A device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation to induce beam flickering

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of aerospace electric propulsion technology, and more specifically, to a device for inducing beam flicker due to changes in the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids. The device comprises an ion thruster fixed to the interior of a vacuum chamber via a supporting metal plate; a plurality of support rods are provided, a grid system is provided above the ion thruster via the support rods, a stainless steel tray is movably provided above the grid system via the support rods, and a sealed chamber is provided above the stainless steel tray via the support rods; a through hole is provided on the stainless steel tray, and a first set of polyimide rods is provided between the stainless steel tray and the grid system; a metal piston is provided inside the sealed chamber, and a second set of polyimide rods is provided between the metal piston and the grid system; a gas control injection device is connected to the sealed chamber via a gas pipeline. The present application solves the problem of the lack of an experimental research platform for beam flicker induced by thermal deformation of ion electric propulsion grids in ground vacuum chambers, and provides a feasible means for analyzing the characteristics of beam flicker induced by changes in grid spacing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of aerospace electric propulsion technology, and in particular to a device for inducing beam flickering by changing the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids. Background Art

[0002] Ion electric propulsion for space is an advanced aerospace propulsion technology. Its principle is to use space electrical energy to ionize the propellant to produce high-density plasma, and then extract, accelerate and discharge the ions through a high-voltage grid system to generate thrust.

[0003] During the long-term operation of ion propulsion, the gate is heated and inevitably deformed due to factors such as energy deposition from high-energy ions bombarding the gate, plasma heat conduction, and the ohmic heat of the metal gate itself, thereby changing the established gate spacing. When the deformation distances of the two gates in the gate system are inconsistent and the spacing becomes smaller, beam flicker will be induced. Beam flicker will reduce the performance of ion propulsion, and in severe cases will cause gate damage or even failure of the gate system components, restricting the improvement of the life reliability of ion propulsion products and limiting the widespread application of ion propulsion.

[0004] The existing technology does not involve a ground-based experimental device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing changes induced beam flickering, resulting in insufficient understanding of the characteristics of grid spacing changes induced beam flickering. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a device for inducing beam flickering by changing the ion propulsion grid spacing, which can solve the problem of ground-based experimental testing of ion propulsion grid spacing changes and can be used to study the ion propulsion beam flicker characteristics under different grid spacings.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present application provides a device for inducing beam scintillation by changing the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids, comprising a vacuum chamber, a support metal plate, a support rod, an ion thruster, a grid system, a stainless steel tray, a sealed chamber, and a gas control injection device, wherein: the support metal plate, the support rod, the ion thruster, the grid system, the stainless steel tray, and the sealed chamber are all arranged inside the vacuum chamber; the support metal plate is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber; the ion thruster is fixed inside the vacuum chamber via the support metal plate; a plurality of support rods are provided, and the plurality of support rods are fixedly connected to the support metal plate to form an integrated structure; the grid system is arranged above the ion thruster via the support rod, the stainless steel tray is movably arranged above the grid system via the support rod, and the sealed chamber is arranged above the stainless steel tray via the support rod; a through hole is provided on the stainless steel tray, and a first group of polyimide rods is provided between the stainless steel tray and the grid system; a metal piston is provided inside the sealed chamber, with a connection hole provided on the surface, and a second group of polyimide rods is provided between the metal piston and the grid system; and the gas control injection device is arranged outside the vacuum chamber and connected to the sealed chamber via a gas pipeline.

[0007] Furthermore, the first group of polyimide rods consists of three polyimide rods of equal length, which are distributed in a triangular shape. The center of each polyimide rod is a hollow structure, one end of which is fixedly connected to the stainless steel tray, and the other end is connected to the positive potential gate of the gate system.

[0008] Furthermore, the second group of polyimide rods consists of three polyimide rods of equal length, which are distributed in a triangular shape. The center of each polyimide rod is a hollow structure, one end of which is fixedly connected to the metal piston, and then passes through the connection hole of the sealed cavity and the through hole of the stainless steel tray in turn, and the other end is connected to the negative potential gate of the gate system.

