A spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of space technology, and particularly relates to a spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, which comprises a base, a spring actuating cylinder, an adapter frame and an unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism; the spring actuating cylinder is installed at the center of the base; the adapter frame is installed on the base; the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism comprises a satellite locking assembly and a satellite shape maintaining assembly; the satellite locking assembly is installed on the adapter frame, and the satellite shape maintaining assembly is fixedly connected with the spherical satellite; when the spherical satellite is carried, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected to support and lock the spherical satellite; when the spherical satellite is unlocked and released, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are separated, and the satellite shape maintaining assembly maintains the surface shape of the satellite; the spring actuating cylinder works to push the spherical satellite to be released. The spherical satellite is separated and released from the adapter frame by cooperation of the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly, the separation surface is flat, and the requirements of reliable release separation of the spherical satellite and structure surface shape maintaining are effectively ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the field of space technology, in particular to a spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function. BACKGROUND

[0002] The locking and releasing device is used to provide reliable locking and releasing functions for a satellite. During the rocket launching process, the locking and releasing device plays a stable connection function between the satellite and the rocket; when the rocket reaches the designated position, the constraint is released, and the satellite is released.

[0003] On a spacecraft, the currently widely used locking and releasing device mostly adopts a planar two-body separation form, which cannot be directly applied to a spherical satellite. In addition, for the locking and releasing structure adopting planar connection, the connection points are arranged below the satellite, and the entire connection structure form is equivalent to a cantilever beam with a bottom constraint and a top freedom, which determines that the first-order frequency of the releasing mechanism and the satellite is difficult to be above 100Hz. The releasing mechanism with planar connection does not have shape maintaining function.

[0004] The spherical satellite has more stringent requirements on space and mechanics, and the above characteristics make the existing locking and releasing structure with planar connection unable to realize the locking and releasing of the spherical satellite. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the application is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, provide a spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, and provide satellite locking and shape maintaining function after satellite release.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the technical scheme of the application is: a spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, comprising a base, a spring actuator cylinder, an adapter frame and an unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism.

[0007] The spring actuator cylinder is installed at the center of the base.

[0008] The adapter frame is installed on the base.

[0009] The unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism comprises a satellite locking assembly and a satellite shape maintaining assembly; the satellite locking assembly is installed on the adapter frame, and the satellite shape maintaining assembly is fixedly connected with the spherical satellite.

[0010] When carrying the spherical satellite, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected to realize the support and locking of the spherical satellite; when the spherical satellite is unlocked and released, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are separated, and the satellite shape maintaining assembly maintains the shape of the satellite surface; the spring actuator cylinder works to push the spherical satellite to release.

[0011] In the above-mentioned ball satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, three adapter frames are arranged on the base and are evenly distributed on the base; the installation surface of the adapter frame is inclined at an angle of 45°; the side surface opposite to the installation surface of the adapter frame is a conical surface, and the ball surface gasket is used to adjust the installation of the satellite locking assembly.

[0012] In the above-mentioned ball satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, the satellite locking assembly comprises a shell, a piston, a shear pin, a slide rod, an inner cylinder, a wedge block, and an igniter.

[0013] The shell is fixedly connected with the adapter frame, and the shell has a piston cavity inside;

[0014] The piston is located in the piston cavity and forms a sliding seal with the piston cavity;

[0015] The slide rod is located in the piston cavity and forms a sliding seal between the slide rod and the inner wall of the piston cavity; one end of the slide rod is fixedly connected with the piston, and the other end extends towards the connecting end of the piston cavity;

[0016] The inner cylinder is slidably arranged in the piston cavity and is adjacent to the connecting end of the piston cavity; a plurality of wedge blocks are slidably arranged on the side wall of the inner cylinder and can slide out of the inner cylinder or retract into the inner cylinder;

[0017] The end of the slide rod away from the piston extends into the inner cylinder and can slide relative to the inner cylinder; an outwardly protruding pressing structure is arranged on the outer wall of the slide rod and is located in the inner cylinder;

[0018] The igniter is mounted on the shell and is located between the sealing surface of the piston and the piston cavity and the sealing surface of the slide rod and the piston cavity;

[0019] A pin hole is arranged on the shell and is adjacent to the igniter; when the igniter is not working, the piston is positioned by the cooperation of the shear pin and the pin hole; the pressing structure of the slide rod presses the four wedge blocks in the radial direction, thereby realizing the connection between the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly and limiting the relative movement of the two assemblies;

[0020] When the igniter works, the high-pressure gas generated by the working igniter acts on the piston, pushes the piston, the piston shears the shear pin, and moves towards the sealing end of the piston cavity; the pressing structure of the slide rod is separated from the wedge blocks, the slide rod pulls the inner cylinder to retract into the piston cavity, and the connection between the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly is released.

