Modularized infrared heating cage capable of being stretched and folded

Abstract

The invention provides a modularized infrared heating cage capable of being telescopically folded, and belongs to the field of design of spacecraft thermal environment test simulation devices. The problems that in the prior art, an infrared heating cage is long in development period, tedious to adjust and assemble and large in needed storage space are solved. The chain-type heating cage module is composed of a chain-type insulating tape and a heating tape, the chain-type insulating tape is connected in series through a plurality of insulating chain links to form a bendable flexible frame, and the heating tape is installed on the chain-type insulating tape; at least two sections of metal pipes capable of relatively sliding and a locking mechanism are reserved on the heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft lever; the baffle plate adjusting device is mounted on the heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft rod; the heat flow meter bracket is fixed on a shaft rod of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage; the sleeve fixing device is arranged at the end part of the heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft rod; the angle aluminum is used for fixing the heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft rod and the chain type heating cage module through the connecting piece. The device is mainly used in the vacuum thermal test field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of spacecraft thermal environment test simulation device design, and in particular relates to a modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded. Background Technology

[0002] The space thermal environment in which spacecraft operate in orbit is extremely harsh, and the reliability of their thermal design directly affects the success or failure of the mission. To ensure the normal operation of satellites and other spacecraft under the extreme temperature conditions of space, high-fidelity vacuum thermal tests must be conducted on the ground. The core objective of these tests is to verify the effectiveness of the thermal control system, assess the performance of each subsystem and individual device under simulated space thermal conditions, and identify potential design or manufacturing defects. Vacuum thermal tests require accurate simulation of external space heat flow, that is, to reproduce the heat exchange in space, which is mainly in the form of radiation. In this context, infrared heating cages are widely used as one of the most common and critical simulation methods. Their working principle is to act as a controllable heat source, using resistance heating to generate infrared radiation, projecting heat onto the satellite surface in a non-contact manner, thereby realistically reproducing the almost purely radiative heat exchange environment in space. This simulation capability allows testers to place the satellite in a controllable dynamic balance of cold and heat, accurately reproducing its temperature distribution and changes during in-orbit operation, providing indispensable data support for thermal design verification.

[0003] However, the traditional infrared heating cages widely used today typically employ a fixed, rigid structure, which has revealed several significant and increasingly prominent drawbacks in practice. First, in terms of development efficiency, the rigid structure and largely customized design of traditional heating cages result in long development cycles. The entire process, from design and material procurement to processing and assembly, is time-consuming and labor-intensive, unable to keep pace with the rapid iteration of modern spacecraft development. Second, regarding cost control, the customized nature leads to high costs. Each new satellite model often requires the development of a completely new heating cage, creating a significant economic burden. Third, in terms of versatility, traditional heating cages lack versatility. Their fixed size and shape make it difficult to adapt to satellite products of different configurations and sizes. Even slightly different models within the same satellite series may require a redesigned heating cage, lacking modular adaptability. Fourth, in terms of storage and logistics, the rigid structure dictates a large storage space requirement. When not in use for testing, these large and cumbersome devices occupy valuable storage resources, posing a serious challenge for units with limited test site space. Finally, at the operational level, its assembly and adjustment process is cumbersome. During on-site installation, a large amount of manual labor is required for positioning, fixing and wiring. Adjusting the distance or angle between the heating surface and the satellite surface is also extremely inconvenient, which significantly increases the time and complexity of test preparation.

[0004] With the rise and development of mass production and platform-based development models for small satellites, micro-nano satellites, and constellation-based satellites, higher demands are placed on the efficiency, cost, and flexibility of thermal testing. The shortcomings of traditional infrared heating cages mentioned above are further amplified in this context, becoming one of the bottlenecks restricting rapid satellite development and low-cost verification. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded, so as to solve the problems of long development cycle, complicated adjustment and assembly, and large storage space required in the existing infrared heating cage.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A modular infrared heating cage capable of being extended and folded, the heating cage comprising: Chain heating cage module, heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft, baffle adjustment device, heat flow meter bracket, sleeve fixing device and angle aluminum; The chain heating cage module consists of a chain insulating tape and a heating tape. The chain insulating tape is connected in series with multiple insulating chain links to form a flexible, bendable frame. The heating tape is installed on the chain insulating tape. The telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage retains at least two sections of metal tubes that can slide relative to each other, and a locking mechanism installed on the metal tubes, for adjusting the width of the heating cage; The baffle adjustment device is installed on the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used for local heat flow regulation. The heat flow meter bracket is fixed to the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to install the heat flow meter; The sleeve fixing device is located at the end of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to connect multiple heating cage surfaces; The angle aluminum is used to fix the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and the chain heating cage module through the connector.

