A low gas-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder

Abstract

The application provides a low gas-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder, and belongs to the technical field of solid powder fuel ramjet engines.The feeder comprises a powder pushing module, a powder storage module, a powder feeding module, a powder conveying module and a control module.The feeder has the beneficial effects that: the high-precision servo drive electric cylinder is used to push the piston to convey the powder, and the pressure sensor signal is used to accurately close-loop control the pushing pressure and speed, so that the feeder can always keep the internal pressure stable in a complex environment, and the stability of powder conveying is ensured;the anchor screw powder conveying structure and the servo motor are used to solve the problem that the outlet flow cannot be timely and accurately controlled and adjusted, and only a small amount of powder falling into the powder conveying pipe can be fluidized by using inert gas, so that the gas usage is greatly saved, and the gas-solid ratio can be reduced to below 0.3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solid powder fuel ramjet engine technology, and more particularly to a low gas-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder for use in ships and underwater vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] The metal powder fuel ramjet engine is a novel type of surface / underwater ramjet engine. This engine requires only metal powder as fuel, while using the abundant seawater from the external environment as the oxidizer. This allows it to carry more metal fuel, resulting in high power and long range. It uses metal powder stored in a separate fuel tank. When the engine is running, the fuel supply system delivers the powder into the ramjet combustion chamber, where ignition causes the powdered fuel to react with atomized seawater. The resulting high-temperature, high-pressure products are discharged through the nozzle, generating thrust.

[0003] Currently available powder fuel feeders can be divided into gas-transport type and piston-transport type based on the powder delivery method. The gas-transport type involves introducing fluidizing gas into the storage tank to create a high-pressure environment, thereby offsetting the high-pressure resistance in the combustion chamber. This causes the powder to fluidize and enter the combustion chamber with the gas. Therefore, this type of feeder has problems such as high gas-solid ratio and unstable flow rate. The piston-transport type involves pushing the powder gradually with a piston to offset the high-pressure resistance in the combustion chamber. A fluidizing chamber is set at the outlet to fluidize the powder and deliver it to the combustion chamber. However, this type of feeder has problems such as easy powder blockage, high gas-solid ratio, and unstable flow rate.

[0004] In summary, the various technical limitations of current powder fuel feeders have prevented the widespread use of this type of engine on ships and underwater vehicles. The main challenges include:

[0005] One challenge is how to ensure continuous and stable powder supply under complex operating conditions. Ships and underwater vehicles operate in environments different from the stable land environment. Due to the influence of various waves and ocean currents in the surface and underwater environments, the powder supply unit is constantly in a state of shaking or violent impact, making it difficult to guarantee the stability of the powder supply system.

[0006] Secondly, how to reduce the gas-solid ratio in powder transport. First, because pure metal powders have high reactivity, inert gases are usually used as transport gases. However, due to the limited space in ships and underwater vehicles, it is impossible to provide reconstituted inert gases, thus reducing endurance. Second, too much inert gas entering the combustion chamber will cause the powder to not burn completely, reducing combustion efficiency. Third, whether it is a gas-transported or piston-transported type, the fuel needs to be fluidized in the powder storage tank. Therefore, when the gas volume is low, it cannot be completely fluidized, causing powder blockage. When the gas volume is high, the gas-solid ratio increases.

[0007] Thirdly, how to ensure precise and rapid adjustment of the powder supply. To improve combustion efficiency and ensure the service life of the combustion chamber, the concentration of powder delivered by the supply system should be as uniform as possible. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust the powder supply in a timely and effective manner according to different speed requirements, so that the aircraft can achieve flexible speed response. However, current powder feeders all use the method of adjusting the air supply flow rate to regulate the powder flow rate at the outlet. However, due to the high turbulence state in the fluidization chamber, there is no strict parametric linear relationship between the air supply and the outlet flow rate, that is, it is impossible to precisely adjust the powder flow rate.

