Through hole sealing assembly and method of sealing a through hole

Abstract

The present invention provides a through-hole sealing assembly and a method for sealing a through-hole. The through-hole sealing assembly comprises: a through-hole sealing member, the through-hole sealing member comprises: a base assembly, the base assembly comprises a first base and a second base that are slidably connected; an elastic member, the two ends of the elastic member are respectively fixed to the first base and the second base, wherein the elastic member changes between a pre-tightened first position and a stretched second position; and a fixed support member, the fixed support member comprises a plurality of fixed support arms, wherein each of the fixed support arms comprises a first section and a second section that are pivotally connected to each other through a section connection portion, wherein the first section and the second section are pivotally connected to the first base and the second base, respectively; and a filling portion, the filling portion is filled into the through-hole against the covering base assembly, wherein the section connection portion of the fixed support arm is further away from the base assembly when the elastic member is in the first position than when the elastic member is in the second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of aircraft wind tunnel test, and relates to a through hole sealing assembly, and in particular, to a through hole sealing assembly for an aircraft wind tunnel test model. The present invention also relates to a through hole sealing method. Background Art

[0002] Aircraft wind tunnel tests are conducted by installing aircraft test models of corresponding model items in wind tunnels, observing, recording and studying the surface gas flow of these aircraft test models and the interaction between the gas flow and the models to obtain aerodynamic characteristic parameters related to the corresponding model aircraft, which are used to verify the overall aerodynamic scheme and improve the aerodynamic design.

[0003] During the wind tunnel test of an aircraft, through holes are usually reserved at various locations on the fuselage and wings of the aircraft test model for model processing, configuration transformation, support form transformation and other production and testing processes. During the wind tunnel test, these through holes on the aircraft test model need to be temporarily closed to ensure the integrity of the test model's external contour surface.

[0004] There are two main ways to block the through holes of aircraft models:

[0005] The first is to fill the inside of the through hole by filling the through hole with materials such as plasticine, rubber blocks, and putty. By temporarily filling the through hole, the outer contour surface of the test model is ensured to be complete, and the filling material is removed after the test.

[0006] The second is to seal the through hole openings by sticking tin foil, tape and other sheets on the surface of the structure with through holes. By temporarily sealing the openings, the integrity of the outer contour surface of the test model is ensured, and the sealing sheets are removed after the test.

[0007] However, there are several problems in the prior art that affect the progress and working hours of the test work.

[0008] The main disadvantage of the method of plugging the inside of the through hole is that the through hole is difficult to clean, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and may be blocked by residue, affecting normal docking. In addition, if the filling material is not filled solid, it may fall off when the airflow flows through the hole, especially the through hole on the wing. The filling material is more likely to fall off due to the pressure difference between the two ends of the through hole on the upper and lower surfaces of the wing.

[0009] The main disadvantage of blocking the through-hole opening is that the sealing sheet changes the consistency and smoothness of the model's outer surface, affecting the accuracy of the measurement results. In addition, this method is only applicable to low-speed airflow tests, and the sealing sheet is very easy to peel off in high-speed airflow.

[0010] Therefore, there is a further need for a through hole sealing device to improve at least one of the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0011] In view of the above problems in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a through-hole sealing device for use in the above-mentioned through-hole and other through-holes, allowing the through-hole to be conveniently and quickly sealed and reopened.

