A microgravity simulation device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a microgravity simulation device and method, and relates to the technical field of ground microgravity simulation, and aims to solve the problems of high cost and short experiment duration in the prior art. The microgravity simulation device comprises a rotating driving mechanism, at least one floater and at least one container for containing a liquid medium. The rotating driving mechanism has at least one power output shaft, each floater is arranged on a corresponding power output shaft, the floater floats on the liquid medium, the center of mass of the floater is located above the liquid medium, and the distance between the geometric center of the floater and the center of mass of the floater is greater than 0. The method of the microgravity simulation device is used for simulating microgravity. The microgravity simulation device and method provided by the application are used in microgravity simulation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ground microgravity simulation technology, and in particular to a microgravity simulation device and method. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure the safety and reliability of space motor systems during space operation, extensive simulation tests need to be conducted on the ground during the research and testing phase of space motors. Over the decades, various microgravity ground simulation test methods have emerged, such as the drop tower method, the parabolic flight method, and the liquid buoyancy method.

[0003] In existing technologies, the drop tower method involves performing free fall within a microgravity tower, allowing the object to achieve a favorable microgravity state during free fall. The parabolic flight method utilizes parabolic maneuvers to create microgravity and low-gravity environments. However, both the drop tower and parabolic flight methods are costly and have short experimental durations, making them insufficient to provide adequate ground-based experimental evidence. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a microgravity simulation device and method to solve the problems of high cost and short experimental duration in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a microgravity simulation device, comprising: a rotation drive mechanism, at least one floater, and at least one container for containing a liquid medium. The rotation drive mechanism has at least one power output shaft, each floater is disposed on a corresponding power output shaft, the floater floats on the liquid medium, the center of mass of the floater is located above the liquid medium, and the distance between the geometric center of the floater and the center of mass of the floater is greater than 0.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, in the microgravity simulation device provided by the present invention, the rotation drive mechanism has at least one power output shaft, each floater is disposed on the corresponding power output shaft, and the floater floats on the liquid medium contained in the container. The center of mass of the floater is located above the liquid medium. Therefore, under the supporting force of the power output shaft, the floater can be kept in a microgravity state.

[0007] In the initial stage, the geometric center of the float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, ensuring that the buoyancy force acting on the float can simulate the microgravity force experienced by the float. However, since the weight of the float and the rotation center of the power output shaft are not on the same straight line, the gravitational torque will inhibit the float's movement. Therefore, a rotational drive mechanism can be used to drive the power output shaft to rotate and move the float to a preset position, so that the gravitational torque m4g×lsinθ and the frictional torque T acting on the float at the preset position are... f Equilibrium is reached. In this case, the floater experiences frictional torque T.f Under the influence of the liquid medium, the geometric center of the float at the preset position may not be located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. Therefore, by adjusting the physical parameters of the liquid medium, the buoyancy applied to the float by the liquid medium can be indirectly controlled, ensuring that the geometric center of the float at the preset position is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. At this time, the buoyancy experienced by the float can simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at the preset position. It can be seen from the implementation process of the above microgravity simulation device that the device has a simple structure and low cost. By adjusting the physical parameters of the liquid medium, the buoyancy of the float can be made to change in different ways. The different buoyancy experienced by the float can simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at different positions. Different changes in buoyancy can cause the float to simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at different positions for a long time.

[0008] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for a microgravity simulation device, comprising:

[0009] When the geometric center of the float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, the control rotation drive mechanism drives at least one float to rotate from the initial position to the preset position.

[0010] If the float rotates from the initial position to the preset position, adjust the physical parameters of the liquid medium until the geometric center of the float at the preset position is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, and the gravitational torque and frictional torque experienced by the float at the preset position reach equilibrium.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the method of the microgravity simulation device provided by the present invention are the same as the beneficial effects of the microgravity simulation device described in the present invention, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a microgravity simulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the method for using a microgravity simulation device is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating the force analysis diagram of the float when it is at rest;

[0016] Figure 4An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating the force analysis diagram of the float in its initial motion state;

[0017] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating the force analysis diagram of the float in equilibrium.