[0007] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed in which the chain insulating tape is composed of insulating chain links made of polytetrafluoroethylene material connected in series by bolts, and the heating tape is made of nickel-chromium alloy material and is installed parallel to the chain insulating tape by fasteners.

[0008] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed, wherein the insulating chain link is an integrally formed high-temperature resistant structure, and adjacent chain links are connected by a rotating pair, and the width of the chain heating cage module is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of chain links.

[0009] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed in which the fastener is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and the fastener presses the heating band onto the insulating link using a tenon and mortise structure.

[0010] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed, wherein the metal tube of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage is an aluminum alloy tube, and the locking mechanism includes a threaded set screw or a cam-type handle, wherein the telescopic position is locked by tightening the threaded set screw to press against the inner tube or by operating the cam-type handle.

[0011] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed, wherein the baffle adjusting device includes a first slider and a baffle that can slide along the axis of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage, specifically: A support arm is welded onto the first slider, and a baffle is fixed to the end of the support arm; Loosen the fasteners of the first slider, allowing the first slider to move along the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage to the desired position, and then tighten them again. The angle of the baffle relative to the heating surface is adjusted by rotating the relative angle between the first slider and the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage.

[0012] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed, wherein the heat flow meter bracket includes a second slider connected to the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and a nut welded to the second slider. The nut is used to install the mounting rod of the heat flow meter, and the spatial orientation and measurement position of the mounting rod are adjusted by loosening the locking screw of the second slider.

[0013] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed, wherein the sleeve fixing device is a connecting flange, and the connecting flange is provided with a connecting groove.

[0014] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is proposed in which the angle aluminum is fixed to each other by connectors to form an overall frame of the heating cage, and the end of the chain heating cage module is fixed to the angle aluminum by insulating chain links.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: Traditional technologies use rigid metal frames for support, whose shape and size cannot be changed. This invention, however, designs a chain-like insulating strip composed of links as the core support structure. The overall rigid support is decomposed into multiple discrete insulating links connected by revolute joints. These links, connected in series, can form a stable load-bearing surface through tension when support is needed; when compaction is required, the rotational freedom between the links allows the entire structure to bend or even curl. This fundamental shift from rigidity to flexibility enables the compaction and adaptation to spacecraft with different shapes, fundamentally differentiating it from existing technologies.

[0016] To accommodate the varying dimensions of the flexible heating surface, the support frame designed in this invention, namely the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage, employs a telescopic sleeve structure. Utilizing at least two relatively sliding metal tubes, locked at any telescopic position via a simple locking mechanism (such as a set screw), the length of the support frame can be infinitely or steppedly adjusted. This allows for precise matching of modular heating surfaces of different sizes, achieving versatility across multiple sizes with a single frame.

[0017] Traditional heating cages have cumbersome installation and difficult position adjustment of their functional units (such as baffles and heat flow meter supports). This invention designs the baffle adjustment device and heat flow meter support as independent modules that can slide and be fixed along the aforementioned telescopic shaft. These functional components are integrated with a slider that can move freely on the main shaft. By releasing / locking the slider, rapid positioning and fixation on the shaft can be achieved, enabling precise local control of heat flow and flexible arrangement of measurement points.

[0018] The chain-type insulating tape proposed in this invention is flexible and rollable. When not in use, the entire heating cage can transform from a large, rigid structure into a compact roll or folded state, reducing its storage volume by more than 60%, greatly alleviating the pressure of storage and transportation—something traditional rigid structures simply cannot achieve. The chain-type heating cage unit modules can be adjusted in width by adding or removing chain links according to the satellite size, and in length by extending the outer frame shaft. They are then quickly assembled into a three-dimensional structure using a sleeve fixing device and angle aluminum. This rapid assembly and high versatility perfectly meet the needs of modern small satellite mass production and multi-configuration development, shortening the traditional customized and lengthy development cycle into a standardized, rapid preparation process. The sliding and angle-adjustable baffle device allows testers to fine-tune the heat flow in specific areas, enabling more precise simulation of extra-space heat flow. Simultaneously, the flexibly positionable heat flow meter bracket ensures the accuracy of measurement data. This convenient adjustment capability improves test quality and efficiency. The heating tape is installed in a modular form on the chain-type insulating tape. When a heating element is damaged, it can be replaced independently without removing the entire heating cage or a large area of ​​the heating surface, which greatly simplifies the maintenance process and saves maintenance time and costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a modular infrared heating cage that can be stretched and folded according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a single-sided schematic diagram of the heating cage described in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the chain heating cage module described in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the baffle adjustment device described in this invention.

