A high-precision drop tower structure for microgravity experiments

Abstract

This invention relates to a high-precision drop tower structure for microgravity experiments. The drop tower comprises an inner steel tower and an outer concrete tower. The inner steel tower consists of an independent inner motor tower and an outer track tower. A linear motor is mounted on the motor tower, and a guide rail is mounted on the track tower. The guide rail is fixed to the inner side of the motor tower and is fixedly connected to the track tower via an extension arm passing through a gap in the motor tower structure. An experimental chamber is also located inside the motor tower. The experimental chamber is movably connected to the guide rail and can move up and down along the guide rail under the drive of the linear motor. The arrangement of the three independent towers (inner and outer) creates a controlled environment that meets the process requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microgravity testing technology, and in particular to a high-precision drop tower structure for use in microgravity testing. Background Technology

[0002] Microgravity experiments are experiments conducted under microgravity conditions and are an important part of aerospace technology research. Their purpose is to study the behavior of matter in a microgravity environment in order to gain a deeper understanding and development in the fields of space science and applications.

[0003] Currently, microgravity environments are mainly achieved through parabolic flight vehicles, satellites, and free fall. Parabolic flight vehicles and satellites are costly and have long experimental cycles, hindering scientific research. Furthermore, during the parabolic flight of a flight vehicle, the experimental equipment falls freely relative to the vehicle, creating a microgravity environment for a period of time. However, this method is limited by the technical capabilities and constraints of parabolic flight vehicles, resulting in a limited flight time and a short duration of microgravity environment. Free fall towers observe the dynamic behavior of matter under microgravity by placing the experimental device in free fall, but this method suffers from poor precision and uncontrollable microgravity levels.

[0004] The fully controllable electromagnetic catapult is a new type of microgravity experimental device. Unlike ordinary free-fall catapults, the electromagnetic catapult can utilize not only the falling height but also the ascent process to achieve double the weightlessness time. It can provide fully controllable high microgravity levels, high frequency, and low cost microgravity experimental conditions.

[0005] The HITec Institute for Technology in Hanover, Leibniz University, Germany, built the world's first fully controllable electromagnetic catapult, also known as the Einstein Elevator, which went into operation at the end of 2018. This device represents the world's most advanced level of microgravity experimental technology for catapult (well) drops. It is the only one of its kind in the world, and there is limited related data available for reference.

[0006] The microgravity drop test places high precision requirements on the steel structure supporting the motor and guide rail. The construction error and deformation during operation must not exceed 2mm.

[0007] The existing construction accuracy requirements for steel structures are as follows: The specific specification clause in the national standard "Steel Structure Construction Quality Acceptance Standard" is: "Table 8.5.3 Allowable Deviation of External Dimensions of Multi-Section Steel Columns" allows a column height deviation of ±3 mm; for column axis verticality, the error height of a single column in a multi-story column shall not exceed one-thousandth and not exceed ten millimeters, and the total column height deviation shall not exceed 35 mm.

[0008] The precision requirements for steel structures during tower launching far exceed those for ordinary building steel structures. Therefore, given these practical conditions, designing a high-precision steel structure has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.

[0009] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of this application and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-precision drop tower structure for microgravity experiments, so as to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0011] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a high-precision drop tower structure for microgravity experiments. The drop tower comprises an inner steel tower and an outer concrete tower. The inner steel tower consists of an independent inner motor tower and an outer track tower. A linear motor is mounted on the motor tower, and a guide rail is mounted on the track tower. The guide rail is fixed to the inner side of the motor tower and is fixedly connected to the track tower via an extension arm passing through a gap in the motor tower structure. An experimental chamber is also located on the inner side of the motor tower. The experimental chamber is movably connected to the guide rail and can move up and down along the guide rail under the drive of the linear motor.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross-sections of the motor tower and the track tower are regular hexagonal.