[0018] Figure label:

[0019] 101-Rotation drive mechanism, 1011-Motor, 1012-Power output shaft, 1013-Rotating shaft, 102-Floater, 1021-Floating structural component, 1021a-First floating structure, 1021b-Second floating structure, 1022-Bearing, 103-Container, 104-Liquid medium. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" 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 as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and 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 limitations on this invention.

[0024] 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] To ensure the safety and reliability of space motor systems during space operation, extensive simulation tests need to be conducted on the ground during the research and testing phase of space motors. Over the decades, various microgravity ground simulation test methods have emerged, such as the drop tower method, the parabolic flight method, and the liquid buoyancy method.

[0026] In existing technologies, the drop tower method involves performing free fall within a microgravity tower, allowing the object to achieve a favorable microgravity state during free fall. The parabolic flight method utilizes parabolic maneuvers to create microgravity and low-gravity environments. However, both the drop tower and parabolic flight methods are costly and have short experimental durations, making them insufficient to provide adequate ground-based experimental evidence.

[0027] To address the aforementioned problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a microgravity simulation device and method to solve the issues of high cost and short experimental duration in the prior art.

[0028] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a microgravity simulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the microgravity simulation device provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a rotation drive mechanism 101, at least one floater 102, and at least one container 103 for containing a liquid medium 104. The rotation drive mechanism 101 has at least one power output shaft 1012. Each floater is disposed on a corresponding power output shaft 1012. The floater 102 floats on the liquid medium 104. The center of mass of the floater 102 is located above the liquid medium 104. The distance between the geometric center of the floater 102 and the center of mass of the floater is greater than 0.

[0029] When there are two rotating shafts 1013, and the axes of the two rotating shafts 1013 coincide, there are also two containers 103, and they have the same shape and size, and they contain the same volume of liquid medium.

[0030] In specific implementation, such as Figure 1As shown, the geometric center of the rotation drive mechanism and the geometric center of at least one floater 102 in this embodiment of the invention are aligned on a straight line. The rotation drive mechanism 101 drives the power output shaft to rotate, and the rotation of the power output shaft 1012 causes the floater 102 to rotate from its initial position. The floater 102 floats on the container 103 containing the liquid medium 104. When the floater 102 floats on the liquid medium, its center of mass is located above the liquid medium 104. The rotation of the floater 102 causes its center of mass to deflect, and the center of mass of the floater 102 will deflect relative to the geometric center of the rotation axis. The gravitational torque will suppress the frictional torque generated by the floater relative to the bearing, so that the floater rotates synchronously with the rotation axis.

[0031] In practical applications, during the initial stage, the geometric center of the float in its initial position lies on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. This ensures that the buoyancy experienced by the float can simulate the microgravity experienced by the float. However, since the gravity of the float and the rotation center of the power output shaft are not on the same straight line, the gravitational torque will inhibit the movement of the float. Therefore, the power output shaft can be driven by a rotation drive mechanism to rotate the float from the initial position to a preset position, so that the gravitational torque m4g×Lsinθ and the frictional torque T experienced by the float at the preset position are equal. f Equilibrium is reached. In this case, the floater experiences frictional torque T. f Under the influence of the liquid medium, the geometric center of the float at the preset position may not be located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. Therefore, the buoyancy exerted by the liquid medium on the float can be indirectly controlled by adjusting the physical parameters of the liquid medium, ensuring that the geometric center of the float at the preset position is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. In this case, the buoyancy experienced by the float can simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at the preset position. It can be seen that the change in microgravity of the float is essentially related to the frictional torque T. f Related to the frictional torque T f It is also related to the rotation drive mechanism.

