Multi-dimensional adjustable point support satellite parking device and method of use thereof

Abstract

The application provides a multi-dimensional adjustable point type satellite parking device and a use method thereof, which comprises a support frame, an adapter ring and a multi-dimensional adjusting structure, the support frame serves as a mounting base, and the adapter ring is mounted on the support frame; the multi-dimensional adjusting structure comprises an X-direction extension beam, a Y-direction extension beam, a Z-direction support column and an adapter end frame; two Y-direction extension beams are movably mounted on the X-direction extension beam along the Y direction; two adapter end frames are movably mounted on any Y-direction extension beam; the Z-direction support column is movably mounted on any adapter end frame and moves up and down along the Z direction through a thrust bearing. The application realizes the functions that the satellite support column is adjustable in the X and Y horizontal directions, the height and the levelness in the Z direction, by adopting the support frame, the adapter ring and the multi-dimensional adjusting structure; the flexible and adjustable interface form is designed, so that the satellite parking requirements of different interface sizes can be matched; the structure is simple and has strong compatibility and adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of spacecraft space environment simulation test technology, specifically to a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device. Background Technology

[0002] Before a spacecraft is launched into orbit, it must undergo a vacuum thermal test in a space environment simulator (referred to as a vacuum chamber). The vacuum thermal test is an important test item in the spacecraft development process. When conducting a vacuum thermal test, the satellite needs to be vertically placed inside the vacuum chamber to carry out the test, and the interface of the placement device must be compatible with the satellite interface.

[0003] To accommodate the needs of satellites with different interface types and sizes for in-tank parking, the conventional approach is to design dedicated parking devices for different interface types. However, the parking devices designed using this method usually only have one interface requirement, and satellites with other interfaces need to be redesigned later. This approach suffers from poor applicability, high development costs, and long production cycles.

[0004] A Chinese patent with publication number CN215245621U discloses a multifunctional satellite parking and transfer device, including a rotating parking assembly and a support frame. The support frame supports the rotating parking assembly, which includes a satellite parking plate, rolling bearings, and a bearing follower. The satellite parking plate has a support column on its front side for supporting the satellite, and a bearing bracket on its back side. The rolling bearing and the bearing bracket are rotatably connected sideways, and the bearing follower is rotatably connected to the bottom of the bearing bracket. The support frame includes a parking support plate with a circular hole. The rolling bearing supports the rotating parking assembly to rotate on the parking support plate, and the bearing follower rolls inside the circular hole. However, this patent is clearly unsuitable for testing inside a vacuum tank.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a satellite parking device with adjustable spacing in multiple dimensions, which can adapt to the needs of point-supported satellite parking with different interface sizes, as well as the needs of ring-supported satellite parking, greatly improving the compatibility and adaptability of a single satellite parking device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device and its usage method.

[0007] According to the present invention, a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device includes: a support frame, a transition ring, and a multi-dimensional adjustment structure. The support frame serves as the mounting base, the transition ring is mounted on the support frame, and the transition ring has a screw hole for connecting with the satellite mounting surface.

[0008] The multidimensional adjustment structure includes an X-direction extension beam, a Y-direction extension beam, a Z-direction support column, and a transition end frame. A coordinate system is established with the horizontal plane as the XY plane and the vertical direction as the Z-axis. The X-direction extension beam is installed on the transition ring along the X-direction.

[0009] The two Y-direction extension beams are movably mounted on the X-direction extension beam along the Y-direction, and the Y-direction extension beams can move closer to or further away from each other;

[0010] Two transition end frames are movably installed on any one of the Y-direction extension beams, and the two transition end frames installed on the same Y-direction extension beam can move closer to or further away from each other;

[0011] Each of the aforementioned adapter end frames is movably mounted with a Z-axis support column, which moves up and down along the Z-axis via a thrust bearing, and the upper end of the Z-axis support column is provided with a screw hole for connecting to the satellite mounting surface.

[0012] Preferably, the support frame comprises an I-beam or square tube structure.

[0013] Preferably, the adapter ring is made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, the lower end face of the adapter ring is fastened to the support frame, and the upper end face of the adapter ring is provided with a plurality of screw holes along the circumferential direction.

