Solar panel dust removal system and method suitable for Mars lander

Abstract

The invention discloses a solar panel dust removal system and method suitable for a Mars lander, and the system comprises a filter, a gas compressor, a gas inlet valve, a photosensitive sensor, a high-pressure storage box, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a heater, an exhaust valve, a blowing pipe, a control module and a matched pipeline. A propellant storage box of the Mars lander is used as a high-pressure storage box for storing Mars atmosphere, the Mars atmosphere is pressurized through a gas compressor to obtain high-pressure gas, the high-pressure gas is stored in the high-pressure storage box, the high-pressure gas is guided to the surface of a solar panel through a blowing pipe according to the dust removal requirement, gas expansion is accelerated, and efficient blowing dust removal is achieved. Mars atmosphere resources are fully utilized, secondary utilization of the high-pressure storage box after the Mars lander lands is achieved, dust removal is achieved with low resource requirements under the low-pressure and low-gravity environment of Mars, and the power supply capacity and the service life of the Mars lander are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of solar panel dust removal, and in particular relates to a solar panel dust removal system and method suitable for a Mars lander. Background Art

[0002] Mars is an important part of the terrestrial planets in the solar system. Through Mars exploration, we can explore the mysteries of the universe, find traces of life, and understand the evolution of the Earth. Mars surface exploration is the most direct way to obtain scientific data on the Martian surface climate, atmospheric composition, soil and rocks from a microscopic level. At present, the Mars landers and rovers launched by humans all use solar photovoltaic power generation as the main source of energy.

[0003] Due to the Martian wind on the surface of Mars, the Martian dust caused by it falls on the solar panels, which will cause the output power of the solar cells to decrease. In order to ensure the working ability and life of the Mars lander, the Martian dust on the surface of the solar panels must be removed.

[0004] The current dust removal methods are mainly wind dust removal, mechanical dust removal and electrostatic dust removal. Among them, wind dust removal requires very high wind speed to achieve dust removal due to the low air pressure on Mars, which is difficult to meet the dust removal needs; mechanical dust removal mainly removes dust through wiping, shaking, vibration and other methods, with complex structure and short service life; electrostatic dust removal achieves dust removal based on the principle of like charges repelling each other, and its effectiveness in the low pressure and low gravity environment of Mars needs further verification. Summary of the invention

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a solar panel dust removal system and method suitable for a Mars lander, which fully utilizes the existing Mars lander structure and Mars in-situ resources, and realizes the secondary utilization of the high-pressure tank after the Mars lander lands. In the low pressure and low gravity environment of Mars, dust removal is achieved with lower resource requirements, thus providing a guarantee for the power supply capacity of the Mars lander.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander includes a filter, a gas compressor, an air intake valve, a photosensor, a high-pressure tank, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a heater, an exhaust valve, a blow pipe, a control module, and matching pipelines. One end of the gas compressor is connected to the Martian atmosphere through a filter and a pipeline, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure tank through an air intake valve and a pipeline; the high-pressure tank is connected to the blow pipe through an exhaust valve and a pipeline; the pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and heater are arranged on the high-pressure tank; the photosensor is arranged on the surface of the solar panel of the Mars lander; the air outlet of the blow pipe is aligned with the upper surface of the solar panel; the control module is connected to the gas compressor, the air intake valve, the exhaust valve, the heater, the pressure sensor, the temperature sensor, and the photosensor. The present invention uses a control module as the control core and the Martian atmosphere as the working fluid. The propellant tank of the Martian lander is used as a high-pressure tank to store the Martian atmosphere. The Martian atmosphere is pressurized by a gas compressor to obtain high-pressure gas, which is stored in the high-pressure tank. According to the dust removal requirements, the high-pressure gas is drained to the surface of the solar panel through a blowpipe, and the gas expansion is accelerated to achieve efficient blow-off dust removal.