[0021] In the above-mentioned ball satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, the satellite locking assembly further comprises an adapter cylinder and a sealing connecting piece.

[0022] The adapter cylinder is located in the shell and is fixedly connected with the connecting end of the shell; the inner cylinder is located in the adapter cylinder and can slide relative to the adapter cylinder;

[0023] The sealing connector is threadedly connected with the sealing end of the shell, so as to realize detachable connection of the shell and the adapter frame.

[0024] The satellite locking assembly further comprises a buffer plug and a pre-tightening nut.

[0025] The buffer plug is fixed at the sealing end of the piston cavity, and the buffer plug can buffer the impact of the piston when the piston moves towards the sealing end of the piston cavity.

[0026] One end of the pre-tightening nut is detachably connected with the shell, and the other end abuts against the satellite shape maintaining assembly, so as to ensure that the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are in a rigid pre-tightening state.

[0027] The satellite locking assembly further comprises a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring; the piston is provided with a second sealing ring groove, and the second sealing ring is located in the second sealing ring groove; the piston cavity is provided with a first sealing ring groove at a position corresponding to the slide rod, and the first sealing ring is located in the first sealing ring groove; the igniter is located between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring; and the first sealing ring, the second sealing ring and the igniter form an ignition action cavity.

[0028] The satellite shape maintaining assembly comprises a shape maintaining cylinder, a shape maintaining spring, an end cover and an outer cylinder.

[0029] The outer cylinder is fixedly connected with the spherical satellite shell; the outer cylinder has a shape maintaining cavity inside, and the outer end inner wall of the shape maintaining cavity is provided with a plurality of concave connecting surfaces matched with the wedge blocks, and the connecting surfaces and the wedge blocks are in one-to-one correspondence; when the jacking structure of the slide rod corresponds to the wedge blocks, the wedge blocks are clamped into the connecting surfaces and are jacked by the jacking structure of the slide rod, so as to complete the connection of the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly.

[0030] The shape maintaining cylinder is located in the shape maintaining cavity and can slide relative to the shape maintaining cavity.

[0031] The end cover is fixedly connected with the inner end of the outer cylinder.

[0032] The shape maintaining spring is located in the shape maintaining cylinder, and the two ends of the shape maintaining spring act on the end cover and the shape maintaining cylinder respectively.

[0033] When the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected, the shape maintaining spring is in a compressed state.

[0034] The outer end surface of the shape maintaining cylinder is an arc surface with the same radius as the spherical satellite, so as to realize flushness of the outer envelope surface of the satellite; the shape maintaining cylinder is provided with a push rod inside, the shape maintaining spring is sleeved outside the push rod, one end of the shape maintaining spring abuts against the push rod, and the push rod abuts against the inner wall of the shape maintaining cylinder.

[0035] In the spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, the spring actuating cylinder comprises a push plate, a spring, a guide inner cylinder and a guide outer cylinder.

[0036] The guide outer cylinder is fixed on the base.

[0037] The lower end of the guide inner cylinder penetrates into the interior of the guide outer cylinder, and the upper end is fixedly connected with the push plate.

[0038] The spring is arranged between the push plate and the end face of the guide outer cylinder, and when the satellite is in the locking state, the spring is in the compressed state.

[0039] In the spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, the supporting surface of the push plate is an arc surface with the same radius as that of the spherical satellite, so that the outer envelope surface of the satellite is flush; the lower end of the guide inner cylinder is detachably connected with a limiting plug, and the guide inner cylinder is pulled to the lower limit by the limiting plug, so that the spring is maintained in the compressed state.

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages:

[0041] (1) The locking and releasing device of the present application arranges the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism on the 45° latitude line, improves the installation height, reduces the size projection area under the same bearing capacity requirement, solves the problem of narrow installation space, and realizes the structure design of product miniaturization.

[0042] (2) The spherical gasket plays the role of joint, can realize the pitch angle adjustment of the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism, and is convenient for general assembly and adjustment.

[0043] (3) The locking and releasing device of the present application distributes the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism in three points, forms three connection points, and the three connection points pass through the satellite ball center, so that the layout is more stable, and the higher bearing dynamics requirement is realized.

[0044] (4) The locking and releasing device of the present application realizes the separation and release of the spherical satellite and the adapter frame by cooperation of the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly, the separation surface is flat, and the requirements of reliable release separation of the spherical satellite and structure surface shape maintaining are effectively ensured.

