Launching Station for Sensor Deployment Team Members: Brian Molnar, Shawn McGrady, Joe Liquore, Ken Schroeder Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeff Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeff Kozak Michael Shahen Team Consultant: Michael Shahen Team Sponsor: RIT Mechanical Engineering Department Midterm Design Review

Motivation Smart Dust ModuleAnimal Tag Transponder Applications: 1.Department of Defense 2.Civilian 3.Space

Performance Parameters Launching station shall be mounted to a remotely controlled vehicle Overall size less than 12” x 12” Minimum Required Performance Wind Sensor Global Position System (G.P.S.) Desired Performance Self-contained power supply Reloading System Launching station should be as small as possible Operate in atmospheric conditions ranging from 0°C to 50°C

Initial Brainstorming Results Brainstorming Results After Voting

Compressed Air/CO 2 Concept Initial Design Concepts Rubber-band Launched Concept Spring Launched Concept Wheel Drive Concept

Feasibility Assessment 1.Technical 2.Economic 3.Market 4.Schedule 5.Performance

Components of Initial Design Wind Sensor Mechanical Components Tilting System PneumaticsG.P.S.

Pneumatics Regulator Actuator Valve Bolt Valve Bolt Actuator Tank

Bolt, Barrel, Magazine &Receiver Magazine Actuator Bolt Receiver Barrel

Finite Element Analysis

Tilting Mechanism Receiver Barrel Gears Stepper Motor Fork

Inserted into 0.5 inch spheres Allows for sensor protection during deployment Allows for various types of sensors to be launched Simplifies Aerodynamics (constant projected area) Allows for easier reloading Sensor Encapsulation Sensor 0.5” Sphere

Air Resistance or Drag - decreases overall range of sensor Effects of Wind Crosswind – Causes deflection of flight path Headwind/Tailwind – Reduces/increases overall range Rotation/Spin – Deflection of flight path and/or changes in range (Magnus Effect) Sensor Mass – Reduces or increases range. Sensor Aerodynamics

G.P.S. Allows the system to determine current location Allows the system to determine current location OEM style GPS sensor utilized OEM style GPS sensor utilized Low power Low power Small size Small size Requires an external antenna Requires an external antenna Antenna G.P.S. Sensor

Wind Sensor Allows the robot to compensate for wind by determining magnitude and direction of maximum sustained gust Allows the robot to compensate for wind by determining magnitude and direction of maximum sustained gust Utilizes 3 pressure sensors Utilizes 3 pressure sensors 0-3 inches of water 0-3 inches of water Wind Sensor Pressure Sensor

Next Quarter Goals 1.Build a fully functional prototype on 12” x 12” base. 2.Test functionality of all components and interaction with other parts. 3.Calibrate wind sensor in the R.I.T. closed circuit wind tunnel. 4.Integrate all possible components onto 10cm robot, and conduct tests with robot/launching station assembly.

Launching Station for Sensor Deployment Questions? Team Sponsor: RIT Mechanical Engineering Department Midterm Design Review