I will add that I'm an amateur and a professional astronomer and like to push the equipment to the limit.
Perhaps a bit off topic, but what telescopes do you use/own?
I have 3 Celestron 'scopes. A 60mm computer controlled refractor, a 76mm reflector and a 127mm reflector. Low end stuff, but for use on a cramped, 3rd floor balcony in the light polluted SF Bay Area quite adequate!
Kinda freaks the neighbors when I have all 3 set up outside.
Perhaps a bit off topic, but what telescopes do you use/own? I have 3 Celestron 'scopes. A 60mm computer controlled refractor, a 76mm reflector and a 127mm reflector. Low end stuff, but for use on a cramped, 3rd floor balcony in the light polluted SF Bay Area quite adequate! Kinda freaks the neighbors when I have all 3 set up outside. Amanda
Amanda: Telescopes are on-topic - the Brain is analyzing all telescopic information, acquiring telescopes, and going robo. There's a simple Alt-Az drive with servos in the works and some new designs that use Parallax Propeller chips. You have a good mix of telescopes. I currently use a 60mm computer controlled Meade ETX-60AT refractor and a 76mm Celestron FirstScope Dobsonian reflector and...
I also use a very small pocket telescope home-made from a SONY camera. This is good for Moon phases and solar studies like corona & large sunspots. My little balcony faces a small SE sky between many tall skyscrapers. I calculate when Jupiter, Saturn & the Moon will be visible using a free planetarium program. At my other home, I carry telescopes to a clearing in the community park and set up on the solid granite bench.
We're lucky to have light pollution for interesting experiments. I measure air pollution by the color of the Moon and intensity of the Sun, and use pollution as a filter for solar, lunar & planetary studies, for polarizing light and to analyze changes in Earth's environment. During travel, I set up little telescopes in several very large cities. Small telescopes can handle light pollution and variations in seeing conditions much better than large telescopes.
The last observatory telescope I built weighed over 28,000 pounds. Not portable but it was fantastic in performance - good for discovering new stars and seeing to the edge of the Universe. Unfortunately these big telescopes don't get much use during travel. My portable 40-inch reflector took a truck to move it around. The 50-inch only somewhat portable. Someday when I'm not traveling, I'd like to grind and polish 60-inch and 100-inch telescope mirrors. A 60-inch F4 Dob @ 240-inches FL would reach 20-feet high so most visual observing would be non-zenith or simply by CCD. The 100" F4 @400" FL would reach 33 feet high and operate with the help of robots and big LCD TV screens.
On the big island of Hawaii, About 2/3 the way up the big mountain, there is an observatory you stop at,
and you join the caravan the rest of the way to the top, While you wait for the rest of the caravan to arrive,
You are free to use the telescopes they have available, during the day, they have the big scopes that look at the sun..
Cool, We want to look at the sun... so the helpful curator sets up one of the big sun scopes for us.
He says, "OK, here you go, it's all set up, take a look"
I say, " there is a problem with the glass the scope is shining onto"
"What is wrong?" he asks.
I respond, "Well, the glass must be dirty, It has spots all over it!."
The blank stare and screaming silence from the curator told me the rest of the story...
Nice guy though, he went into the gift shop and came back out with a picture book...
On the big island of Hawaii, About 2/3 the way up the big mountain, there is an observatory you stop at, and you join the caravan the rest of the way to the top, While you wait for the rest of the caravan to arrive, You are free to use the telescopes they have available, during the day, they have the big scopes that look at the sun.. Cool, We want to look at the sun... so the helpful curator sets up one of the big sun scopes for us. He says, "OK, here you go, it's all set up, take a look" I say, " there is a problem with the glass the scope is shining onto" "What is wrong?" he asks. I respond, "Well, the glass must be dirty, It has spots all over it!." The blank stare and screaming silence from the curator told me the rest of the story...Nice guy though, he went into the gift shop and came back out with a picture book... -Tommy
Those telescopes and people in California and Hawaii are truly great! Tommy, that story is so familiar and parallels mine - my first look at the Sun was at Mt. Wilson when I saw all those spots that looked like dirt! But getting there was my challenge. The night before seeing the largest telescope in the world - the 200-inch Hale (at that time), I stepped on a bee while walking barefoot on the patio. Being allergic to bee stings, my foot was swollen double huge the next day but I insisted on seeing Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories. During the very long winding car ride up the mountain you see a sign, "Heaven, 1 mile up." When arriving, there's still a walk up the mountain. I remember jumping on one foot to get up the mountain and see the telescope! That was determination!
Robotic Reel (RR) - Propeller Driven String Winder for Micro Space
The Hardware
The Robotic Reel String Winder for Micro Space Vehicles
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Introduction
It took some time to find the exact part needed to fit a servo horn, in making a robotic string reel winder for use in Micro Space. The robotic winder will work with vehicles tethered to string, such as kites, balloons and special vehicles.
Overview
The part is a black plastic spool that approximates the servo's horn diameter and can attach with tiny screws through the servo horn into the spool.
Procedure
Thread the spool with a fine tipped Exacto knife for the screws. It's possible to use tiny long bolts that go all the way through the horn and the spool.
Glue the cylinder that holds the string onto the plastic spool so it won't slip during winding. The arrangement requires a vertical servo mounting arrangement to maintain the string spool's horizontal winding position.
Parts
A small sewing kit was purchased along with two larger spools filled with thread string. For use in Micro Space with Micro Space vehicles, sewing thread is sufficient for use as string.
Spool of Thread (to fit Servo Horn)
Continuous Rotation Servo
Parallax Propeller Chip
Solderless Breadboard
Wire Jumpers & Cable
Pushbutton Switches
Resistors
Battery Holder
Batteries
Sewing Kit
Spool to Fit Servo Horn
Tools & Supplies
Glue
Fine point Exacto knife
The sewing kit includes tape measure, sixteen spools of colored coded thread, scissors, snap assembly, two buttons, safety pin, sewing needle, needle threader, and a hook. These smaller spools are for tethering two crafts from one robotic reel and flying both at the same time. String/thread color codes are ideal for identifying various crafts and specific altitude.
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Dimensions
The spool diameter is 1.25-inches to fit the 4-sided servo horn or a circular servo horn. There's a center hole to accept the servo horn's mounting screw. The length of the wound spool is about 2-inches. The inner string tube is .5-inch in diameter and has slip mounting onto the spool.
Proposed Usage
The basic functions are releasing string and winding in the string. This is stop and go with provided pushbuttons. Speeds are normal, slow and fast. Special effects include ramping with variable rates of string dispensing and collecting.
Control Panel
The control panel is recommended. It includes a series of pushbuttons to be operated by human intervention. This is very useful for a human flying the vehicle to pre-establish parameters for automating flight.
Possible Functions
Start/Stop
String In/Out
Speed Presets
Ramping
Incremental Positioning
Presets (time based)
String Memory (see note)
Robotic Reel - Tiny Operating Manual
This gives the command name, a two or three character acronym, and the function description for Spin programming.
On ON - power up the unit
Off OFF - power down the unit
Stop STO - cease motion of the winder
Start STA - begin motion of the winder
String Out SO - dispense string
String In SI - reel in string
Speed Normal SN - winding normal rate
Speed Slow SS - winding 2x slow
Speed Fast SF - winding 2x fast
Ramp Up RU - slow to fast winding
Ramp Down RD - fast to slow winding
Incremental Position Out IPO - dispense a specific incremental amount of string and stop
Incremental Position In IPI - wind in specific incremental amount of string and stop
Note
It's possible to do presets for different vehicles. For example, a known kite with a known wind source can have a string length preset. Pushing a button code for a specific kite can dispense string to a specific length. This, and other functions, require knowledge of the string spool position and the number of rotations, and requires an encoder. The encoder is for a future expansion project.
Optional String Guide
The string guide is optional but recommended. The string guide is affixed under the servo horn, extends out, has a 90-degree bend, goes up, has another 90 degree bend and at this length is folded down at the edges so as not to fray the string. The guide has a smooth V-Slot to capture the string position and maintain it at the center of the string spool. Since Micro Space is limited to about 12-feet typically, there is no need for a sliding back & forth string guide like the ones typical seen on a rod and reel for fishing.
Other Uses
The Robotic Reel can be applied to stringing along kites and balloon and numerous other Micro Space crafts. It can be adapted to reeling in or out streamers, tails and tethers, for example. In multiple craft, it can bring two craft closer together. It can maintain capture of multi-loading of crafts. It can regulate drops from top down and regulate risers.
Artificial Intelligence AI Systems & Automated Autonomous Launching with a Robotic Reel
The Robotic Reel can be applied to automating launches. Since the RR is programmable, much can be accomplished for autonomous flying. The RR can be a key instrument in the AI systems of Micro Space.
Specifications for the Robotic Reel
Processor - Parallax Propeller
Drive - electrical, battery operated
Motor - continuous rotation servo
Variable Speed - yes, normal, high, low
Containment Method - spool
Ramping - yes, high or low
Preset Memory - yes, time based
Control Panel - yes, pushbutton
Incremental - yes
Reversible - yes
Intended Use - Micro Space Environment
Apps - Kites, balloons, tethers, tails, streamers, stringing
Programmable - yes
Micro Space Vehicles
within the Micro Space Program
Big Brain is robot commanding and controlling an increasing number of Micro Space Vehicles and devices. All of these are works in progress or completed. When time becomes available, more links and information will be added. These projects function within the realm of Micro Space. Our Micro Space Program goal is to learn from Micro Space and then advance to the next space level.
Micro Space Center
The hub where Micro Space activity takes place. We launch rockets here. At the MSC, work is progressing with the design of new flight vehicles, new robotic devices and inventions suitable for exploring Micro Space, and the analysis/reduction of Micro Space data.
Micro Space Universe MSU
The Micro Space Universe typically has square or rectangular dimension equal to the size of an indoor room. It's the domain where rockets and a large assortment of crafts are flown and studied. Many MSU universes can exist at the same time. The MSU has manmade micro environments, such as the slip stream rocket propellent energy that's generated by and sent to the rocket for flight.
Engaging activities in Micro Space affords one the opportunity to explore aero space on a shoestring budget, yet learn the knowledge and information for conducting their own research programs, and expanding education.
Eventually the Brain will have access to the farthest space, work on a Lunar Program and perhaps robotically go to some planets and asteroids and/or develop a presence in space with a robot space telescope and various space faring crafts.
Origami Paper Air Bag for Micro Space Payload Return
This is an air bag program to drop payloads encapsulated within paper air bags with a high survival rate. It began with the folding of geometrical structure but now has progressed to an easier way to construct paper geometry. The pointed structures on paper air bags are allowed to crush thus absorbing the force of impact and not harming the payload.
The helicopter is ideal for developing piloting skills by a human and then transferring the knowledge to a robot, in this case the Big Brain to fly the craft autonomously and intelligently. This project is making the wireless remot flight control into a command panel so that the Big Brain can interface to it and operate the craft in real time.
This is an exciting and robust program to develop rockets. We begin with the MSR-01 successfully flown and progress in development with Air Rockets, propelled by an external slipstream pressure of air.
Space Craft
This area is multifaceted and open for a number of creative crafts. Many of the other crafts and devices will be used to create Space Craft.
Space Return Aero Glider
This is a very small one-person one-payload shuttle craft that is launched from a larger space craft or space station and can return to the Earth. It has no power of its own but rather has controls for the one board occupant with maneuvering and gliding capability.
Parachute
The parachute is treated as a kind of slow return vehicle that floats with air and can hold and deliver a payload. Parachutes have variations that are "flyable" and "steerable." These may be incorporated into other Space Crafts.
Blimp & Dirigible
The Blimp is a large gas filled balloon that either floats for experiments or is propelled in some manner.
Momentum Propelled Space Catapult
Payloads are launched into space and while in space using the effects of momentum.
Balloon
The Balloon is an up down solution for payload. Balloons can be fabricated into various crafts using forced air vectored in various ways across the surface, hot air, or a more safe gas like helium.
Micro Jet Stream Injection Vehicle/ High Velocity Wind Maneuvering Craft
These are small micro vehicles being tested in an artificially created jet stream inside Micro Space. The full scale craft will fly in the actual jet stream at 500mph.
Floating City in the Sky
This is one of the most exciting projects. Man has lived on the land, on the water in house boats, on man-made islands, in the zero-G micro-gravity of space, and is planning to live under the sea. The next step to supplement the tall mega-structured skyscrapers of the Earth's most modern cities is a move to floating cities at even higher altitudes. The aim is to create a working floating city in microspace, developing methods of sustaining, lofting, propulsion, and maintenance.