[0013] Furthermore, the motor tower is mounted on the first support platform, the track tower is mounted on the second support platform, and an expansion joint is reserved between the first support platform and the second support platform.

[0014] Furthermore, the first and second foundations are provided with a plurality of prestressed high-strength concrete precast piles extending in opposite directions.

[0015] Furthermore, the motor tower and the track tower are provided with several layers. Each layer of the motor tower or track tower includes: three type A vertical steel columns, three type B vertical steel columns, and multiple connecting steel columns. The type A vertical steel columns and the type B vertical steel columns are alternately distributed at the six corners of a regular hexagon. Among them, the type A vertical steel columns are provided with two rows of connecting steel columns, and the included angle between the two rows of connecting steel columns is 120°. The type B vertical steel columns are provided with two rows of connecting columns, and the included angle between the two rows of connecting steel columns is 120°. The two ends of the connecting steel columns are respectively connected to the connecting columns on the type A vertical steel columns and the connecting columns on the type B vertical steel columns.

[0016] Furthermore, the positions of the A-type vertical steel columns and the B-type vertical steel columns on adjacent floors are swapped.

[0017] Furthermore, the row of connecting steel columns on the A-type vertical steel column includes: an upper layer of short columns, a middle layer of horizontal short columns, and a lower layer of short columns. The upper layer of short columns consists of a first short column extending obliquely upward, a second short column extending horizontally, and a third short column extending obliquely downward. The lower layer of short columns consists of a fourth short column extending obliquely upward, a fifth short column extending horizontally, and a sixth short column extending obliquely downward.

[0018] Furthermore, the row of connecting steel columns on the B-type vertical steel column includes: an upper layer of horizontal short columns, a middle layer of short columns, and a lower layer of horizontal short columns; the middle layer of short columns consists of a seventh short column extending obliquely upward, an eighth short column extending horizontally, and a ninth short column extending obliquely downward.

[0019] Furthermore, the first short column is connected to the sixth short column of the adjacent A-type vertical steel column on the upper layer via a connecting steel column;

[0020] The second short column is connected to the upper horizontal short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column on the same floor via a connecting steel column;

[0021] The third short column is connected to the seventh short column, which is the adjacent B-type vertical steel column on the same floor, via a connecting steel column.

[0022] The middle-layer horizontal short column is connected to the eighth short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer via a connecting steel column.

[0023] The fourth short column is connected to the ninth short column, which is an adjacent B-type vertical steel column on the same floor, via a connecting steel column.

[0024] The fifth short column is connected to the lower horizontal short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column on the same floor via a connecting steel column;

[0025] The sixth short column is connected to the first short column of the adjacent A-type vertical steel column in the lower layer via a connecting steel column.

[0026] Furthermore, the A-type vertical steel columns and the B-type vertical steel columns of adjacent two floors are connected by flanges, and the butt steel columns and the connecting steel columns are connected by flanges.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] 1. Provide devices with extremely high precision requirements to ensure the accuracy and reliability of microgravity drop tower experiments, thereby improving the scientific value of experimental results.

[0029] 2. Ensure that the device structure remains stable during high-frequency experiments, thereby improving the stability and repeatability of the experiment.

[0030] 3. Experiments can be repeated multiple times to quickly obtain experimental results, greatly reducing the cost of microgravity experiments.

[0031] 4. To provide beneficial technical support for related scientific and technological fields and to offer more possibilities for future scientific research. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 A plan view of the electromagnetic catapult launch tower;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the double-layer structure of the inner tower;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the inner tower foundation structure;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single-layer motor tower in this patent;

[0037] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the single-layer motor tower in this patent;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between two adjacent motor towers in this patent;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single-layer track tower in this patent;

[0040] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the single-layer track tower in this patent;