[0014] Preferably, the X-direction extension beam includes a central connecting ring and four outgoing beams. The connecting ring has screw holes corresponding to the adapter ring. The four outgoing beams are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting ring and are all arranged along the X-direction. Each outgoing beam has multiple screw holes along the X-direction.

[0015] Preferably, the Y-direction extension beam comprises a channel steel or I-beam structure, two Y-direction extension beams are symmetrically installed on the X-direction extension beam, each Y-direction extension beam is perpendicular to the overhang beam, and each Y-direction extension beam is fastened to the two overhang beams, and each Y-direction extension beam has multiple screw holes along the Y direction.

[0016] Preferably, the adapter frame includes a hollow square frame structure, and the lower end face of the adapter frame has a screw hole that matches the Y-direction extension beam.

[0017] Preferably, the Z-axis support column is mounted on the upper end face of the adapter frame via the thrust bearing. The thrust bearing is a ball bearing structure, and the thrust bearing can rotate in both directions to drive the Z-axis support column to move up and down.

[0018] Preferably, the upper surface of the Z-axis support column is a circular surface, and the centers of the upper surfaces of the four Z-axis support columns are on the same circle and share the same center with the transition ring.

[0019] According to the present invention, a method for using a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device includes the following steps:

[0020] Step S1: Install the adapter ring on the support frame, install the X-direction extension beam on the adapter ring, and pre-install the two Y-direction extension beams on the X-direction extension beam.

[0021] Step S2: Adjust the distance between the two Y-direction extension beams according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten the installation. Pre-install the four adapter end frames on the Y-direction extension beams.

[0022] Step S3: Adjust the distance between the two transition end frames on the same Y-direction extension beam according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten the installation.

[0023] Step S4: Adjust the height of the Z-axis support column on the adapter frame according to the satellite parking height requirements. At the same time, adjust the levelness of the upper surface of the four Z-axis support columns by fine-tuning the thrust bearing to ensure that the levelness of the upper surface of the four support columns meets the requirements.

[0024] Step S5: Connect the Z-axis support column to the satellite mounting surface.

[0025] Preferably, in step S1, if the satellite mounting surface matches the adapter ring, the adapter ring is directly connected to the satellite mounting surface.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] This invention employs a support frame, a transition ring, and a multi-dimensional adjustment structure. By adjusting the relative positions of the X-axis extension beam, Y-axis extension beam, and Z-axis support column, the spacing in the X, Y, and Z dimensions can be adjusted. This enables arbitrary adjustment of the spacing of the satellite support columns in the X and Y horizontal directions, and adjustment of the height and levelness in the Z direction. The flexible and adjustable interface design can accommodate satellites with different interface sizes. The ring-shaped interface reserved in the transition ring can also accommodate satellites with ring-shaped interfaces. The structure is simple, highly compatible, and adaptable to vacuum and cryogenic environments, meeting the requirements for various types of spacecraft to conduct experiments within vacuum chambers. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a magnified view of a portion of the thrust bearing, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0031] As shown in the figure:

[0032] Support frame 1, Adapter ring 2, X-direction extension beam 3

[0033] 4. Y-direction extension beam; 5. Z-direction support column; 6. Transition end frame.

[0034] Thrust bearing 7 Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device according to the present invention includes: a support frame 1, a transition ring 2, and a multi-dimensional adjustment structure. The support frame 1 serves as the mounting base, and the transition ring 2 is mounted on the support frame 1. The transition ring 2 has screw holes for connecting to the satellite mounting surface. The multi-dimensional adjustment structure includes an X-direction extension beam 3, a Y-direction extension beam 4, a Z-direction support column 5, and a transition end frame 6. A coordinate system is established with the horizontal plane as the XY plane and the vertical direction as the Z-axis. The X-direction extension beam 3 is mounted along the X-direction... On the adapter ring 2; two Y-direction extension beams 4 are movably mounted on the X-direction extension beam 3 along the Y-direction, and the Y-direction extension beams 4 can move closer or further away from each other; two adapter end frames 6 are movably mounted on each Y-direction extension beam 4, and the two adapter end frames 6 mounted on the same Y-direction extension beam 4 can move closer or further away from each other; a Z-direction support column 5 is movably mounted on each adapter end frame 6, and the Z-direction support column 5 moves up and down along the Z-direction through the thrust bearing 7, and the upper end of the Z-direction support column 5 is provided with a screw hole for connecting with the satellite mounting surface.

