A diffuser and gas cooling device

Abstract

This invention provides a diffuser and a gas cooling device, relating to the field of aerospace technology. The diffuser mainly consists of several diffuser units connected end-to-end with sealed sections. It provides a vacuum environment for the engine's vacuum chamber. The diffuser units have a tubular structure. When gas is injected into the diffuser unit, the pressure in the vacuum chamber decreases, creating a vacuum environment. The diffuser units at both ends are installed both inside and outside the vacuum chamber, while the diffuser unit in the middle is installed at the vacuum chamber outlet. This allows for the replacement of different diffuser units as needed. Different diffuser units within the vacuum chamber can accommodate different engine models. Furthermore, any damaged diffuser unit can be replaced individually and promptly. This design fully utilizes the limited space of the vacuum chamber and its flanges while reducing the cost of the diffuser.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace technology, and in particular to a diffuser and a gas cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] When developing a new attitude and orbit control rocket engine, determining its high-altitude characteristics is one of the key tasks during ground testing. The thrust of a rocket engine increases with altitude, reaching its maximum in a vacuum environment. Since the ambient pressure during the operation of an attitude and orbit control rocket engine is extremely low, a low-pressure vacuum environment at the corresponding altitude must be established during ground testing to accurately simulate the engine's high-altitude characteristics. To reduce the load on the evacuation equipment, diffusers are commonly used to create the necessary low-pressure environment for the test.

[0003] In high-altitude simulation tests, diffusers are the simplest method of air extraction. A typical structure consists of a supersonic diffuser attached to the engine nozzle. One end of the diffuser is connected to the test vacuum chamber, while the other end is open to the evacuation equipment (or the atmosphere). The exhaust gases from the nozzle are directed towards the diffuser inlet. The high-speed flowing exhaust gases have an ejector effect on the surrounding gas, creating and maintaining a low-pressure environment at the engine location within the test vacuum chamber that is below the diffuser outlet.

[0004] However, traditional diffusers are integral structures, with one end installed inside the vacuum chamber and the other end installed outside. However, this type of diffuser can only be used for a small range of engine models. Furthermore, when a section of the diffuser is damaged, the entire diffuser needs to be replaced, which increases costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a diffuser to solve the technical problems of existing diffusers being integral structures, which require replacing the entire diffuser after partial damage, leading to increased costs, and integral diffusers being only suitable for a small range of engine models.

[0006] The second objective of this invention is to provide a gas cooling device containing a novel diffuser.

[0007] To achieve one of the above objectives, the present invention provides a diffuser for providing a vacuum environment for the vacuum chamber of an engine, comprising several diffuser units that are sealed end to end. The diffuser units are tubular in structure, with the diffuser units at both ends installed both inside and outside the vacuum chamber, and the diffuser unit in the middle position installed at the outlet of the vacuum chamber.

[0008] Optionally, the outer layer of the diffuser unit is provided with a sandwich water-cooling structure.

[0009] Optionally, the interlayer water-cooling structure is a ring-shaped structure and is fitted onto the outer wall of the diffuser unit.

[0010] Optionally, the sandwich water-cooled structure is provided with a spiral baffle.

[0011] Optionally, the sandwich water-cooling structure includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, with the inlet pipe located below the sandwich water-cooling structure and the outlet pipe located above the sandwich water-cooling structure.

[0012] Optionally, the diffuser unit comprises three sections: a first diffuser unit, a second diffuser unit, and a third diffuser unit. The first diffuser unit, the second diffuser unit, and the third diffuser unit are sequentially and sealed together end to end. The first diffuser unit is located inside the vacuum chamber, the second diffuser unit is located at the outlet of the vacuum chamber, and the third diffuser unit is located outside the vacuum chamber.

[0013] Optionally, the first diffuser unit is cylindrical or conical and is connected to the second diffuser unit via a loose flange.

[0014] Optionally, the jacketed water-cooling structure of the first diffuser unit and the third diffuser unit is a single layer, while the jacketed water-cooling structure of the second diffuser unit is a double layer.

[0015] Optionally, the sidewall of the third diffuser unit is corrugated.

