A method for automatically integrated testing of semi-membrane tank performance

Abstract

The application relates to a kind of semi-membrane tank performance automatic integrated test methods, for the shell strength of semi-membrane type tank product, sealing performance detection is tested, ensure that tank shell strength meets the use requirement, ensure that the performance index of tank to propellant management meets the use requirement.Detection, the tank that passes through semi-membrane tank integrated performance automatic test method detection is qualified, and each performance index meets the design requirement.The semi-membrane tank produced by the method can meet the use requirement of attitude control liquid rocket engine tank under various working environments.

Description

An Automated Integrated Testing Method for the Performance of Semi-Membrane Tanks Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automated integrated testing method for the performance of semi-membrane tanks, particularly the testing process for rubber-plastic composite semi-membrane tanks and metal diaphragm tanks, belonging to the technical field of tank testing for orbital attitude control liquid rocket engines. Background Technology

[0002] Semi-membrane tanks possess excellent properties such as relatively simple structure, high reliability, good compatibility, and long-term operation, making them widely used in the aerospace field. Some tanks can operate for decades in microgravity environments, making them suitable for applications such as communication satellite attitude control systems and strategic weapon systems.

[0003] The semi-membrane, a crucial component in the tank's management system, directly determines the tank's ability to retain liquid propellant. This significantly reduces the limitations imposed by the tank's operational attitude on its applicability, providing options for tanks operating in complex mission environments. These semi-membranes are primarily categorized as non-metallic (e.g., rubber, fluoroplastic) and metallic (e.g., titanium alloy, aluminum alloy). The semi-membrane structure is highly suitable for spherical, cylindrical, or conical tank structures. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose an automated integrated testing method for the performance of semi-membrane tanks. This method enables efficient testing of performance indicators such as shell strength and sealing performance of semi-membrane tanks. The method has fewer process steps, higher reliability of test results, simpler quality control, higher continuous efficiency in engineering operations, and is easy to apply in engineering.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0006] An automated integrated testing method for the performance of a semi-membrane tank includes the following steps:

[0007] (1) Before the test, check whether the condition of the adapter is normal. After confirming that it is normal, install the adapter on the corresponding port of the semi-membrane tank.

[0008] (2) Start the test and measure the volume by weighing. Measure the weight of the half-film tank before and after filling and convert it into the volume of the half-film tank cavity.

[0009] (3) The air chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank are connected to the hydraulic strength testing system through a mechanical structure, and the hydraulic strength test is carried out according to the set hydraulic pressure curve.

[0010] (4) Drain the liquid from the gas chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank, and then drain the residual water in the semi-membrane tank by repeatedly adding and draining anhydrous ethanol.

[0011] (5) Open all the connectors of the semi-film storage tank and put it into the drying oven for vacuum drying;

[0012] (6) The gas chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank are connected to the helium mass spectrometer leak detection system through a mechanical structure. The system is pressurized according to the set shell leak rate pressure curve, and the shell leak rate of the semi-membrane tank is detected by the helium mass spectrometer leak detector.

[0013] (7) The air chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank are connected to the air tightness test system through a mechanical structure, and the air tightness test of the component is carried out according to the set air tightness pressure curve.

[0014] Furthermore, the semi-membrane tank can be a non-metallic semi-membrane tank or a metallic semi-membrane tank.

[0015] Furthermore, the semi-membrane tank is welded together from the gas chamber shell assembly, the liquid chamber shell assembly, and the semi-membrane assembly; both the gas chamber shell assembly and the liquid chamber shell assembly are equipped with nozzles; the performance indicators of the semi-membrane tank include shell strength and the airtightness of each component.

[0016] Furthermore, the semi-membrane storage tanks are automatically transported by ground-rail robots or AGV trolleys.

[0017] Furthermore, the adapter is a quick-connect self-locking adapter, in which the male and female connectors are inserted to achieve a quick connection to form a circuit, and automatically locks to form a closed circuit when disconnected.

[0018] Furthermore, the nozzles include a vent nozzle, an air inlet nozzle, and a filling nozzle.

[0019] Furthermore, when measuring volume by weighing, the test medium is water, and the filling method is either compression filling or vacuum filling, with the compression filling pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa;

[0020] The method of adding anhydrous ethanol is either compression or vacuum injection, with the compression injection pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa; the method of venting is compression, with the compression injection pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa, and the process is repeated at least twice.

[0021] Furthermore, the hydraulic pressure curve, the housing leakage rate pressure curve, and the airtightness pressure curve are all trapezoidal curves; after pressurizing to the test pressure at the required pressurization rate, the pressure is held for a certain period of time, and after passing the test, the pressure is released at the required depressurization rate.

