A float bag applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle and a reusable launch vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a floating bag applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle and a recoverable launch vehicle, belonging to the technical field of rocket recovery, which includes a capsule body, a control system, an inflation system and a power supply system; the capsule body is a flexible capsule structure with an air chamber inside; the control system is communicatively connected with the navigation system of the launch vehicle, and is used for receiving the navigation control information of the navigation control system of the launch vehicle, and determining a control strategy according to the navigation control information of the launch vehicle to control the opening and inflation of the floating bag; the inflation system is configured to inflate the air chamber according to the control instruction of the control system; the power supply system is used for supplying power to each system in the floating bag. The present invention can be applied to the sea recovery of the first stage of a rocket, effectively reducing the requirement for the rocket landing accuracy, reducing the technical difficulty and cost, improving the reliability of rocket recovery, and having high social and economic value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of rocket recovery, and particularly to a float bag applicable to the sea recovery of launch vehicles. Background Art

[0002] At present, the recovery technologies of launch vehicles mainly include vertical landing recovery technology and sea platform landing recovery technology. The vertical landing recovery technology requires the rocket to have landing legs for support, while the sea platform landing recovery technology requires a landing platform to be provided in sea recovery, and is limited by sea conditions and the stability of the platform. These technologies have certain limitations in practical applications. For example, the rocket landing legs are generally large in size, which will increase the dead weight of the rocket and cause a loss of the carrying capacity of the launch vehicle. The scheme of the rocket landing on the sea platform requires strict requirements for the position, speed and attitude of the rocket during landing, and has high requirements for control accuracy.

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a new technical solution to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a float bag applicable to the sea recovery of launch vehicles and a recoverable launch vehicle, which can be applied to the sea recovery of the first stage of the rocket, effectively reduce the requirements for the rocket landing accuracy, reduce the technical difficulty and cost, improve the reliability of rocket recovery, and have high social and economic value.

[0005] A float bag applicable to the sea recovery of launch vehicles includes:

[0006] A bladder; the bladder is a flexible bladder structure with an air chamber inside;

[0007] A control system; the control system is communicatively connected to the navigation system of the launch vehicle, and is configured to receive the navigation control information of the navigation control system of the launch vehicle, and determine a control strategy according to the navigation control information of the launch vehicle to control the opening and inflation of the float bag;

[0008] An inflation system; the inflation system is configured to inflate the air chamber according to the control instruction of the control system;

[0009] A power supply system; the power supply system is used to supply power to each system in the float bag.

[0010] Preferably, the inflation system includes an explosive inflation device for instantaneously inflating the air chamber.

[0011] Preferably, the inflation system further includes a pumping device for precisely inflating the air chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the air chamber includes one inflation cavity or multiple independent inflation cavities; the explosion inflation device is disposed within the inflation cavity.

[0013] Preferably, the air chamber includes one inflation cavity or multiple independent inflation cavities; the explosion inflation device is disposed within the inflation cavity; an inflation interface for communicating with the air pumping device through a pipeline is provided on the side wall of the inflation cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the floating bladder further includes a deflation valve provided on the side wall of the inflation cavity and an air chamber pressure sensor disposed within the inflation cavity; when the pressure within the inflation cavity is too high, the control system controls the deflation valve to deflate.

[0015] Preferably, the floating bladder further includes a seawater sensor for detecting the entry of the bladder into the water: the detection part of the seawater sensor is disposed outside the bladder that can come into contact with seawater; the seawater sensor is communicatively connected to the control system.

[0016] Preferably, the bladder includes a floating surface and a mounting surface; bladder protrusions are provided on the floating surface; the mounting surface has a bladder groove adapted to the rocket body.

[0017] Preferably, the floating bladder further includes a navigation light system; the navigation light system includes navigation lights disposed outside the bladder.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided a recoverable launch vehicle, including: the floating bladder as described above and a rocket body having a first stage core; the floating bladder is disposed at the front end and the tail end of the first stage core.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle according to the present invention can be applied to the sea recovery of the first stage of a rocket, effectively reducing the requirement for the rocket landing accuracy, reducing the technical difficulty and cost, improving the reliability of rocket recovery, and having high social and economic value.

[0021] 2. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle according to the present invention has a bladder body, which is characterized by being light and foldable. While being able to provide floating support for the launch vehicle, it has a small impact on the self-weight of the rocket, ensuring the rocket's carrying capacity.

[0022] 2. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle according to the present invention has an inflation system for quickly inflating the bladder body, which can buffer the launch vehicle when it splashes into the sea water, reducing damage to the rocket body.

[0023] 3. The air chambers of the bladder of the present invention may include a plurality of independent inflatable cavities, which can ensure the effectiveness of the buoyancy of the floating bladder and avoid the buoyancy failure caused by the damage of the floating bladder.