[0009] Furthermore, the distance between the stainless steel tray and the grid system is ≥1m.

[0010] Furthermore, the support rod connected to the stainless steel tray can move in the vertical direction, and the moving distance range is 0-2 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the metal piston is arranged at the top of the sealed cavity and can move up and down in the sealed cavity, and the moving distance range is -2mm-2mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the gas control injection device includes a high-pressure gas storage tank, a pressure reducing valve and a gas pressure controller, and the high-pressure gas storage tank is connected to the sealed cavity through the pressure reducing valve and the gas pressure controller in sequence.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a user terminal, which is arranged outside the vacuum chamber and establishes a communication connection with the pressure reducing valve and the gas pressure controller.

[0014] The present invention provides a device for inducing beam flickering by varying the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The present application realizes the sub-millimeter precise control of the piston movement distance in the vacuum chamber through gas pressure, thereby controlling the deformation of the high-voltage negative potential grid, and accurately realizes the deformation of the high-voltage positive potential grid through the movable support rod; by controlling the different spatial deformations of the positive and negative potential grids, experimental tests of different grid spacings can be realized, which solves the problem of the lack of experimental research platform for beam scintillation induced by thermal deformation of ion electric propulsion grids in ground vacuum chambers, provides a feasible means for analyzing the beam scintillation characteristics induced by changes in grid spacing, and provides support for suppressing beam scintillation and improving the reliability of ion electric propulsion performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings that constitute part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of this application and make other features, objects and advantages of this application more apparent. The illustrative embodiment drawings of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute an improper limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a device for inducing beam flickering by varying the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] In the figure: 1-vacuum chamber, 2-support metal plate, 3-support rod, 4-ion thruster, 5-grid system, 6-first group of polyimide rods, 7-stainless steel tray, 8-second group of polyimide rods, 9-sealed cavity, 10-metal piston, 11-gas pressure controller, 12-user terminal, 13-pressure reducing valve, 14-high-pressure gas storage tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0021] In this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "center," "vertical," "horizontal," "transverse," and "longitudinal" indicate positions or locations based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily intended to better describe this application and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the devices, elements, or components indicated to having a specific orientation, or to being constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0022] Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings besides indicating a position or location. For example, the term "on" may also be used to indicate a dependency or connection in certain circumstances. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] Additionally, the term "plurality" shall mean two or more.

[0024] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0025] like Figure 1As shown, the present application provides a device for inducing beam flickering by changing the spacing between ion electric propulsion grids, comprising a vacuum chamber 1, a support metal plate 2, a support rod 3, an ion thruster 4, a grid system 5, a stainless steel tray 7, a sealed cavity 9, and a gas control injection device, wherein: the support metal plate 2, the support rod 3, the ion thruster 4, the grid system 5, the stainless steel tray 7, and the sealed cavity 9 are all arranged inside the vacuum chamber 1; the support metal plate 2 is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 1; the ion thruster 4 is fixed to the inside of the vacuum chamber 1 through the support metal plate 2; a plurality of support rods 3 are provided, and the plurality of support rods 3 are fixedly connected to the support metal plate 2 , forming an integrated structure; the grid system 5 is arranged above the ion thruster 4 through the support rod 3, the stainless steel tray 7 is movably arranged above the grid system 5 through the support rod 3, and the sealed cavity 9 is arranged above the stainless steel tray 7 through the support rod 3; a through hole is provided on the stainless steel tray 7, and a first group of polyimide rods 6 is provided between the stainless steel tray 7 and the grid system 5; a metal piston 10 is provided inside the sealed cavity 9, and a connecting hole is provided on the surface, and a second group of polyimide rods 8 is provided between the metal piston 10 and the grid system 5; the gas control injection device is provided outside the vacuum chamber 1 and connected to the sealed cavity 9 through a gas pipeline.

