A low-temperature disturbance drilling sampling device and sampling method for the lunar regolith water ice profile

Abstract

The present invention provides a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device and sampling method for lunar regolith water ice profiles, belonging to the technical field of extraterrestrial body sampling and detection. It includes a flying vehicle, a swing drive mechanism, and a profile sampling mechanism. The profile sampling mechanism includes a feed mechanism, a rotary impact mechanism, a profile sampling drill unit, and a sample collection and transfer mechanism. The swing drive mechanism is arranged on the flying vehicle. The feed mechanism is connected to the swing drive mechanism. The rotary impact mechanism is connected to the feed mechanism. The profile sampling drill unit includes a profile sampling drill and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is arranged at the front end of the profile sampling drill. The rotary impact mechanism includes a rotary motor and an impact motor. The rotary motor is connected to the profile sampling drill through a first gear pair. The impact motor is connected to a cam roller assembly through a second gear pair. The sample collection and transfer mechanism is arranged on the profile sampling drill. It is mainly used for sampling lunar regolith water ice profiles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of extraterrestrial celestial body sampling and detection, and particularly relates to a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device and sampling method for lunar regolith water ice profile. Background Art

[0002] As the only natural satellite of the Earth, the Moon is the celestial body closest to the Earth. Due to its unique environment, it has always been the preferred target for humans to step into the vast universe. Water has always been the basis for maintaining life activities. Since Watson K first proposed the hypothesis of the existence of water ice in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar poles in the 1960s, the exploration of lunar regolith water ice in the lunar poles has become the strategic high point of lunar exploration that various space powers are competing to seize. In the remote sensing observation results over the past few decades, scientists have found that there are cohesive combinations of water-ice-soil existing in the form of ice and lunar regolith mixture, water ice or bound water with variable contents in the lunar regolith surface layer, subsurface layer and profile. In order to directly obtain the morphological form, occurrence form of lunar regolith water ice and the source mechanism of lunar water, it is particularly important to carry out the exploration of lunar regolith water ice in the polar regions.

[0003] In view of the above background, the search for water in the lunar poles has become popular among various countries. In September 2020, NASA released the plan to return to the Moon. For the lunar water ice material exploration mission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed the VIPER drilling system. In the TRIDENT drill tool system, the drill bit configuration of the drill tool is a conical matrix, the cutting edge form on it is a serrated edge, and an embedded temperature sensor is provided inside the drill bit. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) cooperated in the Luna-27 project to explore the water ice in the permanently shadowed regions. The drill tool configuration of the ProSeed drill tool system on it is a conical straight-edge drill bit. To improve its centering performance, a small-sized centering edge is added at the front end of the drill tool. A sampling tube is provided on the ProSEED drill tool. When the drill tool reaches the target depth, the sampling tube continues to drill from the depth of the drill bit and samples and collects the lunar regolith chips in the corresponding drilling part for preservation. After a sampling is completed, the sampling tube retracts into the drill tool, and the drill is pulled out to transport the sample. For our country, after the Chang'e-5 successfully sampled 1731 g of lunar regolith on the lunar surface in 2020, the in-situ detection and certification mission of Chang'e-7 in the polar regions will be continued to detect the morphological form of water ice in the permanently shadowed regions of the polar regions.

[0004] However, the extreme environmental conditions in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole pose great challenges to the sampling and exploration mission of the flyer. The harsh energy consumption, extreme low temperature, high mechanical strength of lunar regolith water ice, random distribution of water ice, and the easy phase change and volatilization of water ice during the water ice collection process due to various disturbances such as force and heat. Therefore, the present invention aims at the above difficulties and proposes a method for low-thermal-disturbance drilling and core-sampling of lunar regolith water ice profiles, providing a scheme support for the subsequent lunar regolith water ice sampling and exploration mission of Chang'e-7. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a low-thermal-disturbance drilling and sampling device and sampling method for lunar regolith water ice profiles, which can improve the situation that the water ice components are easily volatilized by heat during the collection process of lunar regolith water ice samples, resulting in a reduction in sampling quality.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A low-thermal-disturbance drilling and sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profiles, which includes a flyer, a swing drive mechanism, and a profile sampling mechanism. The profile sampling mechanism includes a feed mechanism, a rotary impact mechanism, a profile sampling drill unit, and a sample collection and transfer mechanism. The swing drive mechanism is arranged on the flyer. The feed mechanism is connected to the swing drive mechanism. The rotary impact mechanism is connected to the feed mechanism. The profile sampling drill unit includes a profile sampling drill and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is arranged at the front end of the profile sampling drill. The rotary impact mechanism includes a rotary motor and an impact motor. The rotary motor is connected to the profile sampling drill through a first gear pair. The impact motor is connected to a cam roller assembly through a second gear pair. The cam roller assembly transmits the impact force to the profile sampling drill unit. The sample collection and transfer mechanism is arranged on the profile sampling drill.