[0024] 4. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle of the present invention is provided with a deflation valve on the side wall of the inflatable cavity and a chamber pressure sensor arranged in the inflatable cavity, which can achieve precise air supply, effectively ensure the pressure in the air chamber of the bladder, and ensure its buoyancy.

[0025] 5. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle of the present invention is provided with a seawater sensor for detecting the entry of the bladder into the water, which can be used as a backup signal for the control system to deploy the floating bladder and improve the stability of the floating bladder.

[0026] 6. The floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle of the present invention is provided with a navigation light system, which can provide a clear outline at night or in bad weather and provide safety guarantee for the rocket recovery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings in an exemplary but non-limiting manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0028] In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a front structural schematic diagram of the floating bladder of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a side structural schematic diagram of the floating bladder of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the floating bladder and the rocket body in a floating state of the present invention.

[0032] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0033] 10. Bladder; 11. Bladder bulge; 12. Bladder groove; 20. Navigation light system; 30. Inflation system; 40. Control system; 50. Power supply system; 100. Floating bladder; 200. Core first stage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments of this application and the corresponding drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a floating bladder applicable to the sea recovery of a launch vehicle includes: a bladder body 10, a control system 40, an inflation system 30, and a power supply system 50.

[0036] The bladder body 10 is a flexible bladder structure with an air chamber inside.

[0037] The control system 40 is communicatively connected to the navigation system of the launch vehicle, and is configured to receive the navigation control information of the navigation control system of the launch vehicle, and determine a control strategy based on the navigation control information of the launch vehicle to control the opening and inflation of the floating bladder 10.

[0038] The inflation system 30 is configured to inflate the air chamber according to the control instructions of the control system 40.

[0039] The power supply system 50 is used to supply power to each system in the floating bladder.

[0040] Among them, the power supply system 50 is a battery that can supply power independently. When the inflation system 30 and the control system 40 have power requirements, the power supply system 50 can provide stable power supply to ensure the actuation control and continuous operation of the floating bladder.

[0041] Preferably, the inflation system 30 includes an explosive inflation device for instantaneously inflating the air chamber. The explosive inflation device uses the gas generated instantaneously during the explosion to achieve rapid initial inflation. For example, the explosive inflation device can use an explosive inflation substance composed of sodium azide, potassium nitrate, and silicon dioxide to generate nitrogen gas during the explosion for explosive inflation.

[0042] Preferably, the air chamber includes one inflation cavity or multiple mutually independent inflation cavities. The explosive inflation device is arranged in the inflation cavity and can rely on its instantaneous gas production capacity to instantaneously inflate the air chamber in the floating bladder 10. When the air chamber includes multiple mutually independent inflation cavities, the multiple mutually independent inflation cavities can further ensure the effectiveness of the buoyancy of the floating bladder 100 and avoid the buoyancy failure caused by the damage of the floating bladder 10.

[0043] As another embodiment of the present invention, the inflation system 30 further includes a pumping device for precisely inflating the air chamber. The pumping device is powered by the inflation system 30 and is electrically connected to the control system 40. It can continuously inflate after receiving an inflation instruction from the control system 40 to ensure that there is sufficient gas in the air chamber to ensure that the buoyancy bladder 100 has sufficient buoyancy. The pumping device needs to be arranged at the edge of the bladder 10 to ensure that enough external gas can be pumped into the air chamber.

[0044] Preferably, the position of the pumping device on each buoyancy bladder can be adjusted to ensure that the air inlet of the pumping device is above the water line.

[0045] In addition, a floating body can also be arranged on the intake pipeline of the pumping device to ensure that the air inlet is above the water line.

[0046] Preferably, the air chamber includes one inflation cavity or multiple independent inflation cavities, and the explosion inflation device is arranged in the inflation cavity. The side wall of the inflation cavity is provided with an inflation interface for communicating with the pumping device through a pipeline. Through the connection function of the inflation interface, the pumping device continuously inflates the inflation cavity.

[0047] As another embodiment of the present invention, the buoyancy bladder further includes a deflation valve arranged on the side wall of the inflation cavity and an air chamber pressure sensor arranged in the inflation cavity. A deflation valve is arranged on the side wall of each inflation cavity, and an air chamber pressure sensor is arranged in each inflation cavity, which can ensure the uniformity and controllability of each inflation cavity. When the pressure in the inflation cavity is too high, the control system 40 controls the deflation valve to deflate to ensure that the air pressure in the bladder 10 does not exceed the upper limit and prevent the bladder 10 from bursting. At the same time, with the pressure detection function of the air chamber pressure sensor and the cooperation of the deflation valve and the pumping device, precise gas supply can be achieved.