[0008] Therefore, proposing a low gas-solid ratio powder feeder that can accurately control and stably output powder flow in complex environments is of great significance for promoting the application of metal powder fuel ramjet engines in ships and underwater vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention provides a low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder. By employing a high-precision servo-driven electric cylinder to push the piston for powder transport, and by setting pressure sensor signals to perform precise closed-loop control of the pushing pressure and speed, the feeder can maintain stable internal pressure in complex environments, thereby ensuring stable powder transport. The use of an anchor screw powder transport structure and a servo motor solves the problem of timely and accurate control and adjustment of the outlet flow rate. At the same time, only an inert gas is needed to fluidize the small amount of powder falling into the powder transport pipe, thus greatly saving gas consumption and reducing the gas-to-solid ratio to below 0.3.

[0010] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder, characterized by comprising a pushing module, a storage module, a feeding module, a conveying module, and a control module. The pushing module includes a pusher motor and a piston; the storage module includes a support, a straight chamber, and a conical chamber; the feeding module includes a screw, a stirring paddle, a coupling, and a screw motor; and the conveying module includes a regulating valve, a flow meter, an air inlet, a conveying pipe, and a nozzle. The pusher motor is a linear pusher electric cylinder, with its output end fixedly connected to one end of a hinge via a thread, and the other end of the hinge connected to the piston. The pusher motor is connected to the support via a connecting plate, the lower surface of which is bolted to a fixed seat. The other end of the fixed seat has a thread matching the straight chamber. The piston is located inside the straight chamber, with a piston sealing ring and a positioning ring on its outer side, and a pressure sensor at the center of its inner surface. The other end of the straight chamber is connected to the larger circle end of the conical chamber via a flange. The conical chamber contains a screw and a stirring paddle, the stirring paddle being wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The "V"-shaped structure has an inclination that matches the taper of the inner wall of the conical chamber. The upper end of the screw is bolted for fixed connection to the stirring paddle, while the lower end passes through the conical chamber and the powder conveying pipe, connecting to the output shaft of the screw motor via a coupling. A sealing ring is provided at the connection between the screw and the conical chamber, and a sealing ring and bushing are provided at the connection with the powder conveying pipe. The powder conveying pipe has a four-way structure; its upper end is threaded and fixed to the small round end of the conical chamber, while its lower end is connected to the screw motor via a connecting seat. An air inlet is located at the right end, and a nozzle at the left end. Both the push rod motor and the screw motor are servo motors, with driver one and driver two at their rear ends. The pressure sensor, flow meter, driver one, and driver two are connected to the controller via data communication cables. The controller receives signals from the pressure sensor to determine the piston's clamping amount, and then controls the push rod motor's speed, start, and stop actions via driver one. Based on preset powder flow rate and gas-solid ratio parameters, driver two controls the screw motor's rotation speed and the flow meter's intake flow rate.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this solution, the hinge is a universal joint coupling.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this solution, the screw's own rotation direction is opposite to that of the top thread.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this solution, the upper end of the cylindrical compartment is provided with a retaining spring groove, and the lower end is provided with a limiting platform.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of this solution, the inner diameter of the powder conveying pipe has a Venturi structure that first decreases and then increases from left to right.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of this solution, the flow meter is a digital gas mass flow meter, and the communication protocol is the same as that of the pressure sensor, driver one, and driver two.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of this solution, a planetary reducer is provided between the screw motor and the screw.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of this solution, grounding wires are provided at the connecting flange between the straight-tube and conical compartments, and at the connection between the screw and the coupling.