Air Ballast Suspension Vehicle
The wind under under the Air Ballast Suspension Vehicle keeps the craft platform lofted. Applies to various ballast methods.
Flying Flatform (see above)
The Flying Flatform is a flat flying platform to be developed for the use within the technology of the modern Floating City in the Sky.
Aerial Streamer
Aerial Streamers can slow down the delivery of free fall payloads. The amount of friction and drag is created by the length and width of the streamer in addition to its type of material. Streamers are deployed to slow the craft and can also help stabilize it.
The SlipStream Drive
A slipstream drive device for flying aero craft from the ground using transmitted pckets of air pressure. The actual device consists of ground based positional fans to create air pressure to affect and impinge upon aero craft. The air beam is pressurized and inserted into the atmosphere as a slipstream.
"QuadCopter First Choice" - The Great DIY Build
Big Brain Commands the Construction of a Quadcopter
Part One - Introduction
Quad Copter First Choice
(If you're thinking about "Quad Copter First Choice" as a kit or complete plans package, just post a comment and tell us about your interests.)
Follow along and build your own Quadcopter for $5. Then let your Propeller control it. Or make your own controller so you can have all the fun.
You'll need four of these low cost Chinese science kits to build one Quadcopter. Batteries not included. The remaining parts needed are only some recycled stuff like wire, cardboard and the proverbial duct tape.
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Quad Copter QC First Choice - Finally, this is the Quadcopter you've been waiting for to get started - affordable, easy piece of cake assembly, durable with replacements, and fun to fly. Check out various aerodynamics with this kit as a first choice. The Big Brain has insisted on building a QuadCopter and Humanoido is doing all the work so you can follow along and DIY your own.
According to the Brain, our budget is $5 per Quadcopter. (It does sound like the Brain is thinking of a fleet of QCs.) This build is for a craft that is flown and controlled initially by the Brain in Micro Space. If you want to develop a human control so you can have fun flying it outdoors, we'll show you how, but we insist on using parts already on hand.
The QC will have plans, parts list, and continuing descriptions on how to DIY. We'll include illustrative photos. Consider these posts the Build It Kit Instruction Manual. Plus you can chime in politely at any time with questions and comments for possible very limited technical support regarding various build steps. Any software is up to you, the Big Brain or your own Propeller. This first part is all about getting the craft built and up and running.
The project is four fold. The build will address step one and then proceed based on a natural progression if time is available.
1) a craft that will fly by itself
2) a craft that you can fly
3) a robot craft flown by the Big Brain
4) a Propeller chip craft project.
Stay tuned for more.
Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor
A quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadrocopter, is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadrotors are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is derived from four rotors. They can also be classified as helicopters, though unlike standard helicopters, quadrotors use fixed-pitch blades, whose rotor pitch does not vary as the blades rotate. Control of vehicle motion can be achieved by varying the relative speed of each rotor to change the thrust and torque produced by each.
QuadCopter First Choice
Part Two - Getting Started
A collection of Chinese science kits - The key to building a DIY low cost Quad-Copter lies in the purchase of these Chinese science kits for students. Each kit contains enough parts, when combined with 3 more kits, to make a QC and is multi-purposed for many additional projects. The QuadCopter First Choice requires four kits for use of the larger propellers, motors, battery holders, wire, light bulbs and sockets.
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The DIY Micro Space Quad-Copter Robot
BUILD A $5 QUAD-COPTER QC FOR THE BIG BRAIN
Quad Copter Design Section
In a Nutshell
The Micro Space Quad Copter QC First Choice is a relatively easy build - follow along as we build a new Micro Space Craft Quad Copter for $5 and fly it around in Micro Space. This represents a good parts find at the dollar store where everything costs more than a dollar. The package is a Chinese science kit with a number of reversible parts included. It's designed to act as a power generator to light a flashlight bulb, study the effects of large and small propellers on electrical generation and wind response, and then reverse the circuit and power it with batteries to create a fan or propeller that can move air or make a craft to move through air. It's the latter technology that interests the Big Brain.
Definition
What is it? The Quad-Copter is a tiny aerial QC vehicle with four motor and propellers to vertical take off and land like a standard helicopter. By running the motor shafts and propellers in canceling directions, the craft can appear significantly more stable than otherwise.
Parts & Batteries
The build will use four kits and a live delivery tether located on the ground to provide electrical energy to power the craft using standard AA batteries. Four battery holders will feed power from eight batteries to four motors. Each motor has 2 batteries for exceptionally long running times. Battery wire polarity can be reversed during the build to change the direction of propeller spin. Keeping the batteries grounded will make the craft light enough to fly with increasing duration and payload applications such as aerial photography.
Range
The range will be defined by the fly line tether length which can include the entire length of the Micro Space Universe. This is the advantage of a Micro Space Universe where the dimensions equal a box or rectangle of space usually no larger than 12-feet in any one direction.
The Structure
The defining structure will be made from commonly available material - cardboard. Envisioned is a pattern with three rings built in box aircraft style for the greatest strength and holed for propellers. See the Plans diagram.
Motors
Motors have dual flanges for easy mounting vertical to the plane of the craft, with small bolts and nuts onto a motor mount. On the back are two solder connectors for +/- wires.
Use the large propellers from the packages. Each propeller is force fit onto the motor shaft until it is fully seated.
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Propellers
Props define a 3.5-inch circle of rotation. Each propeller has 3 bendable plastic vanes. Prop clearance within the hole is 1/4 inch. Props are force fit onto the motor shafts and very durable with flexibility for crash.
Science Kit Contents
There are eight of these kits, enough to build one or two very simple quads.
Large 3 Vaned Propeller
Small 3 Vaned Propeller
Light Bulb
Light Bulb Socket
DC Motor
Two Cell Battery Holder with Switch
Hookup Wire
The project will use everything in the package except the tiny propeller. There are some extras you'll need to add to the parts. You are expected to scrounge around for these parts.
Initial Extras
* A length of light weight double conductor wire to connect battery power to the motors. This can vary from around 6 feet to 12-feet. * Several pieces of cardboard with Exacto knife, pencil, scissors, glue and duct tape * Soldering iron and solder * 8 AA batteries (two batteries per motor)
First plan sheet for the construction of the QuadCopter First Choice - details may change throughout the course of the project
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QuadCopter First Choice in Education
Simple construction and low cost are prime objectives for school and various educational opportunities. A curriculum of developed study material and lesson plan units are in the works.
Lights
The lights should not go to waste so each motor and supply can have one monitor light. The four lights could be used for night flying or as a voltage light to indicate, through brightness, the level of the batteries and the functioning of the motors.
Wiring a battery voltage indicator on each motor
Use the provided lamp and set wiring across the motor terminals. Reductions of voltage will effect brightness, determining the battery pack condition.
Budget
The complete budget is $5 for one Quad Copter. Motor and parts science kits are on sale at US$1.22 each. (Regular price is US$1.91 each.) It take 4 kits to complete one QC. The total is $4.88, therefore the budget is met. Budget is always a prime concern, especially with so many projects demanded by the Big Brain in Micro Space. Given the possibility of building two craft, and not counting the cost of the batteries, both crafts could be completed for a total under $10.
The Junk Box
You may need to access your parts box or scrounge some junk from old TVs, Radios, or other devices with pots and volume controls if you want to do the upgrade modifications.
The Trim Upgrade Modification
We will introduce a simple trim modification to adjust and regulate the individual speed of each motor, thus trimming and balancing the QC's flight and stability.
Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor The advantages of the current generation of quadrotors, versus comparably-scaled helicopters, are as follows. First, quadrotors do not require mechanical linkages to vary the rotor blade pitch angle as they spin. This simplifies the design and maintenance of the vehicle.[4] Second, the use of four rotors allows each individual rotor to have a smaller diameter than the equivalent helicopter rotor, allowing them to possess less kinetic energy during flight. This reduces the damage caused should the rotors hit anything. For small-scale UAVs, this makes the vehicles safer for close interaction. Some small-scale quadrotors have frames that enclose the rotors, permitting flights through more challenging environments, with lower risk of damaging the vehicle or its surroundings.[5]
One "minor" issue: All four propellers cannot be identical. Two of the propellers have to rotate in opposite directions from the other two to neutralize torque. This means that they have to be physical mirror images of the other two props.
QuadCopter First Choice
Part Four - Flight Control & Wiring
Plan sheet 2 showing the rotation of propellers.
Flight Control
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor
Diagram (above) of reaction torques on each motor of a quadrotor aircraft, due to spinning rotors. Rotors 1 and 2 spin in one direction, while rotors 3 and 4 spin in the opposite direction, yielding opposing torques for control.
Each rotor produces both a thrust and torque about its center of rotation, as well as a drag force opposite to the vehicle's direction of flight.
If all rotors are spinning at the same angular velocity, with rotors one and three rotating clockwise and rotors two and four counterclockwise, the net aerodynamic torque, and hence the angular acceleration about the yaw axis is exactly zero, which implies that the yaw stabilizing rotor of conventional helicopters is not needed.
Yaw is induced by mismatching the balance in aerodynamic torques (i.e., by offsetting the cumulative thrust commands between the counter-rotating blade pairs).
Angular accelerations about the pitch and roll axes can be caused separately without impacting the yaw axis.
Each pair of blades rotating in the same direction controls one axis, either roll or pitch, and increasing thrust for one rotor while decreasing thrust for the other will maintain the torque balance needed for yaw stability and induce a net torque about the roll or pitch axes.
This way, fixed rotor blades can be made to maneuver the quad rotor vehicle in all dimensions. Translational acceleration is achieved by maintaining a non-zero pitch or roll angle.
Motors
Motors used are small DC PM which will rotate in the opposite direction when their voltage supply is reversed in polarity.
Motor Wiring
Wire motors A & B to the battery supply so that propellers turn clockwise. Wire motors C and D to turn counterclockwise.
Battery Supply Wiring
Wire each of the two cell battery holders together in parallel so that each motor will get exactly 3-volts DC.
Power Switch
Wire in a power switch which will turn on all power to all motors at one time.
Test
The test will operate all motors at the same time and observe the similarities of their speed.
Trim Wiring
After tests are completed, the next QuadCopter version will have trim wired with a potentiometer circuit leading from the supply to the motor. Each motor has its own pot for trim adjustment and calibration.
Adjustments
The pots can adjust altitude, direction and balance of the vehicle.
Sometimes these projects morph and change along the way into something different. This may be the case for the QuadCopter First Choice Project. Torque canceling by modification of the propellers may not happen on the $5 budget. Using same motors and propellers produces a craft with built in rotation. This rotation may not allow craft functionality with wire connections located at below anchor points due to entanglement. This negates some of the original intended apps for this device. It raises questions. It's possible the project will morph into an autonomous spinning quadcopter (depending on the success of the motor's ability to lift itself) or a very useful anti-device. More on the Anti-Device after the next rounds of tests are completed.
Doubling the voltage to 6V DC, setting up the motor at maximum rev, utilizing the propeller as a pusher of air flow in the downward direction - this was the setting for a lift test to answer the question, can the motor and propeller provide enough force to lift itself?
The very surprising scientific test result answers "no" to this simple question. Apparently the motor is too heavy and/or the propeller is too small in diameter.
What next? This does not terminate the $5 program. The next step is morphing. The project is under consideration to become a flying device for aero craft in a Micro Space environment by the shifting and regulating of air flow. This is a kind of Sky Flyer. The reason for this decision is the lack of any changes required to the original plans v1.0.
The New SkyFlyer
A slipstream device for flying aero craft from the ground using air pressure
The QuadCopter First Choice has now morphed into the New SkyFlyer project. Plans are almost identical except for the project's title and the introduced gimbals.
SkyFlyer is an Earth-bound device that regulates the amount of air in four equidistant locations using motors and propellers.
Small manual pivot gimbals will change the positions of the motors and propellers in order to modify and regulate the slip stream of air flow.
Some settings will accelerate a craft upwards, other settings will loft the craft and maintain it at a specific height - air pressure can lower or raise the craft at will.
The turbulence created by SkyFlyer will be studied. Fine grained Baby Powder introduced will define the wind motion and current eddies for photographic study. One experiment is to move the air "beams" outward, creating a pocket in the center to hold and maintain aero crafts for many functions.
Potentials are for the SkyFlyer to power and maintain the floating city, accelerate various aero craft to particular parking in Micro Space, bring lofted crafts back down to the Earth, launch wind rockets (a new device invented by the Brain), regulate and fly Aero Kites, Balloon Crafts, Tethers and other flying devices.