[0048] As another embodiment of the present invention, the buoyancy bladder further includes a seawater sensor for detecting the entry of the bladder 10 into the water. The detection part of the seawater sensor is arranged outside the bladder 10 that can contact seawater, and the seawater sensor is communicatively connected to the control system 40. The seawater sensor can detect whether the buoyancy bladder or the launch vehicle contacts seawater. If it contacts seawater, the seawater sensor sends a signal to the control system 40, and the control system 40 immediately controls the inflation system 30 to perform an inflation action. The seawater sensor can be used as a backup signal for the control system 40 to deploy the buoyancy bladder, improving the stability of the buoyancy bladder.

[0049] As another embodiment of the present invention, the bladder 10 includes a floating surface and a mounting surface; a bladder protrusion 11 is provided on the floating surface, and the bladder protrusion 11 can effectively increase the volume of the bladder 10, thereby increasing its buoyancy. The mounting surface has a bladder groove 12 adapted to the rocket body, and the bladder groove 12 can be in contact with the surface of the rocket body to position the bladder 10, increase the stability of the combination with the rocket body, and effectively prevent the bladder 10 from deviating from the combined position.

[0050] In addition, a communication interface is provided on the mounting surface, which is a line connection port for communication between the floating bladder and the navigation system of the launch vehicle.

[0051] As another embodiment of the present invention, the main body part of the bladder 10 is orange, which is convenient for searching and identifying during rocket recovery.

[0052] As another embodiment of the present invention, the floating bladder further includes a navigation light system 20, and the navigation light system 20 includes navigation lights. The navigation lights are arranged outside the bladder 10, especially on the floating surface. The navigation lights can provide a clear outline at night or in bad weather, providing safety protection for rocket recovery.

[0053] Preferably, the navigation lights include red navigation lights and green navigation lights.

[0054] As Figure 3 shown, a reusable launch vehicle includes: the floating bladder 100 and a rocket body having a core first stage 200; the floating bladder 100 is arranged at the front end and the tail end of the core first stage 200.

[0055] During use, after the core first stage 200 of the reusable launch vehicle is separated from other sub-stages, it descends under the action of gravity, and decelerates in the form of aerodynamic deceleration or power deceleration after reaching a preset height. After reaching the preset height, the floating bladder 100 is ejected, and the inflation system 30 in the bladder quickly inflates the bladder 10. The floating bladder 100 that has completed rapid inflation has a certain buoyancy and buffering effect, and buffers the core first stage 200 at the moment of entering the water. After the core first stage 200 enters the water, it can float above the sea water line under the buoyancy of the floating bladder 100. In addition, when the pressure in the bladder 10 is insufficient, it can be replenished to ensure that the floating bladder 100 has sufficient buoyancy and prevent the core first stage 200 from sinking below the sea surface.

[0056] For ease of description, spatial relative terms, such as "above", "over", "on the upper surface", "upper", etc., may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of one device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "over" other devices or structures will then be positioned "below" or "under" the other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both orientations of "above" and "below". The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the corresponding explanations are made for the spatial relative descriptions used herein.

[0057] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0058] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order different from those illustrated or described herein.

[0059] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating bladder suitable for recovering a launch vehicle at sea, characterized in that: include: The capsule is a flexible capsule structure having an air chamber inside; Control systems; The control system is in communication with the launch vehicle navigation system, and is used to receive navigation control information from the launch vehicle navigation control system, and determine a control strategy based on the launch vehicle navigation control information to control the opening and inflation of the float bag; Inflation system; the inflation system is configured to inflate the air chamber according to the control command of the control system; Power supply system; The power supply system is used to supply power to various systems in the floating bladder; The inflation system includes an explosive inflation device for instantaneously inflating the air chamber; The air chamber comprises a plurality of mutually independent inflatable cavities; the explosive inflatable device is arranged in the inflatable cavity; The inflation system also includes an air pump device for accurately inflating the air chamber; The side wall of the inflation cavity is provided with an inflation interface for communicating with the air pump device through a pipeline; The float bag also includes a deflation valve disposed on the side wall of the inflation cavity and an air chamber pressure sensor disposed in the inflation cavity; when the pressure in the inflation cavity is too high, the control system controls the deflation valve to deflate; The capsule body comprises a floating surface and a mounting surface; a capsule body protrusion is arranged on the floating surface; and the mounting surface has a capsule body groove adapted to the rocket body.

2. The floating bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating bladder also includes a seawater sensor for detecting the bladder entering water: the seawater sensor detection part is arranged on the outside of the bladder that can contact with seawater; the seawater sensor is communicatively connected with the control system.

3. The floating bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buoyancy bag further comprises a navigation light system; the navigation light system comprises a navigation light arranged outside the bag body.

4. A recoverable launch vehicle, characterized in that: include: The floating bag as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and the arrow body having a core stage; the floating bag is arranged at the front end and the tail end of the core stage.

Images