Iodine tank, iodine working fluid and heating method for aerospace electric propulsion system

Abstract

The present invention provides an iodine tank, an iodine working medium and a heating method for aerospace electric propulsion systems. The iodine tank includes: a shell, a top plate, a bottom cover, an elastic element and a heating element; wherein the shell is cylindrical; the shell, the top plate and the bottom cover form a cavity, and the cavity is used to place the elastic element, the heating element and the iodine working medium; one end of the elastic element is connected to the top plate, and the other end is against the iodine working medium; the heating element is arranged on the bottom cover; the elastic element squeezes the iodine working medium in the direction of the heating element so that the iodine working medium contacts the heating element; the heating element is used to heat the iodine working medium to gasify it, and the gasified iodine working medium is discharged to the outside through the cavity outlet. The iodine tank improves the evaporation rate of the iodine working medium and improves the heating efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of aerospace electric propulsion, and in particular to an iodine tank, an iodine working medium and a heating method for an aerospace electric propulsion system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of aerospace electric propulsion (such as satellite electric propulsion systems), sheath gas is usually used as a propulsion medium. However, high-purity sheath gas is difficult to obtain and is expensive. In addition, sheath gas needs to be stored at a high pressure in a supercritical state, which places high demands on the storage container and the storage container occupies a large volume.

[0003] With the development of new aerospace technologies, the working fluids of electric propulsion have gradually diversified. Among them, iodine working fluid, as a solid propellant, has the advantages of low cost, high storage density, non-pressure container storage and easy control, and is currently a high-quality choice for the working fluid of small satellite electric propulsion systems.

[0004] In practical applications, the iodine working fluid is directly stored in an iodine tank, and then iodine vapor is generated through external heating or radiation heating and transported to the downstream thruster. When the iodine working fluid is heated, there are often problems of uneven heating and slow heat transfer, resulting in a lag in pressure response during system flow control. At the same time, the iodine working fluid in the iodine tank is often not fully heated and vaporized, resulting in iodine waste and difficulties in igniting the iodine working fluid system. In addition, in some radiation-type iodine storage and supply methods, the mechanical cavity occupies a large space and the iodine working fluid loading rate is low.

[0005] In order to achieve sufficient heating and uniform gasification of iodine working fluid, it is particularly important to design a contact iodine tank for aerospace electric propulsion system. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a contact iodine tank for an aerospace electric propulsion system.

[0007] The invention provides a contact iodine tank for an aerospace electric propulsion system, comprising: an outer shell, a top plate, a bottom cover, an elastic element and a heating element; wherein the outer shell is cylindrical; the outer shell, the top plate and the bottom cover form a cavity, and the cavity is used to place the elastic element, the heating element and an iodine working medium; one end of the elastic element is connected to the top plate, and the other end is against the iodine working medium; the heating element is arranged on the bottom cover; the elastic element presses the iodine working medium toward the heating element, so that the iodine working medium contacts the heating element; the heating element is used to heat the iodine working medium to gasify it, and the gasified iodine working medium is discharged to the outside through the cavity outlet.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it also includes a pressure plate assembly; the pressure plate assembly includes a pressure plate; the pressure plate is arranged between the elastic element and the iodine working medium, and divides the cavity into a pressure stabilizing chamber and a heating chamber; the cavity outlet is arranged in the pressure stabilizing chamber; the iodine working medium is heated and vaporized in the heating chamber; the pressure plate is provided with a plurality of diffusion holes to diffuse the vaporized iodine working medium from the heating chamber to the pressure stabilizing chamber.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is provided with an inner cylinder with an opening at the lower end; the inner cylinder is used to place the elastic element so as to limit the elastic element in the radial direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure plate assembly also includes a sleeve with an opening at the upper end; the sleeve is arranged on the pressure plate and sleeved on the inner cylinder; a first slide groove and a second slide groove are arranged on both sides of the sleeve along its axial direction; a first limit pin and a second limit pin pass through the first slide groove and the second slide groove respectively and are fixed to the lower end of the inner cylinder; the elastic element squeezes the bottom of the sleeve to make the sleeve slide in its axial direction relative to the inner cylinder, so as to squeeze the iodine working medium through the pressure plate.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one positioning pin boss is disposed on the lower end surface of the pressure plate to limit the iodine working medium in the radial direction.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire of the heating element passes through the bottom cover to the outside; the bottom cover is provided with a first sealing gasket along the circumference of the heating wire to isolate the heating wire from the gasified iodine working medium.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first protrusion is provided on the outer side of the housing along its circumference; the bottom cover is detachably connected to the first protrusion via a plurality of sets of bolts and nuts.

