Extraterrestrial environment welding gravity level ground simulation device and method

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of ground simulation facilities, and particularly relates to a gravity level ground simulation device and method for extraterrestrial environment welding. The device comprises a general control system, a vacuum system, an outer pipe assembly and a gravity level control mechanism. The general control system can control various parameters during the operation of the device. The vacuum system and the gravity level control mechanism provide two space environment characteristics of high vacuum and different levels of gravity for experiments requiring space simulation. The vacuum degree in the device can reach 10 ‑4 Pa, which can simulate the high vacuum environment in space. The adjustment of different gravity levels of 0-4g0 can ensure that the device has the ability to simulate the gravity of various extraterrestrial planets. Moreover, the device has the advantages of flexible and stable gravity level, high experimental repetition rate, low cost, high safety, etc. and can be used to study the basic welding theory under different gravity levels in space environment, thereby filling the blank of the gravity level ground simulation device specially used for extraterrestrial environment welding.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of ground simulation facilities, and particularly relates to a gravity level ground simulation device and method specially used for extraterrestrial environment welding. BACKGROUND

[0002] The particularity of space environment, such as microgravity, high vacuum, etc., affects the heat and mass transfer process and joint formation process in the welding process, resulting in that the mature ground welding theory today is not applicable to the space environment. And considering the cost, safety and uncertainty of the space welding technology development stage, the related work is mainly carried out on the ground.

[0003] The existing ground simulation facilities, such as falling tower, falling pipe, parabolic flight aircraft, high-altitude balloon, etc., are limited to making the sample obtain the microgravity state in the free-falling mode, and cannot flexibly control the gravity level; the suspension containerless processing technology uses the suspension force provided by the device to balance the gravity to realize the simulation of the microgravity environment, but the device is strict in requirements for the experimental environment and sample, and also cannot flexibly control the gravity level, and at the same time, due to the complex operation of the above ground simulation facilities, the experimental period is long, the experimental repetition rate is low, and the experimental cost is expensive.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a gravity level ground simulation device and method specially used for extraterrestrial environment welding, so as to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is:

[0006] The present application provides a gravity level ground simulation device and method specially used for extraterrestrial environment welding, which comprises a general control system, a vacuum system, an outer pipe assembly and a gravity level control mechanism; the general control system can control various parameters in the running process of the device; the vacuum system and the gravity level control mechanism provide two space environment characteristics of high vacuum and different levels of gravity for experiments requiring space simulation, and the vacuum degree in the device can reach 10 -4 Pa, which can simulate the high vacuum environment in space; the adjustment of different gravity levels of 0-4g0 can ensure that the device has the ability to simulate the gravity of each extraterrestrial planet. And it has the advantages of flexible and stable gravity level, high experimental repetition rate, low cost, high safety, etc., and can be used for studying the basic welding theory under different gravity levels in the space environment, and fills the blank of the gravity level ground simulation device specially used for extraterrestrial environment welding.

[0007] A technical scheme provided by the present application is:

[0008] A gravity level ground simulation device for extraterrestrial environment welding, comprising a base; characterized in that it further comprises:

[0009] An outer tube assembly comprises an outer tube and a temperature control system, the outer tube is vertically arranged as a tower, the top end is closed and the bottom end is connected with a base, the temperature control system is arranged in the outer tube;

[0010] A vacuum system is arranged above the base and is communicated with the outer tube to provide a simulated vacuum environment;

[0011] A gravity level control mechanism is arranged in the outer tube and comprises a driving unit, a traction unit and a stage system connected in sequence, the driving unit drives the stage system to be hoisted and lowered through the traction unit.

[0012] A general control system is connected with the temperature control system, the vacuum system and the gravity control mechanism to control the target gravity level.

[0013] Further, the stage system comprises a stage, an electron beam gun assembly and a fixing part, the stage is connected to the driving unit through the traction unit at both ends, the electron beam gun assembly and the fixing part are arranged above the stage, and the fixing part is used for clamping a sample to be welded.

[0014] Further, the electron beam gun assembly comprises an electron beam gun, an electron beam gun control assembly and a bracket, the bracket is slidably connected with the stage, the electron beam gun and the electron beam gun control assembly are arranged on the bracket, and the electron beam gun control assembly controls the relative sliding of the electron beam gun relative to the sample to be welded on the stage to complete a predetermined welding track.

[0015] Further, the bracket comprises an upper bracket and a lower bracket, the upper bracket and the lower bracket are connected through a bracket telescopic rod, a first sliding groove is arranged on the stage and slidably connected with the lower bracket, and a second sliding groove is arranged on the upper bracket and slidably connected with the electron beam gun.