[0045] (5) The locking and releasing device of the present application arranges the spring actuating cylinder directly below the ball center, realizes the stability of the spherical satellite during release, and realizes the design requirement of release offset angle of 0.

[0046] (6) The spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function of the application adopts the split design of the unlocking shape maintaining mechanism, the spring actuating cylinder and the base, has flexible structure design, realizes the reusability of the spring actuating cylinder and the base, the interchangeability of the unlocking shape maintaining mechanism, and is suitable for the requirements of various sizes of spherical satellites, and has the characteristics of universality and wide applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0048] Figure 2 Figure 2 is a top view of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0049] Figure 3 Figure 3 is a schematic view of the state of locking the spherical satellite of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0050] Figure 4 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the middle axial surface of any adapter seat in the state of locking the spherical satellite of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0051] Figure 5 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the middle axial surface of any adapter seat in the state of releasing the spherical satellite of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0052] Figure 6 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the unlocking shape maintaining mechanism in the state of locking the satellite of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application;

[0053] Figure 7 Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spring actuating cylinder in the state of locking the satellite of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device of the application.

[0054] In the drawings:

[0055] 1-base; 2-adapter frame; 3-spherical gasket; 4-unlocking shape maintaining mechanism; 5-spring actuating cylinder; 6-sealing connecting piece; 7-buffer plug; 8-housing; 9-piston; 10-shear pin; 11-sliding rod; 12-adapter cylinder; 13-inner cylinder; 14-wedge block; 15-shape maintaining cylinder; 16-shape maintaining spring; 17-end cover; 18-push rod; 19-outer cylinder; 20-pre-tightening nut; 21-first sealing ring; 22-igniter; 23-igniter gasket; 24-second sealing ring; 25-push plate; 26-spring; 27-guiding inner cylinder; 28-guiding outer cylinder; 29-limiting plug. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The application will be further described below in combination with examples.

[0057] The application provides a spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, as shown in Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown, it comprises a base 1, an adapter frame 2, a spherical gasket 3, a spring-actuated cylinder 5, and an unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4. The adapter frame 2 and the spring-actuated cylinder 5 are both mounted on the base 1, wherein the adapter frame 2 is installed on the base 1 in a three-point manner with an angle of 120°, and the spring-actuated cylinder 5 is installed at the center of the base 1; three sets of spherical gaskets 3 and unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanisms 4 are respectively installed on the three sets of adapter frames 2. The three evenly distributed unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanisms 4 achieve the connection with three points on the 45° latitude line of the spherical satellite, and the connection force direction passes through the center of the spherical satellite, which ensures the reliable locking function of the device before release and achieves the locking function with high fundamental frequency; the spherical gasket 3 plays a joint role to adjust the pitch angle of the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4, which is convenient for adjusting the installation gap; the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 is designed with a shape-maintaining cylinder 15 and a shape-maintaining spring 16 to ensure that the outer spherical surface of the spherical satellite is flush after release, thereby achieving the shape-maintaining function. By reserving a travel switch interface on the base 1, a travel switch can be installed according to the satellite requirements to achieve the feedback of the locking and release state of the spherical satellite.

[0058] During the carrying process of the spherical satellite, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the base 1, the adapter frame 2, and the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 provide sufficient connection support for the spherical satellite to achieve the locking function; when carried to the designated location, as shown in Figure 5 , the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 works to release the connection between the adapter frame 2 and the spherical satellite, and the spring-actuated cylinder 5 works to push the spherical satellite to release, and the residual unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 on the spherical satellite ensures the shape of the satellite surface, thereby achieving the release and shape-maintaining functions.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1 , 2 , three adapter frames 2 are arranged on the base 1, and the adapter frames 2 are respectively installed on the corresponding positions of the base 1 at an angle of 120° by screws. The installation surface of the adapter frame 2 is inclined at an angle of 45°, and the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 is connected with the adapter frame 2 through the spherical gasket 3; preferably, the connection between the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 and the spherical satellite is located on the 45° latitude line. The unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 and the spherical satellite are connected at three points on the 45° latitude line, which are evenly distributed at an angle of 120° and the connection positions point to the center of the spherical satellite. The opposite side of the adapter frame 2 to the installation surface is a conical surface, for example, a conical surface with a taper of 120°, which cooperates with the spherical gasket 3 to achieve the adjustment during the installation of the entire device.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6 , the unlocking and shape-maintaining mechanism 4 comprises a satellite locking assembly and a satellite shape-maintaining assembly, which cooperate with each other to achieve the locking and release shape-maintaining functions of the satellite.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5 , the satellite locking assembly comprises a locking cylinder 10, a locking spring 11, a locking sleeve 12, a locking sleeve spring 13, and a locking sleeve spring 14.As shown, the satellite locking assembly comprises a sealing connector 6, a buffer plug 7, a housing 8, a piston 9, a shear pin 10, a sliding rod 11, an adapter cylinder 12, an inner cylinder 13, a wedge block 14, a pre-tightening nut 20, a first sealing ring 21, an igniter 22, an igniter washer 23, and a second sealing ring 24.