[0014] On the other hand, the present invention also provides an iodine working medium, which is placed in the above-mentioned iodine tank for heating and is provided with honeycomb holes corresponding to the plurality of diffusion holes to diffuse the vaporized iodine working medium into the pressure stabilizing chamber.

[0015] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a heating method, using the above-mentioned iodine tank to heat the iodine working medium, comprising: assembling the iodine tank; installing the iodine working medium in a heating chamber formed by an outer shell and a bottom cover, and heating the iodine working medium by the heating element in the iodine tank to gasify it; wherein the assembling of the iodine tank is specifically: installing the outer shell and the top plate, placing the outer shell and the top plate upside down, and the top plate is provided with an inner cylinder with an opening at the lower end; placing an elastic element in the inner cylinder; combining a sleeve and a pressing plate to form a pressing plate assembly; sleeve-arranging the sleeve in the inner cylinder, and using the first limiting pin and the second limiting pin to pass through the first slide groove and the second slide groove of the sleeve respectively to be fixedly connected to the inner cylinder, and a pressure stabilizing chamber is formed between the pressing plate, the top plate and the outer shell, and a stabilizing chamber is formed. The shell corresponding to the pressure chamber is provided with a cavity outlet; the pressure plate assembly is pressed on the elastic element so that the pressure plate can move along its axial direction under the elastic action; the installation of the iodine working medium in the heating chamber formed by the shell and the bottom cover includes: installing the iodine working medium on the side of the pressure plate away from the top plate and contacting the pressure plate; installing the heating element so that it contacts the other end of the iodine working medium away from the pressure plate; fixing the bottom cover and the shell, and the bottom cover, the shell and the pressure plate constitute a heating chamber; heating the iodine working medium by the heating element in the iodine tank to vaporize it includes: turning over the iodine tank; and heating the iodine working medium by the heating element to vaporize it, and the vaporized iodine working medium enters the pressure stabilizing chamber from the heating chamber and is discharged through the cavity outlet.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element heats the iodine working medium to vaporize it and further includes: the vaporized iodine working medium rises into the pressure stabilizing chamber through a plurality of diffusion holes provided on the pressure plate; the pressure plate assembly pushes the iodine working medium to continue to move toward the heating element under the elastic force of the elastic element, so that the heating element continues to heat the iodine working medium.

[0017] According to the contact iodine tank of the present invention, the iodine working medium is heated by a contact heating method built into a heating element (such as a heating plate), which not only increases the evaporation rate of the iodine working medium, but also saves power consumption of the iodine tank, improves the heating efficiency, and solves the problems of uneven heating of the iodine working medium during the heating process and slow upstream pressure response.

[0018] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following drawings are part of the specification of the present invention, and illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description of the specification, the accompanying drawings are used to explain the principles of the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a contact iodine tank according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-section view in the AA direction;

[0022] Figure 3 is a top view of a pressing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Middle B: Enlarged view;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Left view of

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Right view of;

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the stacked structure in an elongated state;

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the stacked structure in an elongated state;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a stereogram of an iodine working medium according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.10 Detailed description of the invention The figure is a flow chart of a heating method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Description of reference numerals:

[0031] 1-housing, 2-pressure plate assembly, 3-elastic element, 4-iodine working medium, 5-heating element, 6-bottom cover, 7-first sealing gasket, 8-second sealing gasket, 9-pressure ring, 10-stop valve, 11-pressure sensor, 12-electric thermocouple, 13-top plate, 14-cavity, 15-diffusion hole, 16-inner cylinder, 17-first slide groove, 18-second slide groove, 19-locating pin boss, 20-heating wire, 21-first protrusion, 22-second protrusion, 23-honeycomb hole.

[0032] 201-pressing plate, 202-first limiting pin, 203-sleeve, 2031-outer sleeve, 2032-inner sleeve, 204-second limiting pin, 1401-pressure stabilizing chamber, 1402-heating chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below. In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present invention and are used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and are not configured to limit the present invention. In addition, the structural components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the sizes of some structural components or areas in the drawings may be enlarged for other structural components or areas to help understand the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] The directional words appearing in the following description are all directions shown in the figures, and do not limit the specific structure of the embodiments of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] In addition, the terms "include", "comprise", "have" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a structure or component including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other mechanical elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent in the structure or component. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "include..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the article or device including the elements.

[0036] Spatially related terms such as "below", "beneath", "under", "low", "above", "on", "high", etc. are used to facilitate description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element, indicating that these terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in addition to orientations different from those shown in the figures. In addition, for example, "one element is above / below another element" can mean that the two elements are in direct contact, or that there are other elements between the two elements. In addition, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are also used to describe various elements, regions, parts, etc., and do not specifically refer to the meaning of order or sequence, and should not be regarded as limiting. Similar terms are used throughout the description to represent similar elements.

