A universal modular infrared heating cage

Abstract

The application provides a universal modular infrared heating cage, which comprises an infrared cage frame capable of adjusting length, width and height, an infrared cage heating surface, an angle-adjustable baffle and a bottom guide rail vehicle capable of sliding on a guide rail, the infrared cage heating surface and the angle-adjustable baffle are respectively installed on the infrared cage frame, the infrared cage frame is installed on the bottom guide rail vehicle, the infrared cage heating surface comprises a modular heating unit, an auxiliary fixing keel and a support, the modular heating unit is installed on the auxiliary fixing keel, and the two ends of the auxiliary fixing keel are fixed on the infrared cage frame through the support. The application has the beneficial effects that the size, heating capacity and heat flow can be adjusted, the vacuum thermal test external heat flow simulation requirements of different shape and size aerospace products can be met, and the application has high universality.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a spacecraft thermal test device, in particular to a universal modular infrared heating cage. BACKGROUND

[0002] Satellites and other spacecraft must be subjected to vacuum thermal tests during development, on the one hand to check the correctness of the thermal design of the satellite product, and on the other hand to check the vacuum low-temperature environment working capacity of the satellite product in on-orbit working mode. The vacuum thermal test of satellites and other spacecraft products generally uses an infrared heating cage to simulate the space external heat flux. The existing infrared heating cage has the following problems: the sizes of satellite products are different, the shapes are different, and the test temperature ranges are also different. This requires designing infrared heating cages of different sizes and heating capacities for different satellite products. Such infrared heating cages have fixed sizes of each heating surface, and the maximum heating capacity cannot be changed, so they can only be used in the thermal test of this satellite product. Therefore, the customized design of infrared heating cages for satellite products not only takes time and effort, increases development costs, but also cannot be reused in the vacuum thermal test of other satellite products, resulting in a large number of infrared heating cages that need to be stored or discarded. With the increase in spacecraft test tasks, especially the short development cycle and low cost of microsatellites, designing different infrared heating cages causes high equipment development costs and resource consumption for the type mission. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present application provides a universal modular infrared heating cage that can adapt to the vacuum thermal test of satellite products of different sizes and different external heat flux simulation requirements.

[0004] The present application provides a universal modular infrared heating cage, which comprises an infrared cage frame capable of adjusting the length, width and height, an infrared cage heating surface, an angle-adjustable baffle and a bottom rail car capable of sliding on a guide rail. The infrared cage heating surface and the angle-adjustable baffle are respectively installed on the infrared cage frame, and the infrared cage frame is installed on the bottom rail car. The infrared cage heating surface comprises a modular heating unit, an auxiliary fixing keel and a support, the modular heating unit is installed on the auxiliary fixing keel, and the two ends of the auxiliary fixing keel are fixed on the infrared cage frame through the support.

[0005] As a further improvement of the present application, the auxiliary fixing keel has at least two and forms a heating surface sub-frame with the infrared cage frame, and the modular heating unit has at least two and is spliced on the heating surface sub-frame.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present application, the modular heating unit comprises a heating strip frame, a tetrafluoroethylene insulation plate, a heating strip, a heating wire and a quick plug connector, the tetrafluoroethylene insulation plate is installed on the heating strip frame, the heating strip is installed on the tetrafluoroethylene insulation plate, and the heating strip is connected with the quick plug connector through the heating wire.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present application, the infrared cage frame comprises a column, a top frame and a bottom crossbeam, the bottom crossbeam is locked and installed on the bottom guide rail vehicle through a fixed angle code, the column is locked and installed on the bottom crossbeam through a fixed angle code, and the top frame is locked and installed on the column through a fixed angle code; the bottom crossbeam can be adjusted and locked in position along the width direction of the infrared cage frame, the column can be adjusted and locked in position along the length direction of the infrared cage frame, and the top frame can be adjusted and locked in position along the height direction of the infrared cage frame.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present application, a satellite docking surface support is installed on the infrared cage frame, the satellite docking surface support comprises a fixed crossbeam, an adjusting truss, a Z-shaped adjusting support and a heat insulation pad, the fixed crossbeam is installed on the infrared cage frame, the adjusting truss is installed on the fixed crossbeam, one end of the Z-shaped adjusting support is installed on the adjusting truss, and the other end of the Z-shaped adjusting support is connected with the heat insulation pad.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present application, a thin film type electric heating sheet for temperature control is pasted on the surface of the Z-shaped adjusting support, a center through hole for installing a fixing screw connected with a satellite product is arranged on the heat insulation pad, the Z-shaped adjusting support can slide and adjust position on the adjusting truss, and the Z-shaped adjusting support is locked on the adjusting truss through a screw.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present application, the angle adjustable baffle comprises a baffle and a positioning hinge, the baffle is installed on the infrared cage frame through the positioning hinge.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present application, an adjusting loose screw for adjusting the angle of the baffle is installed on the positioning hinge, the baffle is an aluminum plate, an aluminum film is pasted on the surface of the baffle, one side of the baffle is aligned with the edge of a satellite, and the baffle is installed between the infrared cage heating surface and the satellite, so that the influence of heat flow on the satellite can be adjusted.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present application, the bottom guide rail vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame, a supporting leg and a wheel, the wheel is installed on the supporting leg, the supporting leg is connected with the vehicle body frame through an angle conversion mechanism, and the angle conversion mechanism can realize 90-degree direction switching of the supporting leg.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the support leg is L-shaped and the surface of the wheel is a polytetrafluoroethylene wheel surface.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0015] (1) The universal modular infrared heating cage provided by the present invention adopts a universal modular design standard, which shortens the design cycle and reduces the research and development costs;

