Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Arnold
Yikes thats a lot of stored energy! What happens at endgame if it is cocked? Using a latch?
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Actually, the springs only provide part of the launch energy. Once ready to fire, the retract cylinders are momentarily charged in the other direction to provide a spring assist. This way the "stored" spring energy is kept to a minimum.
The Latch mechanism is the rod of a another 1 1/2" cylinder. It uses a double acting solenoid which defaults to the "latched" position. Once power/control is lost, any residual pressure in the launch cylinder is lost, and the scoop is held in position (virtually impossible to release). It requires full pressure and active control to release the latch.
We will also have a "dead-man-switch" on the console which requires two-handed operation to actually release the latch (just like dropping the ramps last year).
__________________
Phil Malone
Garrett Engineering And Robotics Society (GEARS) founder.
http://www.GEARSinc.org
FRC1629 Mentor, FTC2818 Coach, FTC4240 Mentor, FLL NeXTGEN Mentor