[0037] For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is only intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by showing examples of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1It is a three-dimensional diagram of a contact iodine tank according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-section view in the AA direction; Figure 3 is a top view of a pressing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Middle B: Enlarged view; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Left view of Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Right view of; Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the stacked structure in an elongated state; Figure 8 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the stacked structure in an elongated state; Fig. 9 is a stereogram of an iodine working medium according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 Detailed description of the invention The figure is a flow chart of a heating method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figure 8, the present invention provides a contact iodine tank for aerospace electric propulsion system, comprising: a shell 1, a top plate 13, a bottom cover 6, an elastic element 3 and a heating element 5. Among them, the shell 1 is cylindrical. The shell 1, the top plate 13 and the bottom cover 6 form a cavity 14, and the cavity 14 is used to place the elastic element 3, the heating element 5 and the iodine working medium 4. One end of the elastic element 3 is connected to the top plate 13, and the other end is against the iodine working medium 4. The heating element 5 is arranged on the bottom cover 6. The elastic element 3 squeezes the iodine working medium 4 toward the heating element 5 so that the iodine working medium 4 contacts the heating element 5. The heating element 5 is used to heat the iodine working medium 4 to gasify it, and the gasified iodine working medium is discharged to the outside through the cavity outlet.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the elastic element can be a compression spring, and the compression spring is in a compressed state in the initial state. The iodine working medium moves in the direction of the heating element along the axial direction of the shell under the elastic force (such as spring force) of the elastic element. The iodine working medium directly contacts the heating element inside the iodine tank. As the heating element heats up, the end of the iodine working medium contacting the heating element can be fully heated and uniformly gasified. The heating element can be a heating plate. The iodine working medium can be solid iodine.

[0041] The iodine tank provided in the present embodiment adopts a contact heating method in which a heating element (such as a heating plate) is built in. Compared with traditional external heating or radiation heating, the iodine working medium is heated by the iodine tank provided in the present embodiment, which not only improves the evaporation rate of the iodine working medium, but also saves power consumption of the iodine tank, improves heating efficiency, and solves the problem of uneven heating of the iodine working medium during the heating process and slow upstream pressure response.

[0042] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the thrust of the compression spring is closely related to the spring wire diameter. Generally, the larger the spring wire diameter, the greater the thrust. The volume occupied by a spring with a large wire diameter is larger when fully compressed, resulting in a waste of iodine tank space. Meanwhile, the compression spring needs to have a larger telescopic range. Therefore, when selecting a compression spring, the volume occupied by it in a fully compressed state should be as small as possible.

[0043] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figure 4, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the iodine tank includes a pressing plate assembly 2 in addition to the shell 1, the top plate 13, the bottom cover 6, the elastic element 3 and the heating element 5. The pressing plate assembly 2 includes a pressing plate 201. The pressing plate 201 is arranged between the elastic element 3 and the iodine working medium 4, and divides the cavity 14 into a pressure stabilizing chamber 1401 and a heating chamber 1402. The cavity outlet is arranged at the pressure stabilizing chamber 1401. The iodine working medium 4 is heated and gasified in the heating chamber 1402. The pressing plate 201 is provided with a plurality of diffusion holes 15 to diffuse the gasified iodine working medium 4 from the heating chamber 1402 to the pressure stabilizing chamber 1401.

[0044] In this embodiment, one end of the iodine working medium contacts the pressing plate, and under the action of the spring force, the pressing plate drives the iodine working medium to move in the direction of the heating element along the axial direction of the shell, so that the heating element continuously contacts the other end of the iodine working medium and heats it, thereby ensuring the stability of the iodine working medium under different attitudes of the satellite and fully gasifying it. The pressing plate can be evenly provided with a plurality of diffusion holes (for example, the distribution of the diffusion holes is honeycomb-shaped) along its radial direction, so that the iodine vapor can enter the pressure stabilizing chamber from the heating chamber more evenly.

[0045] In this embodiment, the diameter of the diffusion hole in the direction from the heating chamber to the pressure stabilizing chamber increases from small to large, thereby reducing the rising speed of iodine vapor and improving stability.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the top plate 13 is provided with an inner cylinder 16 with an open lower end. The inner cylinder 16 is used to place the elastic element 3 to limit the position thereof in the radial direction.