[0026] Specifically, the device for induced beam scintillation due to changes in ion propulsion grid spacing provided in the embodiments of the present application is primarily intended to address the challenges of ground-based experimental testing of changes in ion propulsion grid spacing. This device can simulate and study the scintillation characteristics of ion propulsion beams under different grid spacings in a ground environment. The supporting metal plate 2 and support rod 3 form the various components within the vacuum chamber 1 into a rigid whole, reducing the impact of micro-vibration, micro-deformation, and other measurement results of the device. A gas-controlled injection device and a sealed cavity 9 achieve submillimeter-level precise control of the movement distance of the metal piston 10 within the vacuum chamber 1, thereby achieving precise control of the deformation of the high-voltage negative potential grid of the grid system 5. Precise control of the deformation of the high-voltage positive potential grid of the grid system 5 is achieved through the movable support rod 3 and stainless steel tray 7. Subsequently, through the spatial deformation of the positive and negative potential grids, ion propulsion beam scintillation under different grid spacings can be simulated, providing a feasible experimental device for ground-based research on ion propulsion beam scintillation characteristics and suppression methods.

[0027] More specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the vacuum chamber 1 is mainly used to simulate the vacuum environment required for the experiment, and the vacuum degree is generally 10 -3Pa or above; the supporting metal plate 2 and the supporting rod 3 mainly play the role of fixed support. The ion thruster 4 is fixed to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 1 through the supporting metal plate 2 and is located at a lower position inside the vacuum chamber 1. Preferably, three supporting rods 3 are provided, and the material is preferably aluminum alloy. The three supporting rods 3 are all fixed on the supporting metal plate 2 and are completely aligned in the vertical direction to form an integral structure to avoid the influence of position error on the subsequent grid deformation results. Among them, the first supporting rod 3 is used to fix the grid system 5, so that the grid system 5 is fixed at the front end of the ion thruster 4 (above in the figure), and the second supporting rod 3 is used to fix the stainless steel tray 7, so that the stainless steel tray 7 is fixed above the grid system 5. However, the second supporting rod 3 is movably connected to the supporting metal plate 2, and can be moved up and down slightly on the supporting metal plate 2, thereby driving the stainless steel tray 7 to move up and down. The third supporting rod 3 is used to fix the sealed cavity 9, so that the sealed cavity 9 is fixed on the stainless steel On the steel tray 7; the ion thruster 4 is used to emit the beam; the grid system 5 is used to simulate the grid environment of the experiment, including the positive potential grid and the negative potential grid; the stainless steel tray 7 and the sealed chamber 9 are the key structures for adjusting the grid spacing. The stainless steel tray 7 is connected to the grid system 5 through the first group of polyimide rods 6. During the experiment, under the action of the movable support rod 3 (the second support rod 3), the stainless steel tray 7 can move up and down, and the first group of polyimide rods 6 can be used to adjust the positive potential grid deformation of the grid system 5; a metal piston 10 is provided inside the sealed chamber 9, and the metal piston 10 is connected to the grid system 5 through the second group of polyimide rods 8, and the gas control injection device is connected to the sealed chamber 9. During the experiment, the gas control injection device will inject high-pressure gas into the sealed chamber 9, and the metal piston 10 will move up and down under the action of the high-pressure gas, and the negative potential grid deformation of the grid system 5 can be adjusted through the second group of polyimide rods 8.

[0028] Furthermore, the first group of polyimide rods 6 is composed of three polyimide rods of equal length, arranged in a triangular shape. Each polyimide rod has a hollow center, one end of which is fixedly connected to the stainless steel tray 7, and the other end is connected to the positive potential gate of the grid system 5. The first group of polyimide rods 6 is arranged between the grid system 5 and the stainless steel tray 7, and is mainly used to adjust the deformation of the positive potential gate of the grid system 5. The hollow polyimide rods are selected mainly because the polyimide rods are non-metallic materials, are high-temperature resistant, and do not affect the extraction of the beam. They are in flexible contact with the grid, avoiding local damage (produced by bulges, depressions, burrs, etc.) caused by rigid contact. In addition, the three polyimide rods are arranged in a triangular shape to ensure the overall stability of the device and enable the positive potential gate to deform evenly as a whole.

