A gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain

Abstract

This application relates to the field of space propulsion technology, specifically to a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain, comprising a gate grid, a gate grid mounting assembly, and a main mounting ring. The gate grid mounting assembly includes a support ring and a fixing ring. One end of the fixing ring is fixedly connected to the support ring, and the other end of the fixing ring forms a clamping area with the end face of the support ring. The lower space in the middle of the fixing ring and the upper space in the middle of the support ring form a non-clamping area. The main mounting ring is an L-shaped rotating structure. This application constrains the gate grid in the axial and circumferential directions through a design of incomplete fixed clamping and guide rails, while leaving it unconstrained in the radial direction, allowing it to expand radially. This prevents warping at the edges of the gate grid and avoids circumferential movement of the aperture alignment, thus preventing angular torque. Simultaneously, it enables radial release of thermal strain from the gate grid, ensuring that gate performance is not affected while maintaining a certain margin between the gate spacing and the safe distance during thermal strain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of space propulsion technology, and more specifically, to a gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain. Background Technology

[0002] Electric propulsion technology, as an advanced space propulsion technology, has been widely used in various space applications, including attitude control, north-south position holding, orbit transfer, atmospheric damping compensation, and main propulsion for deep space exploration. Especially in deep space exploration missions, electric propulsion technology, with its high specific impulse and long lifespan, can significantly reduce propellant usage and increase the spacecraft's payload ratio, demonstrating significant advantages.

[0003] As human exploration of space continues to deepen, the speed increments required for exploration missions are increasing, necessitating the support of high-power ion thrusters. High-power ion thruster gate assemblies are characterized by large apertures and large gate temperature gradients. These characteristics cause significant gate thermal deformation during startup of high-power ion thrusters. Axial thermal expansion reduces the gate spacing (generally less than 1 mm), leading to arcing, short circuits, and other faults under high gate voltage (generally greater than 1000 V), resulting in problems such as failure to start normally or shutdown failure.

[0004] To ensure consistency in the direction of thermal deformation, the gate assembly of an ion thruster typically employs a spherical structure. Under the constraint of fixed edges, axial deformation causes a reduction in the gate pitch. Since the gate has the highest geometric transparency and is in direct contact with the plasma in the discharge chamber, it experiences the greatest thermal deformation. When a high-power ion thruster is started, the insufficient gate pitch caused by the axial expansion of the gate due to thermal strain may lead to faults such as arcing and short circuits. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain. By setting a non-fully fixed clamping and guide rail structure, the gate is constrained only in the axial and circumferential directions, while there is no constraint in the radial direction, thereby realizing the radial release of thermal strain of the gate.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain, including a gate grid, a gate grid mounting assembly, and a main mounting ring. The gate grid mounting assembly includes a support ring and a fixing ring. One end of the fixing ring is fixedly connected to the support ring, and the other end of the fixing ring forms a clamping area with the end face of the support ring. The lower space in the middle of the fixing ring and the upper space in the middle of the support ring form a non-clamping area. Multiple first mounting ears are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the support ring, and multiple guide rails are evenly distributed circumferentially along the middle position of the support ring. All guide rails are located in the non-clamping area. Multiple sliding grooves are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the gate grid. The entire gate grid is fixed between the fixing ring and the support ring through the clamping area, and the outer edge of the gate grid extends into the non-clamping area, allowing the multiple sliding grooves to correspondingly engage with the multiple guide rails. The main mounting ring is an L-shaped rotating body structure with multiple second mounting ears evenly distributed circumferentially. The multiple first mounting ears and the multiple second mounting ears correspondingly engage with each other, fixing the support ring onto the main mounting ring.

[0007] Furthermore, the height of the clamping area is greater than the thickness of the screen gate, and the height of the clamping area is 0.02-0.05mm greater than the thickness of the screen gate along the axial direction. The width of the clamping area is 2-5mm.

[0008] Furthermore, the height of the non-clamping region is 2-3 times the thickness of the screen gate.

[0009] Furthermore, both the support ring and the fixing ring are made of molybdenum alloy, and the end faces of the clamping area formed by the fixing ring and the support ring are coated with molybdenum disulfide.

