1. Effect of Rocket Airfoils Project by: Panayotis Manganaris Kent Johnson 2. Understanding: What to do? Basically, do something with rockets. Launch model rockets Modify them and observe effects Try to fly the highest Focus on design modifications Nose cones Airfoils Body types Use the 3-D printer! 3. Explore: Most interesting experiments Nose Cones: rocket aerodynamics At this scale the differences are likely negligible Airfoils: stabilizing the rocket How many airfoils are best? Or, variable designs Airfoils appear to be the most intriguing aspect of rocket design, even most important 3-D printer could be used 4. Define: Rockets and propulsion Three separate rockets, each sporting three of each airfoil model propulsion method: electrically fired B6-4 model rocket engine: https://youtu.be/cyMPPEpgIcQ 5. Ideate: Assessing the effects of airfoils Model, create, and apply different airfoil designs Model in Autodesk Inventor software Use 3-D printer to produce designs Attach to 3 separate model rockets identical except for coloration and airfoils types. Test Printing Finished Designs Round Standard Long 6. Prototype: Will it fly? No simulations were conducted to test the capabilities of each wing Knowing the results from the CO2 racing car project, it appeared that aerodynamics were irrelevant at this scale The best way to determine airfoil design effectiveness was to assemble a rocket and perform a few test launches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00tAXvdUuFE&feature=youtu.be Airfoil tested: default design Height (estimate): ~100 meters from ground at peak Correlates with later measured heights. 7. Refining project: Measure height Used special height finder to determine specifics. Weighted pendulum swings along preset numbers to indicate heights Based off 150 meter default Baseline divide numbers by three for 50 meter Baseline 50 Meters h 8. Back to prototyping Failure of the Rounded wing See results for specifics Consistently turned over mid-flight Evidently, not a good airflow over the wings Will Long wing do any better? 9. Used hot glue to layer a thin, smooth surface over the printed wings. Did porous surface affect flight? Answer: no notable difference (see results) Refine: Sealing Pores Before After (shiny glue) 10. The rounded wing rocket failed to impress The long wing was only marginally better Note that the long wing was very similar to the round wing for the most part Refine: Changing Configuration Does airfoil width matter more? 11. Solution: Standard v. Wide Wide airfoil structure: 1. Wider than base 2. Not much longer 3. Massive success Ironic Nose-dive 12. Solution: Flight Heights ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Trial 1 Measurement Trial 2 Measurement Trial 3 Measurement Standard Wing 104 meters, 64 from 50 meters 91 2/3 meters, 60 from 50 meters Rocket lost after second trial Rounded Wing 15 2/3 meters, 18 from 50 meters 17 1/3 meters, 19 from 50 meters 18 1/3 meters, 20 from 50 meters (after sealing) Long Wing 24 2/3 meters, 26from 50 meters (sealed) Due to structural similarity to round wing and unsurprising result, tests discontinued Wide Wing 99 2/3 meters, 63from 50 meters (sealed) 140 meters+, >70 from 50 meters (sealed) 114 1/3 meters, 66 from 50 meters (sealed) Wider airfoils are more effective in increasing rocket flight heights Notes: Trial two: Wide wing flew higher than could be accurately measured from only 50 meters away Sealed trials were performed after glue was applied to the airfoils