A rapidly reconfigurable joint device and rocket engine assembly

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of rocket engine design, and specifically designs a joint device and a rocket engine assembly for a rocket, which includes: a female joint, which is used to be set on a front basic module, the end face group of the female joint is provided with a locking nut, and the outer side face of the locking nut is provided with an unlocking groove; a sub-joint, which is used to be set on a rear basic module, and the sub-joint is connected to the end face of the locking nut away from the female joint by rotational engagement; a radial locking device, which can be used to be set in the unlocking groove, and the radial locking device portion can extend out of the unlocking groove and pass through the sub-joint to limit the relative rotation of the locking nut and the sub-joint. In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the radial locking device cooperates with the spring assembly and the handle, so that practitioners can simply lock or unlock the female joint and the sub-joint by turning the handle, thereby improving the connection speed of multi-modular rockets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of rocket engine design, and in particular to a rapidly reconfigurable joint device and a rocket engine assembly. Background Art

[0002] The current need in the rocket industry to meet different mission length requirements places varying demands on the fuel in the engine combustion chamber. Therefore, it is necessary to assemble multiple sections to form a complete combustion chamber, achieving a large aspect ratio and a large charge within a limited diameter.

[0003] However, after assembling the multiple segments of this segmented solid rocket motor, it is difficult to disassemble and reassemble them into other solid rocket motors. To quickly and smoothly disassemble and reassemble the different engine modules for different launch missions, the axes of the different modules must be aligned during assembly to ensure proper docking. This requires addressing the six degrees of freedom (DOF) of alignment between the different modules: fore-aft (x), left-right (y), height (z), pitch, yaw (ψ), and roll (γ). These disassembly and assembly processes are cumbersome and complex, adding significant costs to rocket launch and preparation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a rapidly reconfigurable joint device and rocket engine assembly to solve the problem in the related art that the assembly and disassembly process of multi-module or multi-end rocket engines is too complicated.

[0005] In a first aspect, a rapidly reconfigurable connector device is provided, comprising: a female connector for being mounted on a front base module, wherein an end face of the female connector is provided with a locking nut, and an outer side face of the locking nut is provided with an unlocking groove;

[0006] A sub-connector, which is used to be arranged on the rear basic module, and the sub-connector is connected to the end face of the locking nut away from the female connector through rotational engagement;

[0007] A radial locking device can be used to be arranged in the unlocking groove. The radial locking device can partially extend out of the unlocking groove and pass through the sub-joint to limit the relative rotation of the locking nut and the sub-joint.

[0008] In some embodiments, the radial locking device includes:

[0009] a lock pin, which is used to be arranged in the unlocking groove, and the lock pin can move axially along the unlocking groove in the unlocking groove;

[0010] A spring component is sleeved on one end of the locking pin close to the female connector, and the spring component is held against the unlocking slot.

[0011] In some embodiments, the radial locking device further comprises:

[0012] A handle is inserted into the lock pin, and the handle can be driven to rotate along the lock pin.

[0013] In some embodiments, the unlocking slot includes:

[0014] an axial through hole provided on the locking nut, wherein the locking pin is configured to be disposed in the axial through hole;

[0015] A receiving groove is provided in the locking nut, the receiving groove is communicated with the axial through hole, the handle can enter or leave the receiving groove by rotation, and when the handle is located in the receiving groove, the receiving groove is used to limit the axial movement of the handle.

[0016] In some embodiments, the female connector includes:

[0017] a straight section, which is used to connect with the front basic module;

[0018] A joint section is connected to the straight tube section. The joint section is used to be inserted into the locking nut. An axial sealing ring is provided on the inner side of the joint section.

[0019] In some embodiments, the present invention further comprises:

[0020] A fixing pin is used to be inserted into the joint section, and one end of the fixing pin can extend outward and be inserted into the sub-joint to limit the relative rotation between the female joint and the sub-joint.

[0021] In some embodiments, the outer side surface of one end of the sub-connector is provided with a plurality of inner gear teeth arranged at intervals, and the inner side surface of one end of the locking nut is provided with a plurality of outer gear teeth arranged at intervals.

[0022] In some embodiments, a radial sealing ring is provided on the inner side of the sub-connector.