[0007] Furthermore, landing legs are provided below the flyer, and an infrared camera is arranged on the landing legs.

[0008] Furthermore, the feed mechanism is a cable-driven feed mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, the cable-driven feed mechanism includes a cable drive mechanism, a steel wire rope, a fixed pulley assembly, and a slider. The cable drive mechanism is connected to the steel wire rope. The steel wire rope is arranged on the fixed pulley assembly. A slider is arranged between the fixed pulley assemblies. The slider is connected to the rotary impact mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, an anchoring mechanism is arranged below the feed mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, a slip ring is arranged at the connection between the profile sampling drill and the rotary impact mechanism, and the slip ring is connected to the temperature sensor.

[0012] Further, a drill sleeve is provided on the profile sampling drill tool, and the sample collection and transfer mechanism is provided on the drill sleeve.

[0013] Further, the sample collection and transfer mechanism includes a brush assembly and a sample collection box. The brush assembly is arranged outside the profile sampling drill tool, and the sample collection box is arranged below the brush assembly.

[0014] Further, the front end of the profile sampling drill tool is of a deep spiral groove structure.

[0015] The present invention also provides a sampling method for a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profiles, which includes the following steps:

[0016] Step 1: After the hopper carries the profile sampling mechanism and leaps to the permanently shadowed area, the infrared camera on the landing leg performs physical property detection during the walking of the hopper. When a lunar regolith water ice enrichment area is detected, the profile sampling mechanism is swung to a suitable working position through the swing drive mechanism, and then the hopper squats down to anchor the profile sampling mechanism and prepares to start drilling.

[0017] Step 2: The rotary motor drives the profile sampling drill tool to rotate, and the feed mechanism drives the profile sampling drill tool to start rotary drilling. When it is monitored by the physical property detection means of the infrared camera and the temperature sensor that the drill has reached the lunar regolith water ice layer, the drilling procedure is changed, the rotary speed is reduced, and the impact procedure is started.

[0018] Step 3: When the profile sampling drill tool drills into the lunar regolith water ice layer, the front-end deep groove spiral area of the profile sampling drill tool is filled with lunar regolith water ice samples. The samples are lifted out by the way of lifting the drill, and the samples in the deep spiral groove are swept off by the brush assembly, and the sample collection box is used for sample collection and transfer.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention can, in the face of the drilling and sampling object of lunar regolith water ice with high mechanical strength, complete the breakthrough and collection of lunar regolith water ice samples by changing the rotary and impact procedures, and can reduce the thermal disturbance generated during the sampling process, reduce the volatilization and migration of water ice, so as to ensure the collection quality of lunar regolith water ice samples. Description of the Drawings

[0020] The drawings constituting a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profiles according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 1Among them, 1 is the flying vehicle, 1-1 is the landing leg, 1-2 is the infrared camera, 2 is the swing drive mechanism, 3 is the feed mechanism, 3-1 is the cable drive mechanism, 3-2 is the steel wire rope, 3-3 is the fixed pulley assembly, 3-4 is the slider, 3-5 is the anchoring mechanism, 4 is the rotary impact mechanism, 4-1 is the rotary motor, 4-2 is the first gear pair, 4-3 is the impact motor, 4-4 is the second gear pair, 4-5 is the cam roller assembly, 5 is the profile sampling drill unit, 5-1 is the profile sampling drill, 5-2 is the electric slip ring, 5-3 is the temperature sensor, 5-4 is the drill sleeve, 6 is the sample collection and transfer mechanism, 6-1 is the brush assembly, 6-2 is the sample collection box.

