A spatial rope net adjustable active release device

Abstract

This invention relates to an adjustable active release device for a spatial rope net. It includes a net bag, a rope-threading ring, a tightening mechanism, a guide ring, a rope cutter, a support frame, and a net cylinder frame. The net bag is placed within the net cylinder frame, with a tightening mechanism at each of its upper and lower ends. The net bag is connected to the tightening mechanisms via the rope-threading ring. Each tightening mechanism includes a guide tube, an elastic metal wire, a pressure ball, a compression spring I, and a binding rope. The elastic metal wire has two ends threaded through the guide tubes and is fitted with pressure balls with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide tubes. The other end of each pressure ball is connected to both ends of the binding rope. Compression spring I is fitted onto the binding rope section within each guide tube at both ends. The other ends of both guide tubes are connected to the support frame. The rope cutter is mounted on the support frame, with the middle of the binding rope threaded through the cutter. This invention improves the reliability of the device and ensures that the net bag can actively and quickly open, and can fully open, ensuring that the rope net is extracted in an orderly manner with minimal resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space debris removal, specifically to an adjustable active release device for a space rope net. Background Technology

[0002] As humanity continues to explore space, space debris is increasing year by year. Space debris seriously threatens the safety of human space assets and hinders the development of human spaceflight. In order to reduce the safety hazards of space debris, humans have conducted relevant research on space debris cleanup. Flexible rope net capture technology is a newly proposed space debris removal method in recent years. It uses flexible structures such as nets or cloth to cover and wrap the target object and forms a reliable connection with the mission spacecraft through flexible connectors (such as ropes). It is a relatively feasible flexible capture scheme. The storage and release of space rope nets are important factors affecting the capture effect of rope nets.

[0003] The net needs to be placed inside the storage device. During the storage phase, the net must be stored according to the prescribed method, and the net bag is secured by the tightening mechanism of the storage device to ensure that the net remains orderly folded inside the net bag even under external forces. During the launch phase, to ensure that the net is extracted with minimal resistance, the tightening mechanism releases the net bag, and the net bag needs to be fully opened. Under the traction of the mass, the net is orderly extracted from the net bag assembly.

[0004] In commonly used rope and net storage devices, such as CN115783315A, when the tightening mechanism removes the fixation of the net bag, the net bags remain tightly fitted together, and the net bags and ropes remain tightly fitted together. This results in significant resistance when the net is pulled out, potentially causing tangling or preventing smooth extraction. To maintain constant tension in the binding rope, a specific tension-maintaining device is required, which reduces the reliability of the rope and net storage device. To ensure the net can be launched smoothly with minimal extraction resistance, and to maintain constant tension in the binding rope and the reliability of the storage device, a spatially adjustable active release device for the rope and net needs to be designed. This device ensures that the net bag opens quickly and fully during launch. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adjustable active release device for spatial rope nets.

[0006] The technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention is: an adjustable active release device for a space rope net, a net bag, a rope threading ring, a tightening mechanism, a guide ring, a rope cutter, a support frame, a net cylinder frame, and a base;

[0007] The net bag is set inside the net cylinder frame, and a tightening mechanism is set at both the top and bottom of the net bag. The net bag is equipped with a rope-threading ring, which is threaded through the tightening mechanism. Each tightening mechanism includes a guide tube, an elastic metal wire, a pressure ball, a compression spring I, and a binding rope.

[0008] The elastic metal wire is arc-shaped, with both ends passing through guide tubes and equipped with compression balls with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide tubes. The other end of the compression ball is connected to both ends of the binding rope. Each guide tube at both ends is equipped with a compression spring I sleeved on the binding rope section. The other ends of the two guide tubes are connected to the support frame. The rope cutter is set on the support frame, and the middle of the binding rope passes through the rope cutter. During the storage stage of the rope net, the tightening mechanism is in a tightened state, applying a pre-tension force to the binding rope to pull the compression ball, causing the compression spring I to contract and store elastic potential energy. Under the action of the compression ball, the elastic metal wire gathers and tightens the net bag.

[0009] Furthermore, the support frame is equipped with two ribs for upper and lower rope cutters in the middle section, and two guide rings are provided on the inner side of the top plate and bottom plate of the support frame. The binding rope passing through the guide tube enters the rope cutter through the guide ring.