[0047] like Figure 2 , 5 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing plate assembly 2 includes a sleeve 203 with an upper end opening in addition to the pressing plate 201. The sleeve 203 is arranged on the pressing plate 201 and sleeved on the inner cylinder 16. The sleeve 203 and the inner cylinder 16 can slide relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, the inner side of the sleeve can be sleeved on the outer side of the inner tube, or can be sleeved on the inner side of the inner tube. The following embodiments are all explained by taking the inner side of the sleeve sleeved on the outer side of the inner tube as an example.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, further, a plurality of diffusion holes connecting the pressure stabilizing chamber and the heating chamber are arranged at the bottom of the sleeve.

[0050] In this embodiment, the diameter of the diffusion hole in the direction from the heating chamber to the pressure stabilizing chamber increases from small to large, thereby reducing the rising speed of iodine vapor and improving stability.

[0051] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown in Figures 6 and 7, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first slide groove 17 and a second slide groove 18 are provided on both sides of the sleeve 203 along the axial direction thereof. The first stop pin 202 and the second stop pin 204 pass through the first slide groove 17 and the second slide groove 18 respectively and are fixed to the lower end of the inner cylinder 16. The elastic element 3 squeezes the bottom of the sleeve 203 to make the sleeve 203 slide relative to the inner cylinder 16 in its axial direction, so as to squeeze the iodine working medium 4 through the pressing plate 201.

[0052] In the present embodiment, threaded holes are provided at the lower ends of both sides of the inner cylinder, and the first stop pin and the second stop pin pass through the first chute and the second chute respectively, and are screwed with the inner cylinder through the threaded holes. The inner cylinder and the sleeve form a double-layer stacked structure. The elastic element, the pressing plate assembly, the top plate and the inner cylinder cooperate to form the mechanical power module of the iodine tank. The pressing plate squeezes the elastic element, and the sleeve and the inner cylinder form a clearance fit. The elastic element squeezes the bottom of the sleeve so that the sleeve moves along the first chute and the second chute, driving the pressing plate to move in the axial direction of the shell. Under the elastic force of the elastic element, the pressing plate assembly drives the iodine working medium to move in the direction of the heating element along the axial direction of the shell. The power source of the mechanical power module comes from the elastic element (such as a compression spring). The first stop pin and the second stop pin can limit the sliding of the sleeve in the axial direction to prevent it from coming out of the inner cylinder.

[0053] The iodine tank provided by the present embodiment ensures that the iodine working medium is in direct contact with the heating element provided on the bottom cover by squeezing the pressing plate assembly by the elastic element. In addition, the sleeve and the inner cylinder are overlapped and matched to form a sealed inner cavity, thereby protecting the elastic element from corrosion by iodine vapor, reducing the volume occupied by the mechanical power module in the iodine tank, reducing the volume of the iodine tank cavity, and thus reducing the volume of the iodine tank.

[0054] like Figure 4 , 5, 6 and 8, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve 203 arranged on the pressing plate 201 includes an outer sleeve 2031 and an inner sleeve 2032. The upper end of the outer sleeve 2031 is open, and the upper and lower ends of the inner sleeve 2032 are open. The inner side of the inner sleeve 2032 is sleeved on the outer side of the inner cylinder 16, forming a clearance fit therewith, and can slide relative to it in the axial direction. The first slide groove 17 and the second slide groove 18 are arranged on both sides of the outer sleeve 2031 along its axial direction. The first stop pin 202 and the second stop pin 204 pass through the first slide groove 17 and the second slide groove 18 respectively and are fixed to the lower end of the inner sleeve 2032. The elastic element 3 squeezes the bottom of the outer sleeve 2031 so that the outer sleeve 2031 and the inner sleeve 2032 slide in the axial direction relative to the inner cylinder 16 to squeeze the iodine working medium 4 through the pressing plate 201.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the outer sleeve slides relative to the inner sleeve and the inner cylinder along its axial direction to a certain extent, the cooperation between the first limit pin, the second limit pin and the first slide groove and the second slide groove can continue to drive the inner sleeve to continue to slide relative to the inner cylinder along its axial direction, pushing the iodine working medium to continue to move toward the heating plate to continuously heat the iodine working medium.

[0056] The three-layer stacking structure provided by the present embodiment can further save the space of the iodine tank occupied by the spring mechanical module, and improve the space utilization rate of the iodine tank. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that more layers of stacking structures can be selected according to actual needs (iodine tank capacity, elastic element structure, etc.).

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, further, a plurality of diffusion holes connecting the pressure stabilizing chamber and the heating chamber are arranged at the bottom of the outer sleeve.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one positioning pin boss 19 is provided on the lower end surface of the pressing plate 201 to limit the iodine working medium 4 in the radial direction.

