Nearshore Aerospace Engine Test Stand

Abstract

The present invention provides a near - shore aerospace engine test stand, which is arranged on a crushed stone layer laid on near - shore sand and gravel. It includes: a concrete dike and a semi - submersible platform arranged on the crushed stone layer. One side of the semi - submersible platform is close to the concrete dike, and the opposite side faces the sea. The semi - submersible platform includes a lower part submerged in the sea and an upper part exposed above the sea. The platform deck of the upper part of the semi - submersible platform is provided with at least a propellant storage tank, an engine mounting bracket, and at least one track for transferring the engine. The track is laid from the shore towards the sea at the middle position of the platform deck. The propellant storage tank is arranged near the track and is used to provide propellant for the engine arranged on the track. After the engine mounted on the engine mounting bracket moves along the track to the test position, the nozzle of the engine faces the sea, and there is no need to construct a flow - guiding groove structure, ensuring that the high - temperature gas generated during the test can be directly sprayed into the sea.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aerospace engine test runs, and specifically to an offshore aerospace engine test stand. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the tonnage level of liquid aerospace engines has been gradually increasing, and the demand for engine test runs has surged. Due to the noise problems generated during the test runs of large-thrust engines, it has become extremely difficult to select a location for building an engine test stand on land.

[0003] Therefore, in order to effectively utilize the geographical resource advantages of near-sea islands and reefs and reduce the investment cost of building a test stand, it is urgently necessary to propose an aerospace engine test stand built on the coast. Summary of the Invention

[0004] After reading the specific implementation manners and viewing the drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages.

[0005] An offshore aerospace engine test stand provided by the present invention is arranged on a crushed stone layer laid on offshore sand and gravel, and includes a concrete dike and a semi-submersible platform arranged on the crushed stone layer; one side of the semi-submersible platform is close to the concrete dike, and the opposite side faces the sea; the semi-submersible platform includes a lower part submerged in the sea and an upper part exposed above the sea; at least a propellant storage tank, an engine mounting bracket, and at least one track for transferring the engine are arranged on the platform deck of the upper part of the semi-submersible platform; the track is laid from the coast towards the sea at the middle position of the platform deck; the propellant storage tank is arranged near the track and is used to provide propellant for the engine arranged on the track. After the engine mounted on the engine mounting bracket moves along the track to the test position, the nozzle of the engine faces the sea to ensure that the high-temperature gas generated during the test run is directly sprayed into the sea.

[0006] In one embodiment, the track includes a first track and a second track laid from the coast towards the sea at the middle position of the platform deck, and the first track and the second track are arranged in parallel; the propellant storage tank is arranged near the first track and the second track and is used to provide propellant for the engines arranged on the first track and the second track.

[0007] In one embodiment, the propellant storage tank includes a horizontal fuel storage tank and a vertical fuel storage tank; a horizontal fuel storage tank is arranged at one end of the first track and the second track far from the test position for short-term storage of liquid propellant, and at the same time, a vertical fuel storage tank is arranged outside the first track and the second track for storage of liquid propellant during the test run.

[0008] In the above embodiments, the distance between each track is at least 6 meters to avoid interference between engines during simultaneous engine tests.

[0009] In one embodiment, the engine mounting bracket is movably arranged on each track.

[0010] In one embodiment, a floating box for storing water is provided at the lower part of the semi-submersible platform; water is stored in the floating box to increase the gravity of the semi-submersible platform, thereby increasing the friction force with the gravel layer.

[0011] In one embodiment, the semi-submersible platform is arranged on the gravel layer through fixed anchors, and an anti-slip layer is also provided at the part of the floating box in contact with the gravel layer to ensure that the semi-submersible platform is stably arranged on the gravel layer during engine tests.

[0012] In one embodiment, the semi-submersible platform is of a "concave" shape structure, and the side with the concave feature faces the sea, and the opposite side is close to the concrete dyke; a lightning protection tower and a helipad are respectively provided at two outward extending positions of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform, and a measurement and control equipment room is provided at a position close to the concrete dyke.

[0013] In one embodiment, the track is laid at the middle position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform. One end in the length direction of the track is close to the concrete dyke, and the other end is close to the sea and is arranged at the concave position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform; a propellant storage tank is arranged at a position close to the concrete dyke near the track.