[0023] Another aspect provides a rocket engine assembly, comprising:

[0024] a front base module for connecting to an ignition engine;

[0025] a rear base module, which is used to connect with the sprinkler head;

[0026] In any of the above-mentioned joint devices, the front basic module is connected to the rear basic module via the joint device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the system further comprises: a standard module, both ends of which are connected to the front basic module and the rear basic module via the connector device.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include:

[0029] (1) In the embodiment of the present invention, the radial adjustment device of the joint device can adjust and lock the two modules connected to each other to limit their pitch and height freedom.

[0030] (2) In the embodiment of the present invention, the relative rotation of the two modules is limited by the tooth engagement of the female connector and the female connector.

[0031] (3) In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the radial locking device cooperates with the spring assembly and the handle, so that practitioners can simply lock or unlock the female connector and the sub-connector by turning the handle, thereby improving the connection speed of the multi-modular rocket.

[0032] (4) The embodiment provided by the present invention facilitates the rapid assembly and disassembly of multiple modules of the rocket combustion chamber by setting a joint device between the front base and the rear base, and also provides a multi-module rocket design scheme for coping with different launch missions on this basis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a connector device in a locked state provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the connector device in the unlocked state provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 3 Provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 Cross-sectional view from the medium AA perspective;

[0037] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the assembled female connector and locking nut provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a locking nut provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a radial locking device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the front basic module and the rear basic module in combination according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the combined state of the front basic module, rear basic module and standard module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] In the figure: 1. Female connector; 11. Locking nut; 111. Unlocking groove; 112. External gear; 113. Axial through hole; 114. Receiving groove; 12. Straight section; 121. Axial sealing ring; 13. Connector section; 2. Sub-connector; 21. Internal gear; 22. Radial sealing ring; 3. Radial locking device; 31. Locking pin; 32. Spring member; 33. Handle; 4. Front base module; 41. First combustion chamber housing; 5. Rear base module; 51. Second combustion chamber housing; 6. Fixing pin; 7. Standard module; 8. Nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] The present application provides a joint device for a rocket launch module and a rocket engine assembly, see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 . Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the present invention provides a connector device, which includes: a female connector 1, a sub-connector 2, and a radial locking device 3.

[0045] A female connector 1 is provided on the front basic module 4, and a locking nut 11 is provided on the end face group of the female connector 1, and an unlocking groove 111 is provided on the outer surface of the locking nut 11; a sub-connector 2 is provided on the rear basic module 5, and the sub-connector 2 is connected to the end face of the locking nut 11 away from the female connector 1 through rotational engagement; a radial locking device 3 can be used to be provided in the unlocking groove 111, and a portion of the radial locking device 3 can extend out of the unlocking groove 111 and pass through the sub-connector 2 to limit the relative rotation of the locking nut 11 and the sub-connector 2.

[0046] It should be noted that if Figure 5As shown, the locking nut 11 is an annular device, with its front end connected to the sub-connector 2 and its rear end connected to the female connector 1 described later. The locking nut 11, female connector 1, and sub-connector 2 are all axially aligned in the same direction.

[0047] Specifically, the female connector 1 includes a female connector straight section 12 and a connector section 13. The sub-connector 2 also includes a sub-connector transition section and a sub-connector straight section.

[0048] Preferably, if Figure 6 As shown, the radial locking device 3 includes a locking pin 31 and a spring member 32.

[0049] A lock pin 31 is disposed in the unlocking slot 111 , and the lock pin 31 can move axially along the unlocking slot 111 ;

[0050] The spring member 32 is sleeved on one end of the locking pin 31 close to the female connector 1 , and the spring member 32 abuts against the unlocking slot 111 .

[0051] Preferably, the radial locking device 3 further includes a handle 33 inserted on the locking pin 31 , and the handle 33 can be driven to rotate along the locking pin 31 .

[0052] Specifically, the unlocking slot 111 includes a receiving slot 114 and an axial through hole 113.

[0053] An axial through hole 113 is provided on the locking nut 11, and the locking pin 31 is used to be set in the axial through hole 113; a receiving groove 114 is provided in the locking nut 11, and the receiving groove 114 is connected to the axial through hole 113. The handle 33 can enter or leave the receiving groove 114 by rotation. When the handle 33 is located in the receiving groove 114, the receiving groove 114 is used to limit the axial movement of the handle 33.

