Capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure and electrospray device

Abstract

The application discloses a capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure and an electrospray device, wherein the capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure comprises an electrode sheet and a capillary array structure, a plurality of absorption cells are arranged on the emitting surface of the electrode sheet, each absorption cell is provided with the capillary array structure, and the capillary array structure comprises a plurality of capillary structures; and the height of each capillary structure is greater than or equal to the depth of the absorption cell. In the embodiment of the application, a plurality of absorption cells are arranged on the electrode sheet, and the capillary array structure composed of a plurality of capillary structures in each absorption cell; while ensuring the distribution density of the capillary structure, the absorption cell can also collect the leakage of the capillary type electrospray ion source in actual work, the risk of influence or short circuit caused by the leakage of the capillary type electrospray ion source in actual work can be greatly reduced, and the stability of the capillary type electrospray can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of space electric propulsion, in particular to a capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure and an electrospray device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In related technologies, ionic liquid electrospray refers to the process that when ionic liquid is subjected to the action of a strong enough electric field, the liquid surface is deformed to form a cone, then the liquid cone is gradually elongated and thinned, and finally the liquid cone is broken to form a charged particle or droplet flow. The charged particle / droplet flow formed is accelerated to a very high speed (>10 km / s) under the action of an electric field, forming a plume. According to the different transport modes of the emitting electrode to the ionic liquid, it can be divided into three types: capillary type, external wetting type and porous medium type. In the electrospray ion source, the induction electrode and the emitting electrode applying a positive high voltage or a negative high voltage together constitute an electrode pair, and the required electric field is formed between the electrode pair.

[0003] In the current research, the research on the porous medium type electrospray source is more mature. With the rapid development of microfabrication technology represented by MEMS in recent years, the capillary type electrospray source as the most suitable type for microfabrication technology has thus attracted more attention. The development of microfabrication technology has repeatedly broken through the limitations of the design of the capillary type electrospray source. The capillary type electrospray ion source with extremely small size, precise structure and dense distribution of capillary array will become a new direction for the ionic liquid electrospray source to break through the existing thrust density limit.

[0004] In the practical application of the capillary type electrospray ion source, the density of the capillary array as the charged ion emitting channel needs to reach a certain level, and a mature array configuration that can work stably while maintaining high array density has not yet appeared. Therefore, the design of the capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure is of great significance.

[0005] The design idea of the existing capillary type ionic liquid electrospray structure is mostly to reduce the size of the capillary as much as possible through the super processing capability of MEMS microfabrication technology at a small size, and then arrange the capillary at the maximum density. This type of capillary type electrospray source configuration often cannot avoid the problem of liquid leakage during the emission process of each capillary port in practical work, and the concentrated distribution of small capillaries leads to the convergence of liquid leakage, which affects the working stability of the capillary port. SUMMARY

[0006] The application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems in the prior art. To this end, the application provides a capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure and an electrospray device, which can effectively solve the problem of liquid leakage in a dense capillary array, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of excessive liquid leakage or even short circuit during the operation of the capillary ion liquid electrospray ion source, which affects the internal load of a spacecraft.

[0007] The capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application comprises an electrode sheet and a capillary array structure, the electrode sheet is provided with a plurality of absorption cells on the emitting surface thereof, each absorption cell is provided with the capillary array structure, and the capillary array structure comprises a plurality of capillary structures, and the height of each capillary structure is greater than or equal to the depth of the absorption cell.

[0008] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, the plurality of capillary structures in each absorption cell are arranged in an array manner.

[0009] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, each capillary structure has a gap with the wall surface of the absorption cell.

[0010] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, the electrode sheet is horizontally placed, the capillary structure has a spray hole, and the liquid outlet direction of the spray hole is perpendicular to the emitting surface of the electrode sheet.

[0011] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, the height of the capillary structure is equal to the depth of the absorption cell.

[0012] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, the overall profile of the electrode sheet is square.

[0013] According to the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure according to an embodiment of the application, the array shape of the absorption cell is consistent with the overall shape of the electrode sheet.

[0014] The electrospray device according to another embodiment of the application comprises a liquid inlet module and the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure as described above, and the liquid inlet module is used to deliver ion liquid to the capillary structure.

[0015] The electrospray device according to another embodiment of the application, wherein the liquid inlet module comprises a mounting structure, and the electrode sheet is connected to the mounting structure.

[0016] The electrospray device according to another embodiment of the application, wherein the liquid inlet module is tightly fitted with the capillary structure.

