Multi-channel refueling launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement system

Abstract

This invention provides a multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank, comprising: a single-channel refueling system and a newly developed data acquisition and control system; the single-channel refueling system includes a test station and a flow meter; the newly developed data acquisition and control system includes a pulse distributor, a PLC module, an industrial computer, and control components; the pulse distributor is connected to the test station, the flow meter, and the PLC module respectively; the PLC module is connected to the industrial computer and the control components respectively. This invention possesses multi-channel refueling capability and multi-channel test data processing capability, achieving a several-fold increase in the efficiency of launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of liquid level measurement technology for launch vehicle tank structures, specifically, it relates to a multi-channel refueling launch vehicle tank volume measurement system. Background Technology

[0002] Volume measurement, a crucial step in the development of launch vehicle propellant tanks, has long been a bottleneck restricting tank production capacity due to its long measurement cycle and high uncertainty. To improve launch vehicle development efficiency, most major domestic launch vehicle propellant tank manufacturers currently measure the volume of multiple launch vehicle propellant tanks by setting up multiple independent single-channel refueling stations. However, with the increasing carrying capacity of rockets, the diameter and length of launch vehicle propellant tanks are becoming larger, and the single-channel refueling method can no longer meet the needs of rapid volume measurement.

[0003] Patent document CN104634409B discloses a 5M-class propellant tank volume calibration equipment and method, which automatically calibrates and verifies the flow meter before measuring the volume, thereby improving the volume calibration accuracy. This equipment and method mainly realizes high-precision measurement of the single-channel refueling method of launch vehicle propellant tank volume, but it cannot be integrated into multiple single-channel refueling systems.

[0004] Patent document CN111486920B discloses a method, system, and medium for determining and analyzing volume measurement data of a launch vehicle tank. This method, system, and medium are mainly used for data type analysis, 15℃ standard data conversion, envelope determination, dispersion determination, and horizontal comparison analysis of recent data for test data of a single-channel refueling system of a launch vehicle tank. However, it does not provide a solution for processing volume measurement data under multi-channel refueling methods.

[0005] Patent document CN119043446A discloses a hydraulic test method for the volume measurement of a launch vehicle's propellant tank. This method uses a three-way valve to switch water flow at key points in the pipeline switching, achieving instantaneous response and rapid switching, replacing the coordinated action of two traditional switching valves, and forming multiple pathways to improve the system's automation level. However, this method fails to provide a solution for processing volume measurement data under multi-channel refueling methods.

[0006] Most domestic launch vehicle propellant tank development units have two or more independent propellant tank volume measurement stations to cope with situations where multiple propellant tanks occupy the volume measurement station at the same time, which could lead to delays in the development process.

[0007] For rocket propellant tanks that require urgent delivery or are oversized, or when other work stations are shut down, multi-channel filling can be used to measure the volume of a single propellant tank, which can improve testing efficiency several times over and maximize the use of other idle work stations.

[0008] This problem urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank.

[0010] A multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank, according to the present invention, comprises: a single-channel refueling system and a newly developed acquisition and control system; The single-channel refueling system includes a test station and a flow meter; The new data acquisition and control system includes a pulse distributor, a PLC module, an industrial computer, and control components. The pulse distributor is connected to the test station, the flow meter and the PLC module respectively; the PLC module is connected to the industrial computer and the control component respectively.

[0011] Preferably, the control component includes indicator lights and control switches.

[0012] Preferably, the new data acquisition and control system further includes a remote hub; the PLC module is connected to the remote hub, and the remote hub is connected to the test station through a single-channel remote hub.

[0013] Preferably, the remote hub transmits the liquid level sensor signal obtained from the liquid level sensor in the launch vehicle tank to the single-channel remote hub in one path and to the PLC module in the other path.

[0014] Preferably, the pulse distributor transmits the flow meter pulse signal obtained by the flow meter sensor to the single-channel remote hub and to the PLC module in two ways.

[0015] Preferably, the flow meter pulse signal is the cumulative pulse signal emitted by the flow meter of the filling pipeline at the test station.

[0016] Preferably, the industrial control computer includes a multi-channel data processing system, which collects the flow meter pulse signals of the filling pipelines of all the test stations to obtain the liquid level and volume.