[0054] It is understood that after the handle 33 is rotated and moved to disengage from the unlocking slot 111, the handle 33 is freed from the constraint of the unlocking slot 111 and located in the axial through hole 113. The handle 33 can be moved toward the rear end face of the locking nut 11 to cause the locking pin 31 to squeeze the spring member 32 to form a displacement, causing the locking pin 31 to retract from the extended state into the axial through hole 113, thereby completing the unlocking. When preparing to lock, after aligning the position, the handle 33 is rotated to a position beyond the preset angle and then no force is applied, or the handle 33 is moved axially toward the sub-connector 2, so that the locking pin 31 extends out of the axial through hole 113 and is inserted into the sub-connector 2 to complete the radial fixation. At this time, the female connector 1, the sub-connector 2, and the locking nut 11 cannot rotate relative to each other. Finally, the handle 33 is rotated around the locking pin 31 to within the preset angle until it fully enters the unlocking slot 111. The handle 33 is then clamped by the unlocking slot 111 and cannot perform any other movements except rotation.

[0055] It is worth noting that the locking pin 31, handle 33, and spring member 32 of the radial locking device 3 are assembled, not integral. The outer side of the locking pin 31 is provided with a through hole for inserting the handle 33. The spring member 32 is sleeved on one end of the locking pin 31.

[0056] It is worth noting that the female connector 1 also includes: a female connector 1, which includes a female connector straight section 12 and a connector section 13, the female connector straight section 12 is used to be connected and fixed to the combustion chamber shell, the connector section 13 can be used to be fitted inside the locking nut 11, and an axial sealing ring 121 is provided on the inner side of the female connector straight section 12.

[0057] It can be understood that the female connector 1 includes: a straight section 12 and a connector section 13. The straight section 12 is used to connect with the front base module 4;

[0058] The joint section 13 is connected to the straight section 12 . The joint section 13 is used to be inserted into the locking nut 11 . An axial sealing ring 121 is provided on the inner side of the joint section 13 .

[0059] It is worth noting that if Figure 4 As shown, the joint device also includes: a fixing pin 6,

[0060] A fixing pin 6 is provided on the joint section 13 , and one end of the fixing pin 6 can extend outward and be inserted into an axial pin slot on the female joint 1 to limit relative rotation between the female joint 1 and the sub-joint 2 .

[0061] Preferably, the axial pin slot is spaced apart from the fixing pin 6. The aperture of the axial pin slot is slightly larger than the fixing pin 6. This extra space allows the locking nut 11 to rotate slightly relative to the female connector 1 for adjustment. The adjustment distance provided by the axial pin slot can be set to the distance required for the locking pin 31 of the radial locking device 3 to align with the groove on the female connector 2. Preferably, this distance can also be equal to the distance the internal gear teeth 21 need to move during alignment.

[0062] It is worth noting that the outer side of the sub-connector 2 is provided with a plurality of internal gear teeth 21, each of which is equidistant from the outer side of the sub-connector 2; and the inner side of the locking nut 11 is provided with a plurality of external gear teeth 112. During use, the connecting threads on the locking nut 11 are first rotated and tightened with the threads on the sub-connector 2, so that the locking nut 11 is axially close to the sub-connector 2, allowing each external gear tooth 112 to pass through the gap between two adjacent internal gear teeth 21. The locking nut 11 is then rotated so that the internal gear teeth 21 and the external gear teeth 112 are aligned or aligned with each other. At this point, the relative axial movement of the female connector 1 and the sub-connector 2 is locked, while the radial relative movement of the two is locked by the radial locking device 3. At this point, the female connector 1 and the sub-connector 2 are meshed and connected.

[0063] Specifically, as mentioned above, the female connector 1 is equipped with an axial sealing ring 121, while the inner side of the sub-connector 2 is also equipped with a radial sealing ring 22. Preferably, two radial sealing rings 22 are provided on the inner side of the sub-connector 2. Both the radial sealing ring 22 and the axial sealing ring 121 provide sealing functions. However, the radial sealing ring 22 is a redundant design, designed to continue to provide sealing in the event that the axial sealing ring 121 fails.

[0064] The connector device provided by the present invention comprises:

[0065] S1. Assemble the radial locking device 3.