Reversal of SkyFlyer's air pressure direction can more rapidly control and suck down crafts from parking positions (or Micro Space orbit). Suck down can include the rapid deployment of an emergency escape vehicle as a fast getaway rescue mission.
The Invention of Air Rockets
A rocket lofted and accelerated by a slipstream of air pressure
[photo]
The Air Rocket is a micro light device that can accelerate and rocket into Micro Space on a slipstream of controlled air. This is different from Stomp Rockets that derive their force through air rapidly fed into their rocket bodies.
The Air Rocket sustains acceleration by a force created by a SkyFlyer. This "wind" is applied to the Wind Rocket's aft section which looks like an inverted bowl or three 3D dimensional folded fin.
These are some known methods of rocket propulsion.
Selecting a Micro Space Camera
Mini DV - The World's Smallest Voice Recorder
The Micro Space Camera was selected after many months of study and purchased this weekend at a camera specialty shop located at the electronic parts stores skyscraper. The Mini DV World's Smallest Voice Recorder camera is almost the same size as an AA battery. Photo by Humanoido
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The function of the camera is primarily to take aerial photos within the Micro Space Program. This includes photography with rocket, balloon, helicopter, tether, quadcopter, aerial pole, air plane, kite, and other Micro Space vehicles and devices.
The camera can function as a computer cam with software drivers so this also enables functioning as a telescope camera.
The criteria for this camera was met.
Low cost
Ultra Light weight 50 grams or less
Good focus across near and far
Very small
Color
VGA minimum
Video and still
Self contained
Audio recording
SD card slot
Up to 1 hour operation
LIion battery
Rechargeable
Mountable
1 LUX
Lens wider than 50 deg.
Standard format (AVI)
Robot controlled
Mac compatible
USB 2.0
The purchased camera is the new improved super VGA 720 x 480 x 30 FPS unit. Online Youtube comparisons with this camera show it has many superior features. To get this camera, you'll need to check the stores and find the Chinese cloned version.You can identify this version by the box, again a Youtube video will help you do so. The search key is Mini DV Worlds smallest voice recorder.
Actual Camera Specifications
DV camera specs MD-80 C
List Price: $50 to $150
Street Cost: Camera US$25.76 and Micro SD Card US$10.
SD Memory Card slot: Built In - Requires 2G to 8G TF Micro SD Card
Format: Apple OpenDML JPEG, 720 x 480, Millions
Video and photos
16-bit Integer (Little Endian), Mono, 8.000 kHz
FPS:24.95 low light with Category 4 micro SD card (up to 30 supported in full light)
Data Rate: tested at 5024.78 kbits/s
Normal Size: 720 x 480 pixels
Video Format: AVI
Apple Supported by Quicktime in full screen
Running 4Mb micro SD card Category 4, 8Mb Category 6 supported
Lithium Battery estimated up to 2 hours use
USB charges Camera
USB uploads to computer
Time & Date Stamp
Records video with audio
Optional setting for recording by voice activation
Size: 55mm x 21 x 18 (about the size of one AA battery)
Estimated weight: 50 grams
Estimated illumination: 1 LUX
USB 1.1 and 2.0 supported
Compression: JPEG
Mac & PC file support
Battery - 260mAh
File Size: 1Gb per 40 minutes
Web Cam function
Card Reader - Free
Computer CAM Function
Note this function with drivers only works on the PC Windows computer.
The free card reader came from another electronics store based on my parts purchases. The camera has no instructions so it take some experimentation to learn how to control it. It also comes with a very useful time and date stamp that will need resetting. You can download a PDF manual converted from Chinese into Chinglish. It seems the manual is for a different but similar model. It's possible to determine some functions from it.
This is a single frame capture from the camera's video showing excellent performance and exposure indoors in a low light level condition along with a bright computer monitor at close range. The frame has no processing, yet retains good imagery, good contrast, excellent color and multi focus range, plus its ability to discern low level lighting and bright images at the same time is exemplary. Test photo by Humanoido
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Mini Instructions
Here's what I learned about basic camera operating.
To Reset Data and Time
1) Make a movie and connect the camera to the Mac computer via USB cable
2) Open the SD Card as a drive and look for a text file such as TIME.TXT
3) Open the file. Note the format is 2011-09-24 10:57:00
4) Edit the file to the correct date and time and save it
5) The next time a movie is made, it will have the correct date and time
6) If the camera is powered off, repeat the procedure
Tip: Keep a spare file on your desktop and update it, then just drag it over to the card.
Tip: Use a card reader and not the camera. It will save battery time.
The lighting determines the FPS so shoot during sunlight days. The sample shot in the room under simple low lighting is excellent at about 25 FPS. The camera adjusts well to all types of lighting.
On the right side of the camera, see mode button, reset, and the microsd card slot. Insert the MicroSD card - electrical contacts face you when looking at the lens on the front of the camera. On the camera's left side, see the power switch. On the top, a gray button.
To capture DV, power on (hold it down a few seconds) and wait for the LEDs. To begin recording, press the top gray button. To stop the video, pressing power off works.
Aiming the Camera
There is no view finder so aiming the camera is initial hit and miss. When I first captured video, the tips of everything was shown and not the bottom. In the next video, I aimed the camera higher and the frames were subject centered. Calibrate your camera whenever the device is mounted by taking some sample subject AV.
Audio
Sound is automatically captured with the video - this has many apps in analyzing the on board sound of wind, motors and aero craft sounds. The camera mode button can set a special feature to record video by sound activation. This has the potential to save video and record only when sound is present.
Applications for the Micro Space Camera
Helicopter - suspend from the belly of the helicopter and aerial photo the surroundings during flight
Kite - aerial photography from a high rise kit
Rocket - showing a movie of launch and flight
Aero Plane - onboard showing the path of the flight
Telescope CAM - using a tiny PC netbook computer
High Resolution Imagery through Computer Image Processing
Wind Tunnel Documentation
Mapping with Aerial Photos
Aerial Montages
Tethering Imagery
Can those motors with the propellers you are using provide enough thrust to lift themselves into the air?
As Phil mentioned, QCs use two different sets of propellers. I think it's possible to build a QC with identical propellers but then at least on of the motor/propeller sets needs to be able to tilt to give you yaw control.
One can not just reverse rotation on two motors using all the same propellers. The two propellers with reversed direction will not have the lift, as they were not designed to rotate in that direction.
One would need two ClockWise props and two CounterClockwise props. (Otherwise known as Puller and Pusher Props)
Humanoido, Can those motors with the propellers you are using provide enough thrust to lift themselves into the air? As Phil mentioned, QCs use two different sets of propellers. I think it's possible to build a QC with identical propellers but then at least on of the motor/propeller sets needs to be able to tilt to give you yaw control. Duane
If the motors are too heavy with the base and connectors to provide sufficient lifting force then they will be replaced with lighter weight higher power motor versions and lighter weight materials.
My plans v1.1 in post 1452 show motor direction and the quote in post 1449 (By running the motor shafts and propellers in canceling directions, the craft can appear significantly more stable than otherwise.) is about matching the torque on the motors and propellers.
No. Fixed rotor blades can accomplish movement in all directions. Please refer to the link and Wiki quote in post 1452, "No tilt of the motors or propellers is required to steer it in yaw. Fixed rotor blades can be made to maneuver the quad rotor vehicle in all dimensions."
I plan to flip two motors and propellers and reverse the direction by switching the polarity. If not, then I'll have a cool spinning quadcopter or one that may need a tail. Have you tried this on your Quadcopter?
I plan to flip two motors and propellers and reverse the direction by switching the polarity.
That won't help if all four propellers are identical. In order for four identical propellers to provide lift, they all have to be rotating in the same direction -- whether right-side up or upside down. Think about it in terms of threads in a nut. Flipping a nut over doesn't suddenly give it left-handed threads. You really do need two different kinds of propellers.
One can not just reverse rotation on two motors using all the same propellers. The two propellers with reversed direction will not have the lift, as they were not designed to rotate in that direction. One would need two ClockWise props and two CounterClockwise props. (Otherwise known as Puller and Pusher Props) http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11332__9x5_Propellers_Standard_and_Counter_Rotating_6pc_.html Adding a tilt mechanism would negate the $5.00 price tag.
I cannot go over $5. It looks like it will be a spinning quad like one of those flying saucer crafts or spinning helicopters.
Torque Canceling
Testing has finally proceeded with the motors and the propellers for the QuadCopter First Choice project. Various combinations of motor direction (up or down), prop configurations (up or down), and motor spinning direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) has indicated it will be unlikely to fully cancel torque rotation with identical motors and props found in the existing science kits. These test results confirm information provided by Duane Degn, Publison, and Phil Pilgrim.
Craft Choices
At this point, to maintain the $5 budget, there are two choices for the QuadCopter First Choice project, if we wish to maintain torque balance or disregard it.
1) Heat bend and modify the existing plastic propellers from a standard prop to a counter rotating prop by shape modification.
2) Maintain the existing props and develop a QuadCopter designed to intentionally rotate.
Experiment Setup
In this experiment, red and black wires are attached to the motor for testing. A thin single layer of tissue paper is cut into a long strip to be used as an air flow indicator. Instead of using batteries, an AC adapter is used at 6-volts and 300mA for extended testing.
Experiment Test Results
With the prop on top of the motor, when the prop is turning clockwise, it pushes air down - back towards the motor. With the prop on top of the motor, when the prop is turning counterclockwise, it pushes air up - out and away from the motor. If the motor direction is reversed to clockwise, the prop will push air down. When the prop is on top, the motor is turning clockwise, air goes down, then the prop is faced down, and the motor appears to turn counterclockwise, and air is pushed up. Apparently there is no torque canceling.
The last 5 pages to the online index are now fully updated, to page 74. You may want to pick up on some of the reserve pages that are now filled in with posts. Check out our new page detailing the crafts flown in the Micro Space Program. This page is being updated for links and new craft.
Recent additions include the SkyFlyer and a new kind of air rocket which has the fuel sent to it through the air, external to the rocket, for thrust. The rocket then captures the fuel and propels upward. More on this will follow.
Big Brain Grows an Electric Tail
A tail that grows and shrinks at will
Build an Electric Tail and increase the stability and flying characteristics of kites and other aero flying devices.
What is the Big Brain doing with an Electric Tail? This is an electric tail that grows and contracts at will. The Electric Tail (ET) system is a servo driven robotic device that can control the length of a kite (or other aerocraft to adjust, maintain, or modify flight characteristics in real time. The Electric Tail is based on the Robotic Reel concept.
The Big Brain is developing a series of Micro Space Vehicles on the path to better understanding Aero Dynamics and robotics control based on Parallax Propeller chips and those Propellers specifically in large arrays made into Big Brains.
A kite is usually prebuilt and its "on-board" controls include string placement - a simple adjustment to the bridle, and attaching a tail length of random length. Once these modifications are made, the kite is sent aloft and no continued adjustments are possible.
The Big Brain has changed the limitations in kite flying with a new way to make a kite more robotic and adjustable while in flight - by introducing the Robotic controlled Electric Kite Tail (ET).
The Electric Tail is designed for medium and larger kites that fly both either in or above Micro Space. This is because these kites must be large enough and have enough lifting and lofting ability to carry a robot payload with a continuous rotation servo in a reel assembly. (see posts about the robot reel)
This simple ET uses the onboard Propeller chip, tiny servo motor, and its internal clock. Future expansion could include a more expensive and complicated system using wireless radio - the control R/C channel enables an electric tail to appear and to regulate the tail length, even make the tail disappear by completely retracting it. This is a tail, no tail, or adjustable tail, for example.
Here are some possible ET scenarios for operations and flight control. Use the Propeller Spin code provided in the OBEX and modify it as needed. This first system has an onboard Propeller chip. Program the chip for the following functions:
No Tail - the tail is completely retracted
Longest Tail - maximum tail length is dispensed
Shortest Tail - stubbed out at minimal length
Fragment Tail Short - only a short fraction of the tail's total length is made available
Fragment Tail Long - only a long fraction of the tail's total length is made available
Incremental Tail - by selection and choice, a specific tail length
Timing Tail - specific tails unveil as specific times based on a timer
Continuous Change Tail - this tail has a continuously oscillating changing length repeating, for example the tail can be 20 out and 10 in, then repeat
Ramping Up Tail - tail has a dispensing character of increasing speed to deployment or withdraw
Ramping Down Tail - a dispensing character of decreasing speed to deployment or withdraw
Calculus Tail - this tail has a continually varying rate of change over a specific time, for example, the tail can grow to 10, then shrink to 2 and grow to 22 and shrink to 14
Random Tail - utilizes a random number generator to establish random tail lengths
Error Correction
The tail length is determined by a Parallax Propeller chip's clock timing. There is no use of encoders as this is a simplified and minimal cost system, therefore a simple correction must be allowed and applied to the tail length for any calculation. Before flying, the craft is tail initialized. The tail is rolled up to zero. The program then dispenses the tail in the amount of the correction. Maximum roll up or maximum extension is given a (+/-) tail length lead to allow for any slack deficit or excess in the tail usage process.