[0012] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a through-hole sealing assembly for sealing a through-hole, wherein the through-hole sealing assembly comprises: a through-hole seal, the through-hole seal comprises: a base assembly, the base assembly comprises a first base and a second base slidably connected; an elastic member, the two ends of the elastic member are respectively fixed to the first base and the second base, wherein the elastic member changes between a pre-tightened first position and a stretched second position; and a fixed support member, the fixed support member comprises a plurality of fixed support arms, wherein each of the fixed support arms comprises a first section and a second section pivotally connected to each other through a section connection portion, wherein the first section and the second section are pivotally connected to the first base and the second base, respectively; and a filling portion, the filling portion is pressed against the covering base assembly to fill into the through-hole, wherein the section connection portion of the fixed support arm is further away from the base assembly when the elastic member is in the first position than when the elastic member is in the second position.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first base and the second base respectively have a first matching portion and a second matching portion for sliding connection.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is a coil spring, and the first end of the elastic member is fixed to the first matching portion of the first base, and the second end of the elastic member is fixed to the second base, and the elastic member slidably surrounds the outer periphery of the second matching portion of the second base.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first section of the fixed support arm is pivotally connected to a first base connection portion of the first base, and the first base connection portion protrudes from the first base in a radial direction; and a second section of the fixed support arm is pivotally connected to a second base connection portion of the second base, and the second base connection portion protrudes from the second base in a radial direction.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first base further comprises a first external portion at the end facing away from the second base, and the second base further comprises a second external portion at the end facing away from the first base, wherein the first external portion and the second external portion are used to connect an additional tension applying tool.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, with the through-hole seal placed in the through-hole, when the elastic member moves from the second position of the elastic member toward the first position and then stabilizes, at least one of the first segment and the second segment at the segment connection of the fixed support arm abuts against the inner wall of the through-hole.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first section and the second section are in the form of a flat cuboid having a rectangular cross-sectional shape with rounded corners.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first section and the second section have frosted outer surfaces.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary barrier may be optionally filled between the filling portion and the base assembly, and the auxiliary barrier may be selected from the group consisting of elastic mesh and paper sheets.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, a through hole seal according to one aspect of the present invention of suitable size is selected according to the aperture of the through hole; the elastic member is stretched to make the segment connection portion of the fixed support arm closer to the base assembly; the through hole seal is placed into the through hole, and then the stretching of the elastic member is relaxed; and a filling portion is pressed against the covering hole seal to fill the through hole, and the filling portion is trimmed to be flush with the orifices at both ends of the through hole.

[0022] The through hole sealing assembly of the present invention controls the expansion of the fixed support arm of the through hole sealing member in the radial direction by tensioning the preload spring, and can adapt to through holes with different inner diameters. After the through hole sealing member is embedded, the through hole sealing member is fixedly supported in the through hole by the tensioning force of the elastic member.

[0023] The through-hole sealing member can provide a platform for attachment and stable support of conventional filling materials, and can resist the influence of airflow on the through-holes of the aircraft test model during the wind tunnel test, thereby improving the stability of the test model and the data accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to describe the manner in which the above and other points and features of the present invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be presented by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, and the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a through hole seal of a through hole sealing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a side view of a through hole sealing assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention used for a through hole with a slightly larger aperture;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top view of a through hole sealing assembly;

[0028] Figure 4is a side view of a through hole sealing assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention used for a through hole with a slightly smaller aperture; and

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A top view of a through hole sealing assembly.

[0030] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are schematically exaggerated for the purpose of more clear description. In other embodiments, other relative dimensions may be used. In all of the following, the same features appearing in different drawings are represented by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0031] List of reference numerals:

[0032] 1 Through hole

[0033] 100 Through hole seal

[0034] 110 Base assembly

[0035] 111 First Plinth

[0036] 112 Second Plinth

[0037] 113 First matching part

[0038] 114 Second matching part

[0039] 115 first base connection part

[0040] 116 Second base connection part

[0041] 117 First external part

[0042] 118 Second external connection part

[0043] 120 Elastic parts

[0044] 130 Fixed support arm

[0045] 131 Part 1

[0046] 132 Second Section

[0047] 133 Segment connection

[0048] 200 Filling DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings. More details are elaborated in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in a variety of other ways different from the description herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations and deductions based on actual application situations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0050] In various embodiments of the present invention, the “axial direction” of the through hole seal is defined as the direction from the first base to the second base of the base assembly, and the “radial direction” of the through hole seal is defined as the direction perpendicular to the “axial direction”.

[0051] The through hole sealing assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a through hole sealing member 100 and a filling portion 200. The through hole sealing member 100 can be designed with a variety of different sizes, and for through holes 1 with different apertures, a through hole sealing member 100 of a suitable size can be selected and fixed into the through hole 1, and then the filling portion 200 is covered with the through hole sealing member 100 and filled into the through hole 1.

[0052] Figure 1 A through hole seal 100 of a through hole sealing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, which includes a base component 110 provided as a main body, an elastic member 120 providing a supporting force, and a fixing support member for fixing into the through hole 1 .

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly 110 may include a first base 111 and a second base 112 that are slidably connected. The first base 111 and the second base 112 each have a first matching portion 113 and a second matching portion 114 for slidably connecting.

[0054] Preferably, the first mating portion 113 is cylindrical and the second mating portion 114 is rod-shaped, and the rod-shaped portion is inserted into the cylindrical portion. In this way, the sliding connection of the first mating portion 113 and the second mating portion 114 is allowed.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the first mating portion 113 is in a rod shape with a groove and the second mating portion 114 is in a key shape, and the key portion is embedded in the groove of the rod portion, in this way, allowing sliding connection of the first mating portion 113 and the second mating portion 114.

