Flow adjusting device and method for solid working medium storage and supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to the electric propulsion technology, and provides a flow adjusting device and method for a solid working medium storage and supply system in order to solve the technical problems that an existing storage and supply unit is low in flow control precision, low in adjusting speed and the like. A working medium shunting cavity, a plurality of capillary tubes and a working medium rectifying cavity are arranged in the adjusting shell; the input end of the working medium shunting cavity is connected with the input interface, and the output end is connected with the input ends of the capillary tubes; the capillary tubes are arranged in the adjusting shell in parallel, and the output end of each capillary tube is connected with the input end of the working medium rectifying cavity. The output end of the working medium rectifying cavity is connected with the output interface; a thermal control device is arranged on the outer surface of each capillary tube, and the thermal control devices on the capillary tubes are correspondingly connected with an external temperature control system and used for providing different environment temperatures for the capillary tubes according to different working medium flows.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to electric propulsion technology, and in particular to a flow regulating device and a regulating method for a solid working fluid storage and supply system. Background Art

[0002] Electric propulsion technology refers to the technology of using electric energy to heat or ionize the working fluid, causing it to dissociate and accelerate, forming a high-speed jet and thus generating reaction thrust. After nearly a century of development, new electric propulsion technologies have been continuously updated and expanded, making significant progress in space electric propulsion technology. At the same time, in order to adapt to the development needs of new technologies and new environments, the types and quantities of electric propulsion working fluids are also increasing.

[0003] Solid working fluid has the advantages of normal pressure storage, no leakage, small size and light weight. The relative atomic weight of iodine in solid working fluid is high, the ionization energy is low, and the reserves of iodine element are large in nature. It is cheap, solid at room temperature, and has good storage performance. It is a good working fluid that can be used in electric thrusters such as ion thrusters and Hall thrusters.

[0004] The design idea of ​​the existing solid working fluid storage and supply system is: through the structure and thermal control design of the working fluid storage tank, the working fluid in the gas state is controlled by the flow of pipelines and valves to reach the thruster discharge channel, and then the next step of ionization is carried out. There are often complex pipeline layouts and valves between the storage tank and the thruster discharge channel to achieve precise control of the working fluid flow; the solid working fluid storage and supply unit currently used has a complex structure, large volume and weight, low flow control accuracy, slow adjustment speed, and there is also the risk of pipeline blockage and unstable flow control, and the flow transportation effect is poor, which cannot meet the needs of modern high-precision control. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems of the existing solid working fluid storage and supply unit, such as complex structure, low flow control accuracy, slow adjustment speed, poor flow transportation effect, easy pipeline blockage and unstable flow control, and to propose a flow regulating device and regulation method for a solid working fluid storage and supply system.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution proposed by the present invention is:

[0007] A flow regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system comprises a regulating shell, and both ends of the regulating shell are respectively provided with an input interface adapted to be connected to an external working fluid storage tank and an output interface adapted to be connected to an external thruster, and the special feature thereof is that a working fluid flow diversion cavity, a plurality of capillaries and a working fluid rectifying cavity are arranged in the regulating shell;

[0008] The input end of the working medium diversion chamber is connected to the input interface, and the output end is connected to the input ends of multiple capillaries, so as to diffuse the diversion working medium into the multiple capillaries;

[0009] The multiple capillaries are arranged in parallel in the regulating housing, and the output end of each capillary is connected to the input end of the working fluid rectifying cavity; the output end of the working fluid rectifying cavity is connected to the output interface, which is used to gather and output the working fluid in the multiple capillaries;

[0010] A thermal control device is provided on the outer surface of each capillary tube, for controlling and adjusting the ambient temperature in each capillary tube;

[0011] Each thermal control device on the capillary tube is connected to an external temperature control system, or a plurality of thermal control devices on the capillary tubes are connected to an external temperature control system, so as to provide different ambient temperatures for the capillary tubes according to different working fluid flow rates.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner diameter of each of the capillaries is 0.3 mm-1 mm.

[0013] Furthermore, the axial cross-section of the working fluid flow splitting cavity is rectangular or triangular, which is used to provide different working fluid flow rates for the capillary tube.

[0014] Furthermore, the thermal control device includes a heating wire wound on the outer surface of the capillary tube, and the heating wire passes through the side wall of the regulating shell and is connected to the external temperature control system.