[0010] Furthermore, a flange is provided at one end where the guide tube connects to the support frame, and the flange is connected to the support frame by screws.

[0011] Furthermore, the rope cutter includes a cutter guide tube, an igniter, pyrotechnic components, a charging tube, a ring cutter and a compression spring II, a rope cutter inlet and a screw;

[0012] During the storage stage of the rope net, the binding rope passes through the rope cutter inlet through the guide ring. The annular cutter is equipped with a compression spring II, and the cutter guide tube is equipped with a screw. The screw abuts against the other end of the compression spring II to prevent the annular cutter from being accidentally triggered. The outer circumference of the charging tube is threaded, so as to engage with the threaded ribs of the support frame. The position of the rope cutter is adjusted by the thread to solve the problem of deformation and loosening of the binding rope caused by long-term pre-tension.

[0013] During the release phase of the rope net, the igniter is powered on and begins to work, igniting the pyrotechnics to produce gunpowder gas. The annular cutter moves rapidly under the propulsion of the gunpowder gas, cutting the binding rope.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a base, a connection between the base and the mesh frame, and the base and the mesh frame are fixed to the launch payload device by screws.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner wall of the base is equipped with a support guide rail, and the bottom of the support frame is equipped with a vertical plate that cooperates with the support guide rail. The front end of the support guide rail is inclined at a 60-degree angle to ensure that the net bag will not be resisted when it is opened. During the release phase of the rope net, the net bag is released, and the support frame moves in a straight line along the support guide rail.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the significant advantages of this invention are as follows: During the storage phase, a tightening mechanism tightens the net bag, ensuring that the rope net is not affected by external forces and is stored orderly inside the net bag. The rope cutter moves up and down through the threads on the outer wall, changing the tension of the binding rope and improving the reliability of the device. During the launch phase, the compression spring in the tightening mechanism ensures that the net bag can open actively, quickly, and fully, ensuring that the rope net is extracted orderly with minimal resistance. Specifically, this includes the following points:

[0017] (1) During the release phase of the rope net, the rope cutter cuts the binding rope, the compression spring inside the tightening mechanism is released, and the pressure ball drives the elastic metal wire to move, thereby making the net bag unfold quickly and fully unfold, greatly reducing the resistance of the rope net to be pulled out.

[0018] (2) The present invention does not require a separate device to maintain the tension of the binding rope. The rope cutter can be moved up and down by the thread on the outer surface of the rope cutter, which can ensure that the binding effect of the binding rope remains unchanged.

[0019] (3) The rope cutter of the present invention uses a circular blade, which makes the rope cutting more reliable.

[0020] (4) The base of the present invention has a groove in the guide rail, and the boss at the bottom of the support frame is placed inside the groove to play a guiding and supporting role; during the release stage of the rope net, the support frame moves along the guide rail, which greatly improves the unfolding effect of the net bag. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable release device for the spatial rope net of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tightening mechanism of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rope cutter of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged view of the installation method of the binding rope according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged view of the assembly method of the support frame and base of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 1-Net bag, 2-Rope threading ring, 3-Tightening mechanism, 4-Guide ring, 5-Rope cutter, 6-Support frame, 7-Net cylinder frame, 8-Base, 9-Guide tube, 10-Elastic metal wire, 11-Pressure ball, 12-Compression spring I, 13-Binding rope, 14-Rope cutter inlet, 15-Fasting screw, 16-Compression spring II, 17-Ring cutter, 18-Pyrotechnic device, 19-Charging tube, 20-Igniter, 21-Cutter guide tube. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To more intuitively illustrate the features and working method of the invention, the specific embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] like Figure 1-5 As shown, an adjustable active release device for a spatial rope net includes a net bag 1, a tightening mechanism 3, a rope cutter 5, a guide ring 4, a support frame 6, and a net cylinder frame 7.

[0030] The rope net is folded in an orderly manner inside the net bag according to the folding process. The net bag 1 adopts a multi-layer structure, and there is a connection between each layer of the net bag 1 to ensure that the net bag 1 can be fully unfolded under the drive of the tightening mechanism when the tightening mechanism is released and unfolded. The top and bottom ends of the net bag are equipped with rope hanging rings 2 in the circumferential direction.