[0062] The housing 8 has a piston cavity therein. In the extension direction of the piston cavity, one end of the housing 8 is a sealing end, and the other end opposite to the sealing end is a connecting end. The piston cavity is at least open at the connecting end; preferably, the piston cavity is also open at the sealing end, facilitating the installation of the buffer plug 7. The outer wall of the sealing end is provided with external threads, and the sealing connector 6 has internal threads. The housing 8 is screwed with the sealing connector 6, and the sealing connector 6 closes the opening of the sealing end of the piston cavity. When the unlocking and shaping mechanism 4 is not installed to the adapter frame 2, the sealing connector 6 is screwed with the external threads of the housing 8 but not tightened; when the unlocking and shaping mechanism 4 is connected to the adapter frame 2, it is tightened. As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the sealing connector 6 can be detached from the unlocking and shaping mechanism 4. After being detached, the outer circular surface of the housing 8 is inserted into the corresponding through hole of the adapter frame 2 from top to bottom, and the spherical washer 3 is installed, which is matched with the conical surface to adjust and position. Then, the sealing connector 6 is reconnected with the housing 8 to realize the connection between the unlocking and shaping mechanism 4 and the adapter frame 2.

[0063] The adapter cylinder 12 is located in the housing 8 and fixedly connected with the connecting end of the housing 8, for example, screwed, that is, the inner wall of the connecting end of the housing 8 is provided with internal threads, and the outer wall of the adapter cylinder 12 is provided with external threads matched with the internal threads, and the two are connected by screwing. The adapter cylinder 12 can be completely located in the housing 8, or as shown in Figure 5 , it can extend out of the housing 8.

[0064] The inner cylinder 13 is located in the adapter cylinder 12 and can slide relative to the adapter cylinder 12; the inner cylinder 13 can extend out of the adapter cylinder 12, and the first limiting structure is provided between the inner cylinder 13 and the adapter cylinder 12 to prevent the inner cylinder 13 from sliding off the adapter cylinder 12. Specifically, the first limiting structure comprises an outer limiting platform provided on the inner wall of the outer end of the adapter cylinder 12 and an inner limiting platform provided on the outer wall of the inner cylinder 13; the outer diameter of the inner limiting platform is adapted to the inner diameter of the adapter cylinder 12, and the inner diameter of the outer limiting platform is adapted to the outer wall of the inner cylinder and smaller than the outer diameter of the inner limiting platform; the inner limiting platform and the outer limiting platform jointly guide and limit the inner cylinder 13; the adapter cylinder 12 can withstand tension.

[0065] The buffer plug 7, the piston 9 and the slide rod 11 are located in the piston cavity; the buffer plug 7 is fixed at the sealing end of the piston cavity, for example, the buffer plug 7 is screwed with the shell 8; of course, the buffer plug 7 and the shell 8 can also be connected by welding, bonding and other fixed connection modes. The piston 9 is located at the side of the buffer plug 7 away from the sealing connector 6; the piston 9 can slide relative to the shell 8, and the piston 9 and the inner wall of the piston cavity form a sliding seal. When the piston 9 moves to the sealing end of the piston cavity, the buffer plug 7 can buffer the impact of the piston 9.

[0066] The slide rod 11 is located at the side of the piston 9 away from the buffer plug 7, one end of the slide rod 11 is fixedly connected with the piston 9, for example, screwed; the other end extends into the inner cylinder 13, and the slide rod 11 and the inner cylinder 13 can slide relative to each other. The slide rod 11 and the inner wall of the piston cavity form a sliding seal therebetween.

[0067] Specifically, the piston 9 is provided with a second sealing ring groove, and the second sealing ring 24 is located in the second sealing ring groove; the piston cavity is provided with a first sealing ring groove at a position corresponding to the slide rod 11, and the first sealing ring 21 is located in the first sealing ring groove.

[0068] The igniter 22 is installed on the shell 8 and located between the first sealing ring 21 and the second sealing ring 24; the first sealing ring 21, the second sealing ring 24 and the igniter 22 form an ignition cavity. The shell 8 is provided with a pin hole, the pin hole is arranged near the igniter 22, and does not damage the sliding sealing surface of the piston 9 and the slide rod 11. When the igniter 22 is not working, the piston 9 is positioned by the shear pin 10 and the pin hole in cooperation with the shell 8; when the igniter 22 works, the high-pressure gas generated by the working of the igniter 22 enters the piston cavity between the first sealing ring 21 and the second sealing ring 24, acts on the piston 9, and pushes the piston 9 to move to the buffer plug 7 after the piston 9 shears the shear pin 10.

