The Air Hogs 'Hydro Rocket' was a project completed for Spinmaster Toys. Spinmaster is a client of Rehkemper that previously released 'Air Hogs' air powered prop planes. Following in the pursuit of air powered toys, this unique item strives to be the ultimate in water rocket toys by incorporating several innovative new features into a classic toy- the water rocket.

Early prototype of the rocket with launcher

Retail package

Its features include a simplified filling process with an automatic fill feature, and a unique 4 way valve system I designed that allows for automatic filling and simplified operation. Additionally, there are two redundant safety features that allow the rocket only to be fired straight up. Another system that I invented is the rear gimbal- essentially a pendulum that swings freely that is attached to a trigger linkage. Only when gravity is centering this gimbal will it sucessfully pass through the keyway and allow the trigger to pull back.

The valve systemis composed of three sets of o-rings that shift to one of two possible positions- allowing the water to be filled first with water then with air and pressurized to launching pressure. A gauge mounted at the rear of the launcher reads the pressure inside the rocket and is gradiated to reflect the approximate launch height of the rocket. I was in charge of evaluating the early mock up of this rocket to determine what heights were acheiveable using various levels of pressure, water levels, and a variety of rocket designs.

This unique item is not only an exciting toy, but it uses scientific principles to not only entertain but to graphically educate the user in principles of pressure, velocity and physics.

An early sketch of the valve routing that allows this item to either automatically refill with water or pressurize with air.