initial setup of the engine system.
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Cleaned LOX
System
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June 19 and
20, 2002 |
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Today we spent the day cleaning part of the LOX system at Lockheed
Martin in Littleton. We weren't allowed to take pictures while we
were there, though.
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Changed Rooms
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June 13,
2002 |
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Today we moved from room 2B07 to 2B05 in the ITLL because they
really wanted to wax their floor. What a waste of time.
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1.5 MEOP
Hydrostatic Test
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June 12,
2002 |
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The LOX system was hydrostatically tested today to 1.5 MEOP (1200
psi) for five minutes without any troubles. This was an important
milestone. [pic]
[more]
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Injectors Upgraded
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June 11,
2002 |
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The bottom injector plates were upgraded today to be able to use
tapered bolts with teflon washers instead of the original socket
head bolts. The taper idea was hydrostatically tested to 1100 psi
for 5 minutes and worked well. [pic]
[more]
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1.1 MEOP Bubble Test
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June 10,
2002 |
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The LOX system was tested to 1.1 MEOP (880 psi) with no problems.
Very good to see. We put the main lox valve vent upstream and it
worked much better. Big relief.
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Liquid Nitrogen Flow Testing Conducted
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June 08,
2002 |
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Today we learned how the LOX system behaves with cryogenics, and
conducted flow tests through the injector with liquid nitrogen.
It was very sucessfull and informative. The Gortex gasket worked
perfectly. [pic]
[more]
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Injector Gasket
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June 07,
2002 |
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Lee was able to make a very cool injector gasket with a full piece
of Gortex. We expect it will hold up well in tomorrow's liquid nitrogen
tests. [pic]
[more]
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Third LOX Feed System Performance Tests Conducted
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June 04,
2002 |
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The LOX Feed System had its third performance tests done today
to evaluate how the system behaves with a second pressurant valve
in parallel with the first. It worked perfectly and gave us amazing
results. It's ready for liquid nitrogen testing now. [pic]
[more]
[DataQ]
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DataQ Unit Updated
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June 03,
2002 |
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The DataQ unit was updated with an internal 5v regulator so that
we can power it from a battery and a 100' long serial extension
cable so that the control station isn't bound to the test stand
so closely. [pic]
[more]
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Sparker Hydrostatically Tested
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May 26, 2002
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The sparker unit that goes in the injector head was hydrostatically
tested to 1000 psi today to verify that the concept works under
pressure. It worked very well. [pic]
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Second LOX Feed System Performance Tests Conducted
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May 21, 2002
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The LOX Feed System had its second performance tests done today
to evaluate how the system behaves with a second pressurant valve
in parallel with the first. It worked well, but the nitrogen tank
ran low, making the data we took questionable. [pic]
[more]
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Engine Stand Started
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May 21, 2002
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We started building the engine stand portion of the test stand
today, and got about half finished with it. The structure is complete,
but the linear bearing rails need to be finished.
[pic]
[more]
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Initial LOX Feed System Performance Tests Conducted
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May 20, 2002
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The LOX Feed System had its initial performance tests done today
to evaluate how the system behaves with water flow. We found the
that neither the pressurant valve nor the vent valve is adequate.
Data acquisition was used to record real-time data of the testing.
[pic]
[more]
[DataQ]
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Thrust Stand Designed and Built
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May 17, 2002
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We designed and built the thrust stand portion of the test stand
in the last two days. It turned out well, and we'll try to test
it next week. [pic]
[more]
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First LOX Feed Functional Water Test
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May 16, 2002
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The first functional water test of the LOX Feed System was conducted
satisfactorily today. Accurate data wasn't taken, but it appears
(from rough estimates) to be working as designed. [pic]
[more]
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LOX Feed System Stand Build
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May 14, 2002
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The stand for the LOX Feed System was designed and built today.
Its made of 1" square steel tube. [pic]
[more]
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Graduation
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May 10, 2002
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About half of the team graduated today as real Aerospace Engineers.
Congratulations!!
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Initial LOX Feed System Testing
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May 5, 2002
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Today we did some preliminary Liquid Oxygen Feed System testing.
This involved filling the system with helium to 700 psi. We didn't
go any higher because of the cost (lots of helium) and because we
had some leak issues to deal with. We'll proceed with nitrogen gas
and water this week. [pic]
[more]
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Lockheed
Martin
Sponsorship
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April 30,
2002 |
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Lockheed Martin Astronautics has decided to sponsor us. They will
be letting us use their test stand, providing some engineering services,
and various other limited support. This is possibly some of the
best news we've ever had!