[0038] To address the shortcomings of existing dedicated satellite vacuum tank parking devices in terms of poor versatility, this application can accommodate point-supported satellite parking requirements with different interface sizes, as well as ring-supported satellite parking requirements, significantly improving the compatibility of a single device.

[0039] This application is mainly applied to vacuum cryogenic environments (temperature below 100K, vacuum degree better than 1×10⁻⁶). -3 The parking device is mainly made of stainless steel and requires degreasing treatment before and after processing to meet the requirements for use under vacuum and low temperature conditions.

[0040] Support frame 1 is the basic base frame of the parking device, mainly used to raise the support height of the satellite inside the vacuum tank. Support frame 1 includes an I-beam or square tube structure, capable of bearing the weight of the satellite, and has a certain safety margin.

[0041] The adapter ring 2 is made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy. Its lower end face is securely mounted on the support frame 1. The upper end face of the adapter ring 2 has multiple circumferentially threaded holes for mounting the X-axis extension beam 3. The upper end face of the adapter ring 2 can also directly interface with a ring-shaped satellite, serving as a support for the ring-shaped satellite. The pitch circle dimension can be designed according to the standard ring-shaped satellite interface.

[0042] The X-direction extension beam 3 provides the Z-direction support column 5 with X-direction movement and adjustment. X-direction adjustment of the Z-direction support column 5 is achieved by moving the Y-direction extension beam 4 to accommodate the X-direction dimensional requirements of the satellite mounting interface. The X-direction extension beam 3 includes a central connecting ring and four outrigger beams. The connecting ring has screw holes corresponding to the adapter ring 2. The four outrigger beams are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting ring and are all along the X-direction. Each outrigger beam has multiple screw holes along the X-direction. Except for the central connecting ring, which requires one ring of screw holes for mating with the adapter ring 2, each of the four outrigger beams requires two rows of screw holes for the Y-direction extension beam 4 to move and fix along the X-direction, adjusting the relative spacing between the two Y-direction extension beams 4 to meet the X-direction spacing requirements of the satellite support point.

[0043] The Y-direction extension beam 4 provides the Z-direction support column 5 with Y-direction movement and adjustment. This adjustment is achieved by moving the transition end frame 6 to accommodate the Y-direction dimensional requirements of the satellite mounting interface. The Y-direction extension beam 4 comprises a channel steel or I-beam structure. Two Y-direction extension beams 4 are symmetrically mounted on the X-direction extension beam 3. Each Y-direction extension beam 4 is perpendicular to the overhanging beam and is securely connected to both overhanging beams. Multiple screw holes are drilled along the Y-direction on each Y-direction extension beam 4. Each Y-direction extension beam 4 requires two rows of screw holes. These holes serve as the mounting interface between the X-direction extension beam 3 below it and the transition end frame 6 above it. They also allow the transition end frame 6 to move back and forth along the Y-direction on its upper surface to adjust the relative spacing of the four transition end frames 6, meeting the Y-direction spacing requirements of the satellite support points.

[0044] The adapter frame 6 is installed on the Y-direction extension beam 4 and serves as a connector between the Z-direction support column 5 and the Y-direction extension beam 6. It is used for the installation, fixation, and height adjustment of the Z-direction support column 5. The adapter frame 6 includes a hollow square frame structure, and the lower end face of the adapter frame 6 has screw holes that match the Y-direction extension beam 4.

[0045] Z-axis support column 5 is installed on the adapter end frame 6 as an interface to support the satellite. The upper end face of the Z-axis support column 5 is aligned with the satellite mounting surface, and the reserved screw holes are used for fastening the connection with the satellite mounting surface. The upper end face of the Z-axis support column 5 is a circular surface, and the centers of the upper end faces of the four Z-axis support columns 5 are on the same circle, and they share the same center with the adapter ring 2.