[0016] Further, braking sliding grooves are arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the outer tube along the axial direction, and a braking pulley is arranged below the stage and matched with the braking sliding grooves.

[0017] Further, the temperature control system comprises a resistance wire mesh, a heating assembly and a thermocouple assembly, the resistance wire mesh covers the part of the inner wall of the outer tube except the braking sliding grooves, the heating assembly is used for heating the resistance wire mesh, and the thermocouple assembly is uniformly distributed on both sides of the inner wall of the outer tube to monitor the temperature in the outer tube in real time.

[0018] Further, the driving unit comprises a motor and a backup power supply, and the motor drives the traction unit to control the stage to be hoisted and lowered.

[0019] Further, the stage system further comprises a monitoring assembly and an illumination assembly arranged on the stage, a level gauge arranged directly below the stage, and a sensor arranged on both sides of the stage.

[0020] Further, the traction unit is a cable, and the fixing part is two groups of sample clamps, each of which is arranged as a screw with a rubber pad arranged on the bottom of the stage for clamping samples of different thicknesses.

[0021] Further, the outer tube is an insulating tube, and the outer tube has a tower height of 12 m.

[0022] Another technical solution provided by the present application is:

[0023] A working method of a gravity horizontal ground simulation device specially used for welding in an extraterrestrial environment, comprising the following method steps:

[0024] Step 1, fixing the sample by using the sample clamp, adjusting the vacuum environment, and controlling the temperature in the tube by using the temperature control system;

[0025] Step 2, according to the gravity to be simulated, selecting the control motor to pull the stage up from the bottom or down from the top through the cable to obtain the target gravity level;

[0026] Step 3, welding in the movement process by using the electron beam gun assembly, adjusting the height of the electron beam gun by using the electron beam gun control assembly, controlling the electron beam gun to move in real time on the first slide and the second slide to complete the predetermined welding track, and monitoring the whole experiment process by using the illumination assembly and the monitoring assembly;

[0027] Step 4, repeating the above process until the simulation is completed.

[0028] Beneficial effects

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the beneficial effects that:

[0030] 1. The gravity horizontal ground simulation device specially used for welding in an extraterrestrial environment provided by the present application selects a gravity level regulation mechanism to pull the stage up from the bottom or down from the top through a traction unit to obtain a target gravity level, and an electron beam gun assembly welds in the movement process during the experiment, an electron beam gun control assembly can adjust the height of the electron beam gun by controlling the extension and retraction of the support rod, and control the electron beam gun to move in real time on the transverse slide and the longitudinal slide to complete the predetermined welding track, while the temperature in the tube can be controlled by using the temperature control system; the device has the advantages of flexible and stable gravity level, high experiment repetition rate, low cost, high safety, etc., and can be used for studying the basic welding theory under different gravity levels in a space environment.

[0031] 2. The simulation device, the total control system can realize the control of each parameter of the temperature control system, the vacuum system, the electron beam gun control assembly and the motor in the experiment process by pre-programming, integrates the control systems of each component, and simplifies the operation steps of the equipment.

[0032] 3. The simulation device, the vacuum degree in the device can reach 10 -4 Pa, and the high vacuum environment in space can be simulated. The adjustment of different gravity levels of 0-4g0 can ensure that the device has the ability to simulate the gravity of each outer planet. The different gravity levels of 0-4g0 can be obtained by pulling the cable to control the lifting of the object table by the motor, wherein 0-1g0 is realized by free falling at the top end of the device, and the gravity simulation above 1g0 needs to place the object table at the bottom end of the device first, and then pull the object table upwards by the cable to realize the simulation effect; the spirit level can flexibly adjust the amount given by the cable to ensure that the object table is horizontal, and the above setting can make the gravity level of the device flexible and stable.

[0033] 4. The falling tower height of the present application is 12m, the vacuum system is used to realize short vacuum time, and the whole experiment process can be controlled semi-automatically, which greatly saves the time cost and can improve the experiment repetition rate.

[0034] 5. The temperature control system realizes real-time monitoring of the temperature of the insulating outer tube through the temperature control resistance assembly, and controls the heating speed of the resistance wire mesh through the heating assembly to realize the control of the temperature in the tube.

[0035] 6. The electron beam gun control assembly can adjust the height of the electron beam gun through the telescopic rod of the support, and can control the movement of the electron beam gun in the transverse slide and the longitudinal slide to ensure that the electron beam gun completes the task of the predetermined welding track.