[0023] Figure 2 This is the flow chart of lunar soil water ice profile sampling according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 Among them, a is before the drill enters, b is when the drill starts to enter, c is when the drill breaks through to the water ice layer during drilling, d is to lift the drill, and e is sample collection and transfer;

[0025] Figure 3 This is the regulation adjustment diagram during the collection of lunar soil water ice according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 Among them, Ⅰ is the regulation adjustment of the rotary speed of the drill; Ⅱ is the regulation adjustment of the impact of the drill; Ⅲ is the schematic diagram of the temperature change at the front end of the drill after the regulation adjustment. Specific implementation mode

[0027] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0028] See Figures 1-3Description of this embodiment: A low-thermal-disturbance drilling and sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profile, which includes a flying vehicle 1, a swing drive mechanism 2 and a profile sampling mechanism. The profile sampling mechanism includes a feed mechanism 3, a rotary impact mechanism 4, a profile sampling drill unit 5 and a sample collection and transfer mechanism 6. The swing drive mechanism 2 is arranged on the flying vehicle 1. The feed mechanism 3 is connected to the swing drive mechanism 2. The rotary impact mechanism 4 is connected to the feed mechanism 3. The profile sampling drill unit 5 includes a profile sampling drill 5-1 and a temperature sensor 5-3. The temperature sensor 5-3 is arranged at the front end of the profile sampling drill 5-1. The rotary impact mechanism 4 includes a rotary motor 4-1 and an impact motor 4-3. The rotary motor 4-1 is connected to the profile sampling drill 5-1 through a first gear pair 4-2. The impact motor 4-3 is connected to a cam roller assembly 4-5 through a second gear pair 4-4. The cam roller assembly 4-5 transmits the impact force to the profile sampling drill unit 5. The sample collection and transfer mechanism 6 is arranged on the profile sampling drill 5-1.

[0029] Below the flying vehicle 1 are landing legs 1-1, and an infrared camera 1-2 is arranged on the landing legs 1-1. The feed mechanism 3 is a rope-driven feed mechanism. Preferably, the rope-driven feed mechanism includes a rope drive mechanism 3-1, a steel wire rope 3-2, a fixed pulley assembly 3-3 and a slider 3-4. The rope drive mechanism 3-1 is connected to the steel wire rope 3-2. The steel wire rope 3-2 is arranged on the fixed pulley assembly 3-3. A slider 3-4 is arranged between the fixed pulley assemblies 3-3. The slider 3-4 is connected to the rotary impact mechanism 4. An anchoring mechanism 3-5 is arranged below the feed mechanism 3. A slip ring 5-2 is arranged at the connection between the profile sampling drill 5-1 and the rotary impact mechanism 4. The slip ring 5-2 is connected to the temperature sensor 5-3. A drill sleeve 5-4 is arranged on the profile sampling drill 5-1. The sample collection and transfer mechanism 6 is arranged on the drill sleeve 5-4. The sample collection and transfer mechanism 6 includes a brush assembly 6-1 and a sample collection box 6-2. The brush assembly 6-1 is arranged outside the profile sampling drill 5-1. The sample collection box 6-2 is arranged below the brush assembly 6-1. The front end of the profile sampling drill 5-1 is of a deep spiral groove structure.

[0030] The flying vehicle 1 conducts physical property detection on the area passed by the flying vehicle 1 through the infrared camera 1-2 installed on the landing legs 1-1. After detecting a water ice-rich area, the entire profile sampling mechanism is swung to a suitable working position through the swing drive mechanism 2.

[0031] After the profile sampling mechanism is swung to a proper working position by the swing drive mechanism 2, the landing legs 1-1 of the flyer 1 squat down, and the entire profile sampling mechanism is fixed by the anchoring mechanism 3-5. The wire drive mechanism 3-1 pulls the steel wire rope 3-2, and drives the rotary impact mechanism 4 fixed on the slider 3-4 through the fixed pulley assembly 3-3 to complete the feeding movement of drilling and drill pipe lifting.

[0032] In the rotary impact mechanism 4, the rotary motor 4-1 transmits power to the profile sampling drill unit 5 through the first gear pair 4-2, and the impact motor 4-3 transmits power to the cam roller assembly 4-5 through the second gear pair 4-4. The rotation of the cam drives the roller to make an impact action, and transmits the impact force to the profile sampling drill unit 5.

[0033] In the profile sampling drill unit 5, a slip ring 5-2 is connected at the connection between the profile sampling drill 5-1 and the rotary impact mechanism 4, which is used to obtain the temperature data measured in real time by the temperature sensor 5-3 at the front end of the profile sampling drill 5-1, and there is a drill bushing 5-4 at the drilling position to improve the deflection of the profile sampling drill 5-1 caused by the excessive length-diameter ratio, and ensure the stability of its drilling position.