[0059] In an embodiment, four positioning pin bosses may be evenly arranged on the lower end surface of the pressure plate along its circumference to limit the iodine working medium in the radial direction, so that the heating surface of the iodine working medium is heated more evenly.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire 20 of the heating element 5 passes through the bottom cover 6 to the outside.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, further, the bottom cover 6 is provided with a first sealing gasket 7 along the circumference of the heating wire 20 to isolate the heating wire 20 from the gasified iodine working medium 4 .

[0062] In this embodiment, the heating element (such as a heating plate) and the bottom cover are sealed by the first sealing gasket, which cuts off the contact between the heating wire and the iodine vapor, thereby preventing the heating wire from being corroded by the iodine vapor. The first sealing gasket can be an annular structure arranged away from the center of the bottom cover and surrounding the position of the heating wire (close to the shell), further reducing the possibility of iodine vapor entering between the heating element and the bottom cover.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first protrusion 21 is provided along the circumference of the outer side of the housing 1. The bottom cover 6 is detachably connected to the first protrusion 21 by a plurality of sets of bolts and nuts.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, further, a corresponding second protrusion 22 is provided on the outer side of the bottom cover 6 along its circumference, and the first protrusion 21 is docked with the second protrusion 22, and is connected by multiple sets of bolts and nuts, so that the bottom cover and the outer shell are detachably connected, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the elastic element, the pressure plate assembly, the iodine working fluid and the bottom cover, as well as the addition of the iodine working fluid.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, further, a second sealing gasket 8 is provided between the first protrusion and the second protrusion to seal the outer shell, the bottom cover and the heating element, isolate the iodine vapor from the outside, and prevent the iodine vapor from leaking to the outside of the iodine tank.

[0066] The second sealing gasket in this embodiment may be an annular structure.

[0067] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, further, the iodine tank also includes a pressure ring 9 arranged on the upper end surface of the first protrusion, and the bolts pass through the pressure ring 9, the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 in sequence, and are fastened by nuts to fix the outer shell and the bottom cover.

[0068] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the pressure ring can be larger than the outer diameter of the first protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are pressed tightly by the pressure ring, so that the force on the first protrusion is more uniform, thereby improving the sealing effect between the bottom cover and the shell.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a stop valve 10 is provided at the cavity outlet to isolate the passage between the pressure stabilizing chamber of the iodine tank and the downstream of the iodine tank.

[0070] In this embodiment, the stop valve can be operated according to the work instruction to open and close the pressure stabilizing chamber of the iodine tank and the downstream of the iodine tank. The stop valve can be a remote control valve. Further, the opening and closing of the automatic remote control stop valve can be preset by a program.

[0071] like Figure 2As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is further provided with a thermocouple 12 for detecting the heat of iodine vapor.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is further provided with a pressure sensor 11 for detecting the pressure of iodine vapor.

[0073] like Figure 2 and 9 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the iodine tank includes an iodine working medium 4 in addition to the outer shell 1 , the top plate 13 , the bottom cover 6 , the elastic element 3 and the heating element 5 .

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the iodine working medium 4 is provided with honeycomb holes 23 corresponding to the plurality of diffusion holes 15 so as to diffuse the gasified iodine working medium 4 into the pressure stabilizing chamber 1401 .

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a heat insulating layer is provided on the inner wall of the housing.

[0076] The iodine tank provided in this embodiment reduces the heat transfer between the cavity of the iodine tank and the outside of the iodine tank, thereby improving the heat utilization rate.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer side of the iodine tank shell is coated with a polyimide film.

[0078] The iodine tank provided in this embodiment further reduces the heat transfer between the cavity of the iodine tank and the outside of the iodine tank.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing at the pressure stabilizing chamber is a hollow structure consisting of a housing inner wall and a housing outer wall. A heating plate is arranged in the hollow structure to heat the housing inner wall.

[0080] In the present embodiment, a heating plate is set between the inner wall of the shell and the outer wall of the shell at the pressure stabilizing chamber, so that the inner wall of the shell can not only be continuously heated. The inner wall of the shell that continues to be heated stabilizes the temperature in the iodine tank pressure stabilizing chamber, thereby the iodine vapor in the pressure stabilizing chamber is continuously heated. The iodine tank that the present embodiment provides can prevent iodine vapor from being cooled and solidified by heat exchange with shell or the outside world, thereby ensuring that iodine vapor is full in the cavity. In addition, the iodine tank that the present embodiment provides can dynamically adjust the state of iodine vapor in the pressure stabilizing chamber by adjusting the iodine vapor temperature, and meets the use requirements of downstream.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the iodine tank pressure stabilizing chamber is provided with a monitoring system for collecting the temperature of the pressure stabilizing chamber and dynamically adjusting the heating plate based on the temperature to adjust the temperature of the iodine tank pressure stabilizing chamber.