[0018] One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0019] By employing a high-precision servo-driven electric cylinder to push the piston for powder transport, and by setting pressure sensor signals to perform precise closed-loop control of the pushing pressure and speed, the powder feeder can maintain stable internal pressure in complex environments, thus ensuring the stability of powder transport. The use of an anchor screw powder transport structure and a servo motor solves the problem of timely and accurate control and adjustment of the outlet flow rate. At the same time, only a small amount of powder falling into the powder transport pipe needs to be fluidized using inert gas, thus greatly saving gas consumption and reducing the gas-solid ratio to below 0.3. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the powder feeder structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the straight-tube cabin structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the anchor screw structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the control module according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figures 1-4In the middle section: 1. Push rod motor, 2. Connecting plate, 3. Bracket, 4. Fixed seat, 5. Straight chamber, 6. Conical chamber, 7. Powder conveying pipe, 8. Air inlet, 9. Connecting seat, 10. Planetary reducer, 11. Screw motor, 12. Coupling, 13. Nozzle, 14. Hinge, 15. Snap ring groove, 16. Positioning ring, 17. Piston seal ring, 18. Piston, 19. Limiting platform, 20. Stirring paddle, 21. Screw, 22. Driver 1, 23. Controller, 24. Pressure sensor, 25. Regulating valve, 26. Flow meter, 27. Driver 2. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This invention provides a low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder. By employing a high-precision servo-driven electric cylinder to push the piston for powder transport, and by setting pressure sensor signals to perform precise closed-loop control of the pushing pressure and speed, the feeder can maintain stable internal pressure in complex environments, thereby ensuring stable powder transport. The use of an anchor screw powder transport structure and a servo motor solves the problem of timely and accurate control and adjustment of the outlet flow rate. At the same time, only an inert gas is needed to fluidize the small amount of powder falling into the powder transport pipe, thus greatly saving gas consumption and reducing the gas-to-solid ratio to below 0.3.

[0027] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0028] like Figures 1-4As shown, a low gas-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder is characterized by comprising a pushing module, a storage module, a feeding module, a conveying module, and a control module. The pushing module includes a pusher motor 1 and a piston 18. The storage module includes a support 3, a straight chamber 5, and a conical chamber 6. The feeding module includes a screw 21, a stirring paddle 20, a coupling 12, and a screw motor 11. The conveying module includes a regulating valve 25, a flow meter 26, an air inlet 8, a conveying pipe 7, and a nozzle 13. The pusher motor 1 is a linear pusher electric cylinder, and its output end is fixedly connected to one end of a hinge 14 via a thread. The other end of hinge 14 is connected to piston 18; push rod motor 1 is connected to bracket 3 via connecting plate 2, and the lower surface of connecting plate 2 is connected to fixed seat 4 via bolts. The other end of fixed seat 4 is provided with threads that match the straight chamber 5. The piston 18 is located inside the straight chamber 5, and a sealing ring 17 and a positioning ring 16 are provided on the outer side. A pressure sensor 24 is provided at the center of the inner surface. The other end of the straight chamber 5 is connected to the large circular end of conical chamber 6 via flange. The conical chamber 6 is provided with screw 21 and stirring paddle 20. The stirring paddle 20 has a "V" shaped structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, and the slope is similar to that of the screw 21 and the stirring paddle 20. The tapered inner wall of the conical chamber 6 is matched. The upper end of the screw 21 is provided with a bolt for fixed connection to the stirring paddle 20, and the lower end passes through the conical chamber 6 and the powder conveying pipe 7. It is connected to the output shaft of the screw motor 11 through the coupling 12. A sealing ring is provided at the connection between the screw 21 and the conical chamber 6, and a sealing ring and a bushing are provided at the connection between the screw 21 and the powder conveying pipe 7. The powder conveying pipe 7 has a four-way structure. The upper end is fixedly connected to the small round end of the conical chamber 6 through a thread, and the lower end is connected to the screw motor 11 through the connecting seat 9. An air inlet 8 is provided at the right end, and a nozzle 13 is provided at the left end. The drive motors of the push rod motor 1 and the screw motor 11 are... All are servo motors, with driver 1 22 and driver 27 respectively at the rear end; the pressure sensor 24, flow meter 26, driver 1 22 and driver 27 are respectively connected to the controller 23 through data communication cables; the controller 23 judges the compression amount of piston 18 by receiving the signal from pressure sensor 24, and then controls the movement speed, start and stop actions of push rod motor 1 through driver 1 22, and controls the speed of screw motor 11 and the air intake flow of flow meter 26 through driver 27 according to preset powder flow rate and gas-solid ratio parameters.

[0029] In practical applications, the hinge 14 is a universal joint coupling. Since the piston 18 moves a long distance in the straight chamber 5, the hinge 14 of the universal joint coupling can effectively prevent the piston 18 from getting stuck due to misalignment.