Budget
The reason the budget is free for the ET is nearly everyone has a Parallax NARO GWS servo in their parts box. If you gave to the good will center during the Penguin Robot special offer from Parallax and gained two Penguin kits, chances are you have one extra kit with two of these little servos. We're not recommending that you force your completed little Penguin to lose a leg! Simply borrow from the spare kit or buy the little $12 servo with your next Parallax order. You'll need to modify the servo to make in continuous rotation. Check the link below for item code 900-00014. http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/servo/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/488/Default.aspx
Big Brain SoftClock
Timing with Propeller SPIN code at the Micro Space Center
Time rocket launches
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, liftoff...
Time space walks
600 seconds and counting... time to return to the capsule...
Time known rates of rotation to determine position
The Electric Tail is now 30-inches long.
With SoftClock, entire space missions within a Micro Space Universe are time-able. It serves as an inexpensive and approximate robotic timing device replacement for encoders. It adds data and information to various studies based on time. SoftClock easily embeds within existing devices or can operate remotely.
SoftClock is a Propeller clock made from software. It only requires only a Propeller chip and software to function. There are no extra parts, no cost, and the efficient clock shares the Propeller chip's internal system clock with accuracy based on its external crystal.
SoftClock can use a simple output display by numerically reporting seconds to a serial terminal. Output can be modified to drive a simple LED or series of LEDs to indicate specific time reached or to output actual elapsed time. Code is provided to enable pushbuttons for features, settings and timer and stop functions.
Applications
Launch countdown in seconds
Flight duration time
Vehicle lift off reference
Recovery reference
Event timer
Elapsed time indicator
In chip clock
Alarm or alert
Electric Tail Timer
Operation
The code will count seconds and continues to count when other work is performed. When lengthy work is performed, the display will not update on the serial terminal as frequently, but when it does update you will see the correct seconds count appear. To keep from losing time when the work performed takes longer than a second, the system will simply play catch-up.
Calibration
The accuracy of seconds is adjustable. Measure a long timing range of seconds to determine if the count is over or under the actual time. The accuracy of the clock is based on the prop's crystal accuracy. To make corrections, change the value of _xinfreq to the crystal's actual frequency. For example, if the clock drifts by adding seconds, try using a value of 5_000_300 to increase time between clock ticks by the amount of observed over-speed.
Drift
The clock may or may not drift, an effect based on tolerance variations of the crystal and possible local conditions such as temperature etc. Warmup the system before use and maintain stable environment conditions to improve results.
Code
The "seconds timer" Spin code files are provided with some minor variations for experimenting. The code is to be incorporated and customized into the specific application. Included are FullDuplexSerial method for communication with output, and PushbuttonLEDTest-v1.0 for adding the function of pushbuttons.
It's how we view these micro universes that makes all the difference... - Humanoido
The Micro Space Universe is a very well defined and usable, easy-to-access, measure, and observe, space that surrounds us when we are indoors. It typically has square or rectangular dimension equal to the size of an indoor room generally not exceeding 12-feet to any one side. It's the micro domain where a large assortment of aero crafts and devices are flown and studied.
It's suitable for characterizing a science education program with various lesson plans in many fields academics, such as aerodynamics, rocket science, motion, mechanics, astronomy etc.
Many MSU universes can coexist at the same time. For example, one can travel from laboratory A in the United States or the UK across the world to laboratory B in China or the Netherlands where MSUs exist in both places. There are billions of MSUs in existance. Everyone with a home, apartment, house, garage, or classroom has a potential MSU. It's how we view these micro universes that makes all the difference.
Within one MSU, one or more micro environments can exist. The MSU may have manmade micro environments, such as the slip stream rocket propellent energy that's generated by air pressure and sending it to the rocket in slipstream energy for flight.
The MSU, Micro Space Universe, is absolutely important.
It allows us to develop and fly Micro Space Craft in a comfortable, easy to access environment.
It enables the rapid development and testing of remote robotics.
It enables us to study aeronautics, mechanics, electronics, computers and programming, and the many applicable disciplines of science.
Development within a MSU can be low cost.
The MSU is rich with varied micro space craft, devices, machines, and as a frontier seen through new eyes will take us onward to higher levels of achievement.
The Rocket SlipStream Drive
Micro Space invention delivers propellent energy from the ground to micro space bound rockets and aerocraft using slipstream air beaming
A slipstream drive device is invented for flying aero craft by delivering energy from the ground. It uses transmitted packets of high pressure energy delivered and focussed to the craft as a slipstream within the micro space atmosphere. The craft then collects and manages the energy to achieve flight and direction.
The rocket slipstream drive has controls to manage the magnitude of its power. Power can increase or decrease, or aim dimensionally to turn or spin the craft. It can momentum burst to drive with power savings, or to increase or decrease a vehicles speed. It can do remote control from the ground by harnessing single or multiple slipstreams.
The actual device consists of several ground based positional fan transmitters that generate waves of air pressure to deliver energy to affect and impinge upon aero craft such as rockets. The air beam is pressurized and inserted into the atmosphere as a highly directional slip stream of raw energy.
The project is working with the first slipstream drive and developing a rocket (or aero craft) fully capable of harnessing the slipstream drive with its own slipstream engine. The unit consists of the ground based slipstream drive and the rockets slipstream drive engine.
The slipstream drive engine "collects" energy and then focusses it. It uses Newton's Law. The amount of force delivered to the craft has an equal and opposite reaction.
The Slipstream Drive works with rockets and other suitably designed aero crafts. It takes special reformation of the craft to collect and use the energy. The craft, to gain flight altitude, must have a weight less that the force impelled by the Slipstream Drive. This is called the mixing percent.
The delivered energy is accumulative, as in packets of delivered momentum. It can cause the craft to accelerate or decelerate.
The Slipstream drive has a range. A more powerful drive is implemented to achieve increased distance.
The Potentiometer Unit
The Potentiometer unit calibrates speed generated and has numerous functions.
Acceleration
Deceleration
Suspension
Power Increase
Increase in electrical potential across the DC PM motors
Increase in the size of the rotors
Increase in RPM
Increase in the number of motors
Directional focuser of the slipstream
Mix Unit
The Mix Unit MU is designed to make slight modifications to the form of the slipstream. The MU unit is tangential to the primary slipstream drive and is and intermixing flow of XY energy added to the beam. It can cause offset, turbulence, mix variance, eddie, eddie spin, warp, and induce throttle up and down effects.
The first Slipstream Drive with the secondary biasing addition shown in place impells a micro space rocket vehicle in the vertical direction. The micro space rocket is the white object near the center top rising out of the camera's view.
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With the Slipstream Drive engaged, and accelerated to maximum using the MU Mix Unit, the Micro Space Craft moves so fast it's completely invisible to the camera, even at the camera's highest speed exposure range!
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This is the powerful MU Mixing Unit that can make the slipstream into a turbo vortex capable of propelling the rocket so fast that it become invisible to the camera. The MU has control over the acceleration, deceleration, velocity, and can steer the craft in mid space.
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Basic setup of the The First Slipstream Drive uses two USB powered fans, one large fan has 4-inch diameter blades and one smaller fan has 2.75-inch blades. The large fan has 4 blades and the small fan has two. The small fan completely adjusts in position using a chromed snake neck. The large fan is side mounted and pivots in 360-degree space. This is adjustable and maintains position with rubber grommets. This is a more expensive and durable fan over the previous one originally purchased in China for the Big Brain. The smaller USB fan cost US$3 and the large one is $11.67 available from sources listed below.
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In this Slipstream Drive test, we've slowed the engine drive down using the MU. The photo barely captures the visibility of the craft in motion.
This photo captures the static craft and so it can be seen rising above the SCS Slipstream Containment Shroud. No Chamber Guides are used at this time so flight is a little buffeted by turbulence.
The First Slipstream Drive
The first slipstream drive is now built and working. This is a static force generator consisting of multiple USB-driven motors and propellers. It contains a Mix Unit MU but has no Potentiometer unit so one may think the force is in in a constant drive mode. Surprisingly this is not the case.
Mixing Unit MU
The Mixing Unit is a smaller diameter high velocity fan that can inject into and modify the existing slipstream. With the MU, the force is greatly increased, decreased, and regulated to great extent by the mixing and shaping of force vortices within the slipstream. The MU can make the fundamental Slipstream incredibly forceful by adding constructive forces.
Powered Hub Recommended
It may be beneficial to have a powered USB hub to run 3 or more motors and propellers. A BELKIN powered hub is a good choice. It can power up to seven USB devices. This is the same USB hub used in the TSS Tiny Stamp Supercomputer. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126245-Tiny-Stamp-Supercomputer-TSS
Slipstream Containment Shroud
The Slipstream Containment Shroud is shown cutaway in the photos to illustrate the behavior of the Micro Space Craft inside and being flown.
Slipstream Chamber Guide
In the final SCS, the internal chamber would have slipstream Chamber guides attached. These are two cross spider vanes to direct the slipstream.
Replacement of the Slipstream Chamber Guide (SCG)
This enhancement is remarkable. a full diameter corkscrew path containment and accelerator device (CPAD) is inserted in place of the SCG. This does several things - 1) allows multiple mix to be inserted into the slipstream from the sides of the slipstream generator, 2) creates a tornado vortex of spectacular focus and power.
Flight of the STS
The special Slipstream Test Rocket (STS) created for this experiment is comprised of tissue paper, a white tether, and a 5-inch streamer body with a V-shaped nose cone. The bridled tether extends 5-inches and mounts with a dual sided bridle to create a self-centering tether.
Force & Action
The STS worked for about 6 tests then fell apart from the slipstream forces acting on the lower body. If another STS is flown in the future, a double weight stronger STS will be created.
Future of CPAD
More test are needed to determine the method of cpad inclusion in the generator.
Comments
Perhaps a bit off topic, but what telescopes do you use/own?
I have 3 Celestron 'scopes. A 60mm computer controlled refractor, a 76mm reflector and a 127mm reflector. Low end stuff, but for use on a cramped, 3rd floor balcony in the light polluted SF Bay Area quite adequate!
Kinda freaks the neighbors when I have all 3 set up outside.
Amanda
Amanda: Telescopes are on-topic - the Brain is analyzing all telescopic information, acquiring telescopes, and going robo. There's a simple Alt-Az drive with servos in the works and some new designs that use Parallax Propeller chips. You have a good mix of telescopes. I currently use a 60mm computer controlled Meade ETX-60AT refractor and a 76mm Celestron FirstScope Dobsonian reflector and...
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=568
http://www.amazon.com/Meade-ETX-60AT-ETX60AT-Telescope-Obsolete/dp/B00004THXS
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=733
I also use a very small pocket telescope home-made from a SONY camera. This is good for Moon phases and solar studies like corona & large sunspots. My little balcony faces a small SE sky between many tall skyscrapers. I calculate when Jupiter, Saturn & the Moon will be visible using a free planetarium program. At my other home, I carry telescopes to a clearing in the community park and set up on the solid granite bench.
We're lucky to have light pollution for interesting experiments. I measure air pollution by the color of the Moon and intensity of the Sun, and use pollution as a filter for solar, lunar & planetary studies, for polarizing light and to analyze changes in Earth's environment. During travel, I set up little telescopes in several very large cities. Small telescopes can handle light pollution and variations in seeing conditions much better than large telescopes.
The last observatory telescope I built weighed over 28,000 pounds. Not portable but it was fantastic in performance - good for discovering new stars and seeing to the edge of the Universe. Unfortunately these big telescopes don't get much use during travel. My portable 40-inch reflector took a truck to move it around. The 50-inch only somewhat portable. Someday when I'm not traveling, I'd like to grind and polish 60-inch and 100-inch telescope mirrors. A 60-inch F4 Dob @ 240-inches FL would reach 20-feet high so most visual observing would be non-zenith or simply by CCD. The 100" F4 @400" FL would reach 33 feet high and operate with the help of robots and big LCD TV screens.
and you join the caravan the rest of the way to the top, While you wait for the rest of the caravan to arrive,
You are free to use the telescopes they have available, during the day, they have the big scopes that look at the sun..