[0010] Furthermore, the minimum distance between the slide and the central axis is less than the minimum distance between the guide rail and the central axis.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the screen gate is smaller than the outer diameter of the non-clamping area.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner side of the main mounting ring is provided with multiple L-shaped grooves, which are connected to multiple second mounting ears to form multiple cantilever beam structures. The L-shaped grooves of two adjacent cantilever beam structures are in opposite directions.

[0013] Furthermore, acceleration grid mounting interfaces and ion thruster mounting interfaces are evenly distributed along the circumference of the main mounting ring.

[0014] The gate mounting structure provided in this application, which can release thermal strain, has the following advantages:

[0015] This application constrains the gate in the axial and circumferential directions through a non-completely fixed clamping and guide rail design, while leaving it unconstrained in the radial direction, allowing it to expand radially. This prevents the gate from warping at the edges and avoids angular torque caused by circumferential movement in hole alignment. At the same time, it also enables radial release of thermal strain on the gate. In other words, it ensures that the gate performance is not affected and that there is still a certain margin between the gate spacing and the safe distance during thermal strain. This solves the problems of arcing and short circuits caused by insufficient gate spacing due to axial expansion of the gate due to thermal strain during the start-up of high-power ion thrusters. Furthermore, to ensure sufficient thermal strain release, a cantilever beam-shaped support structure is designed on the main mounting ring. The design of adjacent cantilever beams in opposite directions ensures circumferential fixation of the gate. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support ring of a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the retaining ring of a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the connection area after the fixed ring and support ring of the gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain according to the embodiments of this application are combined;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gate of a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall mounting ring of the gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] In the figure: 1-screen gate, 11-slide groove, 2-support ring, 21-first mounting ear, 22-guide rail, 3-fixing ring, 4-main mounting ring, 41-second mounting ear, 42-L-shaped groove, 43-acceleration grid mounting interface, 44-ion thruster mounting interface, 5-clamping area, 6-non-clamping area. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0025] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this 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 where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0026] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0027] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] In addition, the term "multiple" should mean two or more.

[0029] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] like Figure 1-5As shown, this application provides a gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain, including a screen gate 1, a screen gate mounting assembly, and a total mounting ring 4. The screen gate mounting assembly includes a support ring 2 and a fixing ring 3. One end of the fixing ring 3 is fixedly connected to the support ring 2, and the other end of the fixing ring 3 forms a clamping region 5 with the end face of the support ring 2. The lower space in the middle of the fixing ring 3 and the upper space in the middle of the support ring 2 form a non-clamping region 6. Multiple first mounting ears 21 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the support ring 2, and multiple guides are evenly distributed circumferentially along the middle position of the support ring 2. The guide rails 22 are all set in the non-clamping area 6; multiple sliding grooves 11 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the screen gate 1; the screen gate 1 is fixed between the fixing ring 3 and the support ring 2 through the clamping area 5, and the outer edge of the screen gate 1 extends into the non-clamping area 6, so that the multiple sliding grooves 11 and multiple guide rails 22 are correspondingly connected; the total mounting ring 4 is an L-shaped rotating body structure, with multiple second mounting ears 41 evenly distributed circumferentially along its circumference; multiple first mounting ears 21 and multiple second mounting ears 41 are correspondingly connected, so that the support ring 2 is fixed on the total mounting ring 4.