[0020] In the picture: 1-Chain insulating tape, 2-Heating tape, 3-Fixing component, 4-Locking mechanism, 5-First metal tube, 6-Second metal tube, 7-Heat flow meter bracket, 8-Sleeve fixing device, 9-First slider, 10-Baffle, 11-Angle aluminum. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] Implementation Method 1: This implementation method addresses the problems of long development cycles, cumbersome adjustment and assembly, and large storage space requirements of existing infrared heating cages. It proposes a modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded. The heating cage includes: Chain heating cage module, heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft, baffle adjustment device, heat flow meter bracket 7, sleeve fixing device 8 and angle aluminum 11; The chain heating cage module consists of a chain insulating belt 1 and a heating belt 2. The chain insulating belt 1 is connected in series with multiple insulating chain links to form a flexible frame that can be bent. The heating belt 2 is installed on the chain insulating belt. The telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage retains at least two sections of metal tubes that can slide relative to each other and a locking mechanism 4 installed on the metal tubes, which is used to adjust the width of the heating cage. The baffle adjustment device is installed on the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used for local heat flow regulation. The heat flow meter bracket 7 is fixed on the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to install the heat flow meter; The sleeve fixing device 8 is located at the end of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to connect multiple heating cage surfaces. The angle aluminum 11 is used to fix the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and the chain heating cage module through the connector; The flexible storage and rapid assembly of the heating cage are achieved through the curvature of the chain-type insulating tape and the adjustability of the telescopic outer frame.

[0025] Implementation Method 2: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded as described in Implementation Method 1. The chain insulating strip 1 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material and the insulating chain links are connected in series by bolts. The heating strip 2 is made of nickel-chromium alloy material and is installed parallel to the chain insulating strip by fasteners.

[0026] Implementation Method 3: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded as described in Implementation Method 2. The insulating chain link is an integrally formed high-temperature resistant structure, and adjacent chain links are connected by a rotating joint. The width of the chain heating cage module can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of chain links.

[0027] In this embodiment, the insulating chain link is integrally molded using high-temperature resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material through injection molding. Its shape is designed to allow for angular rotation between adjacent chain links, such as a double-ear plate combined with a pin. The connecting parts between adjacent chain links are preferably a combination of stainless steel bolts and anti-loosening nuts, which not only provides a rotating pair between chain links but also ensures the reliability of the connection.

[0028] Implementation Method 4: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded as described in Implementation Method 2. The fixing member 3 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the fixing member uses a tenon and mortise structure to press the heating band onto the insulating link.

[0029] In this embodiment, the fastener 3 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and uses a tenon-and-mortise structure to firmly press the heating band onto the insulating links. Both ends of the heating band 2 terminate at the insulating links, and the heating bands of each unit are connected by metal strips, with wires leading to a unified electrical interface. By increasing or decreasing the number of links, the width of the unit module can be flexibly adjusted; similarly, by adjusting the length of the heating band, the length of the unit module can be flexibly adjusted to meet different size requirements.

[0030] Implementation Method 5: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be telescopically folded as described in Implementation Method 1. The metal tube of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage is an aluminum alloy tube. The locking mechanism 4 includes a threaded set screw or a cam-type handle. The telescopic position is locked by tightening the threaded set screw to press against the inner tube or by operating the cam-type handle.

[0031] In this embodiment, the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage constitutes the supporting skeleton of the heating cage. It is composed of at least two relatively slidable sections of a first metal tube 5 and a second metal tube 6, which are sleeved together. The conventional configuration is two sections, and the number of sections can be expanded as needed. Preferably, the metal tubes are aluminum alloy tubes. A locking mechanism 4 is provided on the outer tube of the metal tube and is used to lock the telescopic position of the inner tube. The locking mechanism is one or more threaded set screws, which are screwed into and welded to the outer tube. Locking is achieved by tightening the set screws so that their ends press against the inner tube. A cam-type handle can also be used to achieve faster adjustment. By adjusting the extension length of the first metal tube 5, the length of the installed chain heating cage module can be precisely matched, thereby realizing the adjustment of the working surface size of the entire heating cage.

[0032] Implementation Method Six: This implementation method further defines the retractable and foldable modular infrared heating cage described in Implementation Method One. The baffle adjustment device includes a first slider 9 and a baffle 10 that can slide along the axis of the retractable outer frame of the heating cage. Specifically: A support arm is welded onto the first slider 9, and a baffle 10 is fixed to the end of the support arm; Loosen the fasteners of the first slider 9, allowing the first slider 9 to move along the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage to the desired position, and then re-lock it; By rotating the first slider 9 relative to the axis of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage, the angle of the baffle 10 relative to the heating surface is adjusted.