[0016] To achieve the second objective mentioned above, the present invention provides a gas cooling device, including any of the diffusers described above, and also including a gas cooler, wherein the tail end of the diffuser is connected and communicates with the head end of the gas cooler.

[0017] The diffuser provided by this invention has the following technical effects:

[0018] This type of diffuser mainly consists of several diffuser units that are sealed end to end. It can provide a vacuum environment for the engine's vacuum chamber. The diffuser unit has a tubular structure. When the combustion gas is injected into the diffuser unit, the pressure in the vacuum chamber decreases, thus creating a vacuum environment. The diffuser units at both ends are installed both inside and outside the vacuum chamber, while the diffuser unit in the middle is installed at the vacuum chamber outlet. This allows for the replacement of different diffuser units as needed. Different diffuser units located in the vacuum chamber can be adapted to different engine models. Furthermore, if any diffuser unit is damaged, it can be replaced individually in a timely manner. This not only makes full use of the limited space of the vacuum chamber and its passage flange but also reduces the cost of the diffuser. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of embodiment 1 of the diffuser of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It contains Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the gas cooling device for the diffuser;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the bent pipe of the gas cooling unit;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of embodiment 2 of the diffuser of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This refers to the cabin pressure during the pulse ignition process of the 4g / s gas flow engine in Example 1.

[0025] Figure 6 It refers to the cabin pressure during the pulse ignition process of the 10g / s gas flow engine in Example 1.

[0026] in, Figures 1-6 :

[0027] 1. First diffuser unit; 11. First inlet pipe; 12. Second outlet pipe;

[0028] 2. Second diffuser unit; 21. Second inlet pipe; 22. Second outlet pipe;

[0029] 3. Third diffuser unit; 31. Third inlet pipe; 32. Third outlet pipe;

[0030] 4. Spiral baffles;

[0031] 5. Loose flange structure; 51. Loose flat bearing; 52. Spring snap ring; 53. Loose flange;

[0032] 6. Sandwich water-cooled structure; 7. Vacuum chamber; 8. Inlet water delivery pipeline; 9. Outlet water delivery pipeline;

[0033] 100. Diffuser;

[0034] 200. Gas cooler; 201. Inlet section; 202. Center section; 203. Outlet section; 204. Elbow joint. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0036] The following is a specific example. Figure 1-6 The diffuser and gas cooling device of the present invention will be described in detail in Examples 1-2.

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of a diffuser provided in this embodiment. This diffuser 100 uses the engine exhaust process to evacuate the vacuum chamber 7, so as to simulate the high vacuum working environment of the engine.

[0039] The diffuser in this embodiment is cylindrical and suitable for engines with a flow rate of 0.4 to 16 g / s.

[0040] Specifically, the diffuser 100 includes several diffuser units that are sealed end-to-end. Each diffuser unit has a tubular structure, allowing fuel gas to pass through its cavity. In this embodiment, it preferably includes three diffuser units, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the three diffuser units are diffuser unit 1, diffuser unit 2, and diffuser unit 3, respectively. Diffuser unit 1, diffuser unit 2, and diffuser unit 3 are sequentially sealed together end to end. Diffuser unit 1 is located inside vacuum chamber 7, diffuser unit 2 is located at the outlet of vacuum chamber 7, and diffuser unit 3 is located outside vacuum chamber 7. Since the diffuser units are spliced, if one diffuser unit is damaged, only that diffuser unit needs to be disassembled, without replacing the entire diffuser, thus reducing costs.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1 has a columnar structure and is connected to the second diffuser unit 2 with a loose flange 53.

[0042] Since the first diffuser unit 1 in this embodiment has a cylindrical structure, this type of diffuser can adapt to engines with a gas flow rate of 0.4 to 16 g / s.

[0043] Several engine ignition tests were conducted using the modified diffuser 100 (the first diffuser unit 1 is a cylindrical structure). During the tests, the pressure inside the vacuum chamber 7 met the technical requirements. Furthermore, after the modification of the diffuser 100, the vacuum level in the vacuum chamber 7 during the engine ignition process was better than before the modification. The test data are as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, before the diffuser 100 was modified, the pressure inside the chamber was already close to 100 Pa when the pressure inside the chamber had not reached equilibrium, and there was an upward trend. After the diffuser was modified, the pressure inside the chamber stabilized within 20 Pa during the pulse ignition of the 4 g / s flow engine.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, during the test of the 10g / s flow engine, the stable pressure inside the chamber was about 200Pa before the modification and about 80Pa after the modification, which significantly improved the vacuum level inside the chamber during the test.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1 and the second diffuser unit 2 are connected by a loose flange 53 structure 5, and the second diffuser unit 2 and the third diffuser unit 3 are also connected by a loose flange 53 structure 5.

