Surface tension reservoir depletion isolation device, method of operation, and surface tension reservoir

Abstract

The application provides a surface tension tank depletion isolation device, a working method and a surface tension tank, and comprises a surface tension tank, a liquid level sensor, a three-way isolation pneumatic valve, a liquid path pipeline and a driving gas pipeline; the liquid level sensor is installed on the surface tension tank; the liquid path pipeline is connected with the surface tension tank and the three-way isolation pneumatic valve; and the three-way isolation pneumatic valve is connected with the driving gas pipeline. In use, the application does not need manual operation, can quickly and accurately judge the depletion state of the propellant in the tank through the liquid level sensor, and can isolate the tank, and is suitable for a propellant distribution system with strict requirements on the unusable amount of the propellant in the surface tension tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tank depletion isolation, and more specifically, to a surface tension tank depletion isolation device, a working method, and a surface tension tank. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, some spacecraft surface tension tanks in the aerospace field have high propellant utilization rates. When the propellant in the surface tension tank is about to run out, rapid isolation is required to ensure the safety of downstream engines. Therefore, a reliable surface tension tank depletion isolation management device needs to be designed to meet the requirements of speed, accuracy, and recoverability, and should operate reliably without manual intervention. Existing technologies, such as patent document CN116085145A, provide a surface tension tank with a convex central partition, but it fails to achieve isolation management when the tank is depleted. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a surface tension tank depletion isolation device, its operating method, and a surface tension tank.

[0004] A surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to the present invention includes: a surface tension tank, a liquid level sensor, a three-way isolation pneumatic valve, a liquid pipeline, and a drive air pipeline;

[0005] A liquid level sensor is installed on the surface tension tank. The liquid pipeline connects the surface tension tank and a three-way isolation pneumatic valve. The three-way isolation pneumatic valve is connected to the drive air pipeline.

[0006] Preferably, an isolation piston is provided inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve, which is allowed to move within the three-way isolation pneumatic valve to realize the opening and closing of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve.

[0007] Preferably, a self-locking valve is provided on the drive air pipeline.

[0008] Preferably, a management device is provided inside the surface tension tank, and the liquid level sensor is installed at the management device.

[0009] Preferably, the end of the drive air line away from the three-way isolation pneumatic valve is connected to an air source.

[0010] Preferably, when the self-locking valve is opened, the high-pressure driving gas in the driving gas line pushes the isolation piston toward the end of the liquid line until the propellant flow line and the liquid line connected to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve are blocked.

[0011] Preferably, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve is designed with a state recovery function.

[0012] Preferably, the liquid level sensor and the self-locking valve are connected to a control device.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. This application requires no manual operation during use. The liquid level sensor can quickly and accurately determine the propellant depletion status in the tank and isolate the tank. It is suitable for propulsion subsystems where the propellant usage in surface tension tanks is strictly limited.

[0015] 2. The three-way isolation pneumatic valve used in this application has the feature of being reversible. After the three-way isolation pneumatic valve enters the isolation state, the self-locking valve can be opened by sending an isolation release command, causing the isolation piston to move in the opposite direction and realizing the restoration of the isolation state. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the state where the propellant has not been depleted;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure under propellant depletion conditions.

[0019] As shown in the figure:

[0020] Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] This embodiment includes: a surface tension tank 1, a liquid level sensor 2, a three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3, a liquid pipeline 4, a drive air pipeline 5, a self-locking valve 6, an isolation piston 7, and a management device 8; the management device 8 is installed inside the surface tension tank 1, the liquid level sensor 2 is installed at the management device 8, the liquid pipeline 4 connects the surface tension tank 1 and the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3, one end of the drive air pipeline 5 is connected to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3, and the other end is connected to an air source.

[0024] An isolation piston 7 is installed inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3. The isolation piston 7 is allowed to move within the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 to achieve the opening and closing of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3. A self-locking valve 6 is installed on the drive air line 5. Specifically, when the self-locking valve 6 is open, the high-pressure drive air in the drive air line 5 pushes the isolation piston 7 toward the end where the liquid line 4 is located until the propellant flow line and the liquid line 4 connected to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 are blocked.

[0025] Meanwhile, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is designed with a state recovery function. After the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 enters the isolation state, the self-locking valve 6 can be opened by sending an isolation release command, causing the isolation piston 7 to move in the opposite direction, thereby realizing the restoration of the isolation state.

[0026] The liquid level sensor 2 and the self-locking valve 6 are connected to the control equipment. The control equipment controls the opening and closing of the self-locking valve 6 based on the information fed back by the liquid level sensor 2, thereby realizing the opening and closing control of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3.

[0027] Working principle:

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, when the propellant in the surface tension tank 1 is not exhausted, the liquid level sensor 2 confirms that the internal liquid level is within an acceptable range and there is no need to send an isolation command; at this time, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is in the normally open state, the isolation piston 7 inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is in the initial state, the self-locking valve 6 is in the closed state, and the propellant in the surface tension tank 1 flows downstream along the propellant flow pipeline;

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, when the propellant in the surface tension tank 1 is about to be exhausted, the propellant level drops to a set height, the liquid level sensor 2 is activated and sends an isolation command to the self-locking valve 6. The self-locking valve 6 opens, causing the isolation piston 7 to contact the high-pressure driving gas in the driving gas pipeline 5. The high-pressure driving gas pushes the isolation piston 7 to move towards the upstream pipeline until it blocks the propellant flow pipeline and the liquid pipeline 4, thus achieving the isolation of the surface tension tank 1.

