An automatic casting system for energetic fluids

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic pouring system for energetic fluid, which comprises a primary hopper and a secondary hopper, the primary hopper and the secondary hopper are connected through a control valve, and the secondary hopper and a solidification mold are connected through a control valve; the propelling power of the energetic fluid from the primary hopper into the secondary hopper is the pressure difference between vacuum and atmospheric pressure; and the control valve is used for controlling the flow rate of the energetic fluid. Compared with the prior art, the automatic pouring mode of the energetic material is realized through the primary hopper, the secondary hopper and the control valve, the safety of the product pouring process is improved, the pouring quality of the product is ensured, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vacuum casting process and automated control system technology, and more particularly to an automated casting system for energetic fluids. Background Technology

[0002] In engines, the production and processing quality of solid fuel propellants has a decisive impact on their combustion performance. This process involves transforming energetic materials into propellant grains of specific shapes and sizes through specific casting processes to ensure predetermined combustion behavior during engine operation. The production and casting process of energetic fluids employs a "manual face-to-face" operation: operators at the casting station control the feed valve while observing the process. In multi-product, multi-station casting processes, each station requires personnel to be present to add and unload materials, observe the process, and adjust valves. This concentrated "manual face-to-face" operation method is labor-intensive, carries high safety risks, and has low production efficiency. Furthermore, the volatile gases from energetic fluids are toxic and harmful to humans, making "manual face-to-face" operations prone to causing major safety accidents at the casting site. Despite the high production risks, energetic fluid production is rapidly increasing. Due to the large quantity and complex structure of energetic fluid production, the casting process requires a large number of personnel for on-site operation, posing significant safety risks. For a considerable period of time, due to the complex and stringent requirements for performance, many production processes could only ensure quality through on-site "manual face-to-face" inspections, resulting in inconsistent casting quality.

[0003] To address the above problems, this invention proposes an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids, so as to achieve safe, rapid and high-quality pouring of energetic fluids.

[0005] The technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention is as follows: an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids, including a primary hopper and a secondary hopper, which are connected by a control valve, and the secondary hopper is connected to the curing mold by a control valve; the driving force for the energetic fluid to enter the secondary hopper from the primary hopper is the pressure difference between vacuum and atmospheric pressure; the control valve is used to control the flow rate of the energetic fluid.

[0006] A pressure plate is installed on the primary hopper. The pressure plate floats in contact with the energetic fluid inside the primary hopper and moves up and down with the liquid level of the energetic material in the primary hopper, thereby reducing the occurrence of vortex phenomenon.

[0007] The control valve is a hose valve.

[0008] Both the primary and secondary hoppers are equipped with a water bath jacket, which is connected to the circulating water of an external water bath system to heat the energetic fluids in the primary and secondary hoppers to a specified temperature.

[0009] The hose valve controls the flow rate through a hose valve drive system. The hose valve drive system includes a servo motor, a right-angle reducer, a coupling, and a pneumatic gripper. The output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the input shaft of the right-angle reducer, and the output shaft of the right-angle reducer is fixedly connected to the hose valve rotation control rod through a coupling and a pneumatic gripper. The servo motor controls the rotation of the mechanical hose valve rotation control rod to achieve precise control of the valve's opening range.

[0010] The secondary hopper is equipped with a vacuum interface, which is connected to an external vacuum system. During the pouring process, the secondary hopper 5 is evacuated to achieve a vacuum environment.

[0011] The secondary hopper is equipped with a vacuum breaking interface, which is connected to a vacuum breaking valve. The vacuum breaking valve is connected to an inert gas source. Opening the vacuum breaking valve changes the secondary material 5 from a vacuum environment to an atmospheric pressure or slightly positive pressure environment.

[0012] A perforated plate is installed at the inlet of the secondary hopper. The perforated plate is connected to the outlet of the control valve and is used to remove air bubbles from the energetic fluid.

[0013] An observation hole is provided on the secondary hopper, and an observation mirror is installed on the observation hole. A camera is also installed on the observation mirror to enable remote real-time monitoring of the situation inside the secondary hopper.

[0014] The automatic pouring system also includes temperature sensors, distance sensors, and vacuum sensors; temperature sensors and distance sensors are installed above both the primary and secondary hoppers to monitor the temperature and level of the energetic fluid in both hoppers in real time; a vacuum sensor is installed on the inner wall of the secondary hopper to monitor the vacuum pressure inside the secondary hopper in real time.

[0015] The significant advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are:

[0016] (1) The present invention discloses an automatic casting system for energetic fluids. By using a primary hopper, a secondary hopper, and a hose valve drive system in a vacuum chamber closed environment, the automatic casting of energetic materials is realized, thereby improving the safety of the product casting process, ensuring the casting quality of the product, and improving production efficiency.

[0017] (2) The present invention discloses an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids, wherein a water bath jacket is designed in the primary hopper and the secondary hopper respectively, which can process the energetic fluid to a specified temperature.

[0018] (3) The present invention discloses an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids, which is designed with a hose valve drive system that can precisely control the pouring speed.