Cool, We want to look at the sun... so the helpful curator sets up one of the big sun scopes for us.
He says, "OK, here you go, it's all set up, take a look"
I say, " there is a problem with the glass the scope is shining onto"
"What is wrong?" he asks.
I respond, "Well, the glass must be dirty, It has spots all over it!."
The blank stare and screaming silence from the curator told me the rest of the story...
Nice guy though, he went into the gift shop and came back out with a picture book...
-Tommy
Those telescopes and people in California and Hawaii are truly great! Tommy, that story is so familiar and parallels mine - my first look at the Sun was at Mt. Wilson when I saw all those spots that looked like dirt! But getting there was my challenge. The night before seeing the largest telescope in the world - the 200-inch Hale (at that time), I stepped on a bee while walking barefoot on the patio. Being allergic to bee stings, my foot was swollen double huge the next day but I insisted on seeing Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories. During the very long winding car ride up the mountain you see a sign, "Heaven, 1 mile up." When arriving, there's still a walk up the mountain. I remember jumping on one foot to get up the mountain and see the telescope! That was determination!
The Hardware
The Robotic Reel String Winder for Micro Space Vehicles
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Introduction
It took some time to find the exact part needed to fit a servo horn, in making a robotic string reel winder for use in Micro Space. The robotic winder will work with vehicles tethered to string, such as kites, balloons and special vehicles.
Overview
The part is a black plastic spool that approximates the servo's horn diameter and can attach with tiny screws through the servo horn into the spool.
Procedure
Thread the spool with a fine tipped Exacto knife for the screws. It's possible to use tiny long bolts that go all the way through the horn and the spool.
Glue the cylinder that holds the string onto the plastic spool so it won't slip during winding. The arrangement requires a vertical servo mounting arrangement to maintain the string spool's horizontal winding position.
Parts
A small sewing kit was purchased along with two larger spools filled with thread string. For use in Micro Space with Micro Space vehicles, sewing thread is sufficient for use as string.
- Spool of Thread (to fit Servo Horn)
- Continuous Rotation Servo
- Parallax Propeller Chip
- Solderless Breadboard
- Wire Jumpers & Cable
- Pushbutton Switches
- Resistors
- Battery Holder
- Batteries
- Sewing Kit
- Spool to Fit Servo Horn
Tools & SuppliesThe sewing kit includes tape measure, sixteen spools of colored coded thread, scissors, snap assembly, two buttons, safety pin, sewing needle, needle threader, and a hook. These smaller spools are for tethering two crafts from one robotic reel and flying both at the same time. String/thread color codes are ideal for identifying various crafts and specific altitude.
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Dimensions
The spool diameter is 1.25-inches to fit the 4-sided servo horn or a circular servo horn. There's a center hole to accept the servo horn's mounting screw. The length of the wound spool is about 2-inches. The inner string tube is .5-inch in diameter and has slip mounting onto the spool.
Proposed Usage
The basic functions are releasing string and winding in the string. This is stop and go with provided pushbuttons. Speeds are normal, slow and fast. Special effects include ramping with variable rates of string dispensing and collecting.
Control Panel
The control panel is recommended. It includes a series of pushbuttons to be operated by human intervention. This is very useful for a human flying the vehicle to pre-establish parameters for automating flight.
Possible Functions
- Start/Stop
- String In/Out
- Speed Presets
- Ramping
- Incremental Positioning
- Presets (time based)
- String Memory (see note)
Robotic Reel - Tiny Operating ManualThis gives the command name, a two or three character acronym, and the function description for Spin programming.
On ON - power up the unit
Off OFF - power down the unit
Stop STO - cease motion of the winder
Start STA - begin motion of the winder
String Out SO - dispense string
String In SI - reel in string
Speed Normal SN - winding normal rate
Speed Slow SS - winding 2x slow
Speed Fast SF - winding 2x fast
Ramp Up RU - slow to fast winding
Ramp Down RD - fast to slow winding
Incremental Position Out IPO - dispense a specific incremental amount of string and stop
Incremental Position In IPI - wind in specific incremental amount of string and stop
Note
It's possible to do presets for different vehicles. For example, a known kite with a known wind source can have a string length preset. Pushing a button code for a specific kite can dispense string to a specific length. This, and other functions, require knowledge of the string spool position and the number of rotations, and requires an encoder. The encoder is for a future expansion project.
Optional String Guide
The string guide is optional but recommended. The string guide is affixed under the servo horn, extends out, has a 90-degree bend, goes up, has another 90 degree bend and at this length is folded down at the edges so as not to fray the string. The guide has a smooth V-Slot to capture the string position and maintain it at the center of the string spool. Since Micro Space is limited to about 12-feet typically, there is no need for a sliding back & forth string guide like the ones typical seen on a rod and reel for fishing.
Other Uses
The Robotic Reel can be applied to stringing along kites and balloon and numerous other Micro Space crafts. It can be adapted to reeling in or out streamers, tails and tethers, for example. In multiple craft, it can bring two craft closer together. It can maintain capture of multi-loading of crafts. It can regulate drops from top down and regulate risers.
Artificial Intelligence AI Systems & Automated Autonomous Launching with a Robotic Reel
The Robotic Reel can be applied to automating launches. Since the RR is programmable, much can be accomplished for autonomous flying. The RR can be a key instrument in the AI systems of Micro Space.
Specifications for the Robotic Reel
Processor - Parallax Propeller
Drive - electrical, battery operated
Motor - continuous rotation servo
Variable Speed - yes, normal, high, low
Containment Method - spool
Ramping - yes, high or low
Preset Memory - yes, time based
Control Panel - yes, pushbutton
Incremental - yes
Reversible - yes
Intended Use - Micro Space Environment
Apps - Kites, balloons, tethers, tails, streamers, stringing
Programmable - yes
Related Links
Kit Reel Winding Control
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033740&viewfull=1#post1033740
Robotic Propeller Controlled Kite
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033457&viewfull=1#post1033457
Establishing Kite Altitude & String Parameters
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033731&viewfull=1#post1033731
Robotic Kite String Selection Waterproofing
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033747&viewfull=1#post1033747
within the Micro Space Program
Big Brain is robot commanding and controlling an increasing number of Micro Space Vehicles and devices. All of these are works in progress or completed. When time becomes available, more links and information will be added. These projects function within the realm of Micro Space. Our Micro Space Program goal is to learn from Micro Space and then advance to the next space level.
Micro Space Program
The Micro Space Program MSP is all about exploring Micro Space. It includes the design, construction, and flying of a number of Micro Space Craft. The program includes the study of micro aeronautics and many associated fields such as rocketry and ballooning.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029350&viewfull=1#post1029350
Micro Space Center
The hub where Micro Space activity takes place. We launch rockets here. At the MSC, work is progressing with the design of new flight vehicles, new robotic devices and inventions suitable for exploring Micro Space, and the analysis/reduction of Micro Space data.
Micro Space Universe MSU
The Micro Space Universe typically has square or rectangular dimension equal to the size of an indoor room. It's the domain where rockets and a large assortment of crafts are flown and studied. Many MSU universes can exist at the same time. The MSU has manmade micro environments, such as the slip stream rocket propellent energy that's generated by and sent to the rocket for flight.
Engaging activities in Micro Space affords one the opportunity to explore aero space on a shoestring budget, yet learn the knowledge and information for conducting their own research programs, and expanding education.
Eventually the Brain will have access to the farthest space, work on a Lunar Program and perhaps robotically go to some planets and asteroids and/or develop a presence in space with a robot space telescope and various space faring crafts.
Micro Space Structures
Airport
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029059&viewfull=1#post1029059
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029252&viewfull=1#post1029252
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029335&viewfull=1#post1029335
The Airport is owned by and attached to the Big Brain for conducting Micro Space Activities including the flying of various aero crafts, launching rockets, deploying and landing helicopters, a way station for balloon and kites, a weather station, and many other devices.
Aero Plane
The Aero Plane is very light weight and has many hybrid designs.
Space Station
The Aero Space Station deals with specific space and is under design development. (see our list of definitions of space)
Telescope
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029446&viewfull=1#post1029446
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029469&viewfull=1#post1029469
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029522&viewfull=1#post1029522
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029532&viewfull=1#post1029532
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029537&viewfull=1#post1029537
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029581&viewfull=1#post1029581
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029677&viewfull=1#post1029677
Origami Paper Air Bag for Micro Space Payload Return
This is an air bag program to drop payloads encapsulated within paper air bags with a high survival rate. It began with the folding of geometrical structure but now has progressed to an easier way to construct paper geometry. The pointed structures on paper air bags are allowed to crush thus absorbing the force of impact and not harming the payload.
Aerial Camera
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038945&viewfull=1#post1038945
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1028379&viewfull=1#post1028379
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029532&viewfull=1#post1029532
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1029537&viewfull=1#post1029537
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1036417&viewfull=1#post1036417
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038945&viewfull=1#post1038945
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033771&viewfull=1#post1033771
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033782&viewfull=1#post1033782
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1034358&viewfull=1#post1034358
The function of the camera is primarily to take aerial photos within the Micro Space Program. This includes photography with rocket, balloon, helicopter, tether, quadcopter, aerial pole, air plane, kite, and other Micro Space vehicles and devices.
Gantry
The flight gantry is primarily used for launching rockets at less than vertical degrees, to gain a downrange factor.
Grappler
a dispensed string with a hook-like end effector to capture space craft and other objects
Micro Space Vehicles
There are many Micro Space vehicles - some are hybrid. Check back periodically for updates.
Helicopter
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1028598&viewfull=1#post1028598
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033113&viewfull=1#post1033113
The helicopter is ideal for developing piloting skills by a human and then transferring the knowledge to a robot, in this case the Big Brain to fly the craft autonomously and intelligently. This project is making the wireless remot flight control into a command panel so that the Big Brain can interface to it and operate the craft in real time.
Rocket
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1034631&viewfull=1#post1034631
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038932&viewfull=1#post1038932
This is an exciting and robust program to develop rockets. We begin with the MSR-01 successfully flown and progress in development with Air Rockets, propelled by an external slipstream pressure of air.
Quadcopter
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033143&viewfull=1#post1033143
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1037627&viewfull=1#post1037627
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038716&viewfull=1#post1038716
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038913&viewfull=1#post1038913
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038916&viewfull=1#post1038916
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038922&viewfull=1#post1038922
(This project has morphed into the SkyFlyer)
Kite
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033336&viewfull=1#post1033336
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033457&viewfull=1#post1033457
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033512&viewfull=1#post1033512
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033731&viewfull=1#post1033731
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1033747&viewfull=1#post1033747
Various kites ranging from the smallest to the largest possible are flown with artificially generated wind and breeze. Kits will loft payloads and cameras in Micro Space and study the aerodynamic effects. Kites can become part of a lofting and sustaining program, as well as incorporated into other craft designed to navigate and move through the Earth's atmosphere.
Space Craft
This area is multifaceted and open for a number of creative crafts. Many of the other crafts and devices will be used to create Space Craft.
Space Return Aero Glider
This is a very small one-person one-payload shuttle craft that is launched from a larger space craft or space station and can return to the Earth. It has no power of its own but rather has controls for the one board occupant with maneuvering and gliding capability.
Parachute
The parachute is treated as a kind of slow return vehicle that floats with air and can hold and deliver a payload. Parachutes have variations that are "flyable" and "steerable." These may be incorporated into other Space Crafts.
Blimp & Dirigible
The Blimp is a large gas filled balloon that either floats for experiments or is propelled in some manner.
Tether
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1036417&viewfull=1#post1036417
Tethers have many applications, including power Generating, Craft Launching, Craft Coupling, Craft Mixing etc.
Momentum Propelled Space Catapult
Payloads are launched into space and while in space using the effects of momentum.
Balloon
The Balloon is an up down solution for payload. Balloons can be fabricated into various crafts using forced air vectored in various ways across the surface, hot air, or a more safe gas like helium.
Micro Jet Stream Injection Vehicle/ High Velocity Wind Maneuvering Craft
These are small micro vehicles being tested in an artificially created jet stream inside Micro Space. The full scale craft will fly in the actual jet stream at 500mph.