[0030] When an accidental contact occurs or the tank isolation state needs to be released, a release isolation command can be sent to the self-locking valve 6. The self-locking valve 6 closes and discharges the high-pressure driving gas inside the self-locking valve 6. The isolation piston 7 moves in the opposite direction, causing the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 to return to its normally open state. The propellant in the surface tension tank 1 resumes flow, thereby releasing the isolation state.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] Example 2 is a preferred example of Example 1.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment includes: a surface tension tank 1, a liquid level sensor 2, a three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3, a liquid pipeline 4, a drive air pipeline 5, a self-locking valve 6, an isolation piston 7, and a management device 8.

[0034] Surface tension tank 1, the main propellant carrier;

[0035] Liquid level sensor 2 is used to monitor the propellant liquid level in real time;

[0036] The three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is used to connect and disconnect the propellant pipeline;

[0037] Liquid line 4 is used to connect the surface tension tank 1 to the downstream three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3;

[0038] The drive air line 5 is used to connect the high-pressure drive air source to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3.

[0039] The liquid level sensor 2 can be inserted into the management device 8 of the surface tension tank 1 from the outside during installation and is fixed by a flange, making it convenient to replace the liquid level sensor 2 at any time. The three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is designed with a state recovery function to prevent accidental triggering or malfunction from causing the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 to prematurely isolate the surface tension tank 1.

[0040] When the propellant in surface tension tank 1 is not depleted, the internal liquid level sensor 2 confirms that the internal liquid level is within an acceptable range, and no isolation command needs to be sent. At this time, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 is in the normally open state, its internal isolation piston 7 is in the initial state, and the self-locking valve 6 is in the closed state. Therefore, there is no contact between the high-pressure driving gas in the driving gas line 5 and the isolation piston 7. The propellant in surface tension tank 1 flows downstream.

[0041] When the propellant in the surface tension tank 1 is about to be depleted, the liquid level inside drops to a specific height, activating the internal liquid level sensor 2, which sends an isolation command to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3. Upon receiving the isolation command, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 opens its internal self-locking valve 6, causing the isolation piston 7 to come into contact with the high-pressure driving gas in the driving gas pipeline 5. The high-pressure driving gas pushes the isolation piston 7 towards the upstream pipeline until it blocks the pipeline, thus achieving tank isolation.

[0042] In the event of a malfunction or when it is necessary to release the isolation state of the surface tension tank 1, a release command can be sent to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 via an external control device. The internal self-locking valve 6 of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 closes, releasing the high-pressure driving gas within it. The isolation piston 7 then moves in the opposite direction, causing the three-way isolation pneumatic valve 3 to return to its normally open state, resuming the flow of propellant in the surface tension tank 1, thereby releasing the isolation state.

[0043] When the spacecraft is in orbit, the system can monitor changes in the propellant level in real time and quickly isolate the downstream propellant pipeline of the surface tension tank 1 when the level falls below a set value, thus achieving rapid isolation of the surface tension tank 1. The acquisition of the propellant level in the surface tension tank 1, the determination of propellant depletion, and the execution of the isolation action of the surface tension tank 1 all require no manual operation, enabling rapid and reliable isolation of the surface tension tank 1.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0045] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A surface tension tank depletion isolation device, characterized in that, include: Surface tension tank (1), liquid level sensor (2), three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3), liquid pipeline (4) and driving air pipeline (5); A liquid level sensor (2) is installed on the surface tension tank (1), and the liquid pipeline (4) connects the surface tension tank (1) and the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3). The three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) is connected to the drive air pipeline (5). An isolation piston (7) is provided inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3). The isolation piston (7) is allowed to move inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) to realize the opening and closing of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3). A self-locking valve (6) is provided on the driving air pipeline (5); The self-locking valve (6) is also used to close and isolate the drive air line (5) from the air source when a release isolation command is received, and to discharge the residual high pressure drive air in the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) so that the isolation piston (7) moves in the opposite direction, thereby restoring the normally open state of the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3).

2. The surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface tension tank (1) is equipped with a management device (8), and the liquid level sensor (2) is installed at the management device (8).

3. The surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the drive air line (5) away from the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) is connected to the air source.

4. The surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the self-locking valve (6) is opened, the high-pressure driving gas of the driving gas line (5) pushes the isolation piston (7) toward the end of the liquid line (4) until the propellant flow line and the liquid line (4) connected to the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) are blocked.

5. The surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid level sensor (2) and the self-locking valve (6) are connected to the control device.

6. A method of operating the surface tension tank depletion isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: When the propellant in the surface tension tank (1) is not exhausted, the liquid level sensor (2) confirms that the internal liquid level is within an acceptable range and there is no need to send an isolation command. At this time, the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) is in the normally open state, the isolation piston (7) inside the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) is in the initial state, the self-locking valve (6) is in the closed state, and the propellant in the surface tension tank (1) flows downstream along the propellant flow pipeline; Step S2: When the propellant in the surface tension tank (1) is about to be exhausted, the propellant level drops to a set height, the liquid level sensor (2) is activated and sends an isolation command to the self-locking valve (6). The self-locking valve (6) opens so that the isolation piston (7) contacts the high-pressure driving gas in the driving gas pipeline (5). The high-pressure driving gas pushes the isolation piston (7) to move towards the upstream pipeline until the propellant flow pipeline and the liquid pipeline (4) are blocked, thereby achieving the isolation of the surface tension tank (1). Step S3: When an accidental contact occurs or the tank isolation state needs to be released, a release isolation command can be sent to the self-locking valve (6). The self-locking valve (6) closes to isolate the isolation piston (7) from the driving air pipeline (5) and discharges the residual high-pressure driving air in the three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3), causing the isolation piston (7) to move in the opposite direction. The three-way isolation pneumatic valve (3) returns to its normally open state, and the propellant in the surface tension tank (1) resumes flow, thereby realizing the release of the isolation state.

7. A surface tension storage tank, characterized in that: The surface tension tank depletion isolation device as described in claim 1 is used.

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