[0069] Preferably, two igniters 22 are installed on the shell 8, and the two igniters 22 are screwed on the symmetrical two sides of the shell 8.

[0070] The side wall of the inner cylinder 13 is slidably provided with a plurality of wedge blocks 14, for example, four wedge blocks 14, and the four wedge blocks 14 are distributed at 90°. The wedge blocks 14 can slide relative to the inner cylinder 13, and can extend out of the inner cylinder 13 or retract into the inner cylinder 13. The side surface of the wedge block 14 facing the outer side of the inner cylinder 13 has a wedge surface, which is inclined and faces the shell 8. One end of the slide rod 11 extending into the inner cylinder 13 is provided with a jacking structure, which is a shaft neck protruding outward from the outer wall of the slide rod 11 or a circular ring structure detachably connected with the slide rod 11; the jacking structure radially abuts against the four wedge blocks 14, so as to realize the connection of the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly, and limit the relative movement of the two. At the same time, since the outer diameter of the jacking structure is larger than the through hole matched with the slide rod 11 of the inner cylinder 13, when the slide rod 11 moves to a certain position, the inner cylinder 13 will be pulled to retract into the shell 8.

[0071] The connecting end of the shell 8 has external threads, and is screwed with the pre-tightening nut 20 to apply a pre-tightening torque of 60 Nm to generate a pre-tightening force to ensure that the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are in a rigid pre-tightening state.

[0072] The satellite shape maintaining assembly comprises a shape maintaining cylinder 15, a shape maintaining spring 16, an end cover 17, a push rod 18, and an outer cylinder 19.

[0073] The outer cylinder 19 has an outer end connected with the spherical satellite and an inner end opposite to the outer end. The inner end of the outer cylinder 19 is located inside the spherical satellite, and the outer end of the outer cylinder 19 has a flange structure for fixed connection of the outer cylinder 19 with the shell of the spherical satellite. For example, a through hole for screw installation is reserved on the outer end flange of the outer cylinder 19, the outer cylinder 19 is pre-buried into the spherical satellite, and the outer cylinder 19 is connected with the spherical satellite through the through hole.

[0074] The outer cylinder 19 has a shape maintaining cavity inside, and a plurality of concave connecting surfaces corresponding to the wedge blocks 14 are arranged on the outer end inner wall of the shape maintaining cavity. When the wedge blocks 14 are clamped into the connecting surfaces and are tightened by the tightening structure of the slide rod 11, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are connected, and the relative movement of the two is limited.

[0075] The shape maintaining cylinder 15 is located in the shape maintaining cavity, and can slide relative to the shape maintaining cavity. The inner wall of the shape maintaining cavity and the outer wall of the shape maintaining cylinder 15 have a matching second limiting structure. The second limiting structure comprises an outer limiting ring arranged on the inner wall of the shape maintaining cavity and an inner limiting ring arranged on the outer wall of the shape maintaining cylinder 15. The inner diameter of the outer limiting ring is adapted to the outer diameter of the shape maintaining cylinder 15. The outer diameter of the inner limiting ring is adapted to the inner diameter of the shape maintaining cavity. The inner limiting ring and the outer limiting ring guide and limit the relative movement of the shape maintaining cylinder 15 and the outer cylinder 19, and can position the stroke of the movement of the shape maintaining cylinder 15 to the outer end of the outer cylinder 19.

[0076] The end cover 17 is fixedly connected with the inner end of the outer cylinder 19, for example, the end cover 17 is screwed with the outer cylinder 19. The end cover 17 limits the inner end of the shape maintaining cylinder 15.

[0077] The shape maintaining spring 16 and the push rod 18 are located in the shape maintaining cylinder 15. The shape maintaining spring 16 is sleeved on the outer side of the push rod 18, and the two ends of the shape maintaining spring 16 abut against the end cover 17 and the push rod 18 respectively. The push rod 18 abuts against the inner wall of the shape maintaining cylinder 15. When the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected, the shape maintaining spring 16 is in a compressed state.