[0082] The iodine tank provided in this embodiment can dynamically adjust the heating state of the iodine vapor in the pressure stabilizing chamber by adjusting the temperature of the pressure stabilizing chamber of the iodine tank, thereby meeting the use requirements of the downstream.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is a hollow structure consisting of a top plate inner wall and a top plate outer wall. A heating plate is arranged in the hollow structure to heat the top plate inner wall.

[0084] In the present embodiment, a heating sheet is set between the top plate inner wall and the top plate outer wall, and the top plate inner wall can be continuously heated. The top plate inner wall that continues to be heated makes the temperature in the iodine tank pressure-stabilizing chamber more stable, thereby the iodine vapor in the pressure-stabilizing chamber is continuously heated. The iodine tank that the present embodiment provides further prevents iodine vapor from being cooled and solidified by heat exchange with top plate or the outside world, thereby ensures that the iodine vapor in the pressure-stabilizing chamber is full.

[0085] The iodine tank provided in this embodiment can further maintain the heating of iodine vapor.

[0086] In addition, the iodine tank cavity outlet pipe is also a hollow structure provided with a heating plate to continue heating the iodine vapor output from the iodine tank, thereby preventing the iodine vapor from exchanging heat with the cavity outlet pipe or the outside world and being cooled and solidified, thereby causing pipe blockage.

[0087] Furthermore, a grid structure is provided at the cavity outlet of the iodine tank to accelerate the iodine vapor outputted from the iodine tank.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall of the shell and the inner wall of the top plate are provided with an anti-corrosion coating or made of anti-corrosion materials to prevent the inner wall of the shell and the inner wall of the top plate from being corroded by iodine vapor.

[0089] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in order for the heating plates in the outer shell and the top plate to continuously heat the iodine working medium or iodine vapor, the anti-corrosion coating or anti-corrosion material thereof should have good thermal conductivity.

[0090] like Fig. 9 As shown, on the other hand, the present invention also provides an iodine working medium, which is placed in the above iodine tank for heating. The iodine working medium is provided with honeycomb holes 23 corresponding to the plurality of diffusion holes 15 to diffuse the gasified iodine working medium 4 into the pressure stabilizing chamber 1401 .

[0091] In this embodiment, the iodine working medium may be honeycomb-shaped. Correspondingly, the diffusion holes on the pressing plate are arranged correspondingly to the honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium. The positioning pin bosses (for example, 4 positioning pin bosses) arranged on the lower end surface of the pressing plate are butted against the honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium to position the iodine working medium.

[0092] The iodine working medium provided in the present embodiment, because the iodine working medium is provided with honeycomb holes, when the heating element (such as heating plate) heats the iodine working medium, the iodine working medium in the contact position with the heating element can be fully heated and gasified, and the iodine vapor in the iodine tank cavity is guaranteed to be full. The honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium simultaneously improve the rising rate of the iodine vapor. Meanwhile, the corresponding diffusion holes provided by the pressing plate make the iodine vapor diffuse steadily into the pressure-stabilizing chamber of the iodine tank, greatly improving the stability of the pressure before the throttling module of the iodine working medium system.

[0093] like Fig.10 As shown, on the other hand, the present invention also provides a heating method, using the above iodine tank to heat the iodine working medium, comprising:

[0094] S001: Assemble the iodine tank.

[0095] S002: Install the iodine working medium in the heating cavity formed by the outer shell and the bottom cover.

[0096] S003: The iodine working medium is heated by the heating element in the iodine tank to be vaporized.

[0097] The specific steps of assembling the iodine tank are as follows:

[0098] S101: installing the outer shell and the top plate, placing the outer shell and the top plate upside down, and the top plate is provided with an inner cylinder with an opening at the lower end.

[0099] S102: Put the elastic element into the inner cylinder.

[0100] S103: Combine the sleeve and the pressure plate to form a pressure plate assembly.

[0101] S104: The sleeve is sleeved on the inner cylinder, and the first limit pin and the second limit pin are respectively passed through the first slide groove and the second slide groove of the sleeve to be fixedly connected to the inner cylinder, a pressure stabilizing chamber is formed between the pressure plate, the top plate and the outer shell, and a cavity outlet is provided in the outer shell corresponding to the pressure stabilizing chamber.

[0102] S105: The pressing plate assembly is pressed onto the elastic element, so that the pressing plate can move along its axial direction under the action of elasticity.

[0103] Installing the iodine working medium in the heating chamber formed by the housing and the bottom cover comprises:

[0104] S201: Install the iodine working medium on the side of the pressing plate away from the top plate and in contact with the pressing plate.