[0047] In detail, the loose flange 53 structure 5 includes a loose bearing 51, a spring retaining ring 52, and a loose flange 53. Both the loose bearing 51 and the loose flange 53 have grooves corresponding to the spring retaining ring 52, with smooth rounded edges to facilitate the installation of the loose flange 53. In the non-working state, the loose flange 53 can be pressed down. At this time, the spring retaining ring 52 is compressed and retracted due to the force, and the loose flange 53 slides out of the groove under the force. In the working state, the loose flange 53 is lifted upwards. The spring retaining ring 52 is compressed and retracted in the groove until the groove of the loose flange 53 mates with the spring retaining ring 52, at which point it is installed in place.

[0048] See also Figure 1 As shown, the outer layers of the first diffuser unit 1, the second diffuser unit 2, and the third diffuser unit 3 all have a sandwich water-cooling structure 6. The sandwich water-cooling structure 6 is a ring-shaped structure and is fitted onto the outer wall of the diffuser unit.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1's jacketed water-cooled structure 6 includes a first inlet pipe 11 and a first outlet pipe 12. The first inlet pipe 11 and the first outlet pipe 12 enter and exit the vacuum chamber 7 through the chamber flange plate. The inlet and outlet pipe interfaces are preferably pipe nozzle type. The first inlet pipe 11 is located below the jacketed water-cooled structure 6, and the first outlet pipe 12 is located above the jacketed water-cooled structure 6. At the same time, the jacketed water-cooled structure 6 also has a spiral baffle 4. The spiral baffle and the water-cooled pipe are used in a bottom-in, top-out manner to ensure that the cooling water can flow fully in the jacketed water-cooled structure 6, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0050] The water-cooled structure 6 inside the vacuum chamber 7 operates relatively independently from the water-cooled structure 6 outside the vacuum chamber 7. (Continue to see...) Figure 1 As shown, the jacketed water-cooling structure 6 of the second diffuser unit 2 is double-layered. The jacketed water-cooling structure 6 is equipped with a spiral baffle 4 and is also a ring-shaped structure, which is fitted onto the outer wall of the second diffuser unit 2.

[0051] The second diffuser unit 2's jacketed water-cooling structure 6 also includes a second inlet pipe 21 and a second outlet pipe 22. The second inlet pipe 21 is located below the second diffuser unit 2 and is connected to the inner layer of the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. The second outlet pipe 22 is located above the second diffuser unit 2 and is connected to the outer layer of the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. By passing through the spiral baffle 4, the cooling effect of the second diffuser unit 2 is ensured when the gas passes through.

[0052] Similarly, the third diffuser unit 3 also includes a jacketed water-cooling structure 6, which is a single layer and has a third inlet pipe 31 and a third outlet pipe 32. The third inlet pipe 31 is located below the jacketed water-cooling structure 6, and the third outlet pipe 32 is located above the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. The purpose is also to ensure that the cooling water can flow fully inside the jacketed water-cooling structure 6, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0053] In addition, the third diffuser unit 3 in this embodiment adopts a corrugated structure, which is to prevent deformation caused by alternating hot and cold temperatures, and to facilitate installation with the second diffuser unit 2 and the gas cooler 200.

[0054] This embodiment also provides a gas cooling device, such as... Figure 2 As shown, this gas cooling device includes the aforementioned diffuser 100 and a gas cooler 200. The tail end of the diffuser 100 is connected to and communicates with the head end of the gas cooler 200. The gas cooler 200 can reduce the high-temperature gas generated by the engine from 3000K to below 370K, thereby reducing the heat capacity of the engine gas and reducing the ejector exhaust load.