[0030] In practical applications, the screw 21 rotates in the opposite direction to the top thread. Since the agitator 20 needs to stir the powder, the resistance is relatively large. The reverse thread can prevent the agitator 20 from coming loose. At the same time, in order to reduce the motion resistance of the agitator 20, the blades of the agitator 20 are designed as a conical structure with a thin guide side and a thick follow side.

[0031] In practical applications, the upper end of the cylindrical chamber 5 is provided with a retaining ring groove 15, and the lower end is provided with a limiting platform 19. By setting a retaining ring in the retaining ring groove 15 as the upper limit position, when the piston 18 moves to the upper limit position and the lower limit position respectively, the current of the push rod motor 1 will rise. By setting the current protection threshold, position limit protection can be achieved, avoiding the structural complexity caused by traditional contact limit switches and the problem that non-contact switches are easily affected by metal powder and have low accuracy.

[0032] In practical applications, the inner diameter of the powder conveying pipe 7 is a Venturi structure that first decreases and then increases from left to right. As the high-speed gas ejected from the nozzle 13 forms a negative pressure zone below atmospheric pressure at the throat, the material is drawn into the powder conveying pipe 7. The high-speed gas accelerates the material and converts it into the pressure energy necessary for conveying in the diffusion section. This helps to avoid powder blockage, save gas volume, and reduce the gas-solid ratio.

[0033] In practical applications, the flow meter 26 is a digital gas mass flow meter. Its communication protocol is the same as that of the pressure sensor 24, driver 1 22 and driver 2 27. The digital mass flow meter has higher environmental adaptability and can avoid the phenomenon of unstable measurement caused by shaking. The same communication method can facilitate the simplification of the controller 23 interface.

[0034] In practical applications, a planetary reducer 10 is provided between the screw motor 11 and the screw 21, which can improve the output speed resolution of the screw motor 11, increase the output torque, reduce the motor current, thereby reducing the motor operating temperature and reducing the risk of motor burnout due to sudden powder jamming.

[0035] In practical applications, grounding wires are provided at the connecting flanges of the straight chamber 5 and the conical chamber 6, as well as at the connection between the screw 21 and the coupling 11. Because friction is generated when the stirring paddle 20 stirs the powder, static electricity is easily generated and may cause danger, so grounding wires are needed for protection.

[0036] Working principle:

[0037] The piston 18 is raised to the position of the snap ring groove 15, and powder is loaded into the straight chamber 5. The powder interface is flush with the limiting platform 19. Then the conical chamber 6 and the straight chamber 5 are sealed and fixedly connected by a flange.

[0038] The gas pipe is connected to an external inert gas source, and then connected to the air inlet 8 through the regulating valve 25 and the flow meter 26. At the same time, the nozzle 13 is connected to the combustion chamber through a silicone tube.

[0039] Connect the power and communication cables of driver 1 22, pressure sensor 24, flow meter 26 and driver 27 to controller 23.

[0040] Different speed settings are set according to the powder flow rate. The parameters in each speed setting include the rotation speed of the push rod motor 1, the rotation speed of the screw motor 11, and the gas flow rate of the flow meter 26. The higher the rotation speed of the screw motor 11, the greater the powder flow rate, the greater the movement speed of the push rod motor 1, and the greater the gas flow rate of the flow meter 26.

[0041] When the controller 23 receives the set gear signal, it first sends the corresponding parameter command to the driver 22 to control the push rod motor 1 to drive the piston 18 to move downward. When the pressure sensor 24 detects that the signal has reached the set threshold, the controller 23 sends a command to the flow meter 26 and the driver 27 to control the screw motor 11 to drive the stirring paddle 20 and the screw 21 to rotate, thereby uniformly carrying the powder into the powder conveying pipe 7, and at the same time being transported to the combustion chamber by gas.