Floating City in the Sky
This is one of the most exciting projects. Man has lived on the land, on the water in house boats, on man-made islands, in the zero-G micro-gravity of space, and is planning to live under the sea. The next step to supplement the tall mega-structured skyscrapers of the Earth's most modern cities is a move to floating cities at even higher altitudes. The aim is to create a working floating city in microspace, developing methods of sustaining, lofting, propulsion, and maintenance.
Air Ballast Suspension Vehicle
The wind under under the Air Ballast Suspension Vehicle keeps the craft platform lofted. Applies to various ballast methods.
Flying Flatform (see above)
The Flying Flatform is a flat flying platform to be developed for the use within the technology of the modern Floating City in the Sky.
Electric Tail
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1039319&viewfull=1#post1039319
The Electric Tail (ET) system is a servo driven robotic device that can control the length of a kite (or other aerocraft to adjust, maintain, or modify flight characteristics in real time. The Electric Tail is based on the Robotic Reel concept.
Aerial Streamer
Aerial Streamers can slow down the delivery of free fall payloads. The amount of friction and drag is created by the length and width of the streamer in addition to its type of material. Streamers are deployed to slow the craft and can also help stabilize it.
Micro Space Devices
Robotic Reel
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038174&viewfull=1#post1038174
The Robotic string reel winder for use in Micro Space. The robotic winder will work with vehicles tethered to string, such as kites, balloons and special vehicles. It also has other purposes soon to be revealed.
Invisible Pilot
When a craft can fly by robot, the Big Brain can serve as the invisible pilot. No one is on board the craft but it will fly by remote.
Catapult Launcher
Momentum directs the payload.
SkyFlyer & SkyPilot
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038931&viewfull=1#post1038931
A ground based controller based on the generation of air and how it's positioned and directed toward various craft to gain specific attitude.
The SlipStream Drive
A slipstream drive device for flying aero craft from the ground using transmitted pckets of air pressure. The actual device consists of ground based positional fans to create air pressure to affect and impinge upon aero craft. The air beam is pressurized and inserted into the atmosphere as a slipstream.
Big Brain Commands the Construction of a Quadcopter
Part One - Introduction
Quad Copter First Choice
(If you're thinking about "Quad Copter First Choice" as a kit or complete plans package, just post a comment and tell us about your interests.)
Follow along and build your own Quadcopter for $5. Then let your Propeller control it. Or make your own controller so you can have all the fun.
You'll need four of these low cost Chinese science kits to build one Quadcopter. Batteries not included. The remaining parts needed are only some recycled stuff like wire, cardboard and the proverbial duct tape.
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Quad Copter QC First Choice - Finally, this is the Quadcopter you've been waiting for to get started - affordable, easy piece of cake assembly, durable with replacements, and fun to fly. Check out various aerodynamics with this kit as a first choice. The Big Brain has insisted on building a QuadCopter and Humanoido is doing all the work so you can follow along and DIY your own.
According to the Brain, our budget is $5 per Quadcopter. (It does sound like the Brain is thinking of a fleet of QCs.) This build is for a craft that is flown and controlled initially by the Brain in Micro Space. If you want to develop a human control so you can have fun flying it outdoors, we'll show you how, but we insist on using parts already on hand.
The QC will have plans, parts list, and continuing descriptions on how to DIY. We'll include illustrative photos. Consider these posts the Build It Kit Instruction Manual. Plus you can chime in politely at any time with questions and comments for possible very limited technical support regarding various build steps. Any software is up to you, the Big Brain or your own Propeller. This first part is all about getting the craft built and up and running.
The project is four fold. The build will address step one and then proceed based on a natural progression if time is available.
1) a craft that will fly by itself
2) a craft that you can fly
3) a robot craft flown by the Big Brain
4) a Propeller chip craft project.
Stay tuned for more.
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor
A quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadrocopter, is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadrotors are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is derived from four rotors. They can also be classified as helicopters, though unlike standard helicopters, quadrotors use fixed-pitch blades, whose rotor pitch does not vary as the blades rotate. Control of vehicle motion can be achieved by varying the relative speed of each rotor to change the thrust and torque produced by each.
Part Two - Getting Started
A collection of Chinese science kits - The key to building a DIY low cost Quad-Copter lies in the purchase of these Chinese science kits for students. Each kit contains enough parts, when combined with 3 more kits, to make a QC and is multi-purposed for many additional projects. The QuadCopter First Choice requires four kits for use of the larger propellers, motors, battery holders, wire, light bulbs and sockets.
_____________________________
The DIY Micro Space Quad-Copter Robot
BUILD A $5 QUAD-COPTER QC FOR THE BIG BRAIN
Quad Copter Design Section
In a Nutshell
The Micro Space Quad Copter QC First Choice is a relatively easy build - follow along as we build a new Micro Space Craft Quad Copter for $5 and fly it around in Micro Space. This represents a good parts find at the dollar store where everything costs more than a dollar. The package is a Chinese science kit with a number of reversible parts included. It's designed to act as a power generator to light a flashlight bulb, study the effects of large and small propellers on electrical generation and wind response, and then reverse the circuit and power it with batteries to create a fan or propeller that can move air or make a craft to move through air. It's the latter technology that interests the Big Brain.
Definition
What is it? The Quad-Copter is a tiny aerial QC vehicle with four motor and propellers to vertical take off and land like a standard helicopter. By running the motor shafts and propellers in canceling directions, the craft can appear significantly more stable than otherwise.
Parts & Batteries
The build will use four kits and a live delivery tether located on the ground to provide electrical energy to power the craft using standard AA batteries. Four battery holders will feed power from eight batteries to four motors. Each motor has 2 batteries for exceptionally long running times. Battery wire polarity can be reversed during the build to change the direction of propeller spin. Keeping the batteries grounded will make the craft light enough to fly with increasing duration and payload applications such as aerial photography.
Range
The range will be defined by the fly line tether length which can include the entire length of the Micro Space Universe. This is the advantage of a Micro Space Universe where the dimensions equal a box or rectangle of space usually no larger than 12-feet in any one direction.
The Structure
The defining structure will be made from commonly available material - cardboard. Envisioned is a pattern with three rings built in box aircraft style for the greatest strength and holed for propellers. See the Plans diagram.
Motors
Motors have dual flanges for easy mounting vertical to the plane of the craft, with small bolts and nuts onto a motor mount. On the back are two solder connectors for +/- wires.
Use the large propellers from the packages. Each propeller is force fit onto the motor shaft until it is fully seated.
__________________
Propellers
Props define a 3.5-inch circle of rotation. Each propeller has 3 bendable plastic vanes. Prop clearance within the hole is 1/4 inch. Props are force fit onto the motor shafts and very durable with flexibility for crash.
Science Kit Contents
There are eight of these kits, enough to build one or two very simple quads.
- Large 3 Vaned Propeller
- Small 3 Vaned Propeller
- Light Bulb
- Light Bulb Socket
- DC Motor
- Two Cell Battery Holder with Switch
- Hookup Wire
The project will use everything in the package except the tiny propeller. There are some extras you'll need to add to the parts. You are expected to scrounge around for these parts.Initial Extras
* A length of light weight double conductor wire to connect battery power to the motors. This can vary from around 6 feet to 12-feet. * Several pieces of cardboard with Exacto knife, pencil, scissors, glue and duct tape * Soldering iron and solder * 8 AA batteries (two batteries per motor)
Project assembly is divided up into sections
Part Three - The Plans
First plan sheet for the construction of the QuadCopter First Choice - details may change throughout the course of the project
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QuadCopter First Choice in Education
Simple construction and low cost are prime objectives for school and various educational opportunities. A curriculum of developed study material and lesson plan units are in the works.
Lights
The lights should not go to waste so each motor and supply can have one monitor light. The four lights could be used for night flying or as a voltage light to indicate, through brightness, the level of the batteries and the functioning of the motors.
Wiring a battery voltage indicator on each motor
Use the provided lamp and set wiring across the motor terminals. Reductions of voltage will effect brightness, determining the battery pack condition.
Budget
The complete budget is $5 for one Quad Copter. Motor and parts science kits are on sale at US$1.22 each. (Regular price is US$1.91 each.) It take 4 kits to complete one QC. The total is $4.88, therefore the budget is met. Budget is always a prime concern, especially with so many projects demanded by the Big Brain in Micro Space. Given the possibility of building two craft, and not counting the cost of the batteries, both crafts could be completed for a total under $10.
The Junk Box
You may need to access your parts box or scrounge some junk from old TVs, Radios, or other devices with pots and volume controls if you want to do the upgrade modifications.
The Trim Upgrade Modification
We will introduce a simple trim modification to adjust and regulate the individual speed of each motor, thus trimming and balancing the QC's flight and stability.
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor
The advantages of the current generation of quadrotors, versus comparably-scaled helicopters, are as follows. First, quadrotors do not require mechanical linkages to vary the rotor blade pitch angle as they spin. This simplifies the design and maintenance of the vehicle.[4] Second, the use of four rotors allows each individual rotor to have a smaller diameter than the equivalent helicopter rotor, allowing them to possess less kinetic energy during flight. This reduces the damage caused should the rotors hit anything. For small-scale UAVs, this makes the vehicles safer for close interaction. Some small-scale quadrotors have frames that enclose the rotors, permitting flights through more challenging environments, with lower risk of damaging the vehicle or its surroundings.[5]
-Phil
Part Four - Flight Control & Wiring
Plan sheet 2 showing the rotation of propellers.
Flight Control
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrotor
Diagram (above) of reaction torques on each motor of a quadrotor aircraft, due to spinning rotors. Rotors 1 and 2 spin in one direction, while rotors 3 and 4 spin in the opposite direction, yielding opposing torques for control.
Each rotor produces both a thrust and torque about its center of rotation, as well as a drag force opposite to the vehicle's direction of flight.
If all rotors are spinning at the same angular velocity, with rotors one and three rotating clockwise and rotors two and four counterclockwise, the net aerodynamic torque, and hence the angular acceleration about the yaw axis is exactly zero, which implies that the yaw stabilizing rotor of conventional helicopters is not needed.
Yaw is induced by mismatching the balance in aerodynamic torques (i.e., by offsetting the cumulative thrust commands between the counter-rotating blade pairs).
Angular accelerations about the pitch and roll axes can be caused separately without impacting the yaw axis.
Each pair of blades rotating in the same direction controls one axis, either roll or pitch, and increasing thrust for one rotor while decreasing thrust for the other will maintain the torque balance needed for yaw stability and induce a net torque about the roll or pitch axes.
This way, fixed rotor blades can be made to maneuver the quad rotor vehicle in all dimensions. Translational acceleration is achieved by maintaining a non-zero pitch or roll angle.
Motors
Motors used are small DC PM which will rotate in the opposite direction when their voltage supply is reversed in polarity.
Motor Wiring
Wire motors A & B to the battery supply so that propellers turn clockwise. Wire motors C and D to turn counterclockwise.
Battery Supply Wiring
Wire each of the two cell battery holders together in parallel so that each motor will get exactly 3-volts DC.
Power Switch
Wire in a power switch which will turn on all power to all motors at one time.
Test
The test will operate all motors at the same time and observe the similarities of their speed.
Trim Wiring
After tests are completed, the next QuadCopter version will have trim wired with a potentiometer circuit leading from the supply to the motor. Each motor has its own pot for trim adjustment and calibration.
Adjustments
The pots can adjust altitude, direction and balance of the vehicle.
[add schematic here]
Sometimes these projects morph and change along the way into something different. This may be the case for the QuadCopter First Choice Project. Torque canceling by modification of the propellers may not happen on the $5 budget. Using same motors and propellers produces a craft with built in rotation. This rotation may not allow craft functionality with wire connections located at below anchor points due to entanglement. This negates some of the original intended apps for this device. It raises questions. It's possible the project will morph into an autonomous spinning quadcopter (depending on the success of the motor's ability to lift itself) or a very useful anti-device. More on the Anti-Device after the next rounds of tests are completed.
Doubling the voltage to 6V DC, setting up the motor at maximum rev, utilizing the propeller as a pusher of air flow in the downward direction - this was the setting for a lift test to answer the question, can the motor and propeller provide enough force to lift itself?
The very surprising scientific test result answers "no" to this simple question. Apparently the motor is too heavy and/or the propeller is too small in diameter.
What next? This does not terminate the $5 program. The next step is morphing. The project is under consideration to become a flying device for aero craft in a Micro Space environment by the shifting and regulating of air flow. This is a kind of Sky Flyer. The reason for this decision is the lack of any changes required to the original plans v1.0.
