A spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug

Abstract

A spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug, relating to the field of spacecraft thrust assemblies, includes a silicone body and pushers. The silicone body comprises a base and limiting brackets. The base is cylindrical, with one end serving as a sealing surface that contacts the outer end face during use. At least three limiting brackets are provided, each including a support portion and a protrusion. One end of the support portion is connected to the periphery of the sealing surface of the base, and the end of the support portion facing the base axis and away from the sealing surface connects to the protrusion, giving the limiting bracket a hook-like shape. During use, the protrusion contacts the inner end face. The number of pushers corresponds one-to-one with the number of limiting brackets. Each pusher is pre-embedded in the limiting bracket from the end of the base away from the sealing surface, controlling the opening and closing of the limiting bracket. This facilitates the installation and removal of the plug and allows for active control of excess material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a nozzle plug for a spacecraft thrust assembly, and particularly to a nozzle plug used for a spacecraft thrust assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The spacecraft thrust assembly is used to perform orbital and attitude control of the spacecraft. Its nozzle has a smooth conical interior, with a capillary nozzle connected to the top. The smoothness of the nozzle affects the thrust of the thruster. No foreign objects should enter the capillary nozzle, otherwise it will affect the normal operation of the thruster. After installation, the nozzle pointing accuracy must meet technical requirements. External forces on the nozzle after installation must be avoided to prevent it from affecting its installation accuracy. For these reasons, a nozzle cap must be installed at the thruster nozzle to prevent foreign objects from entering, to prevent scratches on the inner conical surface of the nozzle, to serve as a warning, and to prevent the nozzle from being impacted.

[0003] Existing nozzle plugs are split-type meniscus positioning caps, consisting of eight parts: a fixing ring, a meniscus, a sealing ring, a cover plate, and fixing screws. The structure is complex. Installation requires assembling each part step-by-step around the thruster nozzle. The operation is difficult, requiring highly skilled operators. Improper operation can cause parts to detach, and the lack of active foreign object control creates a risk of foreign object contamination. The sealing ring is prone to aging, resulting in poor sealing. The work efficiency is low, requiring 3 minutes to install one nozzle plug. The main components are made of metal, making them heavy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug with advantages such as integrated configuration, lightweight and compact design, material that is not prone to aging, simple and convenient operation, and active control of foreign matter.

[0005] The technical solution provided in this application is as follows:

[0006] A spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug is used to seal the thruster nozzle. The side of the nozzle away from the thruster is the outer end face, and the side of the nozzle facing the thruster is the inner end face. The plug includes a silicone body and pushers. The silicone body includes a substrate and a limiting bracket. The substrate is cylindrical, with one end serving as a sealing surface that contacts the outer end face during use. At least three limiting brackets are provided, each including a support portion and a protrusion. One end of the support portion is connected to the periphery of the sealing surface of the substrate, and the end of the support portion facing the substrate axis and away from the sealing surface is connected to the protrusion, giving the limiting bracket a hook-like shape. During use, the protrusion contacts the inner end face. The number of pushers corresponds one-to-one with the number of limiting brackets. The pushers are pre-embedded in the limiting brackets from the end of the substrate away from the sealing surface, controlling the opening and closing of the limiting brackets.

[0007] The protrusion has an arc-shaped protrusion along the circumferential direction of the sealing surface on its surface. The position of the arc-shaped protrusion closest to the sealing surface is the clamping line. When in use, the clamping line of the limit seat contacts the inner end face of the nozzle.

[0008] The contact position between the pressing line and the inner end face is between the middle position -w1 of the inner end face width and the middle position +w1 of the inner end face width, where - represents moving towards the axis of the base body, + represents moving away from the axis of the base body, and w1 is 20-30% of the width of the inner end face.

[0009] The central angle of each of the aforementioned clamping lines in the circumferential direction of the substrate is 10°-50°.

[0010] Each of the aforementioned push pieces includes an integrally connected pre-embedded section and a pressing section, with one end of the pre-embedded section and the pressing section connected and the angle between them being an obtuse angle. The pre-embedded section is pre-embedded in the limiting card seat along a direction parallel to the axis of the base body, and the pressing section is inclined in a direction away from the axis of the silicone body.

[0011] The distance from the end of the pre-embedded section away from the sealing surface to the sealing surface is greater than the distance from the protrusion to the sealing surface.

[0012] The pre-embedded section is provided with at least two connection holes, and the pressing section is provided with weight reduction holes.

[0013] The assembly method of the substrate and the mounting piece includes: first fixing the pre-embedded section of the mounting piece in the mold, then pouring liquid silicone material into the mold, and obtaining the combination of silicone body and mounting piece after the liquid silicone has solidified.

[0014] The silicone body is made of a flexible material, including silicone rubber.

[0015] The silicone body also includes an anti-detachment hole seat, which is located at the end of the substrate away from the sealing surface. The anti-detachment hole seat is provided with an anti-detachment hole, through which the silicone body can be fixed to the thruster structure by an anti-detachment rope.

