Hi AlAl Belli wrote:Hi Viv,
A small divergent nozzle was attached to a mechanically operated breech block assembly that contained the drive sprockets which fed the cap containing tape through the system. The cap was electrically fired by a small heating coil.
The assembly was very small with a nozzle outlet of about 5 CM. diameter.
I think the system was for attitude control on an early satellite platform.
The example that I saw was in a local museum exhibit of Curtiss Wright technology, in Paterson, NJ. This was around 30 years ago.
Al Belli
An interesting point or two to make about the Curtiss wright engine is that it was reliable enough to consider for space flight! and that the weight was low enough to still be viable.
I am really intrigued by this as a gas producer for a small power turbine, wonder if we can get any turbine boys to tell us if its feasible?
If we stay in the micro range below what a compressor wheel can be easily engineered for by amateurs it could be interesting.
Viv