[0046] Z-axis support columns 5 are mounted on the upper surface of the adapter frame 6 via thrust bearings 7. The main function of thrust bearings 7 is to adjust the height and level of the Z-axis support columns 5. Under load, the level of the four support columns can also be finely adjusted by adjusting the thrust bearings to meet the level requirements of the satellite during experiments in the vacuum chamber. Thrust bearings 7 are ball bearings, capable of rotating in both directions to drive the Z-axis support columns 5 up and down. The thrust bearings 7 are ball bearings, allowing for height adjustment of the Z-axis support columns 5 through forward and reverse rotation, and possessing the ability to ensure that the level of the four Z-axis support columns 5 is consistent, ensuring that the satellite's thermal experiment requires a level of better than 2 mm / m.

[0047] This application, through the configuration of a support frame 1, an adapter ring 2, and a multi-dimensional adjustment structure, and by designing a flexible and adjustable interface, achieves the functionality of arbitrarily adjustable spacing of satellite support columns in the X and Y horizontal directions, and adjustable height and levelness in the Z direction. Furthermore, the ring-shaped interface reserved in the adapter ring 2 can also accommodate the parking requirements of satellites with ring-shaped interfaces, and its stainless steel structure is suitable for use in vacuum cryogenic environments. This application features a simple structure, strong compatibility and adaptability, and can meet the requirements of various types of spacecraft conducting experiments within a vacuum chamber.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] Based on Embodiment 1, the method of using a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device according to the present invention includes the following steps:

[0050] Step S1: Install the adapter ring 2 on the support frame 1, install the X-direction extension beam 3 on the adapter ring 2, and pre-install the two Y-direction extension beams 4 on the X-direction extension beam 3.

[0051] Step S2: Adjust the distance between the two Y-direction extension beams 4 according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten the installation. Pre-install the four adapter end frames 6 on the Y-direction extension beams 4.

[0052] Step S3: Adjust the distance between the two transition end frames 6 on the same Y-direction extension beam 4 according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten the installation.

[0053] Step S4: According to the satellite parking height requirements, adjust the height of the Z-direction support column 5 on the adapter frame 6. At the same time, adjust the levelness of the upper surface of the four Z-direction support columns 5 by fine-tuning the thrust bearing 7 to ensure that the levelness of the satellite mounting surface meets the requirements.

[0054] Step S5: Connect the Z-axis support column 5 to the satellite mounting surface.

[0055] In step S1, if the satellite mounting surface matches the adapter ring 2, the adapter ring 2 is directly connected to the satellite mounting surface.

[0056] The parking device described in this application is used for conducting thermal tests on satellites inside a vacuum tank. When a full-satellite thermal test is required, the entire parking device is first placed inside the vacuum tank, and its support frame 1 is fixedly installed to the bottom of the vacuum tank to ensure a stable connection.

[0057] When using the parking device for point-supported interface satellite parking, first adjust the spacing of the Y-direction extension beams 4 to ensure that the distance between the two Y-direction extension beams 4 in the X-direction meets the satellite interface width requirements, and then screw the Y-direction extension beams 4 onto the X-direction extension beams 3; next, adjust the spacing of the adapter end frames 6 to ensure that the distance between the four adapter end frames 6 in the Y-direction meets the satellite interface width requirements, and then screw the adapter end frames 6 onto the Y-direction extension beams 4; finally, adjust the height of the Z-direction support columns 5. By adjusting the thrust bearings 7, the height of each Z-direction support column 5 can be initially adjusted with a measuring tape to ensure that the satellite parking height requirements are met. Then, with the help of a level or spirit level, fine-tune the thrust bearings 7 to make the height of the four Z-direction support columns 5 consistent, ensuring that the levelness of the four Z-direction support columns 5 in the X and Y directions is better than 2mm / m (this index is usually the levelness index for satellite thermal testing), and tighten the upper and lower thrust bearings 7 of the adapter end frames 6 to ensure a stable connection between the Z-direction support columns 5 and the adapter end frames 6. After the parking device is adjusted, the satellite is hoisted and docked with the four Z-axis support columns 5 of the parking device, and then secured with screws. This completes the docking and parking of the satellite with the parking device.

[0058] When using the parking device for satellite parking via the ring support interface, the X-direction extension beam 3, Y-direction extension beam 4, Z-direction support column 5, adapter end frame 6, and thrust bearing 7 must first be removed, leaving only the support frame 1 and adapter ring 2. The support frame 1 is then fixedly installed to the bottom of the vacuum tank to ensure a secure connection. The satellite is then hoisted and docked with the parking device's docking ring 2, and secured with a ring of screws. This completes the docking and parking of the satellite with the parking device.