[0016] In summary, this application includes at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0017] (1) The main component of this invention is silicone, and the overall weight is light;

[0018] (2) This invention has an integral configuration, and is used as a whole, with a simple structure;

[0019] (3) When using this invention, the installation and removal of the plug can be completed simply by operating the push-button;

[0020] (4) The sealing surface material of this invention is silicone, which is not prone to aging;

[0021] (5) The present invention is equipped with an anti-fall-off hole seat, which can eliminate the hidden danger of excess objects. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of an example of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. Silicone body; 1.1. Substrate; 1.2. Sealing surface; 1.3. Limiting bracket; 1.3.1. Pressing line; 2. Pressing piece;

[0027] 3. Thruster; 3.1. Nozzle; 3.2. Outer end face; 3.3. Inner end face. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] This application discloses a nozzle plug for a spacecraft thrust assembly, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the nozzle 3.1 used to seal the thruster 3 has an outer end face 3.2 on the side of the nozzle 3.1 away from the thruster 3, and an inner end face 3.3 on the side of the nozzle 3.1 facing the thruster 3. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug includes a silicone body 1 and a sheet 2, wherein the silicone body 1 is an integral flexible component.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the silicone body 1 includes: a substrate 1.1, a sealing surface 1.2, a limiting bracket 1.3, and an anti-detachment hole seat 1.4; the substrate 1.1 is the foundation of the entire silicone body and is cylindrical; the sealing surface 1.2 is located at one end of the substrate 1.1, and during use, the sealing surface 1.2 contacts the outer end face 3.2 of the nozzle 3.1 to ensure that the thruster nozzle 3.1 is a closed environment; the limiting bracket 1.3 includes three locations, located around the sealing surface 1.2 of the substrate 1.1, evenly distributed at 120 degrees. The limiting bracket 1.3 includes a support part and a protrusion part. One end of the support part is connected to the periphery of the sealing surface 1.2 of the substrate 1.1, and the end of the support part facing the axis of the substrate 1.1 and away from the sealing surface 1.2 is connected to the protrusion part, making the limiting bracket 1.3 hook-shaped. The surface of the protrusion part facing the sealing surface 1.2 has an arc along the circumferential direction of the sealing surface 1.2. The curved protrusion, with the closest position to the sealing surface 1.2 being the clamping line 1.3.1, ensures that the clamping line 1.3.1 of the limiting seat 1.3 contacts the inner end face 3.3 of the nozzle 3.1 during use, guaranteeing that the plug is securely fixed to the nozzle 3.1. The contact position between the clamping line 1.3.1 and the inner end face 3.3 is between (the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 - w1) and (the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 + w1), where w1 is 20-30% of the width of the inner end face 3.3, (the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 - w1) is the position after moving w1 from the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 towards the axis of the base 1.1, and (the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 + w1) is the position after moving w1 from the middle of the width of the inner end face 3.3 away from the axis of the base 1.1, thus ensuring that the plug is securely fixed. Each limiting bracket 1.3 (i.e., clamping line 1.3.1) has a central angle of 10°-50° on the circumferential direction of the base 1.1, so that the contact between the limiting bracket 1.3 and the inner end face 3.3 is sufficient to ensure that the sealing surface 1.2 and the outer end face 3.2 of the nozzle 3.1 are in relatively uniform contact and sealing. The anti-detachment hole seat 1.4 is provided on the opposite end face of the base 1.1 to the sealing surface 1.2. In use, anti-detachment measures can be set on the anti-detachment hole seat 1.4, such as binding one end of the anti-detachment device to the anti-detachment hole seat 1.4 and the other end to other structures of the thruster 3.

[0031] The three pushers 2 correspond one-to-one with the positions of the limiting brackets 1.3. The three pushers 2 are pre-embedded in the limiting brackets 1.3 of the silicone body 1 from the side away from the sealing surface 1.2. The three pushers 2 are evenly distributed at 120-degree angles around the end of the base 1.1. Each pusher 2 includes an integrally connected pre-embedded section and a pressing section. One end of the pre-embedded section and the pressing section are connected, and the angle between them is obtuse. The pre-embedded section has at least two connecting holes, and the pressing section has weight-reducing holes. The pre-embedded section is pre-embedded in the limiting brackets 1.3 along a direction parallel to the axis of the base 1.1, and the pressing section is inclined away from the axis of the base 1.1. The distance from the end of the pre-embedded section away from the sealing surface 1.2 to the sealing surface 1.2 is greater than the distance from the protrusion to the sealing surface 1.2, so that when the pusher 2 is pressed towards the axis of the silicone body 1, the pusher 2 can better open the limiting brackets 1.3. During pre-embedding, the pre-embedded section of the push plate 2 is fixed inside the mold, and then flexible material is poured into the mold and solidified to obtain silicone body 1. The setting of the connecting hole ensures the stability of the connection between silicone body 1 and push plate 2. In use, the opening and closing of the limiting seat 1.3 is controlled by pressing the push plate 2.

[0032] Detailed installation and usage instructions:

[0033] 1. Check that the nozzle cap is intact and undamaged, with no excess material. If necessary, clean it with a lint-free cloth dampened with anhydrous ethanol.

