Pyro Valve
Purpose
We are experimenting with alternative actuation mechanisms. This will help to create flight weight actuators to help lower dry mass.
Objective
The pyro valve is meant to demonstrate fast acting and reliable actuation of fluid valves. This involves designing an actuator that can handle the high pressures associated with pyrotechnics as well as a method to automatically safe the actuator post test.
Design
The pyro valve will use some combination of a piston and rack gear to rotate a central gear 90°, opening a ball valve. Instead of bottled high pressure gas the piston will be pressurized with the combustion products of a .22 caliber nail gun blank. This will allow us to quickly pressurize the piston to a much higher pressure than otherwise available with a tiny package.
Initiator
Instead of designing a whole breach system with a mechanical firing pin we have decided to pursue electronic initiation. Electronic initiation will also help with timing actuations with great accuracy, allowing propellant offsets. Tradicially these blanks are set off with a firing pin that crushes the rim, but applying enough electric power will also ignite the cartridge.