[0032] As can be seen from the implementation process of the above microgravity simulation device, the device has a simple structure and low cost. By adjusting the physical parameters of the liquid medium, the buoyancy of the float can be changed in different ways. The different buoyancy forces experienced by the float can simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at different positions. The different buoyancy changes can cause the float to simulate the microgravity experienced by the float at different positions for a long time.

[0033] For example, in both the initial and preset positions, the ultimate goal of this embodiment of the invention is to ensure that the geometric center of each float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft. When the microgravity simulation device is stationary, the floats float on the liquid medium, which is also stationary. The floats are only subjected to the buoyancy exerted by the liquid medium, and the buoyancy exerted on the floats cancels out their own weight, making the weight of the floats almost zero. At this time, without the action of other forces, the geometric center of each float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft.

[0034] In one alternative embodiment, at least one floater comprises two floaters, and the rotation drive mechanism includes a motor and a rotating shaft connected to the output shaft of the motor. In this case, the motor can simultaneously drive the rotation of both floaters. It should be understood that the motor can be an electromagnetic generator consisting of a stator and a mover, or a generator directly driven by electrical energy, or various types of space motors. The motor can be adjusted according to the different needs of the microgravity simulation device.

[0035] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the floater 102 includes a floating structure 1021 and a bearing 1022 disposed in the floating structure. A rotating shaft 1013 is connected to the bearing 1022, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown, the floating structure 1021 includes a first floating structure 1021a and a second floating structure 1021b, which together form a receiving space for accommodating the bearing.

[0036] For example, the mass of the first floating structure is greater than the mass of the second floating structure, and the physical parameters of the first floating structure and the second floating structure are the same.

[0037] For example, when the first and second floating structures of a floater are made of different materials—the first floating structure uses a material with a lower density and the second floating structure uses a material with a higher density—and the two floaters are identical in shape, volume, and mass, then the density of the first floating structure is greater than that of the second floating structure. This results in the first floating structure having a greater mass than the second floating structure, and the center of mass of the floater should be located at point O1, below the geometric center O, to reduce the probability of circumferential motion of the floater relative to the bearings within the floater and improve the stability of the device.

[0038] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for using a microgravity simulation device is shown. This invention also provides a method for using a microgravity simulation device, comprising:

[0039] Step 201: When the geometric center of the float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, control the rotation drive mechanism to drive at least one float to rotate from the initial position to the preset position;

[0040] When the microgravity simulation device is in its initial position, in order to ensure that the buoyancy of the microgravity simulation device is subject to the gravity G and the buoyancy F of the liquid medium, the following conditions are met: 浮 Equal (G≈F) 浮 At this time, the geometric center of the float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft.

[0041] For example, when the liquid medium is in its initial state, assume the density of the liquid medium is ρ, the total mass of the two floats is m1, the total mass of the bearings inside the two floats is m2, and the mass of the rotating drive mechanism is m3. The gravitational acceleration on Earth is g. The sum of the buoyant forces acting on the two floats is F. 浮 The total weight of the two floats, the bearings inside the two floats, and the shaft is G, and the total weight of the floats is G = (m1 + m2 + m3)g. The density ρ of the liquid medium is adjusted to ensure that the weight G and the buoyancy F of the liquid medium acting on the floats of the microgravity simulation device are balanced. 浮 Equal (G≈F) 浮 ).

[0042] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating a force analysis diagram of the float when it is at rest. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the center of mass of the float should be located at point O1, below the geometric center O. Let L be the length by which the center of mass is offset from the geometric center. When the device is stationary, the total weight G is compensated by buoyancy, and the float can float on the water surface. However, when the float starts to rotate from its initial position, the bearings inside the float experience relative friction with the float itself, causing the float and the bearings inside the float to rotate circumferentially. Therefore, if the center of mass of the float is located at point O1, below the geometric center O, the probability of circumferential rotation can be reduced.

[0043] Step 202: If the float rotates from the initial position to the preset position, adjust the physical parameters of the liquid medium until the geometric center of the float at the preset position is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, and the gravitational torque and frictional torque acting on the float at the preset position are balanced. It should be understood that since the distance between the geometric center of the float and the center of mass of the float is greater than 0 when the float rotates from the initial position to the preset position.