[0105] S202: Install the heating element so that it contacts the iodine working fluid at the other end away from the pressure plate.

[0106] S203: Fix the bottom cover and the outer shell, and the bottom cover, the outer shell and the pressing plate form a heating chamber.

[0107] The iodine working medium is heated by the heating element in the iodine tank to be gasified, including:

[0108] S301: Turn over the iodine tank.

[0109] S302: The iodine working medium is heated by a heating element to be vaporized. The vaporized iodine working medium enters the pressure stabilizing chamber from the heating chamber and is discharged through the cavity outlet.

[0110] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element heats the iodine working medium to gasify it, comprising:

[0111] S0091: The vaporized iodine working fluid rises into the pressure stabilizing chamber through a plurality of diffusion holes arranged on the pressure plate.

[0112] S0092: The pressure plate assembly pushes the iodine working medium to continue to move toward the heating element under the elastic force of the elastic element, so that the heating element continues to heat the iodine working medium.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the present invention, assembling an iodine tank comprises:

[0114] S11: Install the outer shell and the top plate, and place the outer shell and the top plate upside down, that is, the top plate faces downward.

[0115] S12: Install the elastic element (such as a compression spring) into the inner cylinder.

[0116] S13: The inner sleeve is sleeved on the outer sleeve, and the first limit pin and the second limit pin are respectively passed through the first slide groove and the second slide groove of the outer sleeve to be screwed to the inner sleeve to form a sleeve. The sleeve is combined with the pressing plate to form a pressing plate assembly.

[0117] S14: The inner sleeve is sleeved on the inner cylinder, and the pressure plate assembly is pressed on the elastic element, so that the pressure plate can move along its axial direction under the action of elastic force (spring force).

[0118] According to one embodiment of the present invention, installing the iodine working medium in the heating chamber formed by the housing and the bottom cover comprises:

[0119] S21: docking the honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium with the positioning pin boss on the side of the pressing plate away from the top plate, so that one end of the iodine working medium contacts the pressing plate.

[0120] S22: Install the heating plate so that it contacts the iodine working fluid on the other side away from the pressure plate.

[0121] S23: Install the first sealing gasket, the second sealing gasket, the bottom cover and the pressure ring, and use multiple sets of bolts and nuts to fix the bottom cover, the pressure ring and the first protrusion arranged on the outer side of the shell along the circumference thereof, and the bottom cover, the shell and the pressure plate form a heating chamber.

[0122] S24: Turn over the iodine tank and install the pressure sensor and thermocouple on the top plate.

[0123] S25: Install a stop valve at the cavity outlet of the iodine tank.

[0124] According to one embodiment of the present invention, heating the iodine working medium by a heating element in the iodine tank to gasify the iodine working medium comprises:

[0125] S31: The heating element (heating plate) is heated externally through a heating wire (for example, heated to 55°C to 65°C). The iodine working medium in contact with the heating element is vaporized and rises along its honeycomb holes through the diffusion holes provided on the pressure plate to the pressure stabilizing chamber.

[0126] S32: As the iodine working medium is gasified, the pressure plate assembly pushes the iodine working medium to continue to move toward the heating element under the elastic force of the elastic element, ensuring that the iodine working medium is in contact with the heating element. Figure 8 shown.

[0127] S33: Observe the heat and pressure of the pressure regulating chamber through the thermocouple and pressure sensor.

[0128] S34: Open the stop valve as required by the command and transport iodine vapor to the downstream to ensure the normal operation of the electric propulsion system.

[0129] The contact iodine tank and iodine working medium provided by the present invention heat the internal heating element (heating plate) of the iodine tank, so that the iodine working medium in contact with the heating element is gasified. The gasified iodine working medium (iodine vapor) rises rapidly along the honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium, passes through the diffusion holes of the pressing plate, and is collected in the pressure stabilizing chamber. Since the honeycomb holes of the iodine working medium are relatively divergent, the iodine vapor can be quickly stabilized after reaching the pressure stabilizing chamber. The stop valve is opened according to the instruction, and the iodine vapor with a certain pressure is transported to the downstream of the iodine tank. As the iodine working medium evaporates, the height of the honeycomb solid iodine working medium decreases therewith, and the pressing plate assembly presses the iodine working medium to move in the direction of the heating element under the action of the spring force, ensuring that the iodine working medium is in continuous contact with the heating software, and under the heating action of the heating element, iodine vapor is continuously generated and output.

[0130] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the contact iodine tank provided by the present invention is not only applicable to the heating of solid iodine working fluid, but can also be applied to other fields (such as other working fluids). Similarly, the iodine working fluid structure provided by the present invention can also be applied to other working fluids.