[0022] Furthermore, during the hydraulic strength test, the pressure difference between the air chamber and the liquid chamber inside the tank is controlled within 0.05 MPa; the holding pressure is 1.5 to 2.0 times the working pressure of the tank, and the holding time is 10 minutes; the test qualification criteria are that the tank structure remains intact, there is no leakage or sweating on the surface of the tank shell, and there is no abnormal fluctuation in the test pressure during the holding process.

[0023] Furthermore, during vacuum drying, the temperature of the non-metallic semi-film storage tank is controlled at 50℃~60℃, and the temperature of the metallic semi-film storage tank is controlled at 100℃~110℃; the vacuum degree of vacuum drying is not greater than 1000Pa, the heat preservation time is 120min~180min, and the furnace is cooled to room temperature.

[0024] Furthermore, when detecting the leakage rate of the tank shell using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector, the test medium for the helium mass spectrometer leak detection is pure helium or a helium-nitrogen mixture containing 10% helium; the test pressure is the working pressure of the tank, and the pressure holding time depends on the size of the tank volume.

[0025] Furthermore, when conducting the airtightness test, the test medium is nitrogen or compressed air; the test pressure is no more than 1 MPa, the pressure holding time is 3 min to 15 min; and the test method is the gas collection method.

[0026] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0027] Currently, the performance testing of semi-membrane tanks mostly adopts the traditional production mode of manual assembly of individual parts, which results in low production efficiency. This process method achieves automated integrated testing of semi-membrane tank performance. Through the system design of automated production equipment and the optimization of the semi-membrane tank performance testing process, efficient testing of semi-membrane tank performance is achieved. This process method features simple operation, stable process, high connection quality, and stable and reliable performance test results. Practical engineering verification has shown good results, and qualified tanks can be used stably for a long time in the operating environment of attitude control liquid rocket engines. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a typical semi-membrane tank structure;

[0029] Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the design scheme for the automated integrated testing system for the performance of the semi-membrane tank;

[0030] Figure 3. Flowchart of the automated integrated testing process for the performance of the semi-membrane tank. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This invention provides an automated integrated testing method for the performance of a semi-membrane propellant tank, applicable to propellant tanks used in orbital attitude control liquid rocket engines. By compressing gas to squeeze the semi-membrane inside the tank, it supplies gas-free liquid propellant to the attitude control propulsion system, such as the semi-membrane propellant tanks of long-term orbital communication satellite attitude control systems and strategic weapon systems.

[0032] This invention achieves the automatic setup of a storage tank hydraulic and airtightness testing system through the design and use of a quick-connect self-locking connector structure; achieves automated pressure testing of the storage tank through the system design of an automated hydraulic and airtightness testing bench in conjunction with a multi-axis robotic arm; achieves automatic switching between liquid and gaseous test media in the storage tank through the design of an automated filling and draining system; and achieves automatic detection and interpretation of the testing process through visual sensors, laser sensors, pressure sensors, etc.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the semi-membrane tank is welded together from a gas chamber shell assembly, a liquid chamber shell assembly, and a semi-membrane assembly. Both the gas chamber shell assembly and the liquid chamber shell assembly are equipped with nozzles. The performance indicators of the semi-membrane tank include shell strength and the airtightness of each component. The nozzles include vents, inlets, and filling nozzles.

[0034] The semi-membrane tank described in this invention is a non-metallic semi-membrane tank or a metallic semi-membrane tank.

[0035] To enable the automated setup of the tank performance testing system, this invention incorporates a specialized connector structure design.

[0036] The adapter of this invention is a quick-connect self-locking adapter. The male and female connectors can be quickly connected to form a circuit when plugged in, and automatically lock to form a closed circuit when disconnected.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 2, this invention proposes an automated integrated testing process for the performance of semi-membrane tanks, enabling automated performance testing of semi-membrane tanks. The process includes the following steps:

[0038] (1) Before the test, check whether the condition of the adapter is normal. After confirming that it is qualified, manually install the adapters of each connector of the storage tank. After the preparation is completed, the test will begin.

[0039] The connectors mentioned are tank vents, air inlets, filling nozzles, etc., and the specific connectors are related to the product and control system.

[0040] (2) The volume was measured by weighing method. The weight of the tank before and after filling was measured and converted into the volume of the tank cavity.

[0041] The weighing accuracy should be no less than the product specifications of the storage tank, generally no less than 0.01 kg.

[0042] The test medium being added is water.

[0043] The filling method is either compression filling or vacuum filling, and the compression filling pressure is no greater than 0.1 MPa.

[0044] The aforementioned weighing method for volume measurement involves subtracting the weight of the tank before filling from the weight of the tank after it is filled, and then calculating the internal volume of the tank.

[0045] (3) Connect the gas-liquid chamber of the storage tank to the hydraulic strength testing system through a mechanical structure, and perform hydraulic strength testing according to the set pressure curve;

[0046] The hydraulic strength test pressure curve is trapezoidal. After pressurizing to the test pressure at the required pressurization rate, the pressure is held for a certain period of time. After passing the test, the pressure is released at the required depressurization rate.

