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Leading a multidisciplinary student team to develop a high-performance rocket engine for a cutting-edge regenerative cooling challenge
Leading a multidisciplinary student team to develop a high-performance rocket engine for a cutting-edge regenerative cooling challenge
Maelstrom Engine
Maelstrom Engine
The Maelstrom engine is a 500 lb-f regeneratively cooled pressure-fed RP-1/LOx rocket engine. Designed for the Reaction Research Society regenerative cooling challenge, the thruster utilizes an advanced bi-liquid coaxial injector design for maximum propellant and oxidizer atomization.
Injector manifold CAD Design
Developed a parametric CAD model of a coaxial swirl injector manifold in Autodesk Fusion 360.
Due to its complex geometry, the manifold had to be designed with additive manufacturing constraints in mind.
The manifold will be printed utilizing Selective Laser Sintering and will be manufactured out of Inconel.
Injector element water flow test
Orchestrated a water flow test campaign of a bi-liquid coaxial swirl injector element to determine orifice discharge coefficient values and validate proper propellant and oxidizer atomization.
Implemented a data acquisition system utilizing pressure transducers and a microcontroller
FEA structural analysis
Conducted an ANSYS static structural analysis of the injector manifold to evaluate stresses caused by chamber pressure, manifold pressure, and the structural bolts securing the injector to the thrust mount.
Calculated the minimum safety factor to confirm structural integrity.
Torch Ignitor Campaign
Torch Ignitor Campaign
Designed and manufactured an aluminum torch igniter to serve as the ignition source for the Maelstrom engine and our turbopump project. Fed by gaseous oxygen and hydrogen, the ignitor is optimized for reliable ignition while also being low-cost and easy to manufacture using traditional methods.
Torch Igniter Design
The torch ignitor features a total of 5 O ring boss ports for the fuel and oxidizer inlets, a pressure transducer, a spark plug adapter, and a union used to connect to the main engine.
Apart from being a functional piece of hardware, the torch is also the centerpiece of a manufacturing training campaign meant to teach onboarding members the basics of computer-aided design and manufacturing.
DAQ System Electronics Buildup
Developed a data acquisition system for the torch hot fire. The controller has access to a relay board which allows control over three solenoid valves, a spark plug, and three pressure transducers.
Selected proper wiring for the pressure transducers to prevent interference in the data cables. Designed for manual and automatic abort modes to ensure safety of operation
Hot Fire Sequencer Software
I developed a Python script to interface with a LabJack T7, reading pressure transducers and controlling solenoid valves and a spark plug during a torch hot fire test. The sequencer reads off of an external file to automate solenoid valve actuation and spark plug ignition.
Created a real-time GUI to display pressure readings, valve states, and PID controller feedback, allowing operators to easily monitor and adjust the system during the test.
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