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This can be done using springs or a piston. The pros and cons for each are listed below:
Springs | Pistons | ||
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Cons |
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The mechanism's working is described for a spring system:
- The initial design consisted of a mechanical attachment of the two stages prior to separation using shear pins that attach to the sustainer nozzle casing.
- Springs push against the staging cone which pushes against the inside of the sustainer nozzle.
- The staging cone is still connected to the booster using a shock cord.
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If the shear pins can be cut using a blade or are not used:
For 1 spring: K = 9810 N/m
For 2 springs: K = 4905 N/m
For 3 springs: K = 3270 N/m
For 4 springs: K = 2452.5 N/m
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- After the CoDR, it was decided that a physical connection must not be present between both stages.
- The guide will stop the sustainer from rotating unnecessarily and removes the need for shear pins to connect both stages which reduces spring constant requirements.
- A tight tolerance with low friction is required.