[0031] The device is equipped with four guide rings 4, which are installed at the upper and lower ends of the support frame 6, and the support frame 6 is installed on one side of the net bag assembly.

[0032] The device includes a tightening mechanism 3, which tightens and releases the net bag assembly. The tightening mechanism consists of an elastic metal wire 10, a guide tube 9, a pressure ball 11, a compression spring I 12, and a binding rope 13. The guide tube 9 is hollow, and the hollow portion of the guide tube 9 houses the pressure ball 11 and the compression spring I 12. Both ends of the guide tube 9 have through holes, and one end of the guide tube 9 is connected to the support frame 6 by screws. The guide tube 9 is symmetrically installed on both sides of the support frame 6. The outer wall of the guide tube 9 has an arc-shaped design, which allows the guide tube 9 to fit tightly against the outer wall of the net bag. The pressure ball 11 has a through hole, through which the elastic metal wire 10 and the binding rope 13 pass to the rope-threading ring 2 and the guide tube 9 to bind the net bag assembly. The elastic metal wire 10 passes through the through hole of the pressure ball 11 and connects to the pressure ball. One end of the binding rope 13 is also connected through the through hole of the clamping ball 11, and the other end of the binding rope 13 is connected through the support frame 6, the guide tube and the rope cutter 5 to the clamping ball 11 in the guide tube 9 at the other end of the support frame 6.

[0033] The rope cutter's function is to cut the binding rope, release the tightening mechanism, and thus allow the net bag assembly to fully open. The rope cutter consists of an igniter 20, a pyrotechnic device 18, a charging tube 19, a ring cutter 17, a compression spring II 16, a rope cutter inlet 14, and a cutter guide tube 21. Two rope cutters 5 are installed in the device. The rope cutters 5 are threadedly connected to the middle rib of the support frame. The igniter 20 is threadedly connected to the bottom of the charging tube. The pyrotechnic device is housed inside the charging tube, and the cutter is installed inside the charging tube. Before operation, the compression spring II ensures that the cutter will not prematurely cut the binding rope.

[0034] The net cylinder consists of a net cylinder frame 7 and a base 8. The base 8 is used to fix the entire rope net storage device, and the net cylinder frame 7 plays a role in fixing and protecting the entire device. The base 8 and the net cylinder frame 7 are connected to the carrier by screws.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the tightening mechanism 3 consists of an elastic metal wire 10, a guide tube 9, a pressure ball 11, a compression spring I 12, and a binding rope 13. During the storage phase of the rope net, the tightening mechanism 3 is in a tightened state, applying a pre-tension force to the binding rope 13 to pull the pressure ball 11, causing the compression spring I 12 to contract and store elastic potential energy. Driven by the pressure ball 11, the elastic metal wire 10 gathers and tightens the net bag 1 assembly. To better secure the rope net, tightening mechanisms 3 are installed at both the upper and lower ends of the net bag 1. During the storage phase, both tightening mechanisms 3 at the upper and lower ends are in the tightened state. During the release phase of the rope net, the rope cutter 5 operates, and the annular cutter 12 of the rope cutter 5 cuts the binding rope 13. After the binding rope 13 loses its pre-tension force, the elastic potential energy stored in the compression spring I 12 is released, and the compression spring I 12 extends along the guide tube 9. The clamping ball 11 and the compression spring I 12 move synchronously, and the elastic metal wire 10 begins to move under the drive of the clamping ball 11. The rope-threading ring 2 has a restraining effect on the movement of the elastic metal wire 10. Under the combined action of the rope-threading ring 2 and the elastic metal wire 10, the net bag 1 opens rapidly in the radial direction.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown, the rope cutter 5 consists of a cutter guide tube 21, an igniter 20, a pyrotechnic device 18, a charging tube 19, a ring cutter 17, a compression spring II 16, a rope cutter inlet 14, and a screw 15. During the rope net storage stage, the binding rope 13 passes through the guide ring 4 from the rope cutter inlet 14. The rope cutter 5 ensures that the binding rope 13 always has pre-tension. The position of the rope cutter 5 is adjusted by thread to address the deformation and loosening of the binding rope 13 caused by prolonged pre-tension. During position adjustment, the screw 15 does not completely fix the cutter guide tube 21 and the rope cutter inlet 14; the screw 15 is tightened only after the position of the rope cutter 5 is determined. During the rope net release stage, the igniter 20 is powered on and begins to work, igniting the pyrotechnic device 18 to generate gunpowder gas. The ring cutter 17 moves rapidly under the propulsion of the gunpowder gas, quickly cutting the binding rope 13.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, the net cylinder consists of a base 8 and a net cylinder frame 7. The base 8 and the net cylinder frame 7 are fixed to the launching payload device with screws. The inner wall of the base 8 is provided with a support guide rail, and the support frame 6 and the base 8 are connected through the support guide rail. The support guide rail plays a guiding and supporting role for the support frame 6. The front end of the support guide rail has a 60-degree inclination angle to ensure that the net bag will not be subject to resistance when it opens. During the release phase of the rope net, the net bag 1 is released quickly, and the support frame 6 moves linearly along the support guide rail.