[0016] (2) The universal modular infrared heating cage provided by the present invention is simple in design, convenient and flexible in assembly, and saves storage space;

[0017] (3) The universal modular infrared heating cage provided by the present invention is modularized as a unit. A universal modular infrared heating cage is composed of multiple universal modules, realizing the universality of the infrared heating cage, high reusability, and low overall investment cost.

[0018] (4) Applicable to different types of test missions, meeting the needs of vacuum thermal testing of spacecraft of different shapes and sizes, and reducing test costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other solutions can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the infrared cage heating surface of a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the modular heating unit of a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a satellite docking surface support for a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an angle-adjustable baffle for a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom guide rail vehicle of a universal modular infrared heating cage according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a general-purpose modular infrared heating cage adopts a modular design. A general-purpose modular infrared heating cage is composed of multiple general-purpose small modules. Each heating surface is composed of interchangeable modular heating units. By combining different numbers of modular heating units with different heating capacities, it can adapt to vacuum thermal testing of satellite products of different sizes.

[0031] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a general-purpose modular infrared heating cage according to one embodiment. The general-purpose modular infrared heating cage includes an infrared cage frame 11, an infrared cage heating surface 12, a modular heating unit 13, a satellite docking surface bracket 14, an angle-adjustable baffle 15, and a bottom guide rail 16. The infrared cage heating surface 12 is mainly composed of multiple modular heating units 14 spliced ​​together.

[0032] Specifically, the infrared cage frame 11 includes columns 1102, a top frame 1103, and a bottom crossbeam 1101, all constructed from standard 40mm aluminum profiles connected in different combinations. Their installation positions can be adjusted according to the satellite dimensions. The aluminum profiles are fixed in place by L-shaped brackets and T-shaped screws of the truss connectors. These connectors move axially within the aluminum profile adjustment grooves, altering the installation and connection positions of the columns 1102, top frame 1103, and bottom crossbeam 1101, thereby adjusting the positional relationships of the various truss members to form infrared cage frames with different envelope sizes. The bottom crossbeam 1101 is mounted on a bottom guide rail carriage 16 that can slide along the guide rail. The columns 1102 are mounted on the bottom crossbeam 1101, and the top frame 1103 is mounted on the columns 1102. All connections use angle bracket threaded connections. With the length of the infrared cage frame 11 as the Y-axis, the width as the X-axis, and the height as the Z-axis, the bottom crossbeam 1101 can move along the X-axis to determine the frame size of the infrared cage in the X-axis direction. The column 1102 can move along the Y-axis to determine the frame size of the infrared cage in the Y-axis direction. The top frame 1103 can move along the Z-axis to adjust the height and determine the frame size of the infrared cage in the Z-axis direction. By changing the overall structural size of the infrared cage frame, it can adapt to satellites of different sizes and specifications.

[0033] The columns 1102, top frame 1103, and bottom crossbeam 1101 can be extended and spliced ​​to different lengths to accommodate different satellite structure sizes.