[0047] During the hydraulic strength test, the pressure difference between the gas and liquid chambers in the storage tank is controlled within 0.01 MPa.

[0048] The pressure holding pressure is generally 1.5 to 2.0 times the working pressure of the storage tank, and the pressure holding time is generally 10 minutes.

[0049] The test pass criteria are that the tank structure remains intact, there are no abnormal phenomena such as leakage or sweating on the surface of the tank shell, and the test pressure does not fluctuate abnormally during the pressure holding process.

[0050] (4) Drain the liquid from the gas-liquid chamber of the storage tank, and then drain the residual water in the storage tank by repeatedly adding and draining anhydrous ethanol.

[0051] The method for adding anhydrous ethanol is either compression or vacuum injection, with the compression injection pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa.

[0052] The venting method is the compression method, and the injection pressure for the compression method is no more than 0.1 MPa.

[0053] The number of repetitions is generally no less than 2 times.

[0054] (5) Open all the connections of the storage tank and put it into the drying oven for vacuum drying;

[0055] The vacuum drying temperature is generally 50℃~60℃ for non-metallic semi-film storage tanks and 100℃~110℃ for metallic semi-films.

[0056] The vacuum degree of the vacuum drying process is no greater than 1000 Pa, the holding time is 120 min to 180 min, and the process is followed by cooling to room temperature in the furnace.

[0057] (6) The gas-liquid chamber of the storage tank is connected to the helium mass spectrometer leak detection system through a mechanical structure, and the pressure is increased according to the set pressure curve. The leakage rate of the storage tank shell is detected by the helium mass spectrometer leak detector.

[0058] The helium mass spectrometry leak detection test medium is pure helium or a helium-nitrogen mixture containing 10% helium.

[0059] The pressure curve for the helium mass spectrometry leak detection test is trapezoidal. After pressurizing to the test pressure at the required pressurization rate, the pressure is held for a certain period of time. After passing the test, the pressure is released at the required depressurization rate.

[0060] The test pressure is generally the working pressure of the storage tank, and the holding time depends on the size of the storage tank.

[0061] The test pass criterion is that the tank leakage rate meets the product specification requirements.

[0062] (7) Connect the gas-liquid chamber of the storage tank to the air tightness test system through a mechanical structure, and perform component air tightness test according to the set pressure curve.

[0063] The test medium for the airtightness test is nitrogen or compressed air.

[0064] The airtightness test pressure curve is trapezoidal. After pressurizing to the test pressure at the required pressurization rate, the pressure is held for a certain period of time. After passing the test, the pressure is released at the required depressurization rate.

[0065] During the hydraulic strength test, the pressure difference between the gas and liquid chambers in the storage tank is controlled within 0.01 MPa.

[0066] The test pressure is no greater than 1 MPa, and the pressure holding time is 3 min to 15 min.

[0067] The test method described is the gas collection method, and the sealing performance meets the product specifications.

[0068] Testing revealed that the system method has simple production and operation procedures, stable processes, high connection quality, and stable and reliable performance test results. Actual engineering verification showed good results, and qualified tanks can be used stably for a long time in the operating environment of attitude control liquid rocket engines.

[0069] Example

[0070] The performance testing steps for a spherical cylindrical rubber-plastic composite semi-membrane storage tank with specifications of Φ200mm×600mm are as follows:

[0071] (1) Before the test, check whether the condition of the conversion connector is normal. After confirming that it is qualified, manually install the conversion connector of the tank filling vent, air inlet and air outlet. After the preparation is completed, the test will begin.

[0072] (2) The volume is measured by weighing, with a weighing accuracy better than 0.01 kg. The inner cavity of the storage tank is filled with deionized water by extrusion, with an extrusion pressure not greater than 0.05 MPa. The weight of the storage tank before and after filling is measured and converted into the inner cavity volume of the storage tank. The storage tank volume is required to be not less than 9 L.

[0073] (3) The filling and draining nozzles, vents and inlets of the storage tank are connected to the hydraulic strength test system through quick-connect couplings using a six-axis robotic arm. The hydraulic strength test is carried out according to the set pressure curve. The pressure increase and depressurization rate is required to be no more than 0.5 MPa / min. The storage tank is held at 5 MPa pressure for 10 minutes. There are no abnormal phenomena such as deformation or leakage in the storage tank shell.