Claims

1. A spatial rope net adjustable active release device, characterized in that, It includes a net bag (1), a rope-threading ring (2), a tightening mechanism (3), a guide ring (4), a rope cutter (5), a support frame (6), a net tube frame (7), and a base (8); The net bag (1) is set inside the net tube frame (7), and a tightening mechanism (3) is set at the top and bottom of the net bag respectively. The net bag (1) is provided with a rope hanging ring (2), which is threaded through the tightening mechanism (3). Each tightening mechanism (3) includes a guide tube (9), an elastic metal wire (10), a pressure ball (11), a compression spring I (12), and a binding rope (13). The elastic metal wire (10) is arc-shaped, with both ends passing through the guide tube (9) and a pressure ball (11) with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide tube. The other end of the pressure ball (11) is connected to both ends of the binding rope (13). Both guide tubes (9) at both ends are equipped with compression springs I (12) sleeved on the binding rope section. The other ends of the two guide tubes (9) are connected to the support frame (6). The rope cutter (5) is set on the support frame (6). The middle part of the binding rope (13) passes through the rope cutter (5). During the storage stage of the rope net, the tightening mechanism (3) is in a tightened state. The pre-tightening force is applied to the binding rope (13) to pull the pressure ball (11), causing the compression spring I (12) to contract and store elastic potential energy. Under the drive of the pressure ball (11), the elastic metal wire (10) gathers and tightens the net bag. The rope cutter (5) includes a cutter guide tube (21), an igniter (20), a pyrotechnic device (18), a charging tube (19), a ring cutter (17), a compression spring II (16), a rope cutter inlet (14), and a screw (15); During the storage stage of the rope net, the binding rope (13) passes through the rope cutter inlet (14) through the guide ring (4). The annular cutter (17) is equipped with a compression spring II (16), and the cutter guide tube (21) is equipped with a screw (15). The screw (15) holds the other end of the compression spring II (16) to prevent the annular cutter from being accidentally triggered. The outer circumference of the charging tube (19) is threaded, so that it engages with the rib of the support frame (6). The position of the rope cutter (5) is adjusted by the thread to solve the problem of deformation and loosening of the binding rope (13) caused by long-term pre-tension. During the release phase of the rope net, the igniter (20) is powered on and starts working, igniting the pyrotechnics (18) to generate gunpowder gas. The annular cutter (17) moves rapidly under the impetus of the gunpowder gas and cuts the binding rope (13).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame (6) has ribs in the middle that correspond to the upper and lower rope cutters (5). The top and bottom plates of the support frame (6) are equipped with two guide rings (4). The binding rope (13) passing through the guide tube (9) enters the rope cutter (5) through the guide rings (4).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, A flange is provided at one end where the guide tube (9) and the support frame (6) are connected, and the flange is connected to the support frame (6) by screws.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a base (8), which is connected to the mesh frame (7) and the two are fixed to the launch payload device by screws.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inner wall of the base (8) is provided with a support guide rail, and the bottom of the support frame (6) is provided with a vertical plate that cooperates with the support guide rail. The front end of the support guide rail is inclined at a 60-degree angle along the direction of movement of the support frame to ensure that the net bag will not be resisted when it is opened. During the release stage of the rope net, the net bag (1) is released, and the support frame (6) moves in a straight line along the support guide rail.

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