[0131] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other and have corresponding technical effects.

[0132] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An iodine tank for aerospace electric propulsion system, characterized in that: include: Housing, top plate, bottom cover, elastic element and heating element; Wherein, the shell is cylindrical; The shell, the top plate and the bottom cover form a cavity, and the cavity is used to place the elastic element, the heating element and the iodine working medium; One end of the elastic element is connected to the top plate, and the other end is against the iodine working medium; The heating element is disposed on the bottom cover; The elastic element presses the iodine working medium toward the heating element so that the iodine working medium contacts the heating element; The heating element is used to heat the iodine working medium to gasify it, and the gasified iodine working medium is discharged to the outside through the cavity outlet; Also included is a pressure plate assembly; The pressure plate assembly includes a pressure plate; The pressing plate is arranged between the elastic element and the iodine working medium, and divides the cavity into a pressure stabilizing cavity and a heating cavity; The cavity outlet is arranged in the pressure stabilizing cavity; The iodine working medium is heated and gasified in the heating chamber; The pressing plate is provided with a plurality of diffusion holes to diffuse the gasified iodine working medium from the heating chamber to the pressure stabilizing chamber; The top plate is provided with an inner cylinder with an opening at the lower end; The inner cylinder is used to place the elastic element so as to limit its radial direction; The pressing plate assembly further comprises a sleeve with an upper end opening; the sleeve is arranged on the pressing plate and sleeved on the inner cylinder; The sleeve is provided with a first slide groove and a second slide groove on both sides along the axial direction thereof; a first limit pin and a second limit pin respectively pass through the first slide groove and the second slide groove and are fixed to the lower end of the inner cylinder; The elastic element compresses the bottom of the sleeve to make the sleeve slide relative to the inner cylinder in the axial direction thereof, so as to compress the iodine working medium through the pressing plate.

2. The iodine tank according to claim 1, wherein the lower end surface of the pressing plate is provided with at least one positioning pin boss to limit the iodine working medium in a radial direction.

3. The iodine tank according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating wire of the heating element passes through the bottom cover to the outside; the bottom cover is provided with a first sealing gasket along the circumference of the heating wire to isolate the heating wire from the gasified iodine working medium.

4. The iodine tank according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer side of the shell is provided with a first protrusion along its circumference; The bottom cover is detachably connected to the first protrusion via a plurality of sets of bolts and nuts.

5. The iodine working medium is placed in an iodine tank as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 for heating, characterized in that: Honeycomb holes corresponding to the plurality of diffusion holes are provided to diffuse the vaporized iodine working medium into the pressure stabilizing chamber.

6. A heating method, using the iodine pot as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 to heat the iodine working medium, characterized in that: include: Assemble the iodine jar; The iodine working medium is installed in the heating cavity formed by the shell and the bottom cover, and The iodine working medium is heated by the heating element in the iodine tank to be gasified; The iodine tank assembly is specifically as follows: Install the outer shell and the top plate, and place the outer shell and the top plate upside down, wherein the top plate is provided with an inner cylinder with an opening at the lower end; placing the elastic element into the inner cylinder; Combining the sleeve with the pressure plate to form a pressure plate assembly; The sleeve is sleeved on the inner cylinder, and the first limiting pin and the second limiting pin are respectively passed through the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove of the sleeve to be fixedly connected to the inner cylinder, a pressure stabilizing cavity is formed between the pressure plate, the top plate and the outer shell, and a cavity outlet is provided in the outer shell corresponding to the pressure stabilizing cavity; The pressing plate assembly is pressed on the elastic element, so that the pressing plate can move along its axial direction under the action of elasticity; The method of installing the iodine working medium in the heating chamber formed by the housing and the bottom cover comprises: The iodine working medium is installed on a side of the pressing plate away from the top plate and is arranged in contact with the pressing plate; Install the heating element so that it contacts the other end of the iodine working medium away from the pressing plate; Fixing the bottom cover to the outer shell, wherein the bottom cover, the outer shell and the pressing plate form a heating chamber; The step of heating the iodine working medium by the heating element in the iodine tank to gasify the iodine working medium comprises: Turn the iodine can over; and The iodine working medium is heated by the heating element to be gasified, and the gasified iodine working medium enters the pressure stabilizing chamber from the heating chamber and is discharged through the cavity outlet.

7. The heating method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The heating element heats the iodine working medium to gasify it, and further comprises: The vaporized iodine working medium rises into the pressure stabilizing chamber through a plurality of diffusion holes arranged on the pressure plate; The pressing plate assembly pushes the iodine working medium to continue to move toward the heating element under the elastic force of the elastic element, so that the heating element continues to heat the iodine working medium.

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