[0014] In one embodiment, the semi-submersible platform further has a power system that provides power for it when it needs to move; a water spraying facility for cooling the engine is also provided on the platform deck of the semi-submersible platform; the pumping mechanism of the water spraying facility is arranged in the sea water, and the water spraying mechanism is arranged near the engine test position.

[0015] The near-shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention fills the technical gap in the research and development of current offshore engine hot test equipment, and solves the problems of high noise, difficult site selection, and large infrastructure investment during onshore engine tests.

[0016] The near-shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention effectively utilizes the geographical advantages of island reefs and the characteristics of easy diffusion of sea area noise, can meet the ignition tests of two or more engines simultaneously, significantly reduces the manufacturing cost of the test stand, and also improves the efficiency of engine tests.

[0017] By submerging the water storage of the semi-submersible platform onto the seabed in the offshore area, the present invention can effectively utilize the geographical resource advantages of nearby islands and reefs, and use seawater to cool the high-temperature gas ejected by the engine, which can reduce the initial investment cost. Compared with the onshore test stand solution, the offshore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention does not require the construction of a diversion channel structure, greatly reducing the infrastructure investment. At the same time, the engine and the mounting bracket are designed to be movable to meet the working needs before, during, and after the test run. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the offshore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention, the offshore area, and the seawater;

[0020] Figure 2 is the first top view of the offshore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is the second top view of the offshore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is the three-dimensional view of the offshore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following further illustrates the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and through specific embodiments. Spatial relationship terms such as "below", "beneath", "under", "low", "above", "on", "over", "high", etc. are used to facilitate the description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element, and are intended to cover different orientations of the device in addition to the orientations shown in the figures. Additionally, for example, "one element is on / under another element" can mean that the two elements are in direct contact or that there are other elements between the two elements. Furthermore, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are also used to describe various elements, regions, parts, etc., and should not be construed as limiting. Similar terms throughout the description denote similar elements.

[0024] See Figure 1 and Figure 2, A near - shore aerospace engine test stand provided by the present invention is arranged on a crushed stone layer 200 laid on near - shore gravel 100, and includes a concrete dyke 1 and a semi - submersible platform 2 arranged on the crushed stone layer 200. The concrete dyke 1 is arranged close to the reef 400 on the shore side. One side of the semi - submersible platform 2 is arranged close to the concrete dyke 1, and the opposite side faces the sea water 300. At least ensure that one side of the semi - submersible platform 2 faces the sea water 300. The semi - submersible platform 2 includes a lower part submerged in the sea water 300 and an upper part exposed above the sea water 300, ensuring that at least part of the upper part of the semi - submersible platform 2 will not be submerged by the sea water 300 even during normal high tides. On the platform deck 21 of the upper part of the semi - submersible platform 2, there are at least arranged a propellant storage tank 3, an engine mounting bracket 4, and at least one track 5 for transferring the engine 500. The track 5 is laid from the shore towards the sea water at the middle position of the platform deck 21, ensuring that when the engine 500 is set at the test position ( Figure 2 the position in), the nozzle directly faces the sea water 300. The propellant storage tank 3 is arranged near the track 5, used to provide propellant for the engine 500 arranged on the track 5 and for short - term storage of propellant.

[0025] After the engine 500 installed on the engine mounting bracket 4 moves along the track 5 to the test position, the nozzle of the engine faces the sea water, ensuring that the high - temperature gas generated during the test runs directly into the sea water. The engine for ignition test using the test stand of the embodiment of the present invention can be a liquid oxygen - methane engine using green and pollution - free fuel, or other engines using other green and pollution - free fuels. During the test, the engine wake is directly sprayed onto the sea level, and there is no need to design and construct a diversion trough structure, thus significantly reducing the construction cost of the test stand.

[0026] When using the test stand of the present invention for testing, the assembly and fixation of the engine and the mounting bracket can be first completed in the center of the deck of the semi - submersible platform (also the middle position of the track), and then the engine mounting bracket and the engine are slid together to the launch position and fixed using the slide rail for ignition test.

[0027] The near - shore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention fills the technical gap in the research and development of offshore engine hot - test equipment. Utilizing the geographical resource advantages of near - shore islands and reefs, simple civil engineering construction is carried out on the shore of the island and reef, and the engine mounting bracket, propellant storage tank, and at least one track are integrally arranged on the platform deck of the semi - submersible platform to meet the offshore test requirements.