[0017] Preferably, the multi-channel data processing system includes a single-channel data calculation module; the single-channel data calculation module is capable of converting the flow meter pulse signal with the water storage tank of the test station to obtain standard volume data; Assuming the water temperature is 15℃, then the water temperature after the test station is... i The standard volumetric water volume data for each channel flow meter is expressed mathematically as follows: (1) in, V 15i(flow) indicates the passage through the first... i Standard volume data of water at 15℃ for each channel flow meter; 3α represents a constant of 6.75 × 10⁻⁶. -5 ℃ -1 ; Indicates the first i Actual water temperature measured at each workstation T i Volume at ℃; T i Indicates after the first i The water temperature is measured by the flow meter at each workstation.

[0018] Preferably, the multi-channel data processing system further includes a multi-channel data compensation module; the multi-channel data compensation module is capable of calculating the volume compensation amount in the launch vehicle's propellant tank and the actual refueling amount in each refueling channel; As a volume compensation amount, the first i The standard volume data for each refueling channel at 15℃, expressed mathematically as follows: (2) in, Indicates the first i Standard volume data for each refueling channel at 15°C. T e This indicates the internal water temperature of the rocket's propellant tank after refueling. Indicates the displayed volume; The actual injection volume is expressed mathematically as follows: (3) in, This represents the actual amount injected.

[0019] Preferably, the multi-channel data compensation module calculates the corresponding liquid level in the launch vehicle's propellant tank. j The volume of is expressed mathematically as follows: (4) in, Indicates the corresponding liquid level in the launch vehicle's propellant tank. j volume, This indicates the total number of refueling channels.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention integrates the test signals of multiple single-channel refueling systems to form a multi-channel refueling launch vehicle volume measurement system, which improves the refueling efficiency by several times and can significantly improve the efficiency of launch vehicle tank volume measurement. When the tank is refueled through multiple channels, due to the inconsistent medium state of each channel, a single-channel compensation volume algorithm is proposed for the mixed volume, so as to realize high-precision processing of launch vehicle tank volume data under multi-channel refueling mode.

[0021] 2. This invention has the capability of multi-channel refueling of the propellant tank and multi-channel test data processing, thereby achieving a several-fold improvement in the efficiency of propellant tank volume measurement for launch vehicles.

[0022] 3. This invention adapts a single-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of launch vehicle propellant tanks, retaining the single-channel refueling volume measurement capability while also enabling multi-channel refueling volume measurement of launch vehicle propellant tanks, thus meeting the requirements for efficient volume measurement of large launch vehicle propellant tanks. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the signal flow of the system provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] The present invention provides a multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle propellant tank, comprising: a single-channel refueling system and a novel acquisition and control system.

[0026] The single-channel refueling system consists of an independent testing station and a control system. The testing station includes a water storage tank, refueling pipeline, signal acquisition module, and data processing module. The control system consists of control modules for each valve and water pump in the refueling pipeline, enabling independent control, signal acquisition, and processing of the single-channel refueling system. The newly designed acquisition and control system consists of a remote hub, pulse distributor, PLC module, and industrial computer, which can simultaneously acquire sensor signals and flow meter signals from all single-channel systems, enabling the acquisition and processing of multi-channel refueling signals.

[0027] Specifically, the test station of the single-channel filling system collects the liquid level sensor signal as a liquid level arrival indication, and simultaneously collects the cumulative pulse signal emitted by the flow meter in the filling pipeline. The data processing module converts the signal into the volume value of the liquid level, thereby realizing independent control, signal acquisition and processing of the single-channel filling system.

[0028] Specifically, the remote hub and pulse distributor process the liquid level sensor signal and the flow meter pulse signal into two outputs, one output being sent back to the single-channel filling system and the other output being sent back to the PLC module of the newly built acquisition and control system.

[0029] Specifically, the industrial control computer's multi-channel data processing system can process the multi-channel flow meter pulse signals output by the PLC, including a single-channel data calculation module, a multi-channel data compensation module, and a multi-channel data calculation module, which can acquire and process signals under multi-channel refueling conditions for measuring the volume of the launch vehicle's tank.

[0030] Specifically, the single-channel data calculation module performs calculations based on the status of the single-channel flow meter and the water status of the reservoir, and converts the volumetric measurement data into... V 15i (Stream) Standard volume data.

[0031] Specifically, the multi-channel refueling launch vehicle tank volume measurement system, (1) in: T i Indicates after the first i Water temperature measured by the flow meter at each workstation; Indicates the first i Actual water temperature measured at each workstation T i The volume below; This indicates that the constant value is 6.75 × 10. -5 ℃ -1 ; V 15i (flow) indicates the passage through the first... i Standard volume data of water at 15°C for each channel flow meter.