A slipstream device for flying aero craft from the ground using air pressure
The QuadCopter First Choice has now morphed into the New SkyFlyer project. Plans are almost identical except for the project's title and the introduced gimbals.
SkyFlyer is an Earth-bound device that regulates the amount of air in four equidistant locations using motors and propellers.
Small manual pivot gimbals will change the positions of the motors and propellers in order to modify and regulate the slip stream of air flow.
Some settings will accelerate a craft upwards, other settings will loft the craft and maintain it at a specific height - air pressure can lower or raise the craft at will.
The turbulence created by SkyFlyer will be studied. Fine grained Baby Powder introduced will define the wind motion and current eddies for photographic study. One experiment is to move the air "beams" outward, creating a pocket in the center to hold and maintain aero crafts for many functions.
Potentials are for the SkyFlyer to power and maintain the floating city, accelerate various aero craft to particular parking in Micro Space, bring lofted crafts back down to the Earth, launch wind rockets (a new device invented by the Brain), regulate and fly Aero Kites, Balloon Crafts, Tethers and other flying devices.
Reversal of SkyFlyer's air pressure direction can more rapidly control and suck down crafts from parking positions (or Micro Space orbit). Suck down can include the rapid deployment of an emergency escape vehicle as a fast getaway rescue mission.
A rocket lofted and accelerated by a slipstream of air pressure
[photo]
The Air Rocket is a micro light device that can accelerate and rocket into Micro Space on a slipstream of controlled air. This is different from Stomp Rockets that derive their force through air rapidly fed into their rocket bodies.
The Air Rocket sustains acceleration by a force created by a SkyFlyer. This "wind" is applied to the Wind Rocket's aft section which looks like an inverted bowl or three 3D dimensional folded fin.
These are some known methods of rocket propulsion.
Conclusion
Mini DV - The World's Smallest Voice Recorder
The Micro Space Camera was selected after many months of study and purchased this weekend at a camera specialty shop located at the electronic parts stores skyscraper.
The Mini DV World's Smallest Voice Recorder camera is almost the same size as an AA battery. Photo by Humanoido
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The function of the camera is primarily to take aerial photos within the Micro Space Program. This includes photography with rocket, balloon, helicopter, tether, quadcopter, aerial pole, air plane, kite, and other Micro Space vehicles and devices.
The camera can function as a computer cam with software drivers so this also enables functioning as a telescope camera.
The criteria for this camera was met.
Low cost
Ultra Light weight 50 grams or less
Good focus across near and far
Very small
Color
VGA minimum
Video and still
Self contained
Audio recording
SD card slot
Up to 1 hour operation
LIion battery
Rechargeable
Mountable
1 LUX
Lens wider than 50 deg.
Standard format (AVI)
Robot controlled
Mac compatible
USB 2.0
The purchased camera is the new improved super VGA 720 x 480 x 30 FPS unit. Online Youtube comparisons with this camera show it has many superior features. To get this camera, you'll need to check the stores and find the Chinese cloned version.You can identify this version by the box, again a Youtube video will help you do so. The search key is Mini DV Worlds smallest voice recorder.
Actual Camera Specifications
DV camera specs MD-80 C
List Price: $50 to $150
Street Cost: Camera US$25.76 and Micro SD Card US$10.
SD Memory Card slot: Built In - Requires 2G to 8G TF Micro SD Card
Format: Apple OpenDML JPEG, 720 x 480, Millions
Video and photos
16-bit Integer (Little Endian), Mono, 8.000 kHz
FPS:24.95 low light with Category 4 micro SD card (up to 30 supported in full light)
Data Rate: tested at 5024.78 kbits/s
Normal Size: 720 x 480 pixels
Video Format: AVI
Apple Supported by Quicktime in full screen
Running 4Mb micro SD card Category 4, 8Mb Category 6 supported
Lithium Battery estimated up to 2 hours use
USB charges Camera
USB uploads to computer
Time & Date Stamp
Records video with audio
Optional setting for recording by voice activation
Size: 55mm x 21 x 18 (about the size of one AA battery)
Estimated weight: 50 grams
Estimated illumination: 1 LUX
USB 1.1 and 2.0 supported
Compression: JPEG
Mac & PC file support
Battery - 260mAh
File Size: 1Gb per 40 minutes
Web Cam function
Card Reader - Free
Computer CAM Function
Note this function with drivers only works on the PC Windows computer.
The free card reader came from another electronics store based on my parts purchases. The camera has no instructions so it take some experimentation to learn how to control it. It also comes with a very useful time and date stamp that will need resetting. You can download a PDF manual converted from Chinese into Chinglish. It seems the manual is for a different but similar model. It's possible to determine some functions from it.
This is a single frame capture from the camera's video showing excellent performance and exposure indoors in a low light level condition along with a bright computer monitor at close range. The frame has no processing, yet retains good imagery, good contrast, excellent color and multi focus range, plus its ability to discern low level lighting and bright images at the same time is exemplary. Test photo by Humanoido
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Mini Instructions
Here's what I learned about basic camera operating.
To Reset Data and Time
1) Make a movie and connect the camera to the Mac computer via USB cable
2) Open the SD Card as a drive and look for a text file such as TIME.TXT
3) Open the file. Note the format is 2011-09-24 10:57:00
4) Edit the file to the correct date and time and save it
5) The next time a movie is made, it will have the correct date and time
6) If the camera is powered off, repeat the procedure
Tip: Keep a spare file on your desktop and update it, then just drag it over to the card.
Tip: Use a card reader and not the camera. It will save battery time.
The lighting determines the FPS so shoot during sunlight days. The sample shot in the room under simple low lighting is excellent at about 25 FPS. The camera adjusts well to all types of lighting.
On the right side of the camera, see mode button, reset, and the microsd card slot. Insert the MicroSD card - electrical contacts face you when looking at the lens on the front of the camera. On the camera's left side, see the power switch. On the top, a gray button.
To capture DV, power on (hold it down a few seconds) and wait for the LEDs. To begin recording, press the top gray button. To stop the video, pressing power off works.
Aiming the Camera
There is no view finder so aiming the camera is initial hit and miss. When I first captured video, the tips of everything was shown and not the bottom. In the next video, I aimed the camera higher and the frames were subject centered. Calibrate your camera whenever the device is mounted by taking some sample subject AV.
Audio
Sound is automatically captured with the video - this has many apps in analyzing the on board sound of wind, motors and aero craft sounds. The camera mode button can set a special feature to record video by sound activation. This has the potential to save video and record only when sound is present.
Other camera versions
World's Smallest Voice Recorder/Camera
http://www.raidentech.com/72p-80-thumbcam.html
Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I10iiN_ddDs&src_vid=f-qH7WXprSI&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_915121
http://www.lightinthebox.com/Mini-DV-World-Smallest-Voice-Recorder-Pocket-Video-Camera-DVR-Camcorder--DC038-_p153287.html#prReviews
http://www.lightinthebox.com/Mini-DV-World-Smallest-Voice-Recorder-Pocket-Video-Camera-DVR-Camcorder--DC038-_p153287.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLr1Lpn69jI&feature=related
Online Operating Manual
http://ebookbrowse.com/mini-dv-manual-md80-pdf-d48649591
Download PDF Manual
http://www.cg-electronics.com/upfile/Mini%20DV%20Manual%20MD80.pdf
Applications for the Micro Space Camera
Helicopter - suspend from the belly of the helicopter and aerial photo the surroundings during flight
Kite - aerial photography from a high rise kit
Rocket - showing a movie of launch and flight
Aero Plane - onboard showing the path of the flight
Telescope CAM - using a tiny PC netbook computer
High Resolution Imagery through Computer Image Processing
Wind Tunnel Documentation
Mapping with Aerial Photos
Aerial Montages
Tethering Imagery
Can those motors with the propellers you are using provide enough thrust to lift themselves into the air?
As Phil mentioned, QCs use two different sets of propellers. I think it's possible to build a QC with identical propellers but then at least on of the motor/propeller sets needs to be able to tilt to give you yaw control.
Duane
One would need two ClockWise props and two CounterClockwise props. (Otherwise known as Puller and Pusher Props)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11332__9x5_Propellers_Standard_and_Counter_Rotating_6pc_.html
Adding a tilt mechanism would negate the $5.00 price tag.
If the motors are too heavy with the base and connectors to provide sufficient lifting force then they will be replaced with lighter weight higher power motor versions and lighter weight materials.
My plans v1.1 in post 1452 show motor direction and the quote in post 1449 (By running the motor shafts and propellers in canceling directions, the craft can appear significantly more stable than otherwise.) is about matching the torque on the motors and propellers.
No. Fixed rotor blades can accomplish movement in all directions. Please refer to the link and Wiki quote in post 1452, "No tilt of the motors or propellers is required to steer it in yaw. Fixed rotor blades can be made to maneuver the quad rotor vehicle in all dimensions."
I plan to flip two motors and propellers and reverse the direction by switching the polarity. If not, then I'll have a cool spinning quadcopter or one that may need a tail. Have you tried this on your Quadcopter?
-Phil
I cannot go over $5. It looks like it will be a spinning quad like one of those flying saucer crafts or spinning helicopters.
Torque Canceling
Testing has finally proceeded with the motors and the propellers for the QuadCopter First Choice project. Various combinations of motor direction (up or down), prop configurations (up or down), and motor spinning direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) has indicated it will be unlikely to fully cancel torque rotation with identical motors and props found in the existing science kits. These test results confirm information provided by Duane Degn, Publison, and Phil Pilgrim.
Craft Choices
At this point, to maintain the $5 budget, there are two choices for the QuadCopter First Choice project, if we wish to maintain torque balance or disregard it.
1) Heat bend and modify the existing plastic propellers from a standard prop to a counter rotating prop by shape modification.
2) Maintain the existing props and develop a QuadCopter designed to intentionally rotate.
Experiment Setup
In this experiment, red and black wires are attached to the motor for testing. A thin single layer of tissue paper is cut into a long strip to be used as an air flow indicator. Instead of using batteries, an AC adapter is used at 6-volts and 300mA for extended testing.
Experiment Test Results
With the prop on top of the motor, when the prop is turning clockwise, it pushes air down - back towards the motor. With the prop on top of the motor, when the prop is turning counterclockwise, it pushes air up - out and away from the motor. If the motor direction is reversed to clockwise, the prop will push air down. When the prop is on top, the motor is turning clockwise, air goes down, then the prop is faced down, and the motor appears to turn counterclockwise, and air is pushed up. Apparently there is no torque canceling.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain&p=1038199&viewfull=1#post1038199
Recent additions include the SkyFlyer and a new kind of air rocket which has the fuel sent to it through the air, external to the rocket, for thrust. The rocket then captures the fuel and propels upward. More on this will follow.
A tail that grows and shrinks at will
Build an Electric Tail and increase the stability and flying characteristics of kites and other aero flying devices.
What is the Big Brain doing with an Electric Tail? This is an electric tail that grows and contracts at will. The Electric Tail (ET) system is a servo driven robotic device that can control the length of a kite (or other aerocraft to adjust, maintain, or modify flight characteristics in real time. The Electric Tail is based on the Robotic Reel concept.
The Big Brain is developing a series of Micro Space Vehicles on the path to better understanding Aero Dynamics and robotics control based on Parallax Propeller chips and those Propellers specifically in large arrays made into Big Brains.
A kite is usually prebuilt and its "on-board" controls include string placement - a simple adjustment to the bridle, and attaching a tail length of random length. Once these modifications are made, the kite is sent aloft and no continued adjustments are possible.
The Big Brain has changed the limitations in kite flying with a new way to make a kite more robotic and adjustable while in flight - by introducing the Robotic controlled Electric Kite Tail (ET).
The Electric Tail is designed for medium and larger kites that fly both either in or above Micro Space. This is because these kites must be large enough and have enough lifting and lofting ability to carry a robot payload with a continuous rotation servo in a reel assembly. (see posts about the robot reel)
This simple ET uses the onboard Propeller chip, tiny servo motor, and its internal clock. Future expansion could include a more expensive and complicated system using wireless radio - the control R/C channel enables an electric tail to appear and to regulate the tail length, even make the tail disappear by completely retracting it. This is a tail, no tail, or adjustable tail, for example.
