During the 2022 Fall semester, students have made significant progress towards our goal of preparing one line of flow for assembly next semester, preparing for metal 3D printing nozzle and injector, and testing pintle injector designs.
The Controls Team has researched and ordered turbine flow meters, check valves, pressure relief valves, and globe valves for the fluid feed system of Pathfinder. The controls team has also created a working electrical circuit with LEDs and potentiometers representing each sensor and valve in the fluid feed system for Pathfinder and has also calculated the theoretical pressure and temperature across the fluid feed system. The controls team has written reports on the testing procedures and usage of the pressure transducer, solenoid valve, flow meter, pressure relief valve, pressure regulator, globe valve, and check valve. The controls team has also tested the stepper motor, and solenoid valves ordered in the previous semester.
The Engineering Design team has created new CAD models for the nozzle and injector of the engine. The nozzle is now shaped as a proper converging-diverging nozzle with regenerative cooling channels, and this model has been 3D printed. The injector design has been recreated for fluid-on-fluid contact in a more simple, manufacturable design than the first iteration. This model has been 3D printed and will be tested on the week of November 28th. The Engineering Design team has also contacted Iowa State and commercial metal 3D printing resources and has written a report detailing metal 3D printing pricing, materials, choices, and justifications.
Currently, the Controls team is working on testing the pressure sensor ordered in the previous semester. The Engineering Design team is working on testing the spray characteristics of the 3D-printed pintle injector. Both tests will take place on the week of November 28th, so wait for an update after that week for more information on these tests.
Injector Cross-Section | Full Injector | Thrust Chamber Cross-Section