[0041] Icons: 1. Concrete structure outer tower, 2. Track tower, 3. Guide rail, 4. Outrigger, 5. Motor tower, 6. Linear motor, 7. Experimental chamber, 8. First pier, 9. Second pier, 10. Expansion joint, 11. Type A vertical steel column, 12. Connecting steel column, 13. First short column, 14. Second short column, 15. Third short column, 16. Middle layer horizontal short column, 17. Fourth short column, 18. Fifth short column, 19. Sixth short column, 20. Type B vertical steel column, 21. Upper layer horizontal short column, 22. Seventh short column, 23. Eighth short column, 24. Ninth short column, 25. Lower layer horizontal short column, 26. Flange, 27. Track connection flange, 28. Motor connector. Implementation

[0042] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for 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 the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0044] 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0046] like Figures 1-8 The illustration shows a specific embodiment of a high-precision drop tower structure applied to microgravity experiments according to this patent. In this embodiment, the high-precision drop tower structure is mainly used in microgravity drop tower experiments, and an electromagnetic catapult device is used to propel the experimental device. This device provides a huge thrust, but it also generates a strong force on the drop tower structure. The precision control of the drop tower is crucial to the accuracy of the experimental results. The structural construction error and deformation during operation are both required to be no greater than 2mm.

[0047] The experimental tower structure consists of a steel inner tower (track tower 2 and motor tower 3) and a concrete outer tower 1, designed to avoid interference from internal and external vibration coupling during the experiment. The concrete outer tower 1, serving as the supporting structure and enclosure system for the microgravity experimental facility, primarily aims to meet experimental and technological requirements and resist external wind loads. A controlled environment meeting technological needs is constructed by considering requirements for temperature, wind speed, and noise control within the tower. Since microgravity scientific experiments require a constant internal temperature, the energy-saving design employs passive civil engineering measures based on near-zero energy consumption building technology standards, combined with year-round meteorological parameter simulation to optimize equipment selection. Special designs for external insulation materials, the insulation and airtightness of external doors, along with the internal air conditioning system, ensure that the internal environment of the experimental tower meets the requirements for microgravity scientific experiments. Ultimately, it meets the energy-saving testing requirements for ultra-low energy consumption buildings, achieving the goal of comprehensive management throughout the delivery, commissioning, and operation process. The high-precision inner tower adopts a hexagonal double-layer steel support cylinder structure, with the outer layer being the track tower 2 and the inner layer being the motor tower 5. The structural design comprehensively analyzed factors such as earthquakes, wind, temperature, external traffic vibration sources, and internal ejection-induced vibrations. Over a thousand components were machined and pre-assembled in the factory, with on-site assembly employing a "zero-welding," "all-bolts" method. During installation, each section utilized a "three-point concentricity calibration" plus plumb bob point control for double-point positioning.

[0048] The inner tower adopts an independent double-tower steel structure, consisting of a motor tower 5 and a track tower 2. This structural design aims to minimize the transmission of vibrations generated by the motor during operation to the track tower via the foundation and soil, thus reducing excessive horizontal vibrations to the experimental chamber and potentially disrupting the required microgravity conditions. The linear motor 6 is directly fixed to the inner side of the motor tower 5, while the guide rail 3 is mounted on a steel column supported by a staggered cantilever on the track tower 2. Functionally, the motor tower 5 primarily supports the mounting of the linear motor 6 and other drive equipment, as well as the reaction force driving the experimental chamber 7. The track tower 2 only serves to guide the movement of the experimental chamber 7. Both the motor tower 5 and track tower 2 are double-layered regular hexagonal steel structures, independent of each other. The triangular outrigger 4 of the track tower 2 penetrates the interlayer gaps to provide support for the guide rail 3 inside the motor tower 5.