[0042] The controller 23 has a closed-loop control program. When the signal from the pressure sensor 24 is too low, the controller 23 controls the push rod motor 1 to accelerate, so that the piston 18 can fully contact the powder and generate pre-tightening force to prevent reverse conveying due to the high pressure environment of the combustion chamber and to avoid unstable flow due to environmental vibration. When the signal from the pressure sensor 24 is too high, the controller 23 controls the push rod motor 1 to decelerate until it is reduced to the set threshold to prevent powder blockage due to excessive pressure. When the current of the push rod motor 1 exceeds the threshold, it means that the piston 18 has reached the limit position. The controller 23 will send a stop signal, and the push rod motor 1 and the screw motor 11 will stop rotating and sound an alarm.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder, characterized in that, The system includes a powder pushing module, a powder storage module, a powder feeding module, a powder conveying module, and a control module. The powder pushing module includes a push rod motor (1) and a piston (18). The powder storage module includes a support (3), a straight chamber (5), and a conical chamber (6). The powder feeding module includes a screw (21), a stirring paddle (20), a coupling (12), and a screw motor (11). The powder conveying module includes a regulating valve (25), a flow meter (26), an air inlet (8), a powder conveying pipe (7), and a nozzle (13). The push rod motor (1) is a linear push rod electric cylinder, with its output end fixedly connected to one end of a hinge (14) via a thread. The other end of the hinge (14) is connected to the piston (18). The connecting plate (2) is connected to the bracket (3). The lower surface of the connecting plate (2) is connected to the fixed seat (4) by bolts. The other end of the fixed seat (4) is provided with a thread that matches the straight chamber (5). The piston (18) is located inside the straight chamber (5). The piston sealing ring (17) and positioning ring (16) are provided on the outer side. The pressure sensor (24) is provided at the center of the inner surface. The other end of the straight chamber (5) is connected to the large circle end of the conical chamber (6) through a flange. The conical chamber (6) is provided with an anchor screw powder conveying structure. The anchor screw powder conveying structure is composed of a screw (21) and a stirring paddle (20). The stirring paddle (20) is a wedge-shaped structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part. The taper of the screw (21) matches the taper of the inner wall of the conical chamber (6). The upper end of the screw (21) is provided with a bolt for fixed connection with the stirring paddle (20), and the lower end passes through the conical chamber (6) and the powder conveying pipe (7). It is connected to the output shaft of the screw motor (11) through a coupling (12). A sealing ring is provided at the connection between the screw (21) and the conical chamber (6), and a sealing ring and a bushing are provided at the connection between the screw (21) and the powder conveying pipe (7). The powder conveying pipe (7) is a four-way structure. The upper end is fixedly connected to the small round end of the conical chamber (6) through a thread, and the lower end is connected to the screw motor (11) through a connecting seat (9). An air inlet (8) is provided at the right end, and a nozzle (13) is provided at the left end. The push rod motor (1) and the screw motor (11) are connected to the conical chamber (6) and the screw motor (11). All drive motors are servo motors, with driver 1 (22) and driver 2 (27) respectively at the rear end; the pressure sensor (24), flow meter (26), driver 1 (22) and driver 2 (27) are respectively connected to the controller (23) through data communication cables; the controller (23) judges the pressing amount of piston (18) by receiving the signal from pressure sensor (24), and then controls the movement speed, start and stop action of push rod motor (1) through driver 1 (22), and controls the rotation speed of screw motor (11) and the air intake flow of flow meter (26) through driver 2 (27) according to the preset powder flow rate and gas-solid ratio parameters.

2. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge (14) is a universal joint coupling.

3. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (21) has a self-helix direction opposite to the helix direction of the top thread.

4. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the cylindrical compartment (5) is provided with a retaining ring groove (15), and the lower end is provided with a limiting platform (19).

5. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the powder conveying pipe (7) has a Venturi structure that first decreases and then increases from left to right.

6. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow meter (26) is a digital gas mass flow meter, and its communication protocol is the same as that of the pressure sensor (24), driver one (22) and driver two (27).

7. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, A planetary reducer (10) is provided between the screw motor (11) and the screw (21).

8. A low gas-to-solid ratio metal powder fuel feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, Grounding wires are provided at the connecting flanges of the straight chamber (5) and the conical chamber (6), as well as at the connection between the screw (21) and the coupling (12).

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