[0028] Since the space engine test run process needs to simulate the relative position relationship between the liquid propellant storage tank and the engine, and also requires accurate measurement of the engine thrust. This solution proposes a general solution idea of laying a crushed stone layer on the sand and gravel in the offshore area, sinking the semi-submersible platform into the seabed after filling it with water, and integrating the liquid propellant tank group, the engine mounting rack, the engine and the measurement and control equipment on the platform deck, which can effectively utilize the geographical advantages of the island reef and the characteristics of easy diffusion of sea area noise to complete the realization and application of the offshore test stand.

[0029] See Figure 2 , in one embodiment, the track includes a first track 51 and a second track 52 laid in the middle position of the platform deck 21 from the coast towards the sea water, and the test positions of the two tracks are arranged near the sea water on the platform deck 21. The first track 51 and the second track 52 are arranged in parallel at intervals, so as to better isolate the interference and influence generated when the two are ignited and tested at the same time. The propellant storage tank 3 is arranged near the first track 51 and the second track 52 for providing propellant for the engines arranged on the first track 51 and the second track 52. It should be noted that the storage tank providing propellant for the first track 51 and the storage tank providing propellant for the second track 52 are different storage tanks, so that the ignition and end of the two engines can be independently controlled, which is more convenient and safe.

[0030] Furthermore, to ensure the working stability of the test stand in the embodiment of the present invention, the thrust that the two tracks can bear is the same, and the thrust of the engines arranged on the two tracks for ignition and test at the same time is also the same. The two parallel tracks arranged in the middle of the test stand are used as the areas for engine installation, inspection, disassembly and assembly, which is convenient for completing the preparation work before the engine test run and the disassembly work after the engine test run.

[0031] The near-shore space engine test stand in the embodiment of the present invention designs two groups of engine test areas with the same thrust considering the engine test requirements and thrust levels, which can simultaneously complete the ignition and test of two engines with the same thrust, fully utilize the space of the test stand, improve the test efficiency, and also reduce the construction cost of the test stand.

[0032] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3, in the above embodiments, the propellant storage tank 3 includes a horizontal fuel storage tank 32 and a vertical fuel storage tank 316. Generally, the horizontal fuel storage tank 32 is arranged at one end of the first track 51 and the second track 52 away from the test position for short-term storage of liquid propellant. At the same time, vertical fuel storage tanks 31 are respectively arranged outside the first track 51 and the second track 52 for storing liquid propellant during the test run. The vertical fuel storage tank 31 includes: a vertical fuel storage tank 311 for supplying propellant to the engine installed at the launch position of the first track, and a vertical fuel storage tank 312 for supplying propellant to the engine installed at the launch position of the second track. The vertical fuel storage tank 311 is arranged on one side of the first track 51 away from the second track 52, and the vertical fuel storage tank 312 is arranged on one side of the second track 52 away from the first track 51. The two vertical fuel storage tanks work independently without interference and independently supply propellant to the corresponding engines.

[0033] In the near-shore space engine test stand according to the embodiment of the present invention, a horizontal fuel storage tank capable of storing propellant in the short term and a vertical fuel storage tank for supplying propellant to the engine in real time are arranged at appropriate positions on the platform deck. When two or more tracks are arranged, corresponding vertical fuel storage tanks are independently arranged beside each track, so that multiple engines can be guaranteed to supply propellant through independent vertical fuel storage tanks and then conduct ignition tests at the same time, improving the test efficiency and significantly reducing the risk of multiple engines conducting tests at the same time.

[0034] In order to further reduce the risk of two or more engines conducting tests at the same time, the interval between each track can be set to at least 6 meters, which can effectively avoid interference between engines during simultaneous tests. For example, the interval between two tracks for carrying out tests on two large-thrust (80-ton thrust) engines can be set between 6.5 meters and 7 meters.

[0035] In one embodiment, the engine mounting bracket is movably arranged on each track, ensuring that after the engine is installed at the middle position of the platform deck, the engine bracket and the engine installed on the engine bracket can be moved to the launch position by using the track.