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Second LOX tank
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April 30,
2002 |
| The second scuba tank that will be used
in the LOX feed system arrived today. [pic] |
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Missed
Test Fire Date
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April 19,
2002 |
| We bailed out of the opportunity to test
down in New Mexico. The site couldn't guarantee that we would be able
to test if we came down, pending another test that had priority over
ours. |
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EEF Grant
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April 15,
2002 |
| We got awarded $5,000 from the Engineering
Excellence Fund at CU! This is nice because it will help pay for our
own test equipment, and set up next year's team with some money. [proposal] |
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First LOX Tank
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April 15,
2002 |
| We got in the first scuba tank for the LOX
feed system today. It was ordered on eBay for 1/3 the price of a new
one. [pic] |
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LOX Feed System
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April 12,
2002 |
| We started building our own LOX feed system
because it looks like New Mexico won't be able to supply us with theirs
any longer. [pic]
[more] |
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DataQ System
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April 11,
2002 |
| We got in the DataQ system today that will
be used to take our automated data. [pic] |
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Phenolic
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April 10,
2002 |
| We finally received our phenolic tube and
cut it into the pre- and post-combustor sections. [pic]
[more] |
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Grains cut and weighed
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April 08,
2002 |
| All of the grains were cut and weighed today
in anticipation of a possible April 19th test date in NM. |
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Injector Discharge Coefficient Tests
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April 06,
2002 |
| We tested some simulated injector holes
in order to determine the discharge coefficient (Cd) in anticipation
of drilling out the injector. [pic]
[more]
[data] |
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LOX Seminar
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April 04,
2002 |
| Mark Caveizel hosted a lecture on the components
of and operation of a liquid oxygen feed system. It was very comprehensive
and we learned a lot. |
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More Ignitor Tests Again
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March 26,
2002 |
| We tested the integration of a full-sized
fuel grain, the second injector plate, and two minichambers together
to learn more about how the fuel burns and interacts with the chamber.
It was very successfull. [pic]
[more] |
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Second Injector Plate Finished
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March 26,
2002 |
| The second bottom injector plate was finished
today. It has 6 oxygen holes and 6 propane holes instead of the 3
and 5 that the first design had. [pic]
[more] |
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More Ignitor Tests
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March 22,
2002 |
| We tested the integration of the spark ignition
system for the fuel grains on the injector plates today. We had nothing
but unreal success. [pic]
[more] |
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Mx1-L-6 Grains Finished
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March 22,
2002 |
| Finished up with the 6th engine-worth of
grains. |
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Second Chamber Hydro Test
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March 17,
2002 |
| We hydrotested the second chamber with the
first mini-chamber attached today to 1000 psi. The test was succussfull.
[pic]
[more] |
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Mx1-L-5 Grains Finished
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March 14,
2002 |
| Finished up with the 5th engine-worth of
grains. [pic]
[more] |
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Fourth Nozzle Completed
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March 06,
2002 |
| Walt and Iwaskow are still machines. They
finished the fourth graphite nozzle today. No more will be made until
after we test in New Mexico and see how these perform. |
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Mx1-L-4 Grains Finished
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March 06,
2002 |
| Finished up with the 4th engine-worth of
grains. [pic]
[more] |
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Ignitor Tests
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March 02,
2002 |
| We tested the basic operation of the ignitors
with the injector plates today. It was sucessfull at proving the basic
design for the injector. [pic]
[more] |
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Third Nozzle Completed
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February
28, 2002 |
| Walt and Iwaskow are machines. They finished
the third nozzle today. [pic]
[more] |
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Mx1-L-3 Engine Grains Finished
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February
26, 2002 |
| Finished curing the third engine grains.
[pic]
[more] |
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First Test Injector Finished
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February
20, 2002 |
| The injector is now ready for testing. Most
likely this one won't be used for engine testing, but is going to
be used to test the ignitor idea. [pic]
[more] |
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Nozzle Chambers Completed
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February
19, 2002 |
| Iwaskow finished these fine parts that will
house the nozzle and part of the post-combustor section. They will
also be used in injector tests. [pic] |
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Mx1-L-2 Engine Grains A, B, C Finished
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February
18, 2002 |
| These are the second set of grains. They
are only a partial engine, though. The additional two will be made
later. They turned out very nice. [pic] |
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EEF Proposal Submitted
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February
14, 2002 |
| We submitted another proposal to the Engineering
Excellence Fund today. Hopefully we'll get the entire amount we asked
for. [proposal] |
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Mx1-L-1 Engine Grains Finished
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February
14, 2002 |
| These are the first set of grains that comprise
a complete engine. They turned out very nice. [pic]
[more] |
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Additional Faculty Advisor
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February
11, 2002 |
| Professor Jean
Koster has officially become an advisor for the project. Welcome
aboard professor! |
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Third Combustion Chamber
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February
11, 2002 |
| The third combustion chamber has been finished.