[0029] Furthermore, the second group of polyimide rods 8 is composed of three polyimide rods of equal length, which are arranged in a triangular shape. The center of each polyimide rod is a hollow structure, one end of which is fixedly connected to the metal piston 10, and then passes through the connection hole of the sealed cavity 9 and the through hole of the stainless steel tray 7 in sequence, and the other end is connected to the negative potential gate of the grid system 5. Similarly, the second group of polyimide rods 8 is also composed of three polyimide rods with a triangular distribution and a hollow structure, except that the second group of polyimide rods 8 is arranged between the metal piston 10 and the grid system 5. In order to avoid the influence of the sealed cavity 9 and the stainless steel tray 7 on the arrangement of the polyimide rods, it is necessary to provide a connection hole on the surface of the sealed cavity 9 and a through hole on the stainless steel tray 7. During the connection and installation process, the three polyimide rods of the second group pass through the connection hole and the through hole, and the two ends are connected to the metal piston 10 and the negative potential gate of the grid system 5 respectively.

[0030] Furthermore, the distance between the stainless steel tray 7 and the grid system 5 is ≥1m. In the embodiment of the present application, the distance between the stainless steel tray 7 and the grid system 5 is preferably ≥1m, mainly to avoid bombardment of the stainless steel tray 7 by the ion thruster 4 plume, reduce the impact on the normal operation of the ion thruster 4, and avoid sputtering-induced excess matter and other interference factors that induce unexpected beam flickering.

[0031] Furthermore, the support rod 3 connected to the stainless steel tray 7 can be moved in the vertical direction, and the movement distance range is 0-2 mm. The stainless steel tray 7 is connected to the supporting metal plate 2 through the movable support rod 3, which mainly enables the stainless steel tray 7 to move up and down slightly in the vertical direction, thereby realizing the adjustment of the positive potential gate deformation of the gate system 5.

[0032] Furthermore, a metal piston 10 is disposed at the top of the sealed cavity 9 and is capable of moving up and down within the sealed cavity 9 within a range of -2 mm to 2 mm. Under the action of gas pressure, the metal piston 10 is capable of moving up and down within the sealed cavity 9, thereby adjusting the deformation of the negative potential gate of the gate system 5. The metal piston 10 moves within a range of -2 mm to 2 mm, ensuring maximum deformation between the gates.

[0033] Furthermore, the gas control injection device includes a high-pressure gas storage tank 14, a pressure reducing valve 13, and a gas pressure controller 11. The high-pressure gas storage tank 14 is connected to the sealed cavity 9 through the pressure reducing valve 13 and the gas pressure controller 11 in sequence. The gas control injection device is mainly used to introduce gas into the sealed cavity 9, thereby controlling the movement of the internal metal piston 10. When the metal piston 10 faces different pressure gases, the distance it moves is different; the high-pressure gas storage tank 14 is used to store and provide high-pressure gas, and the pressure reducing valve 13 and the gas pressure controller 11 are used to control the pressure of the gas entering the sealed cavity 9; by controlling the pressure of the gas entering the sealed cavity 9, it is possible to control the movement distance of the metal piston 10, thereby controlling the deformation of the gate.

[0034] Furthermore, the user terminal 12 is provided outside the vacuum chamber 1 and is in communication with the pressure reducing valve 13 and the gas pressure controller 11. The user terminal 12 is primarily used for remote operation and is connected to the pressure reducing valve 13 and the gas pressure controller 11 via network communication. The user terminal 12 is used to flexibly control the gas pressure inside the sealed cavity 9 based on the deformation variable database results obtained in the previous calibration.