[0036] In one embodiment, a floating box for storing water is provided at the lower part of the semi-submersible platform. Filling water into the floating box can increase the gravity of the semi-submersible platform, and further increase the friction between the bottom of the semi-submersible platform and the gravel layer, ensuring that the semi-submersible platform is stably arranged on the gravel layer after being sunk into the seabed.

[0037] In the above embodiments, to increase the stability of the semi-submersible platform in seawater, the semi-submersible platform can be firmly arranged on the gravel layer through fixed anchors. An anti-slip layer is also provided at the part of the bottom of the floating box or the semi-submersible platform in contact with the gravel layer to further ensure that the semi-submersible platform can be more stably arranged on the gravel layer during engine tests.

[0038] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the semi-submersible platform 2 has a "concave" shape, and the side with the concave feature faces the sea, while the opposite side is close to the concrete dyke 1. Lightning protection towers 6 and helipads 7 are respectively provided at two outward-extending positions of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform, and a measurement and control equipment room 8 for the test run process measurement and office is provided near the concrete dyke 1. Tracks and engine test positions are arranged at the inwardly concave position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform. For the safety of test run personnel and the test run process, a guardrail 600 is also provided around the platform deck of the entire test stand.

[0039] Since the near-shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention is docked and arranged on an island reef or a relatively remote coastal area, the helicopter parking position is mainly used for emergency rescue in case of unsafe accidents such as explosions. Since the near-shore area is relatively open, in order to prevent the equipment and facilities of the test stand from being damaged by lightning strikes, lightning protection towers are arranged at positions far from the propellant tank group.

[0040] Furthermore, the tracks are laid at the inwardly concave position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform. One end in the length direction of the tracks is close to the concrete dyke, and the other end where the engine test position is arranged is close to the sea. A propellant storage tank is arranged near the concrete dyke and near the tracks. To ensure the balance and stability of the entire semi-submersible platform, when multiple tracks need to be arranged on the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform, the multiple tracks can be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inwardly concave position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform.

[0041] When the near-shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention encounters bad weather and must move its position, the engine test stand can be moved by reducing its own weight through drainage. The test stand of the present invention can use a semi-submersible platform with its own power or a semi-submersible platform without its own power.

[0042] For example, the semi-submersible platform also has a power system that provides power for it when it needs to move its position, which is used to provide the power for the semi-submersible platform to move when transferring the test stand, increasing the moving speed. A water spraying facility for cooling the engine is also provided on the platform deck of the semi-submersible platform. The pumping mechanism of the water spraying facility is arranged in the sea water, and the spraying mechanism is arranged near the engine test position. The fire-fighting water of the entire test stand can also directly use sea water.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the near - shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention further has a water level monitoring system. The water level monitoring system includes a first monitoring device, a second monitoring device arranged on the outer wall of the semi - submersible platform facing the seawater side, a bus system for transmitting data, and a display device for displaying the collected data. The first monitoring device is arranged in the low water level area, and the second monitoring device is arranged in the high water level area. After the water level data is collected, it is transmitted back to the display device in the measurement and control equipment room through the bus system.

[0044] When the first monitoring device fails to collect water level data, it proves that the water level is low at this time. If engine ignition and test runs are carried out at this time, the seawater cannot completely cool the high - temperature gas ejected by the engine, posing a safety hazard. Therefore, usually when building the engine test stand, precise measurements will be carried out to ensure that the seawater can submerge the first monitoring device arranged on the semi - submersible platform. When the first monitoring device collects water level data but the second monitoring device does not, the engine ignition test run can be carried out normally. At this time, the high - temperature gas ejected by the engine can be exactly cooled by the seawater. When both the first monitoring device and the second monitoring device collect water level data, it proves that the seawater level has risen greatly. At this time, the display device in the measurement and control equipment room will give an alarm in time, facilitating the staff to take countermeasures.

[0045] To avoid unforeseen risks and losses caused by the failure of the water level monitoring system, two first monitoring devices and two second monitoring devices can be redundantly set.

[0046] The near - shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention fills the technical gap in the research and development of current offshore engine hot - test equipment, and solves the problems of high noise, difficult site selection, and large infrastructure investment during the on - shore engine test run.

[0047] The test stand in any one of the above embodiments of the present invention is built at the position of near - shore reefs. If the construction (or mooring) position is changed to other coastal areas, only simple infrastructure construction is carried out on the coast, which belongs to the protection scope of this application.