[0019] (4) The present invention discloses an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids. During the first pouring, the fluid is pre-degassed by passing through the vacuum of the tube sheet and the secondary hopper. After pre-degasting, the gas in the fluid has been removed. When the secondary hopper pours into the mold, there will be no gas rupture. At this time, the boiling layer can be eliminated.

[0020] (5) The present invention discloses an automatic casting system for energetic fluids. When the surface of the energetic material comes into contact with other objects, the surface viscosity of the liquid increases and the fluid flow rate decreases. Therefore, a pressure plate that increases the surface viscosity of the furnace body is placed at the center of the fluid casting where "vortex" is easily generated. In this way, due to the increase in surface viscosity of the fluid, the fluid flow rate decreases and the size of the "vortex" can be reduced.

[0021] (6) This invention discloses an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids. By employing a multi-sensor real-time monitoring system for visual, temperature, and displacement information during the automatic pouring process, along with quantitative feeding and pouring devices, an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids is realized, forming a standardized automatic pouring process for energetic fluids. This achieves the goals of improving production efficiency, ensuring product quality, reducing on-site personnel, eliminating safety risks, and ensuring the personal safety of employees and safe production.

[0022] (7) The automatic casting system for energetic fluids disclosed in this invention explores a new way to realize the mass production of energetic fluids in the future, and has practical significance for promoting the technological transformation and technological progress of related casting industries in my country. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an automatic pouring system for energetic fluids according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following will refer to the appendix in the embodiments of the present invention. Figures 1-3The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described herein. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention.

[0027] The automatic pouring system of this invention mainly adopts a two-stage hopper pouring system. It mainly includes a pressure plate 1, a primary hopper 2, a secondary hopper 5, a first hose valve 3, a second hose valve 6, a hose valve drive system, and a support 7.

[0028] The bracket 7 is used for the overall support of the automatic pouring system and the installation of various components; the primary hopper 2 is fixedly installed on the bracket 7, and the secondary hopper 5 is fixedly installed on the bracket 7. The primary hopper 2 and the secondary hopper 5 are connected and disconnected through the first hose valve 3; the primary hopper 2 has a top-opening structure, and the secondary hopper 5 is a vacuum structure when it is working. The driving force for the energetic fluid to enter the secondary hopper 5 from the primary hopper 2 is the pressure difference between the vacuum and atmospheric pressure.

[0029] The pressure plate 1 is positioned above the primary hopper 2. The pressure plate 1 floats on the surface of the energetic fluid inside the primary hopper 2 and moves up and down with the height of the energetic material in the primary hopper 2; thereby preventing and reducing the vortex phenomenon in the fluid inside the primary hopper 2.

[0030] The opening degree of the first hose valve 3 is controlled by a hose valve drive system. The hose valve drive system includes a servo motor 18, a right-angle reducer 19, a coupling 17, and a pneumatic gripper 16. The gripper 16 clamps the mechanical first hose valve 3 rotation control lever. The servo motor 18 is fixed on the bracket 7, and its output shaft is connected to the input shaft of the right-angle reducer 19. The output shaft of the right-angle reducer 19 is fixedly connected to the first hose valve 3 rotation control lever via the coupling 17 and the pneumatic gripper 16. By controlling the rotation of the mechanical first hose valve 3 rotation control lever through the servo motor 18, the valve opening degree is precisely controlled.

[0031] The connection between the secondary hopper 5 and the curing mold is controlled by the second hose valve 6. The second hose valve 6 is also controlled by the hose valve drive system, and the connection method between the hose valve drive system and the second hose valve 6 is the same as the connection method between the hose valve drive system and the first hose valve 3.

[0032] The secondary hopper 5 is equipped with a vacuum interface 21, which is connected to an external vacuum system. During the pouring process, the secondary hopper 5 is evacuated to achieve a vacuum environment.

[0033] The automatic pouring system for energetic fluids also includes a vacuum breaking valve 4. A vacuum breaking interface is provided on the secondary hopper 5, which is connected to the vacuum breaking valve 4. The vacuum breaking valve 4 is connected to a nitrogen gas source. Opening the vacuum breaking valve 4 changes the environment of the secondary hopper 5 from vacuum to normal pressure or slightly positive pressure. The connection between the secondary hopper 5 and the curing mold is controlled by a second hose valve 6.

[0034] The primary hopper 2 has a first water bath jacket 2-1; the first water bath jacket 2-1 is provided with a first water circulation interface 10 and a second water circulation interface 20. After connecting to the circulating water of the external water bath system, the energetic fluid in the primary hopper 2 can be heated to a specified temperature to realize hot circulating water heating.

[0035] The secondary hopper 5 has a second water bath jacket 5-1. The second water bath jacket 5-1 is equipped with a third water circulation interface 14 and a fourth water circulation interface 22. After connecting to the circulating water of the external water bath system, the energetic fluid in the secondary hopper 5 can be heated to a specified temperature to realize hot circulating water heating.