[0056] It is understandable that the shapes of the first matching portion 113 and the second matching portion 114 are interchangeable, and their shapes are not limited thereto, but may be any shape that allows for sliding connection.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, both ends of the elastic member 120 may be fixed to the first base 111 and the second base 112 , respectively.

[0058] Preferably, the first end of the elastic member 120 may be fixed to the first matching portion 113 of the first base 111 , and the second end of the elastic member 120 may be fixed to the second base 112 .

[0059] Preferably, when the first matching portion 113 is cylindrical and the second matching portion 114 is rod-shaped, the elastic member 120 may be a coil spring and may slidably surround the outer circumference of the second matching portion 114 of the second base 112. It is understood that the structure and relative position of the elastic member 120 are not limited thereto, and may be any form that can provide a pre-tightening elastic force to the two bases of the through-hole seal 100.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member 120 can be changed between a first position of an initial pre-tightened state and a second position of a stretched state stretched by an external force. The segment connection portion 133 of the fixed support arm 130 is further away from the base assembly 110 when the elastic member 120 is in the first position than when the elastic member 120 is in the second position. The manner in which the through hole seal 100 is fixedly supported in the through hole 1 via the fixed support arm 130 will be described below with reference to Figure 2-5 illustrate.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, the fixed support assembly of the through hole seal 100 may include a plurality of fixed support arms 130. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed support assembly includes four fixed support arms 130. It is understood that the number of the fixed support arms 130 is not limited thereto, but may be more or less, for example, including two, three, five, six, etc.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, each fixed support arm 130 includes a first section 131 and a second section 132 pivotally connected to each other via a section connection 133. Preferably, the first section 131 and the second section 132 are pivotally connected to the first base 111 and the second base 112, respectively.

[0063] Preferably, the first section 131 of the fixed support arm 130 is pivotally connected to the first base connection portion 115 of the first base 111, and the first base connection portion 115 protrudes from the first base 111 in the radial direction, and the second section 132 of the fixed support arm 130 is pivotally connected to the second base connection portion 116 of the second base 112, and the second base connection portion 116 protrudes from the second base 112 in the radial direction.

[0064] The manner in which the through hole sealing member 100 is fixedly supported in the through hole 1 via the fixed support arm 130 will be described below in conjunction with the through hole 1 .

[0065] Figure 2-5The schematic diagram of the through hole sealing assembly according to the present invention being used in a through hole 1 is schematically shown.

[0066] Figure 2 A side view of a through-hole sealing assembly with appropriate size according to a first embodiment of the present invention for use in a through-hole 1 with a slightly larger hole diameter is schematically shown. Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 2 1 is a top view of a through hole sealing assembly, wherein the filling portion 200 is removed to clearly show the relative positional relationship between the base assembly 110 and the fixed support arm 130 of the through hole sealing member 100 and the through hole 1.

[0067] Figure 4 A side view schematically shows a through-hole sealing assembly with suitable size according to a second embodiment of the present invention used for a through-hole 1 with a slightly smaller hole diameter. Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a top view of a through hole sealing assembly, wherein the filling portion 200 is removed.

[0068] Among them, compared with the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the elastic member 120 contracts to a greater extent from the stretched state to the initial state, so the deformation is smaller and the force provided is smaller, but it is still sufficient to resist the airflow pressure difference at both ends of the through hole 1, and fix the through hole seal 100 in the through hole 1.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the first base 111 further includes a first external portion 117 at the end in the direction away from the second base 112, and the second base 112 further includes a second external portion 118 at the end in the direction away from the first base 111. The first external portion 117 and the second external portion 118 are used to connect an additional tension applying tool, so as to apply tension at both ends of the base assembly 110, forcing the elastic member 120 to change from the first position in the initial pre-tightened state to the second position in the stretched state under force.

[0070] Preferably, the first external connection portion 117 and the second external connection portion 118 are in the form of internal threads.

[0071] Preferably, the first external connection portion 117 and the second external connection portion 118 are in the form of hollow protruding ears.