[0044] In practical applications, controlling the rotation drive mechanism to drive at least one floater to rotate from an initial position to a preset position includes: controlling the rotation drive mechanism to drive the shaft connected to the output shaft of the motor to rotate, two floaters connected to the shaft to rotate, and the floaters rotating to the preset position.

[0045] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating a force analysis diagram of the float in its initial motion state. For example... Figure 4 As shown, when the drive mechanism drives the power output shaft to rotate at a speed of ω, the rotation of the power output shaft causes the bearing inside the float to rotate. The rotation of the bearing will generate a frictional torque T between the float and the bearing inside the float. f When the float rotates from its initial position to the preset position, T f When fr = Bω, where f represents the coefficient of friction between the outer ring of the bearing and the float, and B represents the damping coefficient, since the shaft is fixed, the float is at T f Under the influence of the force, it will rotate around point O in the direction of ω, and the frictional torque T generated between the outer ring of the bearing and the float will be... f The fact that , fr, and Bω are equal can effectively prevent the float from rotating circumferentially. Since the volume of the float immersed in the liquid remains constant, the buoyancy force on the float remains constant.

[0046] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, illustrating a force analysis diagram of the float in equilibrium. For example... Figure 5 As shown, when the float rotates from its initial position to the preset position, because the float's gravity and its geometric center are not on the same straight line, the float will experience a change in position T. f Under the influence of gravity, the float will rotate around point O in the direction of ω to point O1, generating a gravitational torque that inhibits the movement of the float. The float's offset angle from its initial position at the preset position is θ. The gravitational torque and frictional torque T f Equilibrium is reached, i.e., m4g×Lsinθ=T f Where m4 is the mass of the float and the outer ring of the bearing.

[0047] For example, based on the content of engineering fluid mechanics, under the premise of ensuring that the liquid medium does not overflow, by adding water or a solid medium dissolved in water to the container, the density of the liquid medium is slightly adjusted, causing a large change in buoyancy. Data from the microgravity simulation device is collected, so that the microgravity simulation device can fully simulate the microgravity characterization state.

Claims

1. A microgravity simulation device, characterized in that, include: The device includes a rotary drive mechanism, at least one floater, and at least one container for containing a liquid medium. The rotary drive mechanism has at least one power output shaft. Each floater is disposed on a corresponding power output shaft. The floater floats on the liquid medium, and the center of mass of the floater is located above the liquid medium. The distance between the geometric center of the floater and the center of mass of the floater is greater than 0. The at least one floater includes two floaters, and the rotation drive mechanism includes a motor and a rotating shaft connected to the output shaft of the motor, the rotating shaft being connected to the two floaters; The floater includes a floating structure and a bearing disposed in the floating structure, and the rotating shaft is connected to the bearing. The floating structure includes a first floating structure and a second floating structure, which together form a receiving space for accommodating the bearing. The mass of the first floating structure is greater than the mass of the second floating structure; The first floating structure and the second floating structure have the same physical parameters; The geometric center of each of the floats is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft.

2. A method applied to the microgravity simulation device of claim 1, characterized in that, include: When the geometric center of the float is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, the control rotation drive mechanism drives at least one float to rotate from the initial position to the preset position. If the float rotates from the initial position to the preset position, the physical parameters of the liquid medium are adjusted until the geometric center of the float at the preset position is located on the straight line of the central axis of the corresponding power output shaft, and the gravitational torque and frictional torque experienced by the float at the preset position reach equilibrium.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the float rotates from its initial position to a preset position, the distance between the geometric center of the float and the center of mass of the float is greater than 0.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control rotation drive mechanism drives at least one floater to rotate from an initial position to a preset position, including: The control shaft connected to the output shaft of the motor rotates, thereby driving the float to rotate to a preset position.

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