[0055] like Figure 3As shown, the gas cooler 200 includes an inlet section 201, a center section 202, and an outlet section 203. Below the diffuser 100 and the gas cooler 200, there are inlet water delivery pipes 8 and outlet water delivery pipes 9. Both inlet water delivery pipes 8 and outlet water delivery pipes 9 are laid horizontally. The inlet water delivery pipe 8 is located above the outlet water delivery pipe 9. The inlet water delivery pipe 8 is connected to the inlet water pipe of the diffuser 100 and the inlet water pipe of the gas cooler 200. The outlet water delivery pipe 9 is connected to the outlet water pipe of the diffuser 100 and the outlet water pipe of the gas cooler 200.

[0056] Inlet section 201: The inlet is connected to the diffuser 100 by a loose flange 53 with a nominal diameter of DN550mm. The inlet section 201 is designed as a conical structure. The flange and conical section are cooled by a jacketed water-cooled structure 6, and cooling without dead angles is ensured by spiral plates and other means.

[0057] Central section 202: The main cooling structure is a tube bundle type, through... Figure 4 The elbow joint 204 shown is connected. The gas flow is in the pipe layer and the cooling water flow is in the shell layer. The recommended specification for the cooling pipe is Φ38×3mm. The tube bundle inlet is equipped with a guide cone, a high-temperature baffle, and a high-temperature coating to ensure uniform gas flow and improve the equipment's resistance to ablation. The central section 202 cylinder adopts a sandwich water-cooled structure 6, and the cooling is ensured to be without dead corners through spiral plates and other means. An exhaust port is set at the top. The inlet section 201 and the central section 202 are connected by a flange.

[0058] Outlet section 203: Designed as a single-walled conical structure, the outlet is connected to the gas passage by welding, and the diameter is DN650mm.

[0059] Example 2:

[0060] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic of a diffuser provided in this embodiment. This diffuser 100 uses the engine exhaust process to evacuate the vacuum chamber 7, so as to simulate the high vacuum working environment of the engine.

[0061] The diffuser in this embodiment is a secondary throat type, which can adapt to engines with a gas flow rate of 16 to 40 g / s.

[0062] Specifically, the diffuser 100 includes several diffuser units that are sealed end-to-end. Each diffuser unit has a tubular structure, allowing fuel gas to pass through its cavity. In this embodiment, it preferably includes three diffuser units, such as... Figure 4As shown, the three diffuser units are diffuser unit 1, diffuser unit 2, and diffuser unit 3, respectively. Diffuser unit 1, diffuser unit 2, and diffuser unit 3 are sequentially sealed together end to end. Diffuser unit 1 is located inside vacuum chamber 7, diffuser unit 2 is located at the outlet of vacuum chamber 7, and diffuser unit 3 is located outside vacuum chamber 7. Since the diffuser units are spliced, if one diffuser unit is damaged, only that diffuser unit needs to be disassembled, without replacing the entire diffuser, thus reducing costs.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1 has a secondary throat-like structure and is connected to the second diffuser unit 2 with a loose flange 53.

[0064] Since the first diffuser unit 1 in this embodiment has a secondary throat-like structure, this type of diffuser can adapt to engines with larger flow rates, such as 16 to 40 g / s.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1 and the second diffuser unit 2 are connected by a loose flange 53 structure 5, and the second diffuser unit 2 and the third diffuser unit 3 are also connected by a loose flange 53 structure 5.

[0066] In detail, the loose flange 53 structure 5 includes a loose bearing 51, a spring retaining ring 52, and a loose flange 53. Both the loose bearing 51 and the loose flange 53 have grooves corresponding to the spring retaining ring 52, with smooth rounded edges to facilitate the installation of the loose flange 53. In the non-working state, the loose flange 53 can be pressed down. At this time, the spring retaining ring 52 is compressed and retracted due to the force, and the loose flange 53 slides out of the groove under the force. In the working state, the loose flange 53 is lifted upwards. The spring retaining ring 52 is compressed and retracted in the groove until the groove of the loose flange 53 mates with the spring retaining ring 52, at which point it is installed in place.