[0048] The semi - submersible platform of the test stand in this application does not have self - navigation ability. If the semi - submersible platform in the scheme is changed to a self - propelled type or equipped with other auxiliary equipment, it all belongs to the protection scope of this application.

[0049] The above embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other and have corresponding technical effects.

[0050] The near - shore aerospace engine test stand of the embodiment of the present invention modularly arranges the engine test measurement and control facilities and the living facilities required by the test run personnel on the semi - submersible platform. For fire protection and engine cooling on the test stand, seawater is directly used, which is convenient, simple and low - cost.

[0051] By sinking the water storage of the semi-submersible platform onto the seabed in the offshore area, the present invention can effectively utilize the geographical resource advantages of nearby islands and reefs, and use seawater to cool the high-temperature gas ejected by the engine, significantly reducing the initial investment cost. Compared with the onshore test stand solution, the near-shore aerospace engine test stand of the present invention does not require the construction of a flow deflector structure, greatly reducing the infrastructure investment. At the same time, it is realized that the engine and the mounting bracket can be moved to the launch position, meeting the working requirements before, during, and after the test run.

[0052] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A near - shore aerospace engine test stand is set on a crushed stone layer laid on near - shore sand and gravel. It is characterized in that it includes: a concrete dyke and a semi - submersible platform set on the crushed stone layer; one side of the semi - submersible platform is close to the concrete dyke, and the opposite side faces the sea; the semi - submersible platform includes a lower part submerged in the sea and an upper part exposed above the sea; on the platform deck of the upper part of the semi - submersible platform, there are at least a propellant storage tank, an engine mounting bracket, and at least one track for transferring the engine; the track is laid from the coast towards the sea in the middle position of the platform deck; the propellant storage tank is set near the track and is used to provide propellant for the engine set on the track; the semi - submersible platform is equipped with a water level monitoring system for monitoring the sea water level of the lower part of the semi - submersible platform; After the engine installed on the engine mounting bracket moves along the track to the test position, the nozzle of the engine faces the sea, ensuring that the high - temperature gas generated during the test runs directly into the sea.

2. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 1, It is characterized in that the track includes a first track and a second track laid from the coast towards the sea in the middle position of the platform deck, and the first track and the second track are arranged in parallel; the propellant storage tank is set near the first track and the second track and is used to provide propellant for the engines set on the first track and the second track.

3. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 2, It is characterized in that the propellant storage tank includes a horizontal fuel storage tank and a vertical fuel storage tank; a horizontal fuel storage tank is set at one end of the first track and the second track away from the test position for short - term storage of liquid propellant, and at the same time, a vertical fuel storage tank is set outside the first track and the second track for storage of liquid propellant during the test.

4. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 3, It is characterized in that there is at least a 6 - meter interval between each track to avoid interference between engines during simultaneous testing.

5. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 4, It is characterized in that the engine mounting bracket is movably set on each track.

6. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 1, It is characterized in that the lower part of the semi - submersible platform is provided with a floating box for storing water; water is stored in the floating box to increase the gravity of the semi - submersible platform, thereby increasing the friction with the crushed stone layer.

7. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 6, It is characterized in that the semi - submersible platform is set on the crushed stone layer through a fixed anchor, and an anti - slip layer is also provided at the part where the floating box contacts the crushed stone layer to ensure that the semi - submersible platform is stably set on the crushed stone layer during engine testing.

8. The near - shore aerospace engine test stand according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that The semi-submersible platform has a "concave" shape structure, and the side with the concave feature faces the sea, while the opposite side is close to the concrete dyke; a lightning protection tower and a helipad are respectively provided at two outward extending positions of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform, and a measurement and control equipment room is provided near the concrete dyke.

9. The near-shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 8, characterized in that the track is laid at the middle concave position of the "concave-shaped" semi-submersible platform, and one end of the track in its length direction is close to the concrete dyke, and the other end is close to the sea water; a propellant storage tank is arranged at a position near the concrete dyke and near the track.

10. The near-shore aerospace engine test stand according to claim 9, characterized in that the semi-submersible platform further has a power system that provides power for it when it needs to move; a water spraying facility for cooling the engine is also provided on the platform deck of the semi-submersible platform; the pumping mechanism of the water spraying facility is arranged in the sea water, and the water spraying mechanism is arranged near the engine test position.

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