[0074] (4) Use the squeezing method to completely drain the liquid from the gas-liquid chamber of the storage tank, and then repeatedly add and drain anhydrous ethanol to drain the residual water in the storage tank. The squeezing pressure during addition and drainage should not exceed 0.05 MPa, and anhydrous ethanol should be used to repeatedly add and drain 3 times;

[0075] (5) Open all the connections of the storage tank and place it in the drying oven for vacuum drying. Drying temperature: 55℃, vacuum degree: 1000Pa, drying time: 2h;

[0076] (6) Using a six-axis robotic arm, connect the tank's filling / draining nozzle, vent nozzle, and inlet nozzle to the helium mass spectrometry leak detection system via quick-connect couplings. Pressurize the tank according to the set pressure curve, and detect the tank's leakage rate using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. The pressurization and depressurization rates should not exceed 0.5 MPa / min. The tank should be held at 3 MPa for 120 minutes, and the tank leakage rate should not exceed 1 × 10⁻⁶. - 6 Pa.m 3 / s;

[0077] (7) Connect the tank filling and venting nozzles and the venting nozzle to the airtightness testing system using a six-axis robotic arm, and conduct the component airtightness test according to the set pressure curve. The pressure increase and depressurization rate should not exceed 0.2 MPa / min, the tank should be held at 0.5 MPa for 10 minutes, and the tank membrane should not leak.

[0078] The performance indicators of the storage tank were tested and found to be good, meeting the requirements for use as a semi-membrane storage tank.

[0079] The parts of this invention not described in detail are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An automated integrated testing method for the performance of a semi-membrane tank, characterized in that... include: Before the test, check the condition of the adapter to ensure it is normal. Once confirmed, install the adapter on the corresponding connector of the semi-membrane tank. Begin the test by measuring the volume using a weighing method. Measure the weight of the semi-membrane tank before and after filling, and convert the weight into the internal volume of the semi-membrane tank. Connect the air chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank to the hydraulic strength testing system using a mechanical structure, and perform the hydraulic strength test according to the set hydraulic pressure curve. Drain the liquid from the air chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank completely, and then repeatedly add and drain anhydrous ethanol to remove any remaining moisture from the internal cavity of the semi-membrane tank. Open all the connectors of the semi-membrane tank and place it in a drying oven for vacuum drying. Connect the gas chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank to a helium mass spectrometry leak detection system via a mechanical structure. Pressurize according to the set shell leak rate pressure curve and detect the shell leak rate of the semi-membrane tank using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. Connect the gas chamber and liquid chamber of the semi-membrane tank to an airtightness testing system via a mechanical structure and perform component airtightness testing according to the set airtightness pressure curve. The semi-membrane tank can be a non-metallic or metallic semi-membrane tank. The semi-membrane tank is welded from a gas chamber shell assembly, a liquid chamber shell assembly, and a semi-membrane assembly. Connectors are provided on both the gas chamber shell assembly and the liquid chamber shell assembly. The tank's performance indicators include shell strength and the airtightness of each component; the semi-membrane tank is automatically transported by a ground-rail robot or AGV; the adapter is a quick-connect self-locking connector, where the male and female heads are plugged in to form a passage, and automatically lock to form a closed circuit upon disconnection; the nozzles include a vent nozzle, an inlet nozzle, and a filling nozzle; when measuring volume by weighing, the test medium is water, and the filling method is either compression filling or vacuum filling, with the compression filling pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa; the method for filling anhydrous ethanol is either compression filling or vacuum filling, with the compression filling pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa. The pressure is 0.1 MPa; the venting method is the compression method, with an injection pressure not exceeding 0.1 MPa and repeated at least twice; the hydraulic pressure curve, shell leakage rate pressure curve, and airtightness pressure curve are all trapezoidal curves; after pressurizing to the test pressure at the required pressurization rate, the pressure is held for a certain time, and after passing, the pressure is released at the required depressurization rate; during the hydraulic strength test, the pressure difference between the air chamber and the liquid chamber in the tank is controlled within 0.05 MPa; the holding pressure is 1.5 to 2.0 times the working pressure of the tank, and the holding time is 10 minutes; the test pass criteria are that the tank structure remains intact, and there is no leakage or sweating on the surface of the tank shell. The test pressure showed no abnormal fluctuations during the pressure holding process; during vacuum drying, the temperature of the non-metallic semi-film tank was controlled at 50℃~60℃, and the temperature of the metallic semi-film tank was controlled at 100℃~110℃; the vacuum degree of vacuum drying was not greater than 1000Pa, the holding time was 120min~180min, and the tank was cooled to room temperature with the furnace; when the leakage rate of the tank shell was detected by a helium mass spectrometer leak detector, the helium mass spectrometer leak detection test medium was pure helium or a helium-nitrogen mixture containing 10% helium; the test pressure was the working pressure of the tank, and the holding time depended on the tank volume; when the airtightness test was performed, the airtightness test medium was nitrogen or compressed air; The test pressure should not exceed 1 MPa, and the pressure holding time should be 3 min to 15 min; the test method is the gas collection method.

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