[0034] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a combined configuration of the heating surface of the universal modular infrared heating cage of the present invention. The heating surface of the infrared cage is mainly composed of modular heating units 21 and 22 spliced ​​together (multiple modular heating units can also be spliced ​​together), and its heating circuit can be selected to be connected in series or in parallel. Auxiliary fixing keels 23 are installed on both sides of the heating surface and fixed to the infrared cage frame 11 by support members 24.

[0035] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the modular heating unit configuration of the universal modular infrared heating cage of the present invention. There are two sizes of heating units: 250mm×250mm and 500mm×500mm. The heating unit includes a first structural frame 31, a second structural frame 32, a PTFE insulation board 33, a heating strip 34, a heating wire 35, and a quick-connect connector 36.

[0036] Specifically, the first structural frame 31 is made of angle aluminum with a side width of 10mm and a thickness of 3mm, and the second structural frame 32 is made of aluminum strip with a side width of 10mm and a thickness of 3mm. The angle aluminum and the aluminum strip have through holes with a spacing of 50mm. The frames are connected and fixed with M3 copper screws. A 20mm wide polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulating plate 33 is fixed on the first structural frame 31 with M3 copper screws. The PTFE insulating plate 33 is provided with mounting holes with the same spacing. The heating strip 34 has Φ2 through holes at both ends and is fixed to the PTFE insulating plate 33 with M2 copper screws. Together, they form the infrared cage heating surface 12. One infrared cage heating surface 12 is welded to one heating circuit.

[0037] The first structural frame 31 and the second structural frame 32 are connected to form a heating surface frame. Multiple heating strips 34 are installed on the heating surface frame, adjacent heating strips 34 are connected in series, and quick-connect connectors 36 are connected to the heating strips 34 at the beginning and end through heating wires 35 to form a heating circuit.

[0038] The heating capacity of the infrared cage heating surface 12 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of heating strips 34.

[0039] There are three ways to splice the modular heating units: straight splicing, T-shaped splicing, and cross splicing. Different sizes of infrared cage heating surfaces can be spliced ​​according to the satellite heating surface size and heating heat flow requirements to meet different test requirements.

[0040] Specifically, the infrared cage heating surface 12 has six heating capabilities suitable for different satellite external heat flow heating and heat dissipation requirements. A unit library of infrared cage heating surfaces 12 is established for storage and management. When designing the model test scheme, the corresponding heating units are selected from the library and combined and assembled, with each infrared cage heating surface 12 constituting a heating unit.

[0041]

[0042]

[0043] Specifically, the quick-connect connector 36 uses the SH3.5-F / M connector. The quick-connect connector 36 forms different heating circuits through the heating wires 35. The SH3.5-F / M quick-connect plug has an anti-dislodgement design, making it easy to plug and unplug.

[0044] See Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the satellite docking surface support of the universal modular infrared heating cage of the present invention, including a fixed crossbeam 41, an adjusting truss 42, a Z-shaped adjusting bracket 43, and a heat insulation pad 44.

[0045] Specifically, the Z-shaped adjustment bracket 43 is mounted on the adjustment truss 42, made of 304 stainless steel, with a height of 50mm, and has a thin-film electric heating element for temperature control attached to its surface. The adjustment truss 42 is mounted on the fixed beam 41, which can slide on the infrared cage frame 11 and is fixed with T-type M8 screws after the position is determined. The heat insulation pad 44 is made of polyimide and has a Φ8 through hole in the center for installing fixing screws for connection with satellite products.

[0046] The Z-type adjustment bracket 43 can slide on the adjustment truss 42, and can be used for docking satellites of different sizes.

[0047] Each Z-shaped adjustment bracket 42 is equipped with a heat insulation pad 44 and connected to the satellite.

[0048] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the baffle of the universal modular infrared heating cage of the present invention, including baffle 51, positioning hinge 52, and adjusting screw 53.

[0049] Specifically, the baffle 51 reflects the heat flow around the heating surface. It is made of 0.5mm thick aluminum plate with an aluminum-plated film adhered to its surface. The baffle 51 has Φ8 through holes on its edge, which connect to a positioning hinge 52. The positioning hinge 52 is mounted on the infrared cage frame 11 and has an adjusting screw 53. Adjusting the screw 53 adjusts the installation angle of the baffle 51, aligning one side of the baffle 51 with the edge of the satellite. A baffle 41 is installed between the heating surfaces to reduce the heat flow interference between the satellite and the heating surfaces.

[0050] See Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom guide rail vehicle 16 of the universal modular infrared heating cage of the present invention. The bottom guide rail vehicle 16 can slide on the guide rail and mainly includes a body frame 61, support legs 62, and wheels 63.