[0034] The profile sampling mechanism mainly collects samples through the deep spiral groove at the front end of the profile sampling drill 5-1, and completes the collection and transfer of samples through the sample collection and transfer mechanism 6. When the profile sampling drill 5-1 is lifted to a proper position, the brush assembly 6-1 fixed above the drill bushing 5-4 sweeps the samples in the deep spiral groove of the profile sampling drill 5-1, and the sample collection box 6-2 fixed on the profile sampling mechanism and capable of swinging to collect samples collects the samples and transports them to the corresponding processing, analysis and storage positions.

[0035] The present invention also provides a sampling method for a lunar regolith water ice profile low-temperature disturbance drilling sampling device, which includes the following steps:

[0036] Step 1: After the flyer 1 carrying the profile sampling mechanism flies to the permanently shadowed area, the infrared camera 1-2 on the landing leg 1-1 performs physical property detection during the walking process of the flyer 1. When a lunar regolith water ice enrichment area is detected, after the profile sampling mechanism is swung to a proper working position by the swing drive mechanism 2, the flyer 1 squats down, anchors the profile sampling mechanism, and prepares to start drilling;

[0037] Step 2: The rotary motor 4-1 drives the profile sampling drill 5-1 to rotate, and the feed mechanism 3 drives the profile sampling drill 5-1 to start rotary drilling. When it is monitored by the physical property detection means of the infrared camera 1-2 and the temperature sensor 5-3 that the drilling reaches the lunar regolith water ice layer, the drilling procedure is changed, the rotary speed is reduced, and the impact procedure is started;

[0038] Step 3: When the profile sampling drill 5-1 drills into the lunar regolith water ice layer, the front deep groove spiral area of the profile sampling drill 5-1 is filled with lunar regolith water ice samples. The samples are taken out by pulling out the drill, and the samples in the deep spiral groove are swept off by the brush assembly 6-1, and the sample collection box 6-2 is used for sample collection and transportation.

[0039] After the hopper 1 carrying the profile sampling mechanism leaps to the permanently shadowed area, the infrared camera 1-2 on the landing leg 1-1 conducts physical property detection during the walking of the hopper 1. When a lunar regolith water ice enrichment area is detected, the profile sampling mechanism is swung to a suitable working position by the swing drive mechanism 2, and then the hopper 1 squats down to anchor the profile sampling mechanism and prepares to start drilling.

[0040] As Figure 2 shown in a, when the rotary impact mechanism 4 is ready to start drilling, the rotary motor 4-1 provides the rotary power for the drill, and the feed mechanism 3 drives the whole device to start rotary drilling, as Figure 2 shown in b. When it is monitored by physical property detection means such as the infrared camera 1-2 and the temperature sensor 5-3 that the drill has penetrated into the lunar regolith water ice layer, the drilling procedure is changed to reduce the rotary speed, as Figure 3 shown in I, and the impact procedure is started, as Figure 3 shown in II. Such procedure adjustment can not only help the profile sampling drill 5-1 to complete the drilling breakthrough of the lunar regolith water ice sample with high mechanical strength, but also reduce a large amount of frictional heat generated in the front cutting and crushing area of the profile sampling drill 5-1 due to difficult breakthrough, thereby reducing the thermal disturbance to the lunar regolith water ice sample and ensuring the collection quality of the lunar regolith water ice sample.

[0041] As Figure 2 shown in c, when the profile sampling drill 5-1 drills into the lunar regolith water ice layer, the front deep groove spiral area of the profile sampling drill 5-1 is filled with lunar regolith water ice samples, and the samples are taken out by pulling out the drill as Figure 2 shown in d. The samples in the deep spiral groove are swept off by the brush assembly 6-1 fixed on the profile sampling mechanism, and the sample collection box 6-2 is used for sample collection and transportation, as Figure 2 shown in e. The collection task of the lunar regolith water ice sample is completed.

[0042] After the collection task of the lunar regolith water ice sample is completed, the profile sampling mechanism is reset by the swing drive mechanism 2, and the hopper 1 continues to walk to detect and find the next lunar regolith water ice enrichment area, and the above process is repeated to collect the lunar regolith water ice sample.

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are only used to help illustrate the present invention. The embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. According to the content of this specification, many modifications and variations can be made. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification in order to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can well understand and utilize the present invention.