[0036] A perforated plate 15 is installed at the inlet of the secondary hopper 5. The perforated plate 15 is connected to the outlet of the first hose valve 3. The perforated plate 15 has a structure similar to a shower head. A certain number of holes of a certain diameter are opened on the perforated plate to remove air bubbles in the energetic fluid.

[0037] The bottom of the secondary hopper 5 is inverted V-shaped to facilitate the flow of the slurry and prevent material accumulation;

[0038] An observation hole is provided on the secondary hopper 5, and an observation mirror 11 is installed on the observation hole. A camera 12 is also installed on the mirror 11 to realize remote real-time monitoring of the situation inside the secondary hopper 5.

[0039] A vacuum sensor 13 is also installed on the cylinder wall of the secondary hopper 5 to monitor the vacuum pressure inside the secondary hopper 5 in real time.

[0040] The automatic pouring system for energetic fluids also includes a temperature sensor 8 and a distance sensor 9; the temperature sensor 8 and the distance sensor 9 are installed above the primary hopper 2 and the secondary hopper 5 to monitor the temperature and liquid level of the energetic fluid in the two hoppers in real time.

[0041] The automatic pouring system for energetic fluids in this invention uses two hose valves driven by a two-point hose valve drive system to control two hose valves. Combined with the weighing sensor installed at the bottom of the curing mold and factors such as the liquid level drop speed, the control system controls the opening and closing degree of the hose valves to control the flow rate of energetic material, thereby automatically and accurately controlling the pouring speed and the automatic start and stop of the pouring system.

[0042] The height sensor monitors the liquid level drop in real time, and the drop rate curve can be fitted by calculation, providing data support for production.

[0043] The working process of the automatic casting system for energetic fluids in this invention is as follows:

[0044] The control hose valve drive system closes the first hose valve 3 and the second hose valve 6, and pours the energetic material directly into the first-stage hopper 2, and performs vacuum treatment on the second-stage hopper 5; the water bath system heats the water in the first water bath jacket 2-1 in the first-stage hopper 2, thereby heating the energetic material fluid in the first-stage hopper 2 to the specified temperature.

[0045] Then, the hose valve drive system controls the first hose valve 3 to maintain the fluid velocity at a specified flow rate. The fluid passes through the perforated plate 15 to remove air bubbles and then enters the secondary hopper 5. Simultaneously, the water bath system heats the water in the second water bath jacket 5-1 within the secondary hopper 5, thereby heating the energetic material fluid in the secondary hopper 5 to a specified temperature. Then, the hose valve drive system controls the second hose valve 6 to control the fluid velocity and flow rate of the energetic fluid entering the curing mold.

Claims

1. An automatic pouring system for energetic fluids, characterized in that, It includes a primary hopper and a secondary hopper, which are connected by a control valve. The secondary hopper is also connected to the curing mold by a control valve. The driving force for the energetic fluid to enter the secondary hopper from the primary hopper is the pressure difference between vacuum and atmospheric pressure. The control valve is used to control the flow rate of the energetic fluid. The control valve is a hose valve; the hose valve controls the flow rate through a hose valve drive system; the hose valve drive system includes: a servo motor, a right-angle reducer, a coupling, and a pneumatic gripper; the output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the input shaft of the right-angle reducer, and the output shaft of the right-angle reducer is fixedly connected to the hose valve rotation control rod through the coupling and the pneumatic gripper; the rotation of the hose valve rotation control rod is controlled by the servo motor to achieve precise control of the valve opening range; The secondary hopper is equipped with a vacuum interface, which connects to an external vacuum system. During casting, the secondary hopper is evacuated to achieve a vacuum environment. The secondary hopper is also equipped with a vacuum breaking interface, which connects to a vacuum breaking valve. The vacuum breaking valve is connected to an inert gas source. Opening the vacuum breaking valve changes the secondary hopper from a vacuum environment to an atmospheric pressure or slightly positive pressure environment. A perforated plate is installed at the inlet of the secondary hopper, which is connected to the outlet of the control valve to remove air bubbles from the energetic fluid.

2. The automatic casting system for energetic fluids according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure plate is installed on the primary hopper. The pressure plate floats in contact with the energetic fluid inside the primary hopper and moves up and down with the liquid level of the energetic fluid inside the primary hopper, thereby reducing the occurrence of vortex phenomenon.

3. An automatic casting system for energetic fluids according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the primary and secondary hoppers are equipped with a water bath jacket, which is connected to the circulating water of an external water bath system to heat the energetic fluid in the primary and secondary hoppers to a specified temperature.

4. An automatic casting system for energetic fluids according to claim 1, characterized in that, An observation hole is provided on the secondary hopper, and an observation mirror is installed on the observation hole. A camera is also installed on the observation mirror to enable remote real-time monitoring of the situation inside the secondary hopper.

5. An automatic casting system for energetic fluids according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic pouring system also includes a temperature sensor, a distance sensor, and a vacuum sensor; temperature sensors and distance sensors are installed above the primary hopper and the secondary hopper to monitor the temperature and level of the energetic fluid in the two hoppers in real time; a vacuum sensor is installed on the inner wall of the secondary hopper to monitor the vacuum pressure in the secondary hopper in real time.

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