[0032] Specifically, the multi-channel data compensation module performs volume compensation based on the water state of multiple refueling channels and the final water state inside the launch vehicle's propellant tank. Calculations were performed to determine the actual refueling volume for each refueling channel. V 15i .

[0033] Specifically, the mathematical expressions for the volume compensation and actual refueling volume of the multi-channel refueling launch vehicle tank volume measurement system, from top to bottom, are as follows:

[0034] in, T e This indicates the internal water temperature of the rocket's propellant tank after refueling. For the first i The volume compensation data for each refueling channel is based on the standard volume data at 15°C. V 15i For the first i The actual filling volume of each channel is the standard volume data at 15°C. The symbol · indicates the product.

[0035] Specifically, the multi-channel data calculation module adds up the actual filling volumes of the multi-channel indicators to obtain the final volume of the indicated liquid level. V 15j .

[0036] Specifically, the final volume V 15j The mathematical expression is: (4) in, n This indicates the number of betting channels, i.e., the total number of channels. n The rocket's propellant tanks are refueled via a single refueling channel. V 15j Indicates the rocket's propellant tank j Standard volume data for liquid level at 15℃.

[0037] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tanks. This system performs a two-way splitting process on sensor signals and all single-channel refueling station flowmeter signals, ensuring that the functionality of the single-channel refueling volume measurement station is not affected. It also allows for the simultaneous acquisition of all single-channel flowmeter signals using a single system, enabling signal acquisition and processing for launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement in a multi-channel refueling mode. Based on this, a multi-channel refueling volume measurement data processing method is provided to achieve high-precision processing of launch vehicle propellant tank volume data under multi-channel refueling conditions.

[0038] This application presents a multi-channel refueling system for launch vehicle propellant tanks. It adds a newly designed acquisition and control system to a single-channel refueling volume measurement system, and redesigns the signal transmission methods for the level sensor and flow meter to achieve a unified data acquisition and processing system for multi-channel refueling. For ease of description, a launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement scenario is used as an example to provide a detailed description of the technical solution.

[0039] The single-channel refueling system consists of an independent testing station and a control system. The testing station includes a water storage tank, refueling pipeline, signal acquisition module, and data processing module. The control system comprises control modules for each valve and water pump within the refueling pipeline. The water storage tank is connected to the refueling pipeline, which contains necessary equipment such as flow meters, valves, and water pumps. The flow meters in the refueling pipeline and the liquid level sensor inside the launch vehicle propellant tank are connected to the signal acquisition module of the testing station. The data processing module simultaneously processes the acquired signals to achieve single-channel refueling volume measurement of the launch vehicle propellant tank. The launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement workshop has two or more independent single-channel refueling system volume measurement stations to meet the needs of mass production of launch vehicle propellant tanks.

[0040] The reservoir provides the medium for measuring the volume of the launch vehicle's propellant tanks, and the water storage capacity must exceed the maximum propellant tank volume of conventional development missions.

[0041] The pipeline connecting to the water storage tank is positioned 10cm above the bottom of the tank to prevent excess sediment from entering the tank. The control system manages the filling of the tank and prevents backflow by controlling the opening and closing of valves and pumps in the filling pipeline.

[0042] The single-channel remote hub receives the 4~20mA current signal from the continuous liquid level sensor, the 5V voltage signal from the point liquid level sensor, and the pulse signal from the flow meter, and outputs it to the signal acquisition card at the test station. The host computer single-channel volume measurement software calculates the volume data of the launch vehicle tank at this liquid level based on the total number of pulses at the trigger time of the liquid level sensor.

[0043] The newly designed data acquisition and control system consists of a remote hub, a pulse distributor, a PLC module, and an industrial computer. The rocket's propellant tank level sensor is connected to the remote hub to receive the level sensor signal. The remote hub processes the sensor's level signal into two outputs (one input, two outputs), transmitting them to a single-channel remote hub and the PLC respectively. The pulse distributor processes the flow meter pulse signals from multiple stations into two outputs (one input, two outputs), transmitting them to a single-channel filling station and the PLC respectively. The PLC simultaneously acquires and processes the level sensor signal and the flow meter pulse signal, outputting the data to the industrial computer. The PLC is connected to external indicator lights and control switches. The industrial computer's multi-channel data processing system further processes the data to obtain relevant level and volume data.

[0044] The multi-channel refueling launch vehicle volume measurement system of the present invention is used for monitoring and processing the flow signals of all refueling channels during multi-channel refueling of the propellant tank.