[0078] When the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected, the inner cylinder 13 and the wedge block 14 are located in the shape maintaining cavity, the wedge block 14 is tightly pressed by the slide rod 11, and the inner cylinder 13, the wedge block 14 and the outer cylinder 19 are rigidly connected; the shape maintaining cylinder 15, the push rod 18 and the shape maintaining spring 16 are located in the outer cylinder 19, and the shape maintaining spring 16 is in a pre-compressed state. After the unlocking shape maintaining mechanism 4 works, the inner cylinder 13 is retracted into the adapter cylinder 12 to leave space, the shape maintaining spring 16 pushes the push rod 18 and the shape maintaining cylinder 15 to move to the outer limiting ring of the outer cylinder 19, fills the space in the inner cylinder 13, the slide rod 11 and the wedge block 14 after retraction, and realizes the shape maintaining of the separation surface.

[0079] As shown in Figure 7 , the spring actuating cylinder 5 includes a push plate 25, a spring 26, a guide inner cylinder 27 and a guide outer cylinder 28.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the bottom of the guide outer cylinder 28 is designed with a through hole, and the base 1 is centrally provided with a corresponding threaded hole, and the guide outer cylinder 28 is connected with the base 1 through a mounting screw. The lower end of the guide inner cylinder 27 penetrates into the inside of the guide outer cylinder 28, and the upper end is fixedly connected with the push plate 25, for example, is screwed into one body. A limiting structure is arranged between the outer wall of the guide inner cylinder 27 and the inner wall of the guide outer cylinder 28 to position the upper limit of the guide inner cylinder 27 and guide the sliding of the guide inner cylinder 27. The spring 26 is arranged between the end face of the push plate 25 and the guide outer cylinder 28, and the spring 26 is in a compressed state when the satellite is in a locked state. An inner thread is arranged on the inner wall of the lower end of the guide inner cylinder 27, and a limiting plug 29 is connected with the inner thread to pull the guide inner cylinder 27 to its lower limit to maintain the spring 26 in a compressed state. Specifically, the limiting plug 29 is a stepped shaft, the small end of which has an outer thread, and the small end is inserted into and extends into the guide inner cylinder 27 from the lower end of the guide outer cylinder 28, and the outer thread is screwed to realize the connection between the limiting plug 29 and the guide inner cylinder 27; the large end of the limiting plug 29 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide outer cylinder 28, and the shaft end face is attached to the lower end face of the guide outer cylinder 28 to limit the limiting plug 29 and maintain the pulling action on the guide inner cylinder 27. When the spherical satellite is assembled with the unlocking shape maintaining mechanism 4, the limiting plug 29 can be removed. The spring actuating cylinder 5 is located directly below the center of the spherical satellite, and can realize the vertical release of the spherical satellite. At the same time, a pin hole is arranged in the limiting plug 29, which is convenient for arranging a positioning pin in the pin hole for assembly positioning.

[0081] The working principle of the spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function is as follows:

[0082] When carrying the spherical satellite, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the spherical satellite is placed on the base 1, and the adapter cylinder 12 is placed on the spherical satellite.As shown, the inner cylinder 13 and the wedge block 14 are located in the shaped cavity. The slide rod 11 presses against the wedge block 14, and the inner cylinder 13, the wedge block 14, and the outer cylinder 19 are rigidly connected. The shaped cylinder 15, the push rod 18, and the shaped spring 16 are located inside the outer cylinder 19, and the shaped spring 16 is in a pre-compressed state. At the same time, the spring 26 is in a compressed state.

[0083] When it is necessary to release a spherical satellite, such as Figure 5 As shown, the high-pressure gas generated by the igniter 22 pushes the piston 9, shearing the shear pin 10. After the shear pin 10 is sheared, it loses its limiting effect on the piston 9, and the piston 9 slides towards the sealing end of the piston cavity, causing the slide rod 11 to retract axially. After the slide rod 11 is set at a distance, the clamping structure separates from the wedge block 14, releasing the radial constraint on the wedge block 14. The slide rod 11 pulls the inner cylinder 13, and the wedge block 14 retracts radially, releasing the constraint between the inner cylinder 13 and the outer cylinder 19. As the slide rod 11 continues to retract, it pulls the inner cylinder 13 and the wedge block 14 back together into the adapter cylinder 12. During this process, the chamfered spring 16 pushes the push rod 18 and the chamfered cylinder 15 to move until the chamfered cylinder 15 reaches the outer limiting ring of the outer cylinder 19, filling the space inside the outer cylinder 19 after the inner cylinder 13, slide rod 11, and wedge block 14 have retracted, thus achieving the chamfered separation surface.

[0084] After the unlocking mechanism 4 is unlocked, the satellite locking assembly remains on the adapter 2, and the satellite shape-forming assembly follows the satellite. The outer end face of the shape-forming cylinder 15 and the supporting surface of the outer cylinder 28 are designed as arc surfaces with the same radius as the spherical satellite, so as to achieve a flush outer envelope surface of the satellite.