[0072] In this way, it is convenient for on-site workers to use conventional tools or components, such as bolts with corresponding external threads, rods with corresponding external threads, or wires or rods with bent portions to stretch the elastic member.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, when the elastic member 120 is in the second position, the segment connection portion 133 of the fixed support arm 130 is closest to the base assembly 110 and the elastic member 120, so that the through hole seal 100 is shrunk as a whole. Therefore, when a through hole seal 100 of a suitable size is selected, the through hole seal 100 can be easily placed in the through hole 1.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, when the through-hole sealing member 100 is placed in the through-hole 1, the tension acting on both ends of the base assembly 110 and thus on both ends of the elastic member 120 is released. Therefore, the elastic member 120 tends to restore its pre-tightened initial state, the first base 111 and the second base 112 approach each other, and the plurality of fixed support arms 130 of the fixed support member are pivotally deformed and abut against the inner wall of the through-hole 1.

[0075] The elastic force of the elastic member 120 ensures that the through hole sealing member 100 is sufficient to resist the pressure difference force at both ends of the through hole 1 during the blowing process of the wind tunnel test model, and can provide a platform for the conventional filling material of the filling part 200 to adhere to and firmly support.

[0076] Preferably, when the elastic member 120 moves from the second position toward the first position and then stabilizes, at least one of the first segment 131 and the second segment 132 at the segment connection 133 of the fixed support arm 130 abuts against the inner wall of the through hole 1 .

[0077] Preferably, the first section 131 and the second section 132 are flat cuboids with rounded rectangular cross-sections. In this way, the contact area can be increased, the friction force can be increased, and the support can be firmly fixed in the through hole 1.

[0078] Preferably, the first section 131 and the second section 132 have frosted outer surfaces. In this way, the friction coefficient of the contact surface can be increased, the friction force can be increased, and a firm fixation support in the through hole 1 can be ensured.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the through-hole sealing assembly may further include an auxiliary blocking member, such as an elastic mesh, a paper sheet, etc., to help securely cover the filling portion 200 and the base assembly 110 .

[0080] In one embodiment, an elastic mesh with fine pores can be wrapped outside the through hole sealing member 100. Therefore, when the through hole sealing member 100 is fixedly supported in the through hole 1, the filling part 200 can conveniently cover the base assembly 110 at the openings at both ends of the through hole 1.

[0081] In one embodiment, when the through hole seal 100 is fixedly supported in the through hole 1, paper sheets can be covered at both ends of the through hole seal 100 to block access to the through hole seal 100 from the through hole 1, so that the filling part 200 can be conveniently covered on the base assembly 110 at the openings at both ends of the through hole 1.

[0082] After the filling portion 200 is filled into the through hole 11 against the covering through hole sealant 100 , the filling portion 200 may be trimmed to be flush with the openings at both ends of the through hole 1 .

[0083] The method of sealing a through hole using a through hole sealing assembly of the present invention will be described below.

[0084] First, a through hole sealing member 100 of a suitable size is selected according to the hole diameter of the through hole 1 .

[0085] Then, the elastic member 120 is stretched to move the segment connection portion 133 of the fixed support arm 130 closer to the base assembly 110 .

[0086] Optionally, in a preferred embodiment, the first base 111, the first external connection part 117, and the second external connection part 118 of the base assembly 110 are connected by means of an external stretching tool, for example, the first external connection part in the form of an internal thread is connected by a rod with an external thread, and the pre-tightened elastic member 120 is stretched. In this way, in a preferred embodiment, the four fixed support arms are shrunk on the through-hole seal 100 as a whole, so as to proceed to the next step.

[0087] Then, the through hole sealing member 100 is placed into the through hole 1 , and then the tension on the elastic member 120 is relaxed.

[0088] Optionally, in a preferred embodiment, an auxiliary blocking member is placed to cover, for example, paper sheets are covered at both ends of the through hole seal 100 to block access to the through hole seal 100 from the through hole 1, and then the next step is performed.

[0089] Then, the filling part 200 is filled into the through hole 11 against the covering through hole sealing member 100 , and the filling part 200 is trimmed to be flush with the openings at both ends of the through hole 1 , thereby completing the sealing of the through hole 1 .

[0090] The method of removing the through hole sealing component after sealing the through hole according to the present invention will be described below.

[0091] First, the filling material of the filling portion 200 at both ends of the through hole 1 is removed.

[0092] Optionally, in a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary blocking member is removed.

[0093] Then, the external stretching tool is fixed to stretch the elastic member, thereby releasing the pressing of the fixed support arm 130 on the inner wall of the through hole 1 .

[0094] Then, the through hole sealing member 100 is taken out, and the residual filling material in the through hole is further cleaned to complete the work of removing the through hole sealing component.

[0095] The through hole seal disclosed by the through hole sealing assembly of the present invention adopts a preloaded spring-hinge support arm extension mechanism in a preferred embodiment, can be quickly arranged in a wind tunnel test, and has several sizes and models, which can adapt to through holes of aircraft models with a wide range of aperture sizes.