[0051] Specifically, the vehicle frame 61 is made of 304 stainless steel, with structural dimensions of 1600mm × 900mm. The support legs 62 are also made of 304 stainless steel and are L-shaped. The vehicle frame 61 and the L-shaped support legs 62 are bolted together. By changing the installation direction of the support legs 62 by 90°, the installation direction of the guide rail vehicle wheels can be changed, allowing the guide rail vehicle's X-axis or Y-axis to run along the guide rail, thus meeting the installation requirements of guide rail vehicles of different sizes. The wheels 63 contain stainless steel axles and bearings, and their surfaces are made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), enabling them to be insulated from the guide rail and slide on it.

[0052] The body frame 61 has multiple mounting holes for mounting and adjusting the position of the bottom crossbeam 1101.

[0053] The present invention provides a universal modular infrared heating cage whose size, heating capacity and heat flow can be adjusted, which can meet the requirements of vacuum thermal test external heat flow simulation for aerospace products of different shapes and sizes, and has high versatility.

[0054] This invention provides a universal modular infrared heating cage for use in vacuum thermal testing of spacecraft.

[0055] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A universal modular infrared heating cage, characterized in that: The system includes an infrared cage frame with adjustable length, width, and height; an infrared cage heating surface; an angle-adjustable baffle; and a bottom guide rail carriage capable of sliding on a guide rail. The infrared cage heating surface and the angle-adjustable baffle are respectively mounted on the infrared cage frame, which is mounted on the bottom guide rail carriage. The infrared cage heating surface includes modular heating units, auxiliary fixing keels, and support members. The modular heating units are mounted on the auxiliary fixing keels, and both ends of the auxiliary fixing keels are fixed to the infrared cage frame via the support members. There are at least two auxiliary fixing keels, which together enclose the infrared cage frame to form a heating surface sub-frame. There are at least two modular heating units spliced ​​onto the heating surface frame. Each modular heating unit includes a heating strip frame... The infrared cage includes a PTFE insulating board, a heating strip, a heating wire, and a quick-connect connector. The PTFE insulating board is mounted on the heating strip frame, and the heating strip is mounted on the PTFE insulating board. The heating strip is connected to the quick-connect connector via the heating wire. The infrared cage frame includes uprights, a top frame, and a bottom crossbeam. The bottom crossbeam is locked onto a bottom guide rail by fixed angle brackets. The uprights are locked onto the bottom crossbeam by fixed angle brackets. The top frame is locked onto the uprights by fixed angle brackets. The bottom crossbeam can be adjusted in locking position along the width direction of the infrared cage frame. The uprights can be adjusted in locking position along the length direction of the infrared cage frame. The top frame can be adjusted in locking position along the height direction of the infrared cage frame.

2. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: A satellite docking surface bracket is installed on the infrared cage frame. The satellite docking surface bracket includes a fixed crossbeam, an adjusting truss, a Z-shaped adjusting bracket, and a heat insulation pad. The fixed crossbeam is installed on the infrared cage frame, the adjusting truss is installed on the fixed crossbeam, one end of the Z-shaped adjusting bracket is installed on the adjusting truss, and the other end of the Z-shaped adjusting bracket is connected to the heat insulation pad.

3. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The Z-shaped adjustment bracket has a thin-film electric heating element for temperature control attached to its surface. The heat insulation pad has a central through hole for mounting fixing screws for connecting with satellite products. The Z-shaped adjustment bracket can slide and adjust its position on the adjustment truss. The Z-shaped adjustment bracket is locked onto the adjustment truss by screws.

4. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle-adjustable baffle includes a baffle and a positioning hinge, and the baffle is mounted on the infrared cage frame via the positioning hinge.

5. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning hinge is equipped with an adjusting screw for adjusting the angle of the baffle. The baffle is an aluminum plate with an aluminum-plated film pasted on its surface. One side of the baffle is aligned with the edge of the satellite. The baffle is installed between the infrared cage heating surface and the satellite, and can adjust the influence of the satellite's heat flow.

6. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom guide rail vehicle includes a vehicle frame, support legs, and wheels. The wheels are mounted on the support legs, and the support legs are connected to the vehicle frame through an angle conversion mechanism. The angle conversion mechanism enables the support legs to switch directions by 90 degrees.

7. The universal modular infrared heating cage according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support leg is L-shaped, and the surface of the wheel is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

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