Here are some possible ET scenarios for operations and flight control. Use the Propeller Spin code provided in the OBEX and modify it as needed. This first system has an onboard Propeller chip. Program the chip for the following functions:
- No Tail - the tail is completely retracted
- Longest Tail - maximum tail length is dispensed
- Shortest Tail - stubbed out at minimal length
- Fragment Tail Short - only a short fraction of the tail's total length is made available
- Fragment Tail Long - only a long fraction of the tail's total length is made available
- Incremental Tail - by selection and choice, a specific tail length
- Timing Tail - specific tails unveil as specific times based on a timer
- Continuous Change Tail - this tail has a continuously oscillating changing length repeating, for example the tail can be 20 out and 10 in, then repeat
- Ramping Up Tail - tail has a dispensing character of increasing speed to deployment or withdraw
- Ramping Down Tail - a dispensing character of decreasing speed to deployment or withdraw
- Calculus Tail - this tail has a continually varying rate of change over a specific time, for example, the tail can grow to 10, then shrink to 2 and grow to 22 and shrink to 14
- Random Tail - utilizes a random number generator to establish random tail lengths
Error CorrectionThe tail length is determined by a Parallax Propeller chip's clock timing. There is no use of encoders as this is a simplified and minimal cost system, therefore a simple correction must be allowed and applied to the tail length for any calculation. Before flying, the craft is tail initialized. The tail is rolled up to zero. The program then dispenses the tail in the amount of the correction. Maximum roll up or maximum extension is given a (+/-) tail length lead to allow for any slack deficit or excess in the tail usage process.
Budget
The reason the budget is free for the ET is nearly everyone has a Parallax NARO GWS servo in their parts box. If you gave to the good will center during the Penguin Robot special offer from Parallax and gained two Penguin kits, chances are you have one extra kit with two of these little servos. We're not recommending that you force your completed little Penguin to lose a leg! Simply borrow from the spare kit or buy the little $12 servo with your next Parallax order. You'll need to modify the servo to make in continuous rotation. Check the link below for item code 900-00014.
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/servo/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/488/Default.aspx
Timing with Propeller SPIN code at the Micro Space Center
Time rocket launches
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, liftoff...
Time space walks
600 seconds and counting... time to return to the capsule...
Time known rates of rotation to determine position
The Electric Tail is now 30-inches long.
With SoftClock, entire space missions within a Micro Space Universe are time-able. It serves as an inexpensive and approximate robotic timing device replacement for encoders. It adds data and information to various studies based on time. SoftClock easily embeds within existing devices or can operate remotely.
SoftClock is a Propeller clock made from software. It only requires only a Propeller chip and software to function. There are no extra parts, no cost, and the efficient clock shares the Propeller chip's internal system clock with accuracy based on its external crystal.
SoftClock can use a simple output display by numerically reporting seconds to a serial terminal. Output can be modified to drive a simple LED or series of LEDs to indicate specific time reached or to output actual elapsed time. Code is provided to enable pushbuttons for features, settings and timer and stop functions.
Applications
- Launch countdown in seconds
- Flight duration time
- Vehicle lift off reference
- Recovery reference
- Event timer
- Elapsed time indicator
- In chip clock
- Alarm or alert
- Electric Tail Timer
OperationThe code will count seconds and continues to count when other work is performed. When lengthy work is performed, the display will not update on the serial terminal as frequently, but when it does update you will see the correct seconds count appear. To keep from losing time when the work performed takes longer than a second, the system will simply play catch-up.
Calibration
The accuracy of seconds is adjustable. Measure a long timing range of seconds to determine if the count is over or under the actual time. The accuracy of the clock is based on the prop's crystal accuracy. To make corrections, change the value of _xinfreq to the crystal's actual frequency. For example, if the clock drifts by adding seconds, try using a value of 5_000_300 to increase time between clock ticks by the amount of observed over-speed.
Drift
The clock may or may not drift, an effect based on tolerance variations of the crystal and possible local conditions such as temperature etc. Warmup the system before use and maintain stable environment conditions to improve results.
Code
The "seconds timer" Spin code files are provided with some minor variations for experimenting. The code is to be incorporated and customized into the specific application. Included are FullDuplexSerial method for communication with output, and PushbuttonLEDTest-v1.0 for adding the function of pushbuttons.
Attached (zipped)
seconds timer.spin
seconds timer v2.spin
seconds timer v3.spin
PushbuttonLedTest-v1.0.spin
FullDuplexSerial.spin
Sources & References
Propeller Time by Jon Williams - Nuts & Volts Column 7, July 2010
Keeping "time" Using "IF" by Zap-0 - Parallax Forums, Sept. 3, 2011
Comments by Tonyp12, Duane Degn, Phil Pilgrim, Beau Schwabe
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?134225-Keeping-quot-time-quot-using-quot-IF-quot&highlight=clock
Duration of a NOP? by jmspaggi - Parallax Forums Aug. 3, 2010
http://forums.parallaxinc.com/forums/default.aspx?f=25&m=474643
Parallax PEK Manual and Source Code
http://www.parallax.com/go/pekit
Other Clocks
Clock by Jeff Martin
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/139/
Propeller RTC Emulator by Beau Schwabe
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/425/
jm_softrtc by Jon McPhalen
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/532/
mdb_RealTimeClock by Mathew Boorman
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/560/
Timer32 by jmspaggi
http://obex.parallax.com/objects/670/
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126181-My-First-Obex-)-Timer32
Method by Ariba
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126181-My-First-Obex-)-Timer32&p=944466&viewfull=1#post944466
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126181-My-First-Obex-)-Timer32&p=944702&viewfull=1#post944702
Time Measurements by Jonny Mac
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126181-My-First-Obex-)-Timer32&p=944601&viewfull=1#post944601
Interesting Spinning Clock by mcuhobby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvQIjhbBFSE
It's how we view these micro universes that makes all the difference... - Humanoido
The Micro Space Universe is a very well defined and usable, easy-to-access, measure, and observe, space that surrounds us when we are indoors. It typically has square or rectangular dimension equal to the size of an indoor room generally not exceeding 12-feet to any one side. It's the micro domain where a large assortment of aero crafts and devices are flown and studied.
It's suitable for characterizing a science education program with various lesson plans in many fields academics, such as aerodynamics, rocket science, motion, mechanics, astronomy etc.
Many MSU universes can coexist at the same time. For example, one can travel from laboratory A in the United States or the UK across the world to laboratory B in China or the Netherlands where MSUs exist in both places. There are billions of MSUs in existance. Everyone with a home, apartment, house, garage, or classroom has a potential MSU. It's how we view these micro universes that makes all the difference.
Within one MSU, one or more micro environments can exist. The MSU may have manmade micro environments, such as the slip stream rocket propellent energy that's generated by air pressure and sending it to the rocket in slipstream energy for flight.
The MSU, Micro Space Universe, is absolutely important.
- It allows us to develop and fly Micro Space Craft in a comfortable, easy to access environment.
- It enables the rapid development and testing of remote robotics.
- It enables us to study aeronautics, mechanics, electronics, computers and programming, and the many applicable disciplines of science.
- Development within a MSU can be low cost.
The MSU is rich with varied micro space craft, devices, machines, and as a frontier seen through new eyes will take us onward to higher levels of achievement.Micro Space invention delivers propellent energy from the ground to micro space bound rockets and aerocraft using slipstream air beaming
A slipstream drive device is invented for flying aero craft by delivering energy from the ground. It uses transmitted packets of high pressure energy delivered and focussed to the craft as a slipstream within the micro space atmosphere. The craft then collects and manages the energy to achieve flight and direction.
The rocket slipstream drive has controls to manage the magnitude of its power. Power can increase or decrease, or aim dimensionally to turn or spin the craft. It can momentum burst to drive with power savings, or to increase or decrease a vehicles speed. It can do remote control from the ground by harnessing single or multiple slipstreams.
The actual device consists of several ground based positional fan transmitters that generate waves of air pressure to deliver energy to affect and impinge upon aero craft such as rockets. The air beam is pressurized and inserted into the atmosphere as a highly directional slip stream of raw energy.
The project is working with the first slipstream drive and developing a rocket (or aero craft) fully capable of harnessing the slipstream drive with its own slipstream engine. The unit consists of the ground based slipstream drive and the rockets slipstream drive engine.
The slipstream drive engine "collects" energy and then focusses it. It uses Newton's Law. The amount of force delivered to the craft has an equal and opposite reaction.
The Slipstream Drive works with rockets and other suitably designed aero crafts. It takes special reformation of the craft to collect and use the energy. The craft, to gain flight altitude, must have a weight less that the force impelled by the Slipstream Drive. This is called the mixing percent.
The delivered energy is accumulative, as in packets of delivered momentum. It can cause the craft to accelerate or decelerate.
The Slipstream drive has a range. A more powerful drive is implemented to achieve increased distance.
The Potentiometer Unit
The Potentiometer unit calibrates speed generated and has numerous functions.
- Acceleration
- Deceleration
- Suspension
Power IncreaseMix Unit
The Mix Unit MU is designed to make slight modifications to the form of the slipstream. The MU unit is tangential to the primary slipstream drive and is and intermixing flow of XY energy added to the beam. It can cause offset, turbulence, mix variance, eddie, eddie spin, warp, and induce throttle up and down effects.
The first Slipstream Drive with the secondary biasing addition shown in place impells a micro space rocket vehicle in the vertical direction. The micro space rocket is the white object near the center top rising out of the camera's view.
_______________
With the Slipstream Drive engaged, and accelerated to maximum using the MU Mix Unit, the Micro Space Craft moves so fast it's completely invisible to the camera, even at the camera's highest speed exposure range!
___________________
This is the powerful MU Mixing Unit that can make the slipstream into a turbo vortex capable of propelling the rocket so fast that it become invisible to the camera. The MU has control over the acceleration, deceleration, velocity, and can steer the craft in mid space.
____________________
Basic setup of the The First Slipstream Drive uses two USB powered fans, one large fan has 4-inch diameter blades and one smaller fan has 2.75-inch blades. The large fan has 4 blades and the small fan has two. The small fan completely adjusts in position using a chromed snake neck. The large fan is side mounted and pivots in 360-degree space. This is adjustable and maintains position with rubber grommets. This is a more expensive and durable fan over the previous one originally purchased in China for the Big Brain. The smaller USB fan cost US$3 and the large one is $11.67 available from sources listed below.
_____________________
In this Slipstream Drive test, we've slowed the engine drive down using the MU. The photo barely captures the visibility of the craft in motion.
This photo captures the static craft and so it can be seen rising above the SCS Slipstream Containment Shroud. No Chamber Guides are used at this time so flight is a little buffeted by turbulence.
The First Slipstream Drive
The first slipstream drive is now built and working. This is a static force generator consisting of multiple USB-driven motors and propellers. It contains a Mix Unit MU but has no Potentiometer unit so one may think the force is in in a constant drive mode. Surprisingly this is not the case.
Mixing Unit MU
The Mixing Unit is a smaller diameter high velocity fan that can inject into and modify the existing slipstream. With the MU, the force is greatly increased, decreased, and regulated to great extent by the mixing and shaping of force vortices within the slipstream. The MU can make the fundamental Slipstream incredibly forceful by adding constructive forces.
Powered Hub Recommended
It may be beneficial to have a powered USB hub to run 3 or more motors and propellers. A BELKIN powered hub is a good choice. It can power up to seven USB devices. This is the same USB hub used in the TSS Tiny Stamp Supercomputer. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?126245-Tiny-Stamp-Supercomputer-TSS
Slipstream Containment Shroud
The Slipstream Containment Shroud is shown cutaway in the photos to illustrate the behavior of the Micro Space Craft inside and being flown.
Slipstream Chamber Guide
In the final SCS, the internal chamber would have slipstream Chamber guides attached. These are two cross spider vanes to direct the slipstream.
Replacement of the Slipstream Chamber Guide (SCG)
This enhancement is remarkable. a full diameter corkscrew path containment and accelerator device (CPAD) is inserted in place of the SCG. This does several things - 1) allows multiple mix to be inserted into the slipstream from the sides of the slipstream generator, 2) creates a tornado vortex of spectacular focus and power.
Flight of the STS
The special Slipstream Test Rocket (STS) created for this experiment is comprised of tissue paper, a white tether, and a 5-inch streamer body with a V-shaped nose cone. The bridled tether extends 5-inches and mounts with a dual sided bridle to create a self-centering tether.
Force & Action
The STS worked for about 6 tests then fell apart from the slipstream forces acting on the lower body. If another STS is flown in the future, a double weight stronger STS will be created.
Future of CPAD
More test are needed to determine the method of cpad inclusion in the generator.
Sources
Large Fan (Fan QT-B401/QT-U401)
5V 1000ma 2.5W
Small Fan (USB Fan, Super Mute)
www.pc-3c.com
www.chang-yang.com