[0031] Specifically, the gate mounting structure that can release thermal strain provided in this application embodiment is mainly used to fix the screen gate 1 of the thruster. The whole structure adopts a "sandwich" structure, which clamps the screen gate L between the screen gate mounting components. When the screen gate 1 is heated and thermal strain occurs, it expands radially under the guidance of the guide rail 22 of the screen gate mounting component, reducing the expansion in the axial direction. The screen gate mounting assembly is mainly used to fix and clamp the screen gate 1. It consists of a support ring 2 and a fixing ring 3. The support ring 2 is located at the bottom and is generally U-shaped, but its outer edge end face is higher than its inner edge end face. The fixing ring 3 is located at the top and is generally L-shaped. Its outer edge end face is fixed to the outer edge end face of the support ring 2 by laser or electron beam welding, so that the fixing ring 3 is fixed on the support ring 2 and combined into an integral structure. After the fixed assembly, the inner edge end face of the fixing ring 3 is correspondingly set to the inner edge end face of the support ring 2, with a small gap in the middle, thus forming a clamping area 5 for clamping the screen gate 1. A gap is also left between the middle ring face of the fixing ring 3 and the middle ring face of the support ring 2. The gap is relatively large and forms a non-clamping area 6, which reduces the resistance when the screen gate 1 slides radially and leaves space for the radial expansion of the screen gate 1 due to heat. In this embodiment, eight guide rails 22 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the middle position of the support ring 2. All eight guide rails 22 are set in the non-clamping area 6. Similarly, eight sliding grooves 11 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the screen gate 1. The positions of the eight sliding grooves 11 and the eight guide rails 22 are correspondingly set. When the thermal strain of the screen gate 1 is released, the screen gate 1 will expand radially through the cooperation of the sliding grooves 11 and the guide rails 22 to ensure that its circumferential position remains unchanged, thereby ensuring the alignment of the small hole of the screen gate 1 with the small hole of the accelerating gate, so as to prevent the generation of angular torque when the ion thruster is working. The main mounting ring 4 is mainly used for the fixed support of the overall structure and to connect with the ion thruster and other accessories. Twelve first mounting ears 21 are evenly distributed around the edge of the support ring 2, and twelve second mounting ears 41 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the main mounting ring 4. The first mounting ears 21 and the second mounting ears 41 are connected one-to-one by bolts or pins to fix the support ring 2 on the main mounting ring 4, so that the entire screen grid 1 can be fixedly installed on the main mounting ring 4, realizing the overall assembly of the ion thruster grid assembly.

[0032] Furthermore, the height of the clamping region 5 is greater than the thickness of the gate 1, the height of the clamping region 5 is 0.02-0.05mm greater than the thickness of the gate 1 along the axial direction, and the width of the clamping region 5 is 2-5mm.

[0033] Furthermore, the height of the non-clamping region 6 is 2-3 times the thickness of the screen gate 1.

[0034] Furthermore, both the support ring 2 and the fixing ring 3 are made of molybdenum alloy, and the end faces of the clamping area 5 formed by the fixing ring 3 and the support ring 2 are coated with molybdenum disulfide.

[0035] Specifically, the gate grid 1 is clamped and fixed between the support ring 2 and the fixed ring 3. The height of the clamping area 5 is slightly greater than the thickness of the gate grid 1, and it has a 0.02-0.05mm of axial space. This achieves a non-complete axial fixation constraint on the gate grid 1 to reduce the resistance when the gate grid 1 releases thermal strain, while ensuring that the edge of the gate grid 1 does not warp or wrinkle significantly under thermal deformation. The overall width of the clamping area 5 is 2-5mm, ensuring that only the edge of the gate grid 1 is clamped and fixed, without affecting the gate aperture. The height of the non-clamping area 6 is 2-3 times the thickness of the gate grid 1, ensuring that this area does not directly contact the gate grid 1. The support ring 2 and the fixed ring 3 are both made of molybdenum alloy. The upper and lower end faces of the clamping area 5 are coated with molybdenum disulfide through surface modification or spraying. That is, molybdenum disulfide coating is applied to the lower surface of the inner edge end face of the fixed ring 3 and the upper surface of the inner edge end face of the support ring 2 to reduce resistance.

[0036] Furthermore, the minimum distance between the slide 11 and the central axis is less than the minimum distance between the guide rail 22 and the central axis.

[0037] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the screen gate 1 is smaller than the outer diameter of the non-clamping region 6.

