Shooting device for free-surface impact studies

Author(s)
Daigh, Sara L. (Sarah Louise), 1981-
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor
Alexandra H. Techet.
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Abstract
The hydrodynamics of free-surface impacts are of great interest to scientists across many disciplines including ocean engineering, fluids mechanics, and biology. This thesis focuses on designing a mechanism to shoot small projectiles downward. Two pneumatic shooting mechanisms were investigated: the potato gun and the paintball gun. Adaptations were made to the paintball gun, as a preliminary design; however, it was later concluded that pneumatics were not the best way to propel the projectile. The final design includes a pinball shooter to propel the ball and an electromagnet to suspend the ball before shooting. This shooting mechanism uses magnetic balls of diameter 1 inch and can achieve velocities of 278 m/s when located 1 m above the free surface. The adaptability of the mechanism to other downward shooting situations is discussed.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2004.
 
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-39).
 
Date issued
2004
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32823
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering.
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