[0015] Furthermore, the regulating shell, the working fluid flow diversion chamber, the plurality of capillaries and the working fluid rectification chamber are all made of stainless steel.

[0016] Furthermore, there are 2n capillaries, n≥2, two adjacent capillaries form a group, the thermal control device on each group of capillaries is connected to an external temperature control system, and each external temperature control system provides different ambient temperatures for each group of capillaries according to different working fluid flow rates.

[0017] At the same time, the present invention also proposes a flow rate regulating method for a solid working medium storage and supply system, which adopts the above-mentioned flow rate regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system, and its special feature is that it includes the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: Connect the input interface and the output interface of the regulating housing to the external working fluid storage tank and the external thruster respectively;

[0019] Step 2: Connecting the thermal control device on each capillary tube to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries, or grouping multiple capillaries, connecting the thermal control device on each group of capillaries to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries;

[0020] Step 3: weigh the regulating device and record its initial weight as m0, and then place the flow regulating device into the vacuum test chamber;

[0021] Step 4: Set the initial heating group number and heating power of each thermal control capillary, open the external working fluid storage tank, and allow the working fluid to diffuse and flow into the capillary. After time t, close the external working fluid storage tank, take the flow regulating device out of the vacuum test chamber and re-weigh it, and record the corresponding actual weight as m. t , and calculate the corresponding working fluid flow q within time t;

[0022] Step 5: Adjust the number of heating groups and heating power of each thermal control capillary, and measure the working fluid flow rate q corresponding to different numbers of heating groups under different heating power conditions according to the method of step 4, and obtain the calibration result of the corresponding relationship between the number of heating groups, heating power and working fluid flow rate;

[0023] Step 6: According to the calibration results, select the number of heating groups and heating power corresponding to the thermal control capillary that meets the flow regulation requirements, thereby completing the regulation of the solid working fluid flow.

[0024] Furthermore, the initial weight m0 and the actual weight m t , time t and working fluid flow rate q satisfy the following formula:

[0025]

[0026] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0027] [1] The flow regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system of the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to process. By arranging a flow regulating device between an external working fluid storage tank and a thruster, effective transportation of solid working fluid vapor and precise control of a small flow rate can be achieved. Before the solid working fluid vapor flows from the external working fluid storage tank to the downstream thruster discharge chamber, it passes through a working fluid diversion chamber, a plurality of capillaries and a working fluid rectification chamber in the flow regulating device. The arrangement of the plurality of capillaries effectively reduces the length of the pipeline and improves the transmission efficiency of the gaseous solid working fluid. The thermal control device connected to the plurality of capillaries provides different heating temperatures for the capillaries, adjusts the temperature in the capillaries, and achieves precise regulation and control of the working fluid flow rate, effectively improving the flow control accuracy and regulation accuracy of the device.

[0028] [2] The present invention uses one or more external temperature control systems to accurately control the temperature of the capillary tube, and adjusts the condensation amount of the solid working fluid by adjusting the temperature in the capillary tube channel, thereby adjusting the capillary tube opening to meet the ambient temperature required for different working fluid flow rates, thereby achieving refined control of flow rates at different magnitudes, and effectively improving the scope of application and practicality of the regulating device.

[0029] [3] The present invention can adjust the shape of the working fluid diversion cavity according to different working fluid flow rates, so that the capillary tube obtains different air intake volumes, improves the adjustment accuracy of the device, saves adjustment time, and effectively avoids problems such as pipeline blockage and unstable flow control in the adjustment device.

[0030] [4] The flow rate regulation method for a solid working fluid storage and supply system of the present invention has simple operation steps and is easy to implement. By providing different ambient temperatures for the capillary tube, the working fluid flow rate calibration result is obtained, and the use of the capillary tube is adjusted according to the working fluid flow rate calibration result, so that the solid working fluid flow rate meets the system requirements, effectively improving the working fluid flow rate transportation effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a flow rate regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system of the present invention;

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 1-input interface, 2-working fluid diversion chamber, 3-thermal control device, 4-capillary tube, 5-working fluid rectification chamber, 6-output interface, 7-adjustment shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, a flow regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system comprises a regulating shell 7, wherein both ends of the regulating shell 7 are respectively provided with an input interface 1 adapted to be connected to an external working fluid storage tank and an output interface 6 adapted to be connected to an external thruster, and a working fluid diversion chamber 2, a plurality of capillaries 4 and a working fluid rectification chamber 5 are provided in the regulating shell 7; the input end of the working fluid diversion chamber 2 is connected to the input interface 1, and the output end is connected to the input end of the plurality of capillaries 4, so as to diffuse and divert the working fluid into the plurality of capillaries 4; the axial cross-section of the working fluid diversion chamber 2 is a chamber of a rectangle, triangle or other structure, and by adjusting the shape and structure of the working fluid diversion chamber 2, the air intake amount obtained by different capillaries 4 can be changed, thereby changing the working fluid flow rate, and providing different working fluid flow rates for the capillaries 4.