[0036] 7. The insulating outer tube can prevent the equipment outside from being conductive after the resistance wire mesh is powered on; the sample clamp is a screw perpendicular to the object table and provided with a rubber pad at the bottom, the height of the screw can be flexibly adjusted according to the thickness of the sample, the rubber pad can protect the sample from being damaged by the screw and can increase the friction between the screw and the sample; the sensor monitors whether the cable is broken by sensing the acceleration change of the object table; the brake pulley is located below the object table, and when the external environment is powered off or the sensor senses that the cable is broken, the brake pulley is popped out to cooperate with the brake slide to brake the object table; the electron beam gun assembly stops working when the external environment is powered off or the sensor senses that the cable is broken; the standby power source automatically starts to control the motor and make the brake pulley pop out for emergency braking when the external environment is powered off, and controls the electron beam gun assembly to stop working; the above design can ensure the safety of the experiment.

[0037] 8. The gravity-level ground simulation device for welding in an extraterrestrial environment described in this invention is equipped with a temperature control system, a monitoring component, and a lighting component, which can provide a good environment for experiments. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Fig. 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gravity-level ground simulation device for welding in an extraterrestrial environment according to the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support frame of a gravity-level ground simulation device specifically designed for welding in an extraterrestrial environment according to the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 3 This is a schematic diagram of the braking of a gravity-level ground simulation device for welding in an extraterrestrial environment, according to the present invention.

[0041] In the diagram, 1-outer tube; 2-drive unit; 3-traction unit; 4-electron beam gun; 5-support; 6-stage; 7-fixed part; 8-brake pulley; 9-brake slide rail; 10-resistance wire mesh; 11-vacuum system; 12-base; 13-central control system; 14-backup power supply; 15-thermocouple assembly; 16-sensor; 17-level; 18-second slide rail; 19-support telescopic rod; 20-first slide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions implemented in this invention, the various modules required in the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely flowcharts of this invention. Those skilled in the art can extend the scope of the invention based on these drawings without any creative effort. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0043] The purpose of this invention is to provide a gravity level ground simulation device specifically for welding in extraterrestrial environments. This invention can provide two major space environment characteristics for experiments that require space simulation: high vacuum and different levels of gravity. It also has the advantages of flexible and stable gravity level, high experimental repeatability, and high safety.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] like Figs. 1-3 As shown, a gravity-based horizontal ground simulation device specifically designed for welding in extraterrestrial environments includes a base 12. The base 12 is designed to prevent external environmental vibrations from affecting the microgravity experiment on the outer tube 1. The device also includes an outer tube assembly, which comprises an outer tube 1 and a temperature control system. The outer tube 1 is vertically arranged in a tower shape, with a drop height of up to 12m. Its top is closed, and its bottom is connected to the base 12. The temperature control system is located inside the outer tube 1.

[0046] A vacuum system 11 is arranged on the base 12 and is connected with the outer tube 1 to provide a simulated vacuum environment.

[0047] A gravity level control mechanism is arranged in the outer tube 1 and includes a driving unit 2, a traction unit 3 and a sample stage 6 system connected in sequence. The driving unit 2 realizes the lifting of the sample stage 6 system through the traction unit 3.

[0048] A general control system 13 is connected with the temperature control system, the vacuum system 11 and the gravity level control mechanism to control the target gravity level.

[0049] The outer tube 1 is an insulated outer tube, which can prevent external force from interfering with the experiment and prevent the equipment from being conductive after being powered on.

[0050] The temperature control system includes a resistance wire mesh 10, a heating assembly and a temperature control thermocouple assembly. The temperature control thermocouple assembly 15 is uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the outer tube 1, and the resistance wire mesh 10 covers the inner wall of the outer tube 1. Those skilled in the art can understand that the resistance wire mesh 10 covers the part of the inner wall of the outer tube 1 except the braking slide 9. The heating assembly is used to heat the resistance wire mesh 10. The temperature of the insulated outer tube 1 is monitored in real time through the temperature control thermocouple assembly, and the heating rate of the resistance wire mesh 10 is controlled through the heating assembly to control the temperature in the tube.

[0051] A gravity level control mechanism is arranged in the outer tube 1 and includes a driving unit 2, a traction unit 3 and a sample stage 6 system connected in sequence. The driving unit 2 realizes the lifting of the sample stage 6 system through the traction unit 3.

[0052] As a preferred embodiment, the driving unit 2 includes a motor and a backup power supply 14, and the traction unit 3 is a cable. The motor drives the cable to control the lifting of the sample stage 6 system.

