In relation to a post of Georges Katz on http://aircommand.blogspot.com/2012/01/progress-update.html I started thinking about a system for cluster launcher with 3 boosters and a main rocket. There could be a problem with the forces from the boosters pulling on the main rocket and the strength of the bottleneck. In case of the Polaron G2 - Phase 2 the tensile force will be 2000N. (3 boosters and a main rocket on 17 bar and Ø22 mm nozzles)
One of the manners to solve this problem is to make a release system for each of the boosters and the main rocket. In the normal way (gardena launcher / cable tie launcher) there will be a problem of synchronisation between the nozzles to release. If one nozzle is released 0.1sec too early the rocket could be damaged.
After some brainstorming I came up with the idea to design a release system with electromagnets. * Connect a metal plate above the collar of the bottleneck Ø of the plate +-80mm * Reinforce the bottleneck * install 3 electromagnets around each launch tube that make contact with the metal plate. Make sure they are well attached to the launch platform * connect all the electromagnets to a power supply and use a switch so you can cut off the power to all magnets simultaneously. You just have to push one button to launch the cluster rocket
You can even use the same switch for different launch pads so you have a drag race between different rockets.
I made a drawing of the principle (top en front view)
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