[0035] The output end of the working medium rectifying cavity 5 is connected to the output interface 6, which is used to gather and output the working medium in the multiple capillaries 4;

[0036] A plurality of capillaries 4 are arranged in parallel in the regulating shell 7, and the output end of each capillary 4 is connected to the input end of the working medium rectifying cavity 5; a thermal control device 3 is wound on the outer surface of each capillary 4, which is used to control and adjust the ambient temperature in each capillary 4, and the thermal control device 3 includes a heating wire wound on the outer surface of the capillary 4, and the heating wire passes through the side wall of the regulating shell 7 and is connected to the external temperature control system; the inner diameter of each capillary 4 is 0.3mm-1mm, and the throttling effect of the capillary 4 can be changed by designing capillaries 4 with different inner diameters, thereby changing the working medium flow rate and improving the applicability of the device; if the inner diameter of the capillary 4 is not changed, different ambient temperatures can be obtained by changing the number of capillaries 4 and arranging the capillaries 4 and the thermal control devices 3 thereon in different groups, so as to achieve precise control of flow rates of different magnitudes;

[0037] The thermal control device 3 on each capillary 4 is connected to an external temperature control system, or the thermal control devices 3 on multiple capillaries 4 are connected to an external temperature control system, which is used to provide different ambient temperatures for the capillaries 4 according to different working fluid flow rates, and the change of the ambient temperature inside the capillary 4 is achieved by adjusting the electric heating power of the external temperature control system, thereby adjusting the gas pressure and flow rate of the solid working fluid in the capillary 4; according to the flow regulation needs of different orders of magnitude, each number of adjacent capillaries 4 are divided into a group, and the thermal control devices 3 on the same group of capillaries 4 are connected to the same external temperature control system. The external temperature control system has an independent temperature control function, which adjusts the heating area and heating temperature of the thermal control device 3 to achieve refined control of the flow rate of the solid working fluid.

[0038] The regulating shell 7, the working fluid flow dividing chamber 2, the plurality of capillaries 4 and the working fluid rectifying chamber 5 are all made of stainless steel, which can effectively ensure the material compatibility of the regulating device and the solid working fluid, and can effectively improve the heat transfer efficiency of the thermal control device 3 and save the regulating time.

[0039] The vaporized solid working fluid is injected into the regulating device from the external working fluid storage tank through the input interface 1. The solid working fluid flows into the working fluid diversion chamber 2 due to the gas pressure and continues to diffuse into the capillary 4. The working fluid flow rate in the capillary 4 is controlled by the thermal control device 3 on the capillary 4. The gaseous working fluid diffuses and converges in the working fluid diversion chamber 2 and is finally injected from the working fluid diversion chamber 2 into the discharge channel of the external thruster, thereby realizing a small flow output of the working fluid.

[0040] At the same time, this embodiment also proposes a regulation method using the above-mentioned flow regulating device for the solid working fluid storage and supply system, comprising the following steps:

[0041] Step 1: Connect the input interface 1 and the output interface 6 of the regulating housing 7 to the external working fluid storage tank and the external thruster respectively;

[0042] Step 2: Connect the thermal control device 3 on each capillary 4 to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries, or group the multiple capillaries 4 and connect the thermal control device 3 on each group of capillaries 4 to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries;

[0043] Step 3: weigh the regulating device and record its initial weight as m0, and then place the flow regulating device into the vacuum test chamber;

[0044] Step 4: Set the initial heating group number and heating power of each thermal control capillary, open the external working fluid storage tank, and allow the working fluid to diffuse and flow into the capillary 4. After time t, close the external working fluid storage tank, take the flow regulating device out of the vacuum test chamber and re-weigh it, and record the corresponding actual weight as m. t , and calculate the corresponding working fluid flow q within time t;

[0045] Initial weight m0, actual weight m t , time t and working fluid flow rate q satisfy the following formula:

[0046]

[0047] Step 5: Adjust the number of heating groups and heating power of each thermal control capillary, and measure the working fluid flow rate q corresponding to different numbers of heating groups under different heating power conditions according to the method of step 4, and obtain the calibration result of the corresponding relationship between the number of heating groups, heating power and working fluid flow rate;

[0048] Step 6: According to the calibration results, select the number of heating groups and heating power corresponding to the thermal control capillary that meets the flow regulation requirements, thereby completing the regulation of the solid working fluid flow.