[0053] The sample stage 6 system includes a sample stage 6, a fixed part 7 and an electron beam gun 4 assembly. The sample stage 6 is connected below the driving unit 2 through the traction unit 3 at both ends. The electron beam gun 4 assembly and the fixed part 7 are both installed above the sample stage 6. The fixed part 7 is used for clamping the sample to be welded. The fixed part 7 is preferably two sets of sample clamps, each of which is provided with a rubber gasket screw perpendicular to the bottom of the sample stage 6, which is used to clamp samples of different thicknesses. The rubber gasket can protect the sample from being damaged by the screw and increase the friction between the screw and the sample.

[0054] The electron beam gun assembly includes an electron beam gun 4, an electron beam gun control assembly and a bracket 5. The bracket 5 is slidably connected with the sample stage 6. The electron beam gun 4 and the electron beam gun control assembly are arranged on the bracket 5. The electron beam gun control assembly controls the relative sliding of the electron beam gun 4 relative to the sample to be welded on the sample stage 6 to complete the predetermined welding track.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 2 As shown, the support 5 includes an upper support and a lower support, which are connected by a support telescopic rod 19, and the first slide 20 is arranged on the object table 6 and is in sliding connection with the lower support; the second slide 18 is arranged on the upper support and is in sliding connection with the electron beam gun 4.

[0056] The object table 6 system further includes a monitoring assembly, an illumination assembly, a level 17, a sensor 16, and a brake pulley 8; the level 17 is located at the center below the object table 6, and the sensor 16 is located on both sides of the object table 6; the brake slide 9 is located on the inner wall of the outer tube 1, and the resistance wire screen 10 covers the part of the inner wall of the outer tube 1 except the brake slide 9; when the external environment is powered off or the sensor 16 senses the cable breakage, the brake slide 9 is ejected to cooperate with the brake slide 9 to brake the object table 6, as shown. Fig. 3 As shown, the speed is reduced by the friction between the brake pulley 8 and the slide. The level 17 can flexibly adjust the amount of the cable according to the gravity center of the sample to ensure that the object table 6 is horizontal; the monitoring assembly and the illumination assembly can provide a good environment for the experiment.

[0057] The electron beam gun control assembly can control the height of the electron beam gun 4 by the support telescopic rod 19 and can control the movement of the electron beam gun 4 on the first slide 20 and the second slide 18 to ensure that the electron beam gun 4 completes the predetermined welding track task. The electron beam gun 4 assembly stops working when the external environment is powered off or the sensor 16 senses the cable breakage.

[0058] The motor can control the rising or falling of the cable, and the standby power supply 14 automatically starts and controls the motor and the brake pulley 8 to brake in emergency and makes the electron beam gun assembly stop working when the external environment is powered off.

[0059] The general control system 13 is connected with the vacuum system 11, the temperature control system, the hoisting assembly, and the electron beam gun 4 assembly, respectively, and can realize the control of the temperature control system, the vacuum system 11, the electron beam gun 4 control assembly, and the motor by using pre-programming in the experimental process. Integrating the control systems of the components simplifies the operation steps of the equipment.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] A working method of a lifting platform device specially used for simulating different gravity levels is as follows:

[0062] After the sample holder 5 is fixed, according to the required simulated gravity level, the control motor 2 is selected to pull the carrier platform 6 upward from the bottom or downward from the top through the cable 3 at a rated acceleration to obtain the target gravity level, the electron beam gun 4 assembly is welded in the movement process during the experiment, the height of the electron beam gun 4 can be adjusted by the electron beam gun 4 control assembly and the electron beam gun 4 is controlled to move in the transverse slide and the longitudinal slide in real time to complete the predetermined welding track, meanwhile, the temperature in the pipe can be controlled by the temperature control system, and the experiment can be monitored throughout the process by using the lighting assembly and the monitoring assembly, the above process is repeated, once the external environment is powered off, the standby power supply 14 starts, the brake pulley 8 under the carrier platform 6 is popped out and cooperates with the brake slide 9 to brake, and meanwhile the electron beam gun 4 assembly stops working, or when the sensor 16 senses that the cable 3 is broken, the brake pulley 8 is popped out and cooperates with the brake slide 9 to brake, and meanwhile the electron beam gun 4 assembly stops working.

[0063] The application provides a gravity level ground simulation device special for welding in extraterrestrial environment, a gravity level regulation mechanism is selected to pull the carrier platform 6 upward from the bottom or downward from the top through the traction unit 3 to obtain the target gravity level, the electron beam gun assembly is welded in the movement process during the experiment, the height of the electron beam gun 4 can be adjusted by the electron beam gun 4 control assembly, and the electron beam gun 4 is controlled to move in the first slide and the second slide in real time to complete the predetermined welding track, meanwhile, the temperature in the pipe can be controlled by the temperature control system.