[0033] In this embodiment, the baffle adjustment device is installed on the shaft of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage. The baffle adjustment device includes a first slider 9 that can slide along the shaft. A support arm is welded to the first slider 9, and a baffle 10 is fixed to the end of the support arm. By loosening the fasteners of the slider, it can be moved along the shaft to the desired position and then relocked. By rotating the relative angle between the first slider 9 and the shaft of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage, the angle of the baffle 10 relative to the heating surface can be adjusted, thereby achieving localized shielding and precise control of the heat flow in that area.

[0034] Implementation Method Seven: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be telescopically folded as described in Implementation Method One. The heat flow meter bracket 7 includes a second slider connected to the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and a nut welded to the second slider. The nut is used to install the mounting rod of the heat flow meter. The spatial posture and measurement position of the mounting rod can be adjusted by loosening the locking screw of the second slider.

[0035] The heat flow meter bracket 7 is also fixed to the telescopic outer frame shaft, including a slider connected to the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and a nut welded to the slider. The nut is used to install the mounting rod of the heat flow meter. By loosening the locking screw of the slider, the spatial posture and position of the mounting rod can be flexibly adjusted, thereby ensuring that the heat flow meter can be accurately aligned with the object being measured and positioned at the optimal measurement point.

[0036] Implementation Method 8: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be telescopically folded as described in Implementation Method 1. The sleeve fixing device 8 is a connecting flange with a connecting slot. By aligning the sleeve fixing devices in different directions and using bolts to pass through the corresponding connecting slots, the three-dimensional surface structure assembly of multiple chain heating cage modules can be achieved.

[0037] Implementation Method Nine: This implementation method further defines the modular infrared heating cage that can be extended and folded as described in Implementation Method One. The angle aluminum 11 are fixed to each other by connectors to form the overall frame of the heating cage. The ends of the chain heating cage modules are fixed to the angle aluminum by insulating chain links. The angle aluminum are fixed to each other by connectors to complete the assembly of the entire heating cage.

[0038] The specific embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the invention. These embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention.

Claims

1. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding, characterized in that, The heating cage includes: Chain heating cage module, heating cage telescopic outer frame shaft, baffle adjustment device, heat flow meter bracket (7), sleeve fixing device (8) and angle aluminum (11); The chain heating cage module consists of a chain insulating strip (1) and a heating strip (2). The chain insulating strip (1) is connected in series with multiple insulating chain links to form a flexible frame that can be bent. The heating strip (2) is installed on the chain insulating strip. The telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage retains at least two sections of metal tubes that can slide relative to each other and a locking mechanism (4) installed on the metal tubes, which is used to adjust the width of the heating cage; The baffle adjustment device is installed on the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used for local heat flow regulation. The heat flow meter bracket (7) is fixed on the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to install the heat flow meter; The sleeve fixing device (8) is located at the end of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and is used to connect multiple heating cage surfaces; The angle aluminum (11) is used to fix the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and the chain heating cage module through the connector.

2. The modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The chain insulating tape (1) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material and the insulating chain links are connected in series by bolts. The heating tape (2) is made of nickel-chromium alloy material and is installed parallel to the chain insulating tape by fasteners.

3. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insulating chain link is a one-piece molded high-temperature resistant structure. Adjacent chain links are connected by a rotating pair, and the width of the chain heating cage module can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of chain links.

4. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fastener is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and uses a tenon and mortise structure to press the heating band onto the insulating link.

5. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal tube of the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage is an aluminum alloy tube. The locking mechanism (4) includes a threaded set screw or a cam-type handle. The telescopic position is locked by tightening the threaded set screw to press against the inner tube or by operating the cam-type handle.

6. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle adjustment device includes a first slider (9) that can slide along the axis of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage and a baffle, specifically: A support arm is welded onto the first slider (9), and a baffle (10) is fixed to the end of the support arm. Loosen the fasteners of the first slider (9), move the first slider (9) to the desired position along the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage, and then re-lock it; By rotating the first slider (9) relative to the axis of the telescopic outer frame of the heating cage, the angle of the baffle (10) relative to the heating surface is adjusted.

7. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat flow meter bracket (7) includes a second slider connected to the telescopic outer frame shaft of the heating cage and a nut welded to the second slider. The nut is used to install the mounting rod of the heat flow meter. The spatial orientation and measurement position of the mounting rod can be adjusted by loosening the locking screw of the second slider.

8. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sleeve fixing device (8) is a connecting flange, and the connecting flange is provided with a connecting groove.

9. A modular infrared heating cage capable of telescopic and folding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle aluminum (11) is fixed to each other by connectors to form the overall frame of the heating cage, and the end of the chain heating cage module is fixed to the angle aluminum by insulating chain links.

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