[0066] Place the spring member 32 of the radial locking device 3 into the corresponding position of the unlocking groove 111, and then insert the locking pin 31 into the axial through hole 113. When inserting, keep the through hole on the locking pin 31 exposed to facilitate the installation of the handle 33. Finally, install the handle 33 from the outer side of the locking nut 11. At this time, the locking nut 11 is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, it is in unlocked state.

[0067] S2. Complete the assembly of the female connector 1.

[0068] Install the locking nut 11 with the radial locking device 3 on the female connector 1 and tighten the locking nut 11 counterclockwise until it is in place (tightening it to the pre-position will achieve the desired effect, and clockwise tightening is also possible depending on the design). Then, simultaneously pass the fixing pin 6 through the axial pin groove of the locking nut 11 and the corresponding groove on the female connector 1. Finally, install an axial sealing ring 121 into the axial sealing groove of the female connector 1. The female connector 1 is assembled. The axial sealing groove is a necessary sealing measure.

[0069] S3. Preparation of sub-joint 2

[0070] Two radial sealing rings 22 are installed in the sub-joint 2, and the radial sealing groove also plays a sealing role, which is a redundant design.

[0071] S4. Assemble the female connector 1 and the female connector 2.

[0072] The female connector 1 is hoisted onto the supporting mechanism, and then the sub-connector 2 is hoisted onto the supporting mechanism of the modular assembly device and aligned with the rotation axis of the female connector 1, keeping the female connector 1 and the sub-connector 2 in relative placement.

[0073] The sub-connector 2 is manipulated to move axially toward the female connector 1 , so that the internal gear teeth 21 of the sub-connector 2 pass through the external gear teeth 112 in the locking nut 11 of the female connector 1 .

[0074] The handle 33 of the radial locking device 3 is operated to rotate the locking nut 11 clockwise by 2α around the female connector 1 along its own rotation axis until the fixing pin 6 locks the locking nut 11 and the female connector 1. At this time, the outer gear teeth 112 of the locking nut 11 and the inner gear teeth 21 of the sub-connector 2 are in contact with or opposite to each other on a side away from the female connector 1. At this time, the female connector 1 and the sub-connector 2 are axially locked, and the design ensures that at this time, the axial through hole 113 is exactly aligned with the socket position on the sub-connector 2.

[0075] The operating handle 33 is moved axially toward the sub-connector 2, inserting the locking pin 31 into the socket of the sub-connector 2. The operating handle 33 is then rotated clockwise about the rotation axis of the locking pin 31 until the handle 33 is completely inserted into the receiving groove 114 of the unlocking groove 111 and cannot move axially any further. This radially locks the locking nut 11 and the sub-connector 2, completing the assembly of the sub-connector 2 and the female connector 1. The locking process of the connector device is now complete.

[0076] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a rocket engine assembly, comprising: a front base module 4 connected to an ignition engine, comprising the front base module 4, a female connector 1 connected to the front base module 4; a rear base module 5 comprising a nozzle 8 and a second combustion chamber housing 51; and at least one connector device for connecting the front base module 4 and the second combustion chamber housing 51, the connector device comprising any of the above-mentioned combined structures.

[0077] Preferably, the rocket engine assembly further includes a standard module 7, whose ends are connected to the front base module 4 and the rear base module 5 via the connector assembly. The standard module 7 also includes a combustion chamber containing rocket engine fuel. The front base module 4 is connected to the ignition engine and also includes a combustion chamber. The rear base module 5 includes the combustion chamber and a nozzle 8 at the rear end.

[0078] In some embodiments, the system further comprises: a standard module 7 , both ends of which are connected to the front basic module 4 and the rear basic module 5 via the connector device.

[0079] Preferably, the present invention provides three rocket engine configurations:

[0080] Mode 1: If Figure 7 As shown, the rocket engine only includes the rear base module 5 and the front base module 4, which are connected by the above-mentioned connector device. It can be understood that the female connector 1 and the sub-connector 2 can be interchanged without affecting the connection effect. In other words, when the female connector 1 is installed at the connection port on the front base module 4, the sub-connector 2 is installed on the rear base module 5. When the female connector 1 is installed at the connection port on the rear base module 5, the sub-connector 2 is installed on the front base module 4.