[0034] 2. Press the metal button 2 with three fingers to slightly open the limiting card holder 1.3.

[0035] 3. Align the axis of the nozzle plug with the axis of the thruster 3; slowly press the sealing surface 1.2 of the nozzle plug against the outer end face 3.2 of the nozzle 3.1 of the thrust assembly, and loosen the metal clip 2.

[0036] 4. Press the three limit holders 1.3 simultaneously with three fingers, repeating 3-4 times, to ensure good contact between the limit holders 1.3 and the inner end face 3.3 of the thrust assembly nozzle 3.1.

[0037] 5. Inspection of plug installation status: The plug is not crooked, and the three limit brackets 1.3 are in good contact with the inner end face 3.3 of the thrust assembly nozzle 3.1.

[0038] 6. When disassembling, first press the metal plate 2 with three fingers to slightly open the limit seat 1.3, and then slowly move the plug away from the thruster 3 along its axis.

[0039] 7. When there are additional prevention and control requirements for high-altitude operations or special environment operations, anti-fall-off measures can be set on the anti-fall-off hole seat 1.4.

[0040] The silicone body is a flexible material. In this invention, the silicone body is made of silicone rubber or a material with similar properties.

[0041] The contents not described in detail in this application specification are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

[0042] The present application has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments and exemplary examples; however, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those skilled in the art will understand that various equivalent substitutions, modifications, or improvements can be made to the technical solutions and implementation methods of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, and all such modifications and improvements fall within the scope of the present application. The scope of protection of the present application is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle plug for a spacecraft thrust assembly, used to seal the nozzle (3.1) of a thruster (3), wherein the side of the nozzle (3.1) away from the thruster (3) is an outer end face (3.2), and the side of the nozzle (3.1) facing the thruster (3) is an inner end face (3.3), characterized in that: It includes a silicone body (1) and a pressing piece (2). The silicone body (1) includes a base (1.1) and a limiting card seat (1.3). The base (1.1) is cylindrical, and one end of the base (1.1) is a sealing surface (1.2). When in use, the sealing surface (1.2) contacts the outer end face (3.2). At least three limiting card holders (1.3) are provided. Each limiting card holder (1.3) includes a support part and a protrusion part. One end of the support part is connected to the periphery of the sealing surface (1.2) of the base (1.1). The end of the support part facing the axis of the base (1.1) and away from the sealing surface (1.2) is connected to the protrusion part, so that the limiting card holder (1.3) has a hook shape. When in use, the protrusion part contacts the inner end face (3.3). The number of pushers (2) corresponds one-to-one with the number of limit holders (1.3). The pushers (2) are pre-embedded in the limit holders (1.3) from the end of the base (1.1) away from the sealing surface (1.2) so as to control the opening and closing of the limit holders (1.3) through the pushers (2). The protrusion has an arc-shaped protrusion along the circumferential direction of the sealing surface (1.2) on the surface facing the sealing surface (1.2). The position of the arc-shaped protrusion closest to the sealing surface (1.2) is the pressing line (1.3.1). When in use, the pressing line (1.3.1) of the limiting seat (1.3) contacts the inner end face (3.3) of the nozzle (3.1). The contact position between the pressing line (1.3.1) and the inner end face (3.3) is between [the middle part of the width of the inner end face (3.3) - w1] and [the middle part of the width of the inner end face (3.3) + w1], where - represents movement towards the axis of the substrate (1.1), + represents movement away from the axis of the substrate (1.1), and w1 is 20-30% of the width of the inner end face (3.3); The assembly method of the substrate (1.1) and the pad (2) includes: fixing the pre-embedded section of the pad (2) in the mold, then pouring liquid silicone material into the mold, and obtaining the combination of silicone body (1) and pad (2) after the liquid silicone is cured; The silicone body (1) also includes an anti-detachment hole seat (1.4), which is located at one end of the substrate (1.1) away from the sealing surface (1.2). The anti-detachment hole seat (1.4) is provided with an anti-detachment hole, through which the silicone body (1) can be fixed to the thruster (3) structure by an anti-detachment rope. The central angle of each of the aforementioned pressing lines (1.3.1) in the circumferential direction of the substrate (1.1) is 10°-50°; Each of the aforementioned press pieces (2) includes an integrally connected pre-embedded section and a pressing section, with one end of the pre-embedded section and the pressing section connected and the angle between them being an obtuse angle. The pre-embedded section is pre-embedded in the limiting card seat (1.3) along a direction parallel to the axis of the base (1.1), and the pressing section is inclined in a direction away from the axis of the silicone body (1). The distance from the end of the pre-embedded section away from the sealing surface (1.2) to the sealing surface (1.2) is greater than the distance from the protrusion to the sealing surface (1.2).

2. The spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pre-embedded section is provided with at least two connection holes, and the pressing section is provided with weight reduction holes.

3. The spacecraft thrust assembly nozzle plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silicone body (1) is made of a flexible material, including silicone rubber.

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