[0049] Except for the fact that the motor tower 5 and the track tower 2 do not contact each other in the steel structure, the foundation of the inner tower is a pile foundation with separate piers. The motor tower 5 is set on the first pier 8, and the track tower 2 is set on the second pier 9. An independent expansion joint is set between the first pier 8 and the second pier 9. In this embodiment, a 30 mm wide expansion joint is specifically set. Six prestressed high-strength concrete precast piles are set under the first pier 8 and the second pier 9. In this embodiment, they are specifically PHC 400 AB95-26.5 prestressed high-strength concrete precast piles. The pier thickness is 500 mm, and the material is C80 high-strength concrete.

[0050] The steel column structures of track tower 2 and motor tower 5 are basically the same. Both motor tower 5 and track tower 2 are provided with several layers. Each layer of motor tower 5 or track tower 2 includes: three type A vertical steel columns 11, three type B vertical steel columns 20 and multiple connecting steel columns 12. Type A vertical steel columns 11 and type B vertical steel columns 20 are alternately distributed at the six corners of a regular hexagon. Among them, two rows of connecting steel columns are provided on the column body of type A vertical steel column 11. Flanges 26 are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the column body of type A vertical steel column 11. The included angle between the two rows of connecting steel columns is 120°. A row of connected steel columns on the A-type vertical steel column 11 includes: an upper group of short columns, a middle group of horizontal short columns 16, and a lower group of short columns. The upper group of short columns consists of a first short column 13 extending diagonally upward, a second short column 14 extending horizontally, and a third short column 15 extending diagonally downward. The lower group of short columns consists of a fourth short column 17 extending diagonally upward, a fifth short column 18 extending horizontally, and a sixth short column 19 extending diagonally downward.

[0051] The B-type vertical steel column 20 has two rows of connecting columns on its body. Flanges 26 are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the B-type vertical steel column 20. The included angle between the two rows of connecting steel columns is 120°. One row of connecting steel columns on the B-type vertical steel column 20 includes: an upper horizontal short column 21, a middle short column group, and a lower horizontal short column. The middle short column group consists of a seventh short column 22 extending diagonally upward, an eighth short column 23 extending horizontally, and a ninth short column 24 extending diagonally downward.

[0052] The positions of the A-type vertical steel columns 11 and B-type vertical steel columns 20 on adjacent floors are interchanged. For example, the A-type vertical steel column 11 on this floor is coaxially connected to the B-type vertical steel columns 20 on the upper and lower floors via flange 26, and the B-type vertical steel column 20 on this floor is coaxially connected to the A-type vertical steel column 11 on the upper and lower floors via flange 26.

[0053] The first short column 13 of the A-type vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26 at its end. The first short column 13 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the sixth short column 19 of the adjacent A-type vertical steel column 20 on the upper layer.

[0054] The end of the second short column 14 in the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26. The second short column 14 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the upper horizontal short column 21 of the adjacent type B vertical steel column 20 on the same floor.

[0055] The end of the third short column 15 in the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26. The third short column 15 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the seventh short column 22 of the adjacent type B vertical steel column 20 on the same floor.

[0056] The middle horizontal short column 16 of the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26 at its end. The middle horizontal short column 16 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the eighth short column 23 of the adjacent type B vertical steel column 20 on the same floor.

[0057] The end of the fourth short column 17 in the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26. The fourth short column 17 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the ninth short column 24 of the adjacent type B vertical steel column 20 on the same floor.

[0058] The fifth short column 18 of the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26 at its end. The fifth short column 18 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the lower horizontal short column 25 of the adjacent type B vertical steel column 20 on the same floor.

[0059] The sixth short column 19 of the type A vertical steel column 11 is provided with a flange 26 at its end. The fifth short column 18 is connected to the flange 26 at one end of the connecting steel column 12. The flange 26 at the other end of the connecting steel column 12 is connected to the flange 26 at the end of the first short column 13 of the adjacent type A vertical steel column 11 in the lower layer.

[0060] The structural components of the motor tower 5 are rigidly connected by flanges 26 and friction-type high-strength bolts, and mounting points for motors, cables, and equipment are reserved on the crossbeams. Among them, motor connectors 28 are installed on the horizontally set connecting steel columns 12, and linear motors 6 are installed through motor connectors 28.