[0008] Furthermore, the filter is preferably a dust filter, which is used to filter the Martian atmosphere when the gas compressor is working, so as to prevent Martian dust from entering the gas compressor and causing malfunction;

[0009] Furthermore, the gas compressor is used to compress the Martian atmosphere, and a shock-absorbing installation is provided between the compressor and the lander to avoid affecting other equipment of the lander during operation;

[0010] Furthermore, the intake valve and the exhaust valve are electrically controlled valves;

[0011] Furthermore, the high-pressure storage tank is provided with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor for monitoring the pressure and temperature of the high-pressure storage tank;

[0012] Further, the heater is used to maintain the temperature of the high-pressure gas within a set temperature range to avoid liquefaction of the gas;

[0013] Furthermore, the blowing pipe comprises a plurality of nozzles, the plurality of nozzles are arranged tangentially along the solar panel, and the high-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzles;

[0014] Furthermore, the photosensitive sensor is arranged on the surface of the solar panel to detect the amount of light energy received per unit area of ​​the solar panel.

[0015] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for removing dust from a solar panel suitable for a Mars lander, comprising the following steps:

[0016] The photosensitive sensors on the surface of the solar panels of the Mars lander detect the amount of light energy received per unit area of ​​the solar panels to calculate the working efficiency and transmit the data to the control module;

[0017] The control module controls the air intake valve to open, and delivers the Martian atmosphere filtered by the filter and compressed by the gas compressor to the high-pressure tank for storage. When the set pressure value is reached, the air intake valve is closed and the gas compressor stops working.

[0018] When the working efficiency is lower than the reference value, the control module controls the exhaust valve to open, and the high-pressure airflow flows from the high-pressure tank into the blowpipe. The high-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzle of the blowpipe, and the gas expansion is accelerated to blow off the Martian dust on the surface of the solar panel.

[0019] After the dust removal is completed, the control module controls the exhaust valve to close, and the control module controls the gas compressor to work at an appropriate time to compress the Martian atmosphere and store it in a high-pressure storage tank to prepare for the next dust removal.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0021] The present invention utilizes a spraying method to remove floating dust on the surface of a solar panel of a Mars lander, thereby reducing the impact of Martian dust on the power generation efficiency of the solar panel and ensuring the energy supply of the system.

[0022] The present invention realizes the secondary utilization of the high-pressure tank after the Mars lander lands, and reduces the weight and volume requirements of the dust removal system.

[0023] The present invention makes full use of the atmospheric resources of Mars by pressurizing the Martian atmosphere, increasing the pressure and density of the gas, and using high-speed and high-pressure gas for dust removal, which is more effective than directly using Martian wind for dust removal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a solar panel dust removal system lander suitable for a Mars lander according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a control structure of a solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Filter, 2. Gas compressor, 3. Inlet valve, 4. Photosensor, 5. High-pressure storage tank, 5-1. Temperature sensor, 5-2. Pressure sensor, 5-3. Heater, 6. Exhaust valve, 7. Blow pipe, 8. Control module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander, including a filter 1, a gas compressor 2, an air intake valve 3, a photosensor 4, a high-pressure storage tank 5, a temperature sensor 5-1, a pressure sensor 5-2, a heater 5-3, an exhaust valve 6, a blowpipe 7, a control module 8 and supporting pipelines.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the propellant tank of the Mars lander is a high-pressure tank 5, on which a pressure sensor 5-2, a temperature sensor 5-1 and a heater 5-3 are arranged, a photosensor 4 is arranged on the surface of the solar panel of the Mars lander, a control module 8 and a gas compressor 2 are arranged inside the lander, one end of the gas compressor 2 is connected to the Martian atmosphere through a filter 1, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure tank 5 through an intake valve 3, the exhaust port of the high-pressure tank 5 is connected to the blowpipe 7 through an exhaust valve 6, and the control module 8 is connected to the gas compressor 2, the photosensor 4, the pressure sensor 5-2, the temperature sensor 5-1, the heater 5-3, the intake valve 3 and the exhaust valve 6 for global control.