[0067] See also Figure 4 As shown, the outer layers of the first diffuser unit 1, the second diffuser unit 2, and the third diffuser unit 3 all have a sandwich water-cooling structure 6. The sandwich water-cooling structure 6 is a ring-shaped structure and is fitted onto the outer wall of the diffuser unit.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first diffuser unit 1's jacketed water-cooled structure 6 includes a first inlet pipe 11 and a first outlet pipe 12. The first inlet pipe 11 and the first outlet pipe 12 enter and exit the vacuum chamber 7 through the chamber flange plate. The inlet and outlet pipe interfaces are preferably pipe nozzle type. The first inlet pipe 11 is located below the jacketed water-cooled structure 6, and the first outlet pipe 12 is located above the jacketed water-cooled structure 6. At the same time, the jacketed water-cooled structure 6 also has a spiral baffle 4. The spiral baffle and the water-cooled pipe are used in a bottom-in, top-out manner to ensure that the cooling water can flow fully in the jacketed water-cooled structure 6, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0069] The water-cooled structure 6 inside the vacuum chamber 7 operates relatively independently from the water-cooled structure 6 outside the vacuum chamber 7. (Continue to see...) Figure 4 As shown, the jacketed water-cooling structure 6 of the second diffuser unit 2 is double-layered. The jacketed water-cooling structure 6 is equipped with a spiral baffle 4 and is also a ring-shaped structure, which is fitted onto the outer wall of the second diffuser unit 2.

[0070] The second diffuser unit 2's jacketed water-cooling structure 6 includes a second inlet pipe 21 and a second outlet pipe 22. The second inlet pipe 21 is located below the second diffuser unit 2 and is connected to the inner layer of the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. The second outlet pipe 22 is located above the second diffuser unit 2 and is connected to the outer layer of the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. By passing through the spiral baffle 4, the cooling effect of the second diffuser unit 2 is ensured when the gas passes through.

[0071] Similarly, the third diffuser unit 3 also includes a jacketed water-cooling structure 6, which is a single layer and has a third inlet pipe 31 and a third outlet pipe 32. The third inlet pipe 31 is located below the jacketed water-cooling structure 6, and the third outlet pipe 32 is located above the jacketed water-cooling structure 6. The purpose is also to ensure that the cooling water can flow fully inside the jacketed water-cooling structure 6, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0072] In addition, the third diffuser unit 3 in this embodiment adopts a corrugated structure, which is to prevent deformation caused by alternating hot and cold temperatures, and to facilitate installation with the second diffuser unit 2 and the gas cooler 200.

[0073] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "head," "tail," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0074] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0075] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A diffuser for providing a vacuum environment for the vacuum chamber of an engine, characterized in that, It includes several diffuser units that are sealed end to end. The diffuser units are tubular in structure. The diffuser units at both ends are installed inside and outside the vacuum chamber, and the diffuser unit in the middle is installed at the outlet of the vacuum chamber. The diffuser unit comprises three sections: a first diffuser unit, a second diffuser unit, and a third diffuser unit. The first diffuser unit, the second diffuser unit, and the third diffuser unit are sequentially and sealed together end to end. The first diffuser unit is located inside the vacuum chamber, the second diffuser unit is located at the outlet of the vacuum chamber, and the third diffuser unit is located outside the vacuum chamber. The first diffuser unit and the second diffuser unit are connected by a loose flange structure, and the second diffuser unit and the third diffuser unit are also connected by a loose flange structure. The first diffuser unit is cylindrical or conical.

2. The diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diffuser unit has an outer layer with a water-cooled sandwich structure.

3. The diffuser according to claim 2, characterized in that, The interlayer water-cooling structure is a ring-shaped structure and is fitted onto the outer wall of the diffuser unit.

4. The diffuser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sandwich water-cooled structure is equipped with a spiral baffle.

5. The diffuser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sandwich water-cooling structure includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, with the inlet pipe located below the sandwich water-cooling structure and the outlet pipe located above the sandwich water-cooling structure.

6. The diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first diffuser unit and the third diffuser unit both have a single-layer jacketed water-cooling structure, while the second diffuser unit has a double-layer jacketed water-cooling structure.

7. The diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewall of the third diffuser unit is corrugated.

8. A gas cooling device, characterized in that, The diffuser includes any one of claims 1-7, and further includes a gas cooler, wherein the tail end of the diffuser is connected and communicates with the head end of the gas cooler.

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