[0059] This application achieves adjustable spacing in the X, Y, and Z dimensions by adjusting the relative positions of the X-direction extension beam 3, the Y-direction extension beam 4, and the Z-direction support column 5. This can match the satellite parking requirements of different interface sizes and realize multi-dimensional adjustable functions.

[0060] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0061] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device, characterized in that, include: The support frame (1), the adapter ring (2), and the multi-dimensional adjustment structure are provided. The support frame (1) serves as the installation base, the adapter ring (2) is installed on the support frame (1), and the adapter ring (2) has screw holes for connecting with the satellite mounting surface. The multidimensional adjustment structure includes an X-direction extension beam (3), a Y-direction extension beam (4), a Z-direction support column (5), and a transition end frame (6). A coordinate system is established with the horizontal plane as the XY plane and the vertical direction as the Z axis. The X-direction extension beam (3) is installed on the transition ring (2) along the X direction. The two Y-direction extension beams (4) are movably mounted on the X-direction extension beam (3) along the Y direction, and the Y-direction extension beams (4) can move closer to or further away from each other; Two transition end frames (6) are movably installed on any of the Y-direction extension beams (4), and the two transition end frames (6) installed on the same Y-direction extension beam (4) can move closer to or further away from each other; Each of the aforementioned adapter end frames (6) is movably mounted with a Z-axis support column (5). The Z-axis support column (5) moves up and down along the Z direction via a thrust bearing (7). The upper end of the Z-axis support column (5) is provided with a screw hole for connecting to the satellite mounting surface.

2. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting frame (1) includes an I-beam or square tube structure.

3. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter ring (2) is made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy. The lower end face of the adapter ring (2) is fastened to the support frame (1). The upper end face of the adapter ring (2) is provided with multiple screw holes along the circumferential direction.

4. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The X-direction extension beam (3) includes a central connecting ring and four outgoing beams. The connecting ring has screw holes corresponding to the adapter ring (2). The four outgoing beams are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the connecting ring and are all arranged along the X direction. Each outgoing beam has multiple screw holes along the X direction.

5. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The Y-direction extension beam (4) includes a channel steel or I-beam structure. Two Y-direction extension beams (4) are symmetrically installed on the X-direction extension beam (3). Each Y-direction extension beam (4) is perpendicular to the overhang beam, and each Y-direction extension beam (4) is fastened to the two overhang beams. Each Y-direction extension beam (4) has multiple screw holes along the Y direction.

6. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The adapter frame (6) includes a hollow square frame structure, and the lower end face of the adapter frame (6) is provided with screw holes that match the Y-direction extension beam (4).

7. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Z-axis support column (5) is mounted on the upper end face of the adapter frame (6) via the thrust bearing (7). The thrust bearing (7) is a ball bearing structure and can rotate in both directions to drive the Z-axis support column (5) to move up and down.

8. The multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the Z-axis support column (5) is a circular surface, and the centers of the upper surfaces of the four Z-axis support columns (5) are on the same circle and share the same center with the transition ring (2).

9. A method of using a multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device, characterized in that, The multidimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device according to any one of claims 1-8 includes the following steps: Step S1: Install the adapter ring (2) on the support frame (1), install the X-direction extension beam (3) on the adapter ring (2), and pre-install the two Y-direction extension beams (4) on the X-direction extension beam (3); Step S2: Adjust the distance between the two Y-direction extension beams (4) according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten them. Pre-install the four adapter end frames (6) on the Y-direction extension beams (4). Step S3: Adjust the distance between the two adapter end frames (6) on the same Y-direction extension beam (4) according to the size of the satellite mounting surface and tighten the installation. Step S4: According to the satellite parking height requirements, adjust the height of the Z-direction support column (5) on the adapter frame (6). At the same time, adjust the level of the upper surface of the four Z-direction support columns (5) by fine-tuning the thrust bearing (7) to ensure that the level of the satellite mounting surface meets the requirements. Step S5: Connect the Z-direction support column (5) to the satellite mounting surface.

10. The method of using the multi-dimensional adjustable point-support satellite parking device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, In step S1, if the satellite mounting surface matches the adapter ring (2), the adapter ring (2) is directly connected to the satellite mounting surface.

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