Igniters
Igniters
Igniters
Rocket System
Type of Igniters
where
If the Black Powder is not commercially made, rather prepared as
described earlier, the impetus (driving force or impulse) will
probably be far less, say, between 50-75% of this value.
Pyrogen Ignition
Pyrogen igniter is basically a small rocket motor
that is used to ignite a large rocket motor.
The pyrogen is not designed to produce thrust. All use
one or more nozzle orifices, both sonic and supersonic
types, and most use conventional rocket motor grain
formulation and design technology.
A pyrotechnic igniter, as described above, works very well for
starting smaller sized rocket motors. However, for larger motors (i.e.
K-class & larger), a pyrogen ignition system provide superior motor
starts.
A pyrogen is essentially a small rocket motor mounted at the
bulkhead. Nearly instantaneous ignition of the motor grain is
assured by the high velocity, particle-laden flame that eminates from
the pyrogen.
The typical pyrogen used for the rocket motor is shown in Figure 3.
The grain used for this particular pyrogen is cast KN-Sucrose
propellant, chosen for its ease of ignition and rapid burn rate. The
pyrogen grain is ignited by a black powder charge, initially
contained within the pyrogen canister by a burst diaphragm. This
charge additionally aids pressurization of the motor.
An easy to make pyrotechnic igniter can be made in a manner
similar to the igniter shown in Figure 1, except that instead of
utilizing a nichrome wire filament, a "Xmas-tree" mini-bulb can
be used in its place. This particular light bulb has the
advantage of very small size, which conveniently fits within a
soda straw, and requires only a small electrical current to fire
the charge. A 9V battery, for example, works well.
To make this igniter (shown in Figure 4), the plastic base of the mini-
bulb is first removed and discarded. This exposes the two copper
wire leads, which are then scraped clean of oxide, and soldered to
the electrical lead wires. The other ends of the lead wires should
then be stripped, and shunted (twisted together) for safety. The
glass bulb is then carefully broken open. The tip is first snapped off,
which relieves the vacuum within. A pair of wire strippers (or other
appropriate tool) can then be used to break off the remaining
tapered portion of the glass bulb, leaving the straight portion largely
intact.
Care must be taken to prevent damage to the filament or to break the
lower portion of the bulb. Initially wrapping the bulb with tape helps to
avoid this sort of damage. An ohmmeter should subsequently be
used to ensure the filament has remained intact (the measured
resistance should only be a few ohms). Don't connect a battery
across the leads -- the filament may burn up as it is now exposed to
atmospheric oxygen. The mini-bulb is then placed within a 2 inch (5
cm) length of polyethlyene soda straw, and the end nearest the leads
sealed with hot-melt polyethylene glue. Ignition powder
(approximately 1 gram) is then carefully loaded, and tamped every
so often to eliminate voids. The final step in preparation of the igniter
is to tamp in a small ball of glass wool (fibre glass), and seal the end
with hot-melt glue.
Deflagration to detonation transition (DDT)