[0032] The present invention adopts the technical principle of spray dust removal, takes the control module 8 as the control core, uses the Martian atmosphere as the working medium, and uses the propellant tank of the Martian lander as the high-pressure tank 5 for storing the Martian atmosphere. The Martian atmosphere is pressurized by the gas compressor 2 to obtain high-pressure gas, which is stored in the high-pressure tank 5. According to the dust removal requirements, the high-pressure gas is drained to the surface of the solar panel through the spray pipe 7, the gas expansion is accelerated, and efficient spray dust removal is achieved.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the control module 8 is connected with the gas compressor 2, the photosensor 4, the temperature sensor 5-1, the pressure sensor 5-2, the heater 5-3, the intake valve 3 and the exhaust valve 6. On the one hand, it monitors the pressure and temperature of the high-pressure storage tank 5; on the other hand, it controls the gas compressor 2, the intake valve 3 and the exhaust valve 6. When storing gas, keep the exhaust valve 6 closed, open the intake valve 3 and the gas compressor 2, and after the pressure reaches the set value, close the intake valve 3; when the control module 8 determines that the solar panel needs to be dusted according to the data fed back by the photosensor 4, first control the heater 5-3 to maintain the temperature of the high-pressure gas within the set temperature range to avoid gas liquefaction, then open the exhaust valve 6, and adjust the opening of the exhaust valve 6 to perform dust removal. After the dust removal is completed, control the exhaust valve 6 to close;

[0034] Furthermore, both the air inlet valve 3 and the exhaust valve 6 are electrically controlled valves, and the control module switches between the air storage and exhaust states by controlling the opening and closing of the valves;

[0035] Furthermore, the filter 1 uses a dust filter to filter the Martian atmosphere when the gas compressor 2 is working, so as to prevent Martian dust from entering the gas compressor 2 and affecting the normal operation of the gas compressor 2;

[0036] Furthermore, the gas compressor 2 is used to compress the Martian atmosphere, and the gas compressor 2 should be installed with a shock-absorbing structure between the gas compressor 2 and the lander to avoid affecting other equipment of the lander during operation;

[0037] Furthermore, the surface of the high-pressure tank 5 is provided with a temperature sensor 5-1, a pressure sensor 5-2 and a heater 5-3 to prevent the Martian atmosphere, which is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, from liquefying under low-temperature and high-pressure conditions and losing its blowing ability. Before blowing and dust removal, the control module 8 controls the heater 5-3 to heat and maintain the high-temperature tank temperature to ensure that the gas does not liquefy;

[0038] Furthermore, the blowing pipe 7 includes a plurality of nozzles, and the nozzles are arranged along the sides of the solar panel. High-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzles, and the gas expansion is accelerated to blow off the Martian dust on the surface of the solar panel.

[0039] The working process of the present invention is as follows:

[0040] After the lander lands, the inlet valve 3 and the exhaust valve 6 remain in a normally closed state, the gas compressor 2 does not work, and gas storage is started at an appropriate time. The inlet valve 3 is opened, and the gas compressor 2 starts to work. When the pressure reaches the reference value (the reference value in this embodiment is 2MPa), the gas compressor 2 stops working and the inlet valve is closed; when the monitoring data of the photosensitive sensor 4 shows that the working efficiency of the solar panel is lower than the reference value, the reference value in this embodiment is 50%, the control module 8 controls the heater 5-3 on the high-pressure tank 5 to work, so that its temperature is maintained at 15-20°C, and controls the exhaust valve 6 to open, the inlet valve 3 remains closed, and the dust removal is started. After the dust removal is completed, the heater 5-3 and the exhaust valve 6 are closed. After that, gas storage is carried out at an appropriate time to prepare for the next dust removal, and the cycle is repeated to ensure the power generation capacity of the solar panel.

[0041] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for removing dust from a solar panel suitable for a Mars lander, comprising the following steps:

[0042] A photosensitive sensor 4 is provided on the surface of the solar panel of the Mars lander to detect the amount of light energy received per unit area of ​​the solar panel, and the relevant data is transmitted to the control module 8;

[0043] The gas compressor 2 is installed inside the Mars lander. When working, the control module 8 controls the air intake valve 3 to open and the gas compressor 2 to work, and the Martian atmosphere is pressurized and transported to the high-pressure storage tank 5 for storage. When the set pressure value is reached, the air intake valve 3 is closed and the gas compressor 2 stops working.