This is the last one that will be made for a while. [pic] |
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Second Nozzle
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January 20,
2002 |
| The second nozzle was finished today. Similar
to the first one, but only rated to generate 750 lb thrust. |
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Preliminary Design Review
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December
05, 2001 |
| Our Preliminary Design Review is today at
3pm in the Onizuka Conference Room in the Aerospace wing of the Engineering
Center. |
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First Nozzle
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December
04, 2001 |
| The first nozzle was manufactured today. It is very
very cool. Walt and Iwaskow did a knockout job on it, with the help
of Matt Rhode (Aero Machine Shop). It's rated for 1000 lb thrust.
[pic]
[more] |
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Fuel Mixer
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December
04, 2001 |
| The fuel mixer was moved into the lab today, and is
mostly finished and ready for service. Dwayne and Kanter did a very
impressive job on it. [pic]
[more] |
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Combustion Chamber Hydrostatic Test
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November
27 , 2001 |
| The Combustion chamber was sucessfully hydrostatically
tested today to 1000 psi. The flanges and gaskets worked perfectly.
[pic]
[more] |
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First full-scale test grain
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November
11 , 2001 |
| Grain test #12 was put in the oven this evening. It
is a major advancement in design from test #3 that used the first
prototype mold. [pics] |
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Cure oven thermostat
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November
5 , 2001 |
| The cure ovens were retrofitted with a thermostat in
order to allow them to be left on continuously. It works quite well.
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EEF Proposal
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November
1 , 2001 |
| The EEF committee awarded us $1,000 for our nozzle proposal
that we submitted. It will be very useful. [proposal] |
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Combustion Chamber Work
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October 25,
2001 |
| Serious work on the combustion chambers started today.
The flanges were worked out in MasterCAD and put on the CNC, welded
on, and lathed flat. A hydrostatic test will be performed as soon
as the first chamber is flanged. [pics] |
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EEF Mini Proposal Submitted
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October 19,
2001 |
| A mini-proposal to the Engineering Excellence Fund was
submitted to get funding for the nozzle research that we recently
started. We could be awarded a maximum of $1000.00. [proposal] |
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First test date extended
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October 10,
2001 |
| After a long discussion within the team, a new test
date was set based on current progress. January 11/12/13th will be
when we plan on firing off our first engines. |
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First HTPB/IPDI tests conducted
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October 02,
2001 |
| We used the ITLL fume hood to prepare two test samples
of HTPB cured with IPDI. No carbon black or crosslinker was added.
The purpose of this test was to resolve mix ratio questions. One used
8% by mass IPDI, the other, 15%. [pics]
[results] |
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Grain casings have arriven
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October 01,
2001 |
| The sono-tube grain casings arrived today. They'll be
cut tomorrow into 6-foot lengths. [pic] |
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Faculty Update / Conceptual Design Review
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September
28 , 2001 |
| We had our CDR in the Lockheed Martin room to update
people on our status. Attendees were: Prof. John Sunkel, Walt Lund,
Prof. Lakshmi Kantha, Mark Caviezel, and the Team. |
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Cure ovens completed
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September
24 , 2001 |
| The grain cure ovens are completed. [pics] |
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New Mexico test site visit
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September
24 , 2001 |
| Took a road trip down to NM to see a 'P' motor firing
at the aRocket test site. Looks like they are still somewhat willing
to work with us. |
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Combustion chambers arrive
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September
12 , 2001 |
| The seamless carbon steel combustion chambers arrived
at the ITLL today. Cumulatively, they weigh about 400 lbs. [pics] |
Fall 2001
Semester starts
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August 27,
2001 |
| Our senior year is finally starting. Now that most things
are figured out in the logistics sense, we should be making some significant
progress on the design, construction and testing of the engines. |
Vacuum Pump,
Mixer motor
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August 14,
2001 |
| We aquired a nice vacuum pump (for making grains) and
a geared motor for the mixer. Both were a very reasonable $180 apiece. |
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HTPB
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August 2,
2001 |
| We have received our first shipment of HTPB from Sartomer.
Got a 55 gal drum of it, which we placed in our studio. [pics] |
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Test Site
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July 25,
2001 |
| Looks like the test site that we'll be using for any
significant test firings will be down in New Mexico. Ray Calkins of
aRocket has a very nice stand
down there, and has been very generous to the project. |
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Cure Ovens
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July 20,
2001 |
| Construction on the grain cure ovens has been started.
We're building two of them for now. Check out the [pics]
here. |
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Hybrid Decision
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June 23,
2001 |
| After a long trade study, we decided to switch propulsion
from an aluminized AP/HTPB solid to a LOX/HTPB Hybrid engine. Why?
Research opportunity, cost, feasability, risk, potential performance. |
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News Start
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June 23,
2001 |
| Started this page. |
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