[0081] Mode 2: If Figure 8 As shown, the rocket engine includes: a rear basic module 5, a front basic module 4, and a standard module 7. The standard module 7 is positioned between the rear basic module 5 and the front basic module 4. The standard module 7 is connected to the rear basic module 5 and the front basic module 4 via a connector device. The female connector and the female connector in the connector device are connected in the same manner as in Mode 1.

[0082] Module 3: The rocket engine includes: a rear basic module 5, a front basic module 4 and two standard modules 7. The two standard modules 7 are connected by a joint device, and the rear basic module 5 and the front basic module 4 are both connected by a joint device.

[0083] In summary, the embodiment of the present invention can adjust and lock the two modules connected to each other through the radial adjustment device of the joint device, limiting their support and height freedom. The embodiment of the present invention limits the relative rotation of the two modules through the tooth engagement of the mother joint and the child joint. In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the radial locking device cooperates with the spring assembly and the handle, so that the practitioner can simply lock or unlock the mother joint and the child joint by turning the handle. The embodiment provided by the present invention facilitates the rapid assembly and disassembly of multiple modules in the rocket combustion chamber by arranging a joint device between the front base and the rear base, and also provides a multi-module rocket design scheme for different launch missions on this basis.

[0084] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and 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, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0085] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0086] The foregoing is merely a list of specific embodiments of the present application, intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to conform to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the present application.

Claims

1. A joint device for a rapidly reconfigurable rocket, characterized in that: include: A female connector (1) is used for being arranged on a front base module (4), wherein an end face group of the female connector (1) is provided with a locking nut (11), and an outer side face of the locking nut (11) is provided with an unlocking groove (111); A sub-connector (2) is used to be arranged on the rear base module (5), and the sub-connector (2) is connected to the end face of the locking nut (11) away from the female connector (1) through rotational engagement; a radial locking device (3) for being arranged in the unlocking groove (111), wherein a portion of the radial locking device (3) extends out of the unlocking groove (111) and is inserted into the sub-joint (2) to limit relative rotation between the locking nut (11) and the sub-joint (2); The radial locking device (3) comprises: A locking pin (31) is arranged in the unlocking groove (111), and the locking pin (31) moves axially along the unlocking groove (111) in the unlocking groove (111); A spring member (32) is sleeved on one end of the locking pin (31) close to the female connector (1), and the spring member (32) is supported on the unlocking slot (111).

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The radial locking device (3) further comprises: A handle (33) is inserted into the lock pin (31), and the handle (33) drives the lock pin (31) to rotate.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein: The unlocking slot (111) comprises: an axial through hole (113) provided on the locking nut (11), wherein the locking pin (31) is used to be arranged in the axial through hole (113); A receiving groove (114) is provided in the locking nut (11), the receiving groove (114) being communicated with the axial through hole (113), the handle (33) entering or leaving the receiving groove (114) by rotating, and when the handle (33) is located in the receiving groove (114), the receiving groove (114) is used to limit the axial movement of the handle (33).

4. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The female connector (1) comprises: a straight section (12) for connecting to the front base module (4); A joint section (13) is connected to the straight tube section (12), the joint section (13) is used to be inserted into the locking nut (11), and an axial sealing ring (121) is provided on the inner side of the joint section (13).

5. The connector device according to claim 4, wherein: Also includes: A fixing pin (6) is used to be inserted into the joint section (13), and one end of the fixing pin (6) extends outward and is inserted into the sub-joint (2) to limit the relative rotation between the female joint (1) and the sub-joint (2).

6. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The outer side surface of one end of the sub-joint (2) is provided with a plurality of spaced inner gear teeth (21), and the inner side surface of one end of the locking nut (11) is provided with a plurality of spaced outer gear teeth (112).

7. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein: A radial sealing ring (22) is provided on the inner side of the sub-joint (2).

8. A rocket engine assembly, characterized in that: include: A front base module (4) for connecting to an ignition engine; After the base module (5), which is connected to the nozzle (8); The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front basic module (4) is connected to the rear basic module (5) via the joint device.

9. The rocket engine assembly according to claim 8, wherein: Also includes: The standard module (7) has two ends connected to the front basic module (4) and the rear basic module (5) respectively through the connector device.

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