[0044] The control module 8 determines whether to start dust removal based on the data of the photosensor 4. If the working efficiency of the solar panel is lower than the reference value, the control module 8 controls the exhaust valve 6 to open, and the high-pressure airflow flows into the blowing pipe 7;

[0045] The blowing pipe 7 includes a plurality of nozzles, which are arranged tangentially along the solar panel. The high-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzles, and the gas expands and accelerates, blowing off the Martian dust on the surface of the solar panel.

[0046] After the dust removal is completed, the control module 8 controls the exhaust valve 6 to close. Afterwards, the control module 8 controls the gas compressor 2 to work, compresses the Martian atmosphere, and stores it in the high-pressure storage tank 5 to prepare for the next dust removal.

[0047] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander, characterized in that: The invention comprises a filter (1), a gas compressor (2), an air intake valve (3), a photosensor (4), a high-pressure storage tank (5), a temperature sensor (5-1), a pressure sensor (5-2), a heater (5-3), an exhaust valve (6), a blowpipe (7), a control module (8) and supporting pipelines, wherein: The temperature sensor (5-1), the pressure sensor (5-2) and the heater (5-3) are arranged on a high-pressure tank (5); the high-pressure tank (5) is a propellant tank provided by the Mars lander; The photosensor (4) is arranged on the surface of the solar panel of the Mars lander; the control module (8), the filter (1) and the gas compressor (2) are arranged inside the Mars lander; one end of the gas compressor (2) is connected to the Martian atmosphere through the filter (1); the other end is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure tank (5) through the air inlet valve (3); the exhaust port of the high-pressure tank (5) is connected to the injection pipe (7) through the exhaust valve (6); the control module (8) is connected to the gas compressor (2), the photosensor (4), the air inlet valve (3), the temperature sensor (5-1), the pressure sensor (5-2), the heater (5-3) and the exhaust valve (6).

2. A solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter (1) is a dust filter, which is used to filter the Martian atmosphere when the gas compressor (2) is working.

3. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas compressor (2) is used to compress the filtered Martian atmosphere.

4. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intake valve (3) and the exhaust valve (6) are electrically controlled valves.

5. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure sensor (5-2) and the temperature sensor (5-1) are used to monitor the pressure and temperature of the high-pressure storage tank (5).

6. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heater (5-3) is used to maintain the temperature of the high-pressure gas within a set temperature range to prevent the gas from liquefying.

7. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blowing pipe (7) comprises a plurality of nozzles, the plurality of nozzles are arranged tangentially along the solar panel, and the high-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzles.

8. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photosensitive sensor (4) is used to detect the amount of light energy received per unit area of ​​the solar panel to calculate the working efficiency. When the working efficiency is lower than a reference value, the opening of the exhaust valve is controlled to perform dust removal.

9. The solar panel dust removal system suitable for a Mars lander according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the Mars lander lands, the air inlet valve (3) and the air outlet valve (6) remain in a normally closed state, the gas compressor (2) does not work, and gas storage begins at an appropriate time.

10. A method for removing dust from solar panels suitable for a Mars lander, characterized in that: The dust removal system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises the following steps: The photosensitive sensor (4) on the surface of the solar panel of the Mars lander detects the amount of light energy received per unit area of ​​the solar panel to calculate the working efficiency, and transmits the data to the control module (8); The control module (8) controls the air intake valve (3) to open, and transmits the Martian atmosphere filtered by the filter (1) and compressed by the gas compressor (2) to the high-pressure storage tank (5) for storage. When the set pressure value is reached, the air intake valve (3) is closed, and the gas compressor (2) stops working. When the working efficiency is lower than the reference value, the control module (8) controls the exhaust valve (6) to open, and the high-pressure airflow flows from the high-pressure storage tank (5) into the blowing pipe (7), and the high-pressure airflow is ejected through the nozzle of the blowing pipe (7), and the gas expansion is accelerated, thereby blowing off the Martian dust on the surface of the solar panel; After the dust removal is completed, the control module (8) controls the exhaust valve (6) to close, and the control module (8) controls the gas compressor (2) to work at an appropriate time to compress the Martian atmosphere and store it in the high-pressure storage tank (5) to prepare for the next dust removal.

Images