[0017] The capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure and the electrospray device have at least the following beneficial effects: in the embodiment of the application, a plurality of absorption pools are arranged on the emitting surface of the electrode sheet, and a capillary array structure composed of a plurality of capillary structures is arranged in each absorption pool. The capillary array structure can collect the leakage of the capillary type electrospray ion source in actual work while ensuring the distribution density of the capillary structure, can greatly reduce the risk of affecting or short circuit caused by leakage of the capillary type electrospray ion source in actual work, and is beneficial to improving the stability of the capillary type electrospray; the absorption pool arranged on the electrode sheet can greatly reduce the mass of the electrode sheet, thereby reducing the overall weight of the ion source, and facilitating observation and analysis of the actual leakage of the absorption pool after work and adjustment; in addition, the capillary structure arranged in each absorption pool can as much as possible utilize the area of the absorption pool to distribute the capillary structure, so that the density of the capillary structure of the capillary type liquid inlet module is improved again, which is beneficial to improving the performance level and application value.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or can be learned from practice of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 A structure schematic diagram of the capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure of an embodiment of the application;

[0021] Figure 2 A structure schematic diagram of the capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure of an embodiment of the application; Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of part A.

[0022] LIST OF REFERENCES

[0023] 110, electrode sheet; 111, absorption pool; 120, capillary array structure; 121, capillary structure; 1211, spraying hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The embodiments of the application are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference signs represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the application, and cannot be understood as a limitation of the application.

[0025] In the description of the present application, it needs to be understood that the orientation description, such as the orientation or position relationship indicated by the upper, lower, front, rear, left, right and the like, is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element indicated must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0026] In the description of the present application, if the meaning of several is more than one, the meaning of multiple is more than two, greater than, less than, more than and the like are understood as not including the number, above, below, within and the like are understood as including the number. If it is described as first, second, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the sequence of indicated technical features.

[0027] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly limited, the words such as setting, installing, connecting and the like should be broadly understood, and the person skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above words in the present application in combination with the specific content of the technical scheme.

[0028] In the description of the present application, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiment", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in combination with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the exemplary description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0029] The design idea of the existing capillary type ionic liquid electrospray structure is mostly to reduce the size of the capillary as much as possible by the super processing capacity of MEMS micro processing technology in small size, and then arrange them with the maximum density. This kind of capillary type electrospray source configuration often cannot avoid the problem of liquid leakage in the emission process of each capillary port, and then the dense distribution of small capillary leads to the problem of liquid leakage convergence, large blockage of capillary port affecting its working stability.

[0030] Meanwhile, excessive leakage leading to short circuits between the emitter and extractor electrodes is a frequent problem. To address this, a design approach of using grooves around the capillary as absorption pools to buffer leakage at the tube opening has been mentioned. However, designing an absorption pool for each capillary during manufacturing not only increases processing difficulty but also significantly reduces the area occupied by a single capillary on the electrode plate, thus decreasing the density of the capillary array on the electrode plate. In practical applications of ion liquid electrospray ionization, sufficient array density is essential for its viability. Existing capillary-type ion liquid electrospray array structures often cannot maintain a high array density while mitigating the effects of leakage. Excessive leakage during operation significantly impacts the stability of the electrospray ion source, posing a risk of ion liquid contamination of other components. Furthermore, when leakage causes a short circuit between the emitter and extractor electrodes, it inevitably risks burning out the electrospray source and potentially affecting other connected loads.

[0031] In view of this, this application proposes a capillary type ionic liquid electrospray array structure and electrospray device to effectively solve the aforementioned problems.

[0032] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, where, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure in one embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of part A. Referring to the figure, one embodiment of this application discloses a capillary-type ionic liquid electrospray array structure, including an electrode sheet 110 and a capillary array structure 120. Multiple absorption cells 111 are disposed on the emitting surface of the electrode sheet 110, and each absorption cell 111 is provided with a capillary array structure 120. The capillary array structure 120 includes multiple capillary structures 121, and the height of each capillary structure 121 is greater than or equal to the depth of the absorption cell 111.