[0061] Similar to the motor tower 5, the track tower 2 is still connected to the friction type high-strength bolts via flange 26. Track connection flanges 27 are provided on the second short column 14, the middle horizontal short column 16 and the fifth short column 18 of the A-type vertical steel column 11. The track connection flanges 27 are connected to the extension arm 4, and then the extension arm 4 is connected to the guide rail 3.

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-precision drop tower structure applied to microgravity experiments, characterized in that, The tower comprises a steel inner tower and a concrete outer tower, the steel inner tower is composed of an inner motor tower and an outer track tower which are independent of each other, the motor tower is provided with a linear motor, the track tower is provided with a guide rail, the guide rail is fixed to the inner side of the motor tower and is fixedly connected with the track tower through an arm passing through the gap of the motor tower structure, the inner side of the motor tower is further provided with an experiment cabin, the experiment cabin is movably connected with the guide rail and can move up and down along the guide rail under the driving of the linear motor; The cross section of the motor tower and the track tower is a regular hexagon; The motor tower is arranged on a first bearing platform, the track tower is arranged on a second bearing platform, and a deformation joint is reserved between the first bearing platform and the second bearing platform; The first bearing platform and the second bearing platform are provided with a plurality of oppositely extending prestressed high-strength concrete precast piles; The motor tower and the track tower are provided with several layers, each layer of the motor tower or the track tower comprises three A-type vertical steel columns, three B-type vertical steel columns and a plurality of connecting steel columns, the A-type vertical steel columns and the B-type vertical steel columns are alternately distributed at six corners of a regular hexagon; wherein the column body of the A-type vertical steel column is provided with two rows of butt steel columns, the included angle between the two rows of butt steel columns is 120°, the column body of the B-type vertical steel column is provided with two rows of butt steel columns, the included angle between the two rows of butt steel columns is 120°, and the two ends of the connecting steel column are respectively connected to the butt steel columns on the A-type vertical steel column and the butt steel columns on the B-type vertical steel column; The A-type vertical steel columns and the B-type vertical steel columns of adjacent two layers are connected through flanges, and the butt steel columns and the connecting steel columns are connected through flanges.

2. The high precision drop tower structure of claim 1, wherein, The positions of the A-type vertical steel columns and the B-type vertical steel columns of adjacent two layers are exchanged.

3. The high precision drop tower structure of claim 2, wherein, One row of butt steel columns on the A-type vertical steel column comprises an upper layer short column group, a middle layer horizontal short column and a lower layer short column group, the upper layer short column group is composed of a first short column extending to the oblique upper side, a second short column extending horizontally and a third short column extending to the oblique lower side; the lower layer short column group is composed of a fourth short column extending to the oblique upper side, a fifth short column extending horizontally and a sixth short column extending to the oblique lower side.

4. The high precision drop tower structure of claim 3, wherein, One row of butt steel columns on the B-type vertical steel column comprises an upper layer horizontal short column, a middle layer short column group and a lower layer horizontal short column; the middle layer short column group is composed of a seventh short column extending to the oblique upper side, an eighth short column extending horizontally and a ninth short column extending to the oblique lower side.

5. The high precision drop tower structure of claim 4, wherein, The first short column is connected with the sixth short column of the adjacent A-type vertical steel column in the upper layer through a connecting steel column; The second short column is connected with the upper layer horizontal short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer through a connecting steel column; The third short column is connected with the seventh short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer through a connecting steel column; The middle layer horizontal short column is connected with the eighth short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer through a connecting steel column; The fourth short column is connected with the ninth short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer through a connecting steel column; The fifth short column is connected with the lower layer horizontal short column of the adjacent B-type vertical steel column in the same layer through a connecting steel column; The sixth short column is connected with the first short column of the adjacent A-shaped vertical steel column in the lower layer through a connecting steel column.

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