Claims

1. A flow regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system, comprising a regulating housing (7), wherein both ends of the regulating housing (7) are respectively provided with an input interface (1) adapted to be connected to an external working fluid storage tank and an output interface (6) adapted to be connected to an external thruster, wherein: The regulating housing (7) is provided with a working medium flow diversion chamber (2), a plurality of capillaries (4) and a working medium flow rectification chamber (5); The input end of the working medium diversion chamber (2) is connected to the input interface (1), and the output end is connected to the input ends of a plurality of capillaries (4), so as to diffuse the diversion working medium into the plurality of capillaries (4); The plurality of capillaries (4) are arranged in parallel in the regulating housing (7); the output end of each of the capillaries (4) is connected to the input end of the working fluid rectifying cavity (5); the output end of the working fluid rectifying cavity (5) is connected to the output interface (6) for gathering and outputting the working fluid in the plurality of capillaries (4); A thermal control device (3) is provided on the outer surface of each capillary tube (4) for controlling and adjusting the ambient temperature in each capillary tube (4); Each thermal control device (3) on the capillary tube (4) is connected to an external temperature control system, or the thermal control devices (3) on a plurality of capillaries (4) are connected to an external temperature control system, so as to provide different ambient temperatures for the capillary tube (4) according to different working fluid flow rates.

2. A flow regulating device for a solid working fluid storage and supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of each capillary (4) is 0.3 mm-1 mm.

3. A flow regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The axial cross-section of the working fluid flow splitting cavity (2) is rectangular or triangular, and is used to provide different working fluid flow rates for the capillary tube (4).

4. A flow regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thermal control device (3) comprises a heating wire wound on the outer surface of the capillary tube (4), and the heating wire passes through the side wall of the regulating shell (7) and is connected to an external temperature control system.

5. A flow regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The regulating housing (7), the working fluid flow splitting chamber (2), the plurality of capillaries (4) and the working fluid rectifying chamber (5) are all made of stainless steel.

6. A flow regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of the capillaries (4) is 2n, where n≥2, and two adjacent capillaries (4) form a group. The thermal control device (3) on each group of capillaries (4) is connected to an external temperature control system, and each external temperature control system provides different ambient temperatures for each group of capillaries (4) according to different working fluid flow rates.

7. A flow rate regulating method for a solid working medium storage and supply system, using a flow rate regulating device for a solid working medium storage and supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Connect the input interface (1) and the output interface (6) of the regulating housing (7) to the external working fluid storage tank and the external thruster respectively; Step 2: Connecting the thermal control device (3) on each capillary (4) to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries, or grouping multiple capillaries (4) and connecting the thermal control device (3) on each group of capillaries (4) to an external temperature control system to form multiple groups of thermal control capillaries; Step 3: weigh the regulating device and record its initial weight as m0, and then place the flow regulating device into the vacuum test chamber; Step 4: Set the initial heating group number and heating power of each thermal control capillary, open the external working fluid storage tank, and allow the working fluid to diffuse and flow into the capillary (4). After a time t, close the external working fluid storage tank, take the flow regulating device out of the vacuum test chamber and re-weigh it, and record the corresponding actual weight as m. t , and calculate the corresponding working fluid flow q within time t; Step 5: Adjust the number of heating groups and heating power of each thermal control capillary, and measure the working fluid flow rate q corresponding to different numbers of heating groups under different heating power conditions according to the method of step 4, and obtain the calibration result of the corresponding relationship between the number of heating groups, heating power and working fluid flow rate; Step 6: According to the calibration results, select the number of heating groups and heating power corresponding to the thermal control capillary that meets the flow regulation requirements, thereby completing the regulation of the solid working fluid flow.

8. A flow rate regulation method for a solid working fluid storage and supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The initial weight m0 and the actual weight m t , time t and working fluid flow rate q satisfy the following formula:

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