[0033] In practical applications, each capillary structure 121 is connected to a liquid inlet module, which is used to deliver ionic liquid to the capillary structure 121. The ionic liquid is ejected from the capillary structure 121 and forms an ion electrospray.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the plurality of absorption pools 111 are arranged on the emitting surface of the electrode sheet 110, and the capillary array structure 120 composed of the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 can collect the leakage of the capillary electrospray ion source in actual work while ensuring the distribution density of the capillary structure 121, which can greatly reduce the risk of affecting or short circuiting of the capillary electrospray ion source due to leakage in actual work, and is conducive to improving the stability of the capillary electrospray. In the embodiments of the present application, the absorption pool 111 is arranged on the electrode sheet 110, which can greatly reduce the mass of the electrode sheet 110, thereby reducing the overall weight of the ion source, and facilitating observation and analysis of the actual leakage of the absorption pool 111 after work and adjustment. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the capillary structure 121 containing a plurality of capillary structures 121 is arranged in each absorption pool 111, which can as much as possible utilize the area of the absorption pool 111 to distribute the capillary structure 121, so that the density of the capillary structure 121 of the capillary electrospray ion source is improved again, which is conducive to improving the performance level and application value.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray. Figure 1 Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray. Figure 1 Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray. Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of capillary structures 121 in each absorption pool 111 are arranged in an array manner. In this way, the distribution density of the capillary structure 121 in each absorption pool 111 can be effectively improved, and each capillary structure 121 in the absorption pool 111 can be uniformly distributed, which is conducive to improving the uniformity of the ion liquid electrospray.

[0038] ​​In some embodiments of the present application, the height of the capillary structure 121 is equal to the depth of the absorption pool 111. That is, the end surface of the capillary structure 121 is flush with the emission surface of the electrode sheet 110. In this way, the influence of the wall surface of the absorption pool 111 on the electrospray can be reduced, and the leaked liquid can be collected in the absorption pool 111 when the capillary structure 121 leaks.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 1, the overall profile of the electrode sheet 110 is square. In this way, the absorption pool 111 can be distributed as much as possible on the electrode sheet 110, which helps to improve the distribution density of the capillary structure 121. At the same time, the overall profile of the electrode sheet 110 is square, and the square profile can also serve as a spatial positioning function, so that the electrode sheet 110 is fully aligned when connected with the liquid inlet module, ensuring that each absorption pool 111 remains within the coverage range of the liquid inlet module, so that the leaked liquid can be fully collected in each absorption pool 111. In addition, the square electrode sheet 110 is easy to align when connected, which can effectively reduce the calibration difficulty during installation. Figure 1

[0040] Further, the array shape of the absorption pool 111 is consistent with the overall shape of the electrode sheet 110. In this way, more absorption pools 111 can be distributed on the electrode sheet 110, which can effectively reduce the influence or risk of short circuit of the capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure due to liquid leakage in actual work, and help to improve the stability of the capillary electrospray.

[0041] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses an electrospray device, which comprises a liquid inlet module and a capillary ion liquid electrospray array structure as described above, and the liquid inlet module is used to deliver the ion liquid to the capillary structure 121.

[0042] It is worth understanding that the electrospray device of the embodiments of the present application has all the technical effects of the aforementioned ion liquid spray array structure, which will not be described here.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, the electrospray device comprises a mounting structure, and the electrode sheet 110 is connected with the mounting structure.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the electrode sheet 110 corresponds to the mounting structure of the liquid inlet module, and the two are connected and fixed by adhesion or tight fitting.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present application, the liquid inlet module is tightly fitted with the capillary structure 121. In this way, the probability of liquid leakage at the connection between the capillary structure 121 and the delivery device can be effectively reduced.

[0046] ​The embodiments of the present application are described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present application. In addition, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

Claims

1. A capillary electrospray ion liquid array structure, characterized by, The electrode sheet and the capillary array structure are arranged on the emitting surface of the electrode sheet, and each of the absorption pools is provided with the capillary array structure. The capillary array structure includes a plurality of capillary structures, and the height of each capillary structure is greater than or equal to the depth of the absorption pool. The capillary structure has a jet hole, the liquid outlet direction of the jet hole is perpendicular to the emitting surface of the electrode sheet, and the depth direction of the absorption pool is consistent with the liquid outlet direction of the jet hole.

2. The capillary-type electrospray array structure according to claim 1, wherein The capillary array structure can ensure the distribution density of the capillary structure and collect the leakage of the capillary type electric spray ion source in actual work by using the absorption pool.

3. The capillary-type electrospray array structure according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of capillary structures in each absorption pool are arranged in an array manner.

4. The capillary-type electrospray array structure according to claim 3, wherein The overall profile of the electrode sheet is square.

5. An electrospray device, characterized by, The array shape of the absorption pool is consistent with the overall shape of the electrode sheet.

6. The electrospray device of claim 5, wherein, The electric spray device includes a mounting structure, and the electrode sheet is connected with the mounting structure.

7. The electrospray device of claim 5, wherein, The liquid inlet module is tightly matched with the capillary structure.

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