[0045] When a launch vehicle's propellant tank is refueled through multiple channels, each refueling station can simultaneously acquire flow meter signals to monitor changes in pipeline flow velocity during refueling. Control modules, such as electromagnetic regulating valves, can then adjust pipeline valves to regulate flow. The newly developed data acquisition and control system's industrial computer multi-channel processing system synchronously acquires flow meter pulse signals from all single-station refueling pipelines, calculates the refueling volume of each channel, compensates for the volume loss, and finally adds the volumes of all channels to obtain the final liquid level volume. The implementation method is as follows: (1) via channel i For example, the measurement station i Initial water temperature in the pipeline T i ,density Get a workstation i The instrument constant of the pipeline flow meter, and based on the flow meter at the corresponding liquid level. i The pulse count is used to calculate the display volume in this state. And converted to a standard volume of 15℃. V 15i (Flow). The standard volume at 15°C for all other channels is calculated in the same manner.

[0046] (1) (2) Measure the final water temperature after multi-channel filling. T e ,density Calculate the difference between the indicated filling amount and the final indicated amount due to mixing at the corresponding liquid level in each channel. This refers to the compensation amount. It yields the actual refueling amount for each channel in its final state. V 15i .

[0047]

[0048] (3) Calculate the corresponding liquid level in the storage tank j volume V 15j .

[0049] (4) The multi-channel refueling system for launch vehicle propellant tanks of this application enables efficient measurement of the propellant tank volume of large launch vehicles. This system integrates the capabilities of existing single-channel refueling systems, thus significantly improving the efficiency of launch vehicle propellant tank volume measurement.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and 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 limitations on this application.

[0051] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank, characterized in that, include: Single-channel refueling system and new data acquisition and control system; The single-channel refueling system includes a test station and a flow meter; The new data acquisition and control system includes a pulse distributor, a PLC module, an industrial computer, and control components. The pulse distributor is connected to the test station, the flow meter and the PLC module respectively; the PLC module is connected to the industrial computer and the control component respectively.

2. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control components include indicator lights and control switches.

3. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The new data acquisition and control system also includes a remote hub; the PLC module is connected to the remote hub, and the remote hub is connected to the test station through a single-channel remote hub.

4. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 3, characterized in that, The remote hub transmits the liquid level sensor signal obtained from the liquid level sensor in the launch vehicle tank to the single-channel remote hub in one path and to the PLC module in the other path.

5. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pulse distributor transmits the flow meter pulse signal obtained by the flow meter sensor to the single-channel remote hub and to the PLC module in two ways: one is to the single-channel remote hub, and the other is to the PLC module.

6. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flow meter pulse signal is the cumulative pulse signal emitted by the flow meter in the filling pipeline of the test station.

7. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The industrial control computer includes a multi-channel data processing system, which collects the flow meter pulse signals of the filling pipelines of all the test stations to obtain the liquid level and volume.

8. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multi-channel data processing system includes a single-channel data calculation module; the single-channel data calculation module can convert the flow meter pulse signal with the water storage tank of the test station to obtain standard volume data. Assuming the water temperature is 15℃, then the water temperature after the test station is... i The standard volumetric water volume data for each channel flow meter is expressed mathematically as follows: （1） in, V 15i (flow) indicates the passage through the first... i Standard volume data of water at 15°C for each channel flow meter; This indicates that the constant value is 6.75 × 10. -5 ℃ -1 ; Indicates the first i Actual water temperature measured at each workstation T i The volume below; T i Indicates after the first i The water temperature is measured by the flow meter at each workstation.

9. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multi-channel data processing system also includes a multi-channel data compensation module; the multi-channel data compensation module can calculate the volume compensation amount in the launch vehicle's propellant tank and the actual refueling amount in each refueling channel; As a volume compensation amount, the first i The standard volume data for each refueling channel at 15℃, expressed mathematically as follows: （2） in, Indicates the first i Standard volume data for each refueling channel at 15°C. T e This indicates the internal water temperature of the rocket's propellant tank after refueling. Indicates the displayed volume; The actual amount injected is expressed mathematically as follows: （3） in, This represents the actual amount injected.

10. The multi-channel refueling system for measuring the volume of a launch vehicle's propellant tank according to claim 9, characterized in that, The multi-channel data compensation module calculates the corresponding liquid level in the launch vehicle's storage tank. j The volume of is expressed mathematically as follows: （4） in, Indicates the corresponding liquid level in the launch vehicle's propellant tank. j volume, This indicates the total number of refueling channels.

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