2025-01-09 Comp 2025 Payload Sync

Attendance

@Alison Thompson

@Camilo Artigas Alos

@Evan Janakievski

@Megan Spee

@Smile Khatri

Problems to Solve

• Leaks

  • Threads on outlet pump

  • ABS walls

• Siphon

• Can’t land on barrel 😭

Solutions

Leaks

• leaks around threads on outlet - getting a cots fitting (metal - something like: McMaster-Carr (must have internal threads) and adhesive like epoxy to lock this into a non-threaded hole in the bottom of the tank)

  • probably good enough in junction with teflon tape.

• leaks through walls

  • 1. flex seal

  • 2. could try PETG

  • 3. plastic bag

  • 4. acetone bath

  • 5. try layer of CF

Siphon

• If there is still water in the tube (when the pump stops moving water) that extends over the looped point (tube extends over the arm to prevent this..)

  • 1. secure tube higher with clip (or adhesive)

    • this could be a ziptie

  • 2. different pump

• siphon prevention using air/vacuum manipulation: vaguely based off How to stop water flow in a siphon? .

  • pinhole in top of tube loop.

  • mesh gateway or something for air to escape but not water(?)

  • opening and closing this manually/automatically would be too much work, so would have to just be a membrane if this option is explored.

Barrel landing 🔫

• Lower the pump on a winch

  • avoids swinging pendulum

  • pump could be attached/hanging via string/steel wire

  • fishing line attached to the legs/frame could ensure it doesn’t swing around

    • there should be a failure point, but not the line itself… likely a connection or something can yield if the pump gets stuck on something. cabling and tubing would be EXTREMELY hard to make predictably-breakable. however, with enough force (depending on quality of the push-to-connect fittings)… the tubing will pop out of the pump housing without requiring a dedicated breakpoint.

  • tubing and wiring must be somehow integrated and not breaking

  • any COTS options for winches…? not easy to find. would likely have to make a custom version.

    • must be fast and also not too jank idk

  • Tubing:

    • current tubing we have is relatively stiff plastic, essentially hydraulic machinery lines

    • a stiffer option like PVC or 3d prints:

      • folding arm

      • horizontal to vertical elbow

      • however, it would be impacting the sides of the barrel a lot. the drone cannot hold position within a meter.

      • pain in ass to integrate

    • flexible: it would be difficult to “aim” the swinging target

      • the tube has the pump on the end, which is a weight. but i think (megan) I think it will still not be enough to unspool straight.

      • buying tubing:

        • MECCANIXITY PVC Transparent Hose Vinyl Tubing 5/32" ID 1/4" OD 20ft Flexible Lightweight for Water Tube,Air Tube 20 feet (6 m) <20$, prime delivery. says “flexible” not sure how much.

        •  

• Other options…

  • just leave it hanging…

Plan

• Camilo to test leak stuff - flex seal

• Megan to source a fitting, replace threads with fitting, Camilo + Evan manufacture

• Megan to make syphon clip, Evan and Camilo

• Alison to design winch integration

• Evan and Camilo to see how far we can pump water up + how does tube react to being pulled taught and released - inform what other steps to take

• If design is needed to control tubing, Camilo or Evan or onsite member

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