[0085] After the unlocking mechanism 4 is unlocked, the spring actuator 5 works, and the spring 26 pushes the spherical satellite through the push plate 25 to achieve the release function. Under the action of the inner guide cylinder 27 and the outer guide cylinder 28, it is released along the guide axis. The inner guide cylinder moves to the limit position at the step of the outer guide cylinder, and the work ends.

[0086] The unlocking mechanism 4, spring actuating cylinder 5, and base 1 are all separate designs, independent of each other, and easy to assemble. The unlocking mechanism 4 is equivalent to and replaceable with each other, and the spring actuating cylinder 5 and base 1 are reusable. Base 1 has a reserved through hole for connection with the rocket and a reserved limit switch interface, which can be installed to monitor the locking and releasing status in conjunction with the spring actuating cylinder 5.

[0087] The spherical satellite locking and releasing device has experienced type flight test and can work reliably. The satellite first order frequency can meet the rocket launching requirements. The ground test has experienced the mechanical vibration test of the locking and releasing device combined with the satellite, the unlocking and releasing test, and the bearing performance and ignition performance test of the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism. The mechanical vibration test of the combined satellite and the unlocking and releasing test results prove that the device can provide reliable three-point locking and releasing and shape maintaining function for the satellite. The bearing test results prove that a single unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism can bear axial load of more than 8kN and radial load of more than 1.5kN. The ignition performance test proves that the unlocking and shape maintaining mechanism can be reliably unlocked and shape maintained, and the three-point locking and releasing and shape maintaining requirements of the product are realized.

[0088] Although the present application has been disclosed with the preferred embodiments as above, it is not intended to limit the present application, and any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of the present application by using the disclosed methods and technical contents without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present application without departing from the technical solutions of the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A spherical satellite locking and releasing device with shape maintaining function, characterized in that: It comprises a base (1), a spring-actuated cylinder (5), an adapter frame (2) and an unlocking and shaping mechanism (4); The spring-actuated cylinder (5) is installed at the center of the base (1); The adapter frame (2) is installed on the base (1); The unlocking and shaping mechanism (4) comprises a satellite locking assembly and a satellite shaping assembly; the satellite locking assembly is installed on the adapter frame (2), and the satellite shaping assembly is fixedly connected with the spherical satellite; When the spherical satellite is carried, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shaping assembly are rigidly connected to support and lock the spherical satellite; when the spherical satellite is released, the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shaping assembly are separated, and the satellite shaping assembly shapes the surface of the satellite; the spring-actuated cylinder (5) works to push the spherical satellite to be released; The satellite locking assembly comprises a shell (8), a piston (9), a shear pin (10), a slide rod (11), an inner cylinder (13), a wedge block (14) and an igniter (22); The shell (8) is fixedly connected with the adapter frame (2), and the shell (8) has a piston cavity inside; The piston (9) is located in the piston cavity and forms a sliding seal with the piston cavity; The slide rod (11) is located in the piston cavity and forms a sliding seal between the slide rod (11) and the inner wall of the piston cavity; one end of the slide rod (11) is fixedly connected with the piston (9), and the other end extends to the connecting end of the piston cavity; The inner cylinder (13) is slidably arranged in the piston cavity and is adjacent to the connecting end of the piston cavity; a plurality of wedge blocks (14) are slidably arranged on the side wall of the inner cylinder (13) and can slide out of or retract into the inner cylinder (13); The end of the slide rod (11) away from the piston (9) extends into the inner cylinder (13) and can slide relative to the inner cylinder (13); an outwardly protruding pressing structure is arranged on the outer wall of the slide rod (11) and is located in the inner cylinder (13); The igniter (22) is installed on the shell (8) and is located between the sealing surface of the piston (9) and the piston cavity and the sealing surface of the slide rod (11) and the piston cavity; A pin hole is arranged on the shell (8) and is adjacent to the igniter (22); when the igniter (22) is not working, the piston (9) is positioned by the cooperation of the shear pin (10) and the pin hole; the pressing structure of the slide rod (11) presses the four wedge blocks (14) in the radial direction, so that the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shaping assembly are connected and the relative movement of the two is limited; When the igniter (22) works, high-pressure gas generated by the working igniter (22) acts on the piston (9), the piston (9) is pushed, the piston (9) shears the shear pin (10) and moves to the sealing end of the piston cavity; the pressing structure of the slide rod (11) is separated from the wedge blocks (14), the slide rod (11) pulls the inner cylinder (13) to retract into the piston cavity, and the connection between the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shaping assembly is released; The satellite locking assembly further comprises a pre-tightening nut (20), one end of the pre-tightening nut (20) is detachably connected with the shell (8), the other end abuts against the satellite shaping assembly, and the rigid pre-tightening state between the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shaping assembly is ensured. The satellite shape maintaining assembly comprises a shape maintaining cylinder (15), a shape maintaining spring (16), an end cover (17) and an outer cylinder (19); The outer cylinder (19) is fixedly connected with the shell of the spherical satellite; the outer cylinder (19) has a shape maintaining cavity inside; A plurality of connecting surfaces, which are concave and matched with the wedge blocks (14), are arranged on the inner wall of the outer end of the shape maintaining cavity, and the connecting surfaces and the wedge blocks (14) are one-to-one corresponding; when the jacking structure of the slide rod (11) corresponds to the wedge blocks (14), the wedge blocks (14) are clamped into the connecting surfaces and are jacked by the jacking structure of the slide rod (11), so that the connection between the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly is completed; The shape maintaining cylinder (15) is located in the shape maintaining cavity and can slide relative to the shape maintaining cavity; The end cover (17) is fixedly connected with the inner end of the outer cylinder (19); The shape maintaining spring (16) is located in the shape maintaining cylinder (15) and acts on the end cover (17) and the shape maintaining cylinder (15) respectively at two ends thereof; When the satellite locking assembly and the satellite shape maintaining assembly are rigidly connected, the shape maintaining spring (16) is in a compressed state; The outer end surface of the shape maintaining cylinder (15) is an arc surface with the same radius as that of the spherical satellite, so that the outer envelope surface of the satellite is flush; the shape maintaining cylinder (15) is internally provided with a push rod (18), the shape maintaining spring (16) is sleeved outside the push rod (18), one end of the shape maintaining spring (16) abuts against the push rod (18), and the push rod (18) abuts against the inner wall of the shape maintaining cylinder (15).