[0038] Specifically, the minimum distance of the slide groove 11 from the central axis is more than 2 mm smaller than the minimum distance of the guide rail 22 from the central axis, and the outer diameter of the screen gate 1 is more than 2 mm smaller than the outer diameter (length) of the non-clamping area 6. This ensures that the screen gate 1 can move on the guide rail 22 of the non-clamping area 6 through the slide groove 11 when thermal strain occurs, and has sufficient radial expansion sliding release space. The radial sliding release reduces the axial thermal deformation of the screen gate 1, thereby ensuring the safe spacing between the gates during thermal strain.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the inner side of the main mounting ring 4 is provided with multiple L-shaped grooves 42, which are connected to multiple second mounting ears 41 to form multiple cantilever beam structures. The L-shaped grooves 42 of two adjacent cantilever beam structures are oriented in opposite directions. To ensure sufficient thermal strain release, 12 L-shaped grooves 42 are provided on the inner side of the main mounting ring 4. Each L-shaped groove 42 is fixedly connected to a second mounting ear 41, thereby forming a cantilever beam-type fixed support structure. By designing the adjacent cantilever beams in opposite directions, that is, 6 of the L-shaped grooves 42 are in the counterclockwise direction and the other 6 are in the clockwise direction, the circumferential fixation of the screen grid 1 is ensured.

[0040] Furthermore, acceleration grid mounting interfaces 43 and ion thruster mounting interfaces 44 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the main mounting ring 4. The main mounting ring 4 is also provided with acceleration grid mounting interfaces 43 that are connected to the acceleration grid, and ion thruster mounting interfaces 44 that are fixedly connected to the ion thruster.

[0041] Specifically, the gate mounting structure with releasable thermal strain provided in this application ensures that the axial and circumferential positions of the gate 1 are fixed. Through the design of non-completely fixed clamping and guide rail 22, the gate 1 is unrestrained in the radial direction and can expand radially. That is, while ensuring the performance and mechanical resistance of the gate 1, it solves the problems of arcing, short circuit and other faults caused by insufficient gate spacing due to the axial thermal strain expansion of the gate 1 when the high-power ion thruster is started.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain, characterized in that, Includes the screen gate, screen gate mounting assembly, and overall mounting ring, wherein: The screen gate mounting assembly includes a support ring and a fixing ring. One end of the fixing ring is fixedly connected to the support ring, and the other end of the fixing ring forms a clamping area with the end face of the support ring. The lower space in the middle of the fixing ring and the upper space in the middle of the support ring form a non-clamping area. Multiple first mounting ears are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the support ring, and multiple guide rails are evenly distributed circumferentially along the middle position of the support ring, with the multiple guide rails all located in the non-clamping area. Multiple sliding grooves are evenly distributed circumferentially along the edge of the screen gate. The entire screen gate is fixed between the fixed ring and the support ring through the clamping area, and the outer edge of the screen gate extends into the non-clamping area, so that the multiple sliding grooves are correspondingly connected with the multiple guide rails. The main mounting ring is an L-shaped rotating body structure with multiple second mounting ears evenly distributed along its circumference. The multiple first mounting ears and the multiple second mounting ears are correspondingly connected to each other to fix the support ring on the main mounting ring. The inner side of the main mounting ring is provided with multiple L-shaped grooves, which are connected to multiple second mounting ears to form multiple cantilever beam structures. The L-shaped grooves of two adjacent cantilever beam structures are in opposite directions.

2. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the clamping area is greater than the thickness of the screen gate, the height of the clamping area is 0.02-0.05 mm greater than the thickness of the screen gate along the axial direction, and the width of the clamping area is 2-5 mm.

3. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 2, characterized in that, The height of the non-clamping area is 2-3 times the thickness of the screen gate.

4. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the support ring and the fixing ring are made of molybdenum alloy, and the end faces of the fixing ring and the support ring forming the clamping area are both coated with molybdenum disulfide.

5. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 4, characterized in that, The minimum distance between the slide and the central axis is less than the minimum distance between the guide rail and the central axis.

6. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the screen gate is smaller than the outer diameter of the non-clamping area.

7. The gate mounting structure capable of releasing thermal strain according to claim 6, characterized in that, Acceleration grid mounting interfaces and ion thruster mounting interfaces are also evenly distributed along the circumference of the overall mounting ring.

Images