[0064] The vacuum degree in the device can reach 10 -4 Pa, and the high vacuum environment in space can be simulated. The adjustment of different gravity levels of 0-4g0 can ensure that the device has the ability to simulate the gravity of each extraterrestrial planet. The carrier platform 6 can be lifted and lowered by pulling the cable through the motor, so that different gravity levels of 0-4g0 are obtained, wherein 0-1g0 is realized by free falling at the top of the device, and gravity simulation above g0 needs to place the carrier platform 6 at the bottom of the device first, and then pull the carrier platform 6 upward through the cable to realize the simulation effect; the spirit level 17 can flexibly adjust the amount given by the cable to ensure that the carrier platform 6 is horizontal, and the above setting can make the gravity level of the device flexible and stable.

[0065] It should be stated that the innovation of the application lies in the design of the system mechanism and the control process, and the power supply system, the sensor 16, the spirit level 17, the controller system, the temperature control system, the lighting assembly, the monitoring assembly, the electron beam gun 4 assembly, the motor and its driver supporting the operation of the system are all general technologies, which need not be repeated here.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present application, and that those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A gravity level ground simulation device for extraterrestrial environment welding, comprising a base; characterized in that: Also comprising: an outer tube assembly comprising an outer tube and a temperature control system, the outer tube being vertically arranged in a tower shape with a closed top end and a bottom end connected to a base, and the temperature control system being arranged in the outer tube; a vacuum system arranged above the base and in communication with the outer tube to provide a simulated vacuum environment; a gravity level control mechanism arranged in the outer tube, comprising a driving unit, a traction unit and a stage system connected in sequence, the driving unit achieving the lifting of the stage system through the traction unit; a general control system connected to the temperature control system, the vacuum system and the gravity level control mechanism to control the target gravity level to obtain different gravity levels of 0-4g0; wherein the stage system comprises a stage, an electron beam gun assembly and a fixing part, the stage is connected to the driving unit below through the traction unit at both ends, the electron beam gun assembly and the fixing part are both mounted above the stage, the fixing part is used for clamping the sample to be welded, the electron beam gun assembly comprises an electron beam gun, an electron beam gun control assembly and a bracket, the bracket is slidingly connected to the stage, the electron beam gun and the electron beam gun control assembly are arranged on the bracket, the electron beam gun control assembly controls the relative sliding of the electron beam gun relative to the sample to be welded on the stage to complete the predetermined welding track, the bracket comprises an upper bracket and a lower bracket, the upper bracket and the lower bracket are connected through a bracket telescopic rod, a first sliding way is arranged on the stage and slidingly connected to the lower bracket, a second sliding way is arranged on the upper bracket and slidingly connected to the electron beam gun, braking sliding ways are arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the outer tube along the axial direction, and a braking pulley is arranged below the stage and matched with the braking sliding ways; the temperature control system comprises a resistance wire mesh, a heating assembly and a thermocouple assembly, the resistance wire mesh covers the part of the inner wall of the outer tube except the braking sliding ways, the heating assembly is used for heating the resistance wire mesh, and the thermocouple assemblies are uniformly distributed on both sides of the inner wall of the outer tube to monitor the temperature in the outer tube in real time.

2. The off-Earth environment welding, gravity level, ground simulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The driving unit comprises a motor and a backup power supply, and the motor drives the traction unit to control the lifting of the stage.

3. The off-Earth environment welding, gravity level, ground simulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The stage system further comprises a monitoring assembly, an illumination assembly, a level and a sensor, the monitoring assembly and the illumination assembly are arranged on the stage, the level is arranged directly below the stage, and the sensor is arranged on both sides of the stage.

4. The gravity level ground simulation device for extraterrestrial environment welding according to claim 1, characterized in that: the traction unit is a cable, and the fixing part is two groups of sample clamps, each group of sample clamps is arranged as a screw with a rubber pad on the bottom of the stage to clamp samples of different thicknesses, and the outer tube is an insulating tube with a tower falling height of 12 m.

5. A method of operating a gravity level ground simulation device for extraterrestrial environment welding as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that comprising the following steps: Step 1: fixing the sample, adjusting the vacuum environment and controlling the temperature in the tube through the temperature control system; Step 2: selecting the control motor according to the required simulated gravity to pull the stage up from the bottom or down from the top through the cable to obtain the target gravity level. Step 3, welding in motion using the electron beam gun assembly, the electron beam gun control assembly controls the height of the electron beam gun through the support telescopic rod, and controls the real-time movement of the electron beam gun in the first slide and the second slide to complete the predetermined welding trajectory, and the illumination assembly and the monitoring assembly are used to monitor the whole process of the experiment; Step 4, repeat the above process until the simulation is completed.

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