[0096] The through hole sealing member of the present invention can be manufactured into a number of prototypes of different specifications and sizes according to actual conditions, and is suitable for through holes of wind tunnel test aircraft models with a wide range of aperture sizes, and is applicable to both high-speed and low-speed tests.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the through hole seal of the present invention adopts a central shaft barrel sleeve connection structure, the upper and lower bases are slidably connected and pulled together by a preload spring, so that the through hole seal has good stability and a low probability of failure.

[0098] The through hole sealing member of the present invention is small in size, flexible in layout, and simple in operation, and can be easily replaced by test personnel themselves without the need for the assistance of multiple persons or large-scale equipment, thereby improving test efficiency and reducing the time occupied by the wind tunnel.

[0099] Although various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit and essential characteristics.

[0100] The present disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and modes, and other combinations and modes including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element also fall within the scope and concept of the present disclosure.

[0101] Therefore, the embodiments described above are considered to be illustrative and non-restrictive in all aspects, and are not to be used as a basis for imposing any limitation on the present invention.

Claims

1. A through hole sealing assembly for sealing a through hole (1), characterized in that: The through hole sealing assembly comprises: A through hole sealing member (100), the through hole sealing member (100) comprising: A base assembly (110), the base assembly (110) comprising a first base (111) and a second base (112) which are slidably connected; an elastic member (120), two ends of the elastic member (120) being respectively fixed to the first base (111) and the second base (112), wherein the elastic member (120) changes between a pre-tightened first position and a stretched second position; and A fixed support, the fixed support comprising a plurality of fixed support arms (130), wherein each of the fixed support arms (130) comprises a first segment (131) and a second segment (132) pivotally connected to each other via a segment connection (133), wherein the first segment (131) and the second segment (132) are pivotally connected to the first base (111) and the second base (112), respectively; and a filling portion (200), the filling portion (200) being pressed against and covering the base assembly (110) and filled into the through hole (1), Wherein, the segment connection portion (133) of the fixed support arm (130) is further away from the base assembly (110) when the elastic member (120) is in the first position than when the elastic member (120) is in the second position.

2. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first base (111) and the second base (112) respectively have a first matching portion (113) and a second matching portion (114) for sliding connection.

3. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic member (120) is a coiled spring, and The first end of the elastic member (120) is fixed to the first matching portion (113) of the first base (111), and the second end of the elastic member (120) is fixed to the second base (112), and The elastic member (120) slidably surrounds the outer periphery of the second matching portion (114) of the second base (112).

4. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first section (131) of the fixed support arm (130) is pivotally connected to the first base connection portion (115) of the first base (111), and the first base connection portion (115) protrudes from the first base (111) in a radial direction; and The second section (132) of the fixed support arm (130) is pivotally connected to a second base connection portion (116) of the second base (112), and the second base connection portion (116) protrudes from the second base (112) in a radial direction.

5. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first base (111) further comprises a first external connection portion (117) at an end portion in a direction away from the second base (112), and the second base (112) further comprises a second external connection portion (118) at an end portion in a direction away from the first base (111), and The first externally connected portion (117) and the second externally connected portion (118) are used to connect an additional tension applying tool.

6. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the through hole seal (100) is placed in the through hole (1), when the elastic member (120) moves from the second position of the elastic member (120) toward the first position and then stabilizes, at least one of the first segment (131) and the second segment (132) at the segment connection portion (133) of the fixed support arm (130) abuts against the inner wall of the through hole (1).

7. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first section (131) and the second section (132) are flat cuboids with rounded rectangular cross-sectional shapes.

8. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first section (131) and the second section (132) have frosted outer surfaces.

9. The through hole sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: An auxiliary blocking member may be optionally filled between the filling portion (200) and the base assembly (110), and the auxiliary blocking member is selected from the group consisting of elastic mesh and paper sheets.

10. A method for sealing a through hole, characterized in that: The method comprises A through hole sealing member (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 having a suitable size selected according to the aperture of the through hole (1); stretching the elastic member (120) so that the segment connection portion (133) of the fixed support arm (130) is closer to the base assembly (110); placing the through hole sealing member (100) into the through hole (1), and then relaxing the stretching of the elastic member (120); as well as The filling portion (200) is pressed against and covered with the through hole sealing member (100) and filled into the through hole (1), and the filling portion (200) is trimmed to be flush with the openings at both ends of the through hole (1).

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