[0035] More specifically, when the device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation induced beam flickering provided in the embodiment of the present application is subjected to a ground simulation experiment, the supporting metal plate 2, the supporting rod 3, the ion thruster 4, the grid system 5, the stainless steel tray 7 and the sealed cavity 9 are first arranged inside the vacuum chamber 1 and the corresponding structures are connected. Then, the deformation of the positive potential grid of the grid system 5 is fixed by the movable supporting rod 3. Then, the vacuum chamber 1 is sealed and the air pressure in the vacuum chamber 1 is pumped down to 10 -3 When the pressure is above 0.05 Pa, the ion thruster 4 is turned on for normal discharge operation. According to the experimental requirements (the gate deformation database results obtained in the previous calibration), the user terminal 12 is used to control the pressure reducing valve 13 and the gas pressure controller 11 respectively to adjust the gas pressure entering the sealed cavity 9, thereby adjusting the movement distance of the metal piston 10, and thus adjusting the required negative potential gate displacement deformation of the gate system 5. That is, during the experiment, the deformation of the positive potential gate is known and unchanged, and only the deformation of the negative potential gate needs to be adjusted subsequently. Finally, an additional beam scintillation monitoring device is used to observe and record the influence of the gate spacing change on the ion electric propulsion beam scintillation and its evolution law. This provides an engineering feasible experimental device for ground-based simulation of beam scintillation induced by gate spacing change, solves the problem of the lack of an experimental research platform for beam scintillation induced by thermal deformation of the ion electric propulsion gate in the ground vacuum chamber 1, and provides support for suppressing beam scintillation and improving the reliability of ion electric propulsion performance.

[0036] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation-induced beam flickering, characterized in that: It includes a vacuum chamber, a supporting metal plate, a supporting rod, an ion thruster, a grid system, a stainless steel tray, a sealed chamber, and a gas control injection device, wherein: The supporting metal plate, the supporting rod, the ion thruster, the grid system, the stainless steel tray and the sealed cavity are all arranged inside the vacuum chamber; The supporting metal plate is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber; The ion thruster is fixed inside the vacuum chamber via the supporting metal plate; The support rods are provided in plurality, and the plurality of support rods are fixedly connected to the support metal plate to form an integrated structure; The grid system is arranged above the ion thruster through support rods, the stainless steel tray is movably arranged above the grid system through support rods, and the sealed cavity is arranged above the stainless steel tray through support rods; The stainless steel tray is provided with through holes, and a first group of polyimide rods is provided between the stainless steel tray and the grid system; A metal piston is provided inside the sealed cavity, a connection hole is provided on the surface thereof, and a second set of polyimide rods is provided between the metal piston and the grid system; The gas control injection device is arranged outside the vacuum chamber and connected to the sealed cavity through a gas pipeline; The second group of polyimide rods consists of three polyimide rods of equal length, which are distributed in a triangular shape. The center of each polyimide rod is a hollow structure, one end of which is fixedly connected to the metal piston, and then passes through the connection hole of the sealed cavity and the through hole of the stainless steel tray in sequence, and the other end is connected to the negative potential gate of the gate system; The support rod connected to the stainless steel tray can move in the vertical direction, and the moving distance range is 0-2mm; The metal piston is arranged at the top of the sealed cavity and can move up and down in the sealed cavity, and the moving distance range is -2mm-2mm; The gas control injection device includes a high-pressure gas storage tank, a pressure reducing valve and a gas pressure controller. The high-pressure gas storage tank is connected to the sealed cavity through the pressure reducing valve and the gas pressure controller in sequence.

2. The device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation-induced beam flickering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first group of polyimide rods consists of three polyimide rods of equal length, which are distributed in a triangular shape. The center of each polyimide rod is a hollow structure, one end of which is fixedly connected to the stainless steel tray, and the other end is connected to the positive potential gate of the gate system.

3. The device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation-induced beam flickering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the stainless steel tray and the grid system is ≥1m.

4. The device for ion electric propulsion grid spacing variation-induced beam flickering according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a user terminal, which is arranged outside the vacuum chamber and establishes a communication connection with the pressure reducing valve and the gas pressure controller.

Images