Claims

1. Sampling method of a low-temperature disturbance drilling sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profile, characterized in that: The drilling and sampling device includes a flying vehicle (1), a swing drive mechanism (2) and a profile sampling mechanism. The profile sampling mechanism includes a feed mechanism (3), a rotary impact mechanism (4), a profile sampling drill unit (5) and a sample collection and transfer mechanism (6). The swing drive mechanism (2) is arranged on the flying vehicle (1). The feed mechanism (3) is connected to the swing drive mechanism (2). The rotary impact mechanism (4) is connected to the feed mechanism (3). The profile sampling drill unit (5) includes a profile sampling drill (5-1) and a temperature sensor (5-3). The temperature sensor (5-3) is arranged at the front end of the profile sampling drill (5-1). The rotary impact mechanism (4) includes a rotary motor (4-1) and an impact motor (4-3). The rotary motor (4-1) is connected to the profile sampling drill (5-1) through a first gear pair (4-2). The impact motor (4-3) is connected to a cam roller assembly (4-5) through a second gear pair (4-4). The cam roller assembly (4-5) transmits the impact force to the profile sampling drill unit (5). The sample collection and transfer mechanism (6) is arranged on the profile sampling drill (5-1). The feed mechanism (3) is a wire-driven feed mechanism. The wire-driven feed mechanism includes a wire drive mechanism (3-1), a wire rope (3-2), a fixed pulley assembly (3-3) and a slider (3-4). The wire drive mechanism (3-1) is connected to the wire rope (3-2). The wire rope (3-2) is arranged on the fixed pulley assembly (3-3). A slider (3-4) is arranged between the fixed pulley assemblies (3-3). The slider (3-4) is connected to the rotary impact mechanism (4); The sampling method includes the following steps: Step 1: After the flying vehicle (1) carries the profile sampling mechanism and flies to the permanently shadowed area, the infrared camera (1-2) on the landing leg (1-1) conducts physical property detection during the walking of the flying vehicle (1). When a lunar soil water ice enrichment area is detected, the profile sampling mechanism is swung to a suitable working position by the swing drive mechanism (2), and then the flying vehicle (1) squats down to anchor the profile sampling mechanism and prepares to start drilling; Step 2: The rotary motor (4-1) drives the profile sampling drill (5-1) to rotate, and the feed mechanism (3) drives the profile sampling drill (5-1) to start rotary drilling. When it is monitored by the physical property detection means of the infrared camera (1-2) and the temperature sensor (5-3) that the drilling reaches the lunar soil water ice layer, the drilling procedure is changed, the rotary speed is reduced, and the impact procedure is started; Step 3: When the profile sampling drill (5-1) drills into the lunar soil water ice layer, the front deep groove spiral area of the profile sampling drill (5-1) is filled with lunar soil water ice samples. The samples are lifted out by the way of lifting the drill, and the samples in the deep spiral groove are swept off by the brush assembly (6-1), and the samples are collected and transported by the sample collection box (6-2).

2. The sampling method of a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device for lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, wherein: Below the flying vehicle (1) are landing legs (1-1), and an infrared camera (1-2) is arranged on the landing legs (1-1).

3. The sampling method of a low-thermal-disturbance drilling sampling device for the lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, characterized in that: An anchoring mechanism (3-5) is arranged below the footage mechanism (3).

4. The sampling method of a sampling device for low-thermal-disturbance drilling of lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, characterized in that: A slip ring (5-2) is arranged at the connection between the profile sampling drill (5-1) and the rotary impact mechanism (4), and the slip ring (5-2) is connected to a temperature sensor (5-3).

5. The sampling method of a sampling device for low-temperature disturbance drilling of lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, characterized in that: A drill sleeve (5-4) is arranged on the profile sampling drill (5-1), and the sample collection and transfer mechanism (6) is arranged on the drill sleeve (5-4).

6. The sampling method of a sampling device for low-temperature disturbance drilling of lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample collection and transfer mechanism (6) includes a brush assembly (6-1) and a sample collection box (6-2). The brush assembly (6-1) is arranged outside the profile sampling drill (5-1), and the sample collection box (6-2) is arranged below the brush assembly (6-1).

7. The sampling method of a sampling device for low-thermal-disturbance drilling of lunar regolith water ice profile according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the profile sampling drill (5-1) is of a deep spiral groove structure.

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