2. The ball satellite locking and releasing device with the shape maintaining function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Three adapter frames (2) are arranged on the base (1) and are uniformly distributed thereon; the mounting surface of the adapter frame (2) has an inclination angle of 45°; the side surface of the adapter frame (2) opposite to the mounting surface is a conical surface, and the adapter frame (2) is matched with a spherical gasket (3) to realize adjustment during installation of the satellite locking assembly.

3. The ball satellite locking and releasing device with the shape maintaining function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The satellite locking assembly further comprises an adapter cylinder (12) and a sealing connecting piece (6); The adapter cylinder (12) is located in the shell (8) and is fixedly connected with the connecting end of the shell (8); the inner cylinder (13) is located in the adapter cylinder (12) and can slide relative to the adapter cylinder (12); The sealing connecting piece (6) is threadedly connected with the sealing end of the shell (8), so as to realize detachable connection between the shell (8) and the adapter frame (2).

4. The ball-lock release device with a shape maintaining function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The satellite locking assembly further comprises a buffer plug (7); The buffer plug (7) is fixedly connected with the sealing end of the piston cavity; when the piston (9) moves towards the sealing end of the piston cavity, the buffer plug (7) can buffer the impact of the piston (9).

5. The ball-lock release device with a shape maintaining function according to claim 1, wherein: The satellite locking assembly further comprises a first sealing ring (21) and a second sealing ring (24); the piston (9) is provided with a second sealing ring groove, and the second sealing ring (24) is located in the second sealing ring groove; the piston cavity is provided with a first sealing ring groove at a position corresponding to the slide rod (11), and the first sealing ring (21) is located in the first sealing ring groove; the igniter (22) is located between the first sealing ring (21) and the second sealing ring (24); and a firing action cavity is formed between the first sealing ring (21), the second sealing ring (24) and the igniter (22).

6. The ball-lock release device with a shape maintaining function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring actuating cylinder (5) comprises a push plate (25), a spring (26), a guide inner cylinder (27) and a guide outer cylinder (28). The guiding outer cylinder (28) is fixed on the base (1); The lower end of the guiding inner cylinder (27) penetrates into the interior of the guiding outer cylinder (28), and the upper end is fixedly connected with the push plate (25); The spring (26) is arranged between the end faces of the push plate (25) and the guiding outer cylinder (28), and the spring (26) is in a compressed state when the satellite is in a locked state.

7. The ball-lock release device with a shape maintaining function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The supporting surface of the push plate (25) is an arc surface with the same radius as the spherical satellite, so that the outer envelope surface of the satellite is flush; the lower end of the guiding inner cylinder (27) is detachably connected with a limiting plug (29), and the guiding inner cylinder (27) is pulled to its lower limit through the limiting plug (29), so that the spring (26) is maintained in a compressed state.

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