Apparatus for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic wave and test method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic waves and a test method thereof, and belongs to the field of microgravity environment simulation devices. The device solves the problem that in the existing acoustic levitation device, ultrasonic transducers are distributed on the bottom, and untrapped particles fall onto the surface of the ultrasonic transducers to cause pollution. The reflecting cover is fixedly arranged above the support; the ultrasonic transducer array is arranged below the reflecting cover, and a suspension space is formed between the ultrasonic transducer array and the reflecting cover; an avoiding space is arranged at the middle position of the ultrasonic transducer array, and the avoiding space is in communication with the suspension space; a single-chip microcomputer, a power amplifier, a matching circuit and the ultrasonic transducer array are sequentially electrically connected; and the particle input pipeline is fixedly arranged on the support, and the outlet of the particle input pipeline is in communication with the suspension space. Untrapped particles can leave the suspension space through the avoiding space, and the ultrasonic transducers are not polluted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of microgravity environment simulation devices, in particular to a device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support and a test method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, the ground simulation methods for microgravity environment can be generally divided into three categories: motion method, effect test and force balance method. The motion method is to make the test equipment move according to a certain rule to offset the inertia force or centrifugal force with the gravity to simulate the microgravity state, mainly including: falling tower method, parabolic flight method, high-altitude balloon method and rocket detection method, etc., but these methods are difficult to apply to the extraterrestrial celestial body simulation experiment cabin; the effect test is mainly suitable for the microgravity environment test of additive manufacturing; the force balance method is to design a certain force balance device to offset the gravity of the object itself and the external force to achieve the microgravity simulation method, mainly including water suspension method, gas suspension method, electromagnetic balance method and acoustic suspension method, etc. The electromagnetic balance method is mostly applied to the extraterrestrial celestial body simulation experiment cabin, but such device may affect the electromagnetic properties of dust, while the acoustic wave has no effect, but there is no device for simulating the microgravity environment of extraterrestrial celestial body with atmosphere by using acoustic wave.

[0003] The principle of the acoustic suspension device is to generate a standing wave between the ultrasonic generator and the reflection end or another group of ultrasonic generators, and due to the difference in pressure at different positions, the acoustic force on the particles will offset the gravity to be suspended at the node of the standing wave (the place with the minimum pressure).

[0004] However, the existing acoustic suspension device has ultrasonic transducers distributed on the bottom thereof, and the particles that are not captured will fall onto the surface of the ultrasonic transducers, which will cause pollution and affect the performance. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the problem that there is no device for simulating the microgravity environment of extraterrestrial celestial body with atmosphere by using acoustic wave, and the existing acoustic suspension device has ultrasonic transducers distributed on the bottom thereof, and the particles that are not captured will fall onto the surface of the ultrasonic transducers, which will cause pollution and affect the performance, the present application provides a device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support and a test method thereof.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following technical scheme:

[0007] A device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, comprising:

[0008] a support;

[0009] a reflecting cover, which is fixedly arranged above the support;

[0010] The ultrasonic transducer array is located below the reflecting cover, and a suspension space is formed between the ultrasonic transducer array and the reflecting cover; the ultrasonic transducer array comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups arranged from inside to outside in turn, and each ultrasonic transducer group comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in the circumferential direction in turn; an avoiding space is arranged at the middle position of the ultrasonic transducer array, and the avoiding space is in communication with the suspension space.

[0011] The single-chip microcomputer, the power amplifier and the matching circuit are sequentially electrically connected with the ultrasonic transducer array.

[0012] The particle input pipeline is fixedly arranged on the support, and the outlet of the particle input pipeline is in communication with the suspension space.

[0013] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support further comprises a recovery table, which is fixedly arranged on the support and located below the avoiding space.

[0014] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support further comprises a camera capable of shooting the scene in the suspension space.

[0015] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the angle between the ultrasonic transducer in the innermost circle and the vertical direction is 20°, and the angle between the ultrasonic transducer in the outermost circle and the vertical direction is 42°.

[0016] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the number of the ultrasonic transducer groups is four.

[0017] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic transducer group in the innermost circle is 24, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the second ultrasonic transducer group from inside to outside is 30, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the third ultrasonic transducer group from inside to outside is 35, and the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the fourth ultrasonic transducer group from inside to outside is 40.

[0018] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer array and the lower surface of the reflecting cover are on the same spherical surface, and the outermost edge of the reflecting cover and the outermost edge of the ultrasonic transducer array are symmetric about the center of the sphere.

[0019] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, the particle input pipeline is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction.

[0020] As a preferred scheme of the device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, a funnel is arranged at the inlet of the particle input pipeline.

[0021] The application further provides a test method for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, which adopts the device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, and comprises the following steps of:

[0022] The single-chip microcomputer generates an electric signal, the signal power is increased through a power amplifier, and the energy transmission efficiency is improved through a matching circuit, so that the driving of the ultrasonic transducer is completed;

[0023] The ultrasonic transducer converts the electric signal into ultrasonic waves and emits the ultrasonic waves, forms reflection in the reflecting cover, and forms a stable standing wave field in the suspension space, so that the microgravity environment is formed in the suspension space.

[0024] A certain amount of particles to be studied is placed at the inlet of the particle input pipeline, the particles to be studied enter the suspension space at a certain initial speed through the particle input pipeline, part of the particles to be studied cannot escape from the control of the sound field, and thus are stably suspended at the wave node of the suspension space, and another part of the particles to be studied that are not captured leave the suspension space from the avoiding space.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support and the test method thereof have the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. The device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support and the test method thereof, in which the avoiding space is arranged at the middle position of the ultrasonic transducer array, and the recovery table is arranged below the avoiding space, so that the particles to be studied that are not captured can fall onto the recovery table through the avoiding space, and the ultrasonic transducer is not polluted, thereby avoiding the situation that the particles to be studied that are not captured directly fall onto the surface of the ultrasonic transducer and pollute the ultrasonic transducer, and the performance is affected.

[0027] 2. The device for simulating microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support and the test method thereof, in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a region with an angle of more than 20° with the vertical direction, that is, the ultrasonic transducers in the innermost circle have an angle of 20° with the vertical direction, so that the ultrasonic transducers in the outermost circle have an angle of 42° with the vertical direction, the horizontal direction acoustic radiation force is enhanced, and the horizontal direction has stronger capturing capacity.

[0028] 3. The application provides a device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support and a test method thereof, the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support has stronger capturing effect, researches show that the use of concave curved surface can significantly improve the axial force and radial force acting on the suspended target, the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer array and the lower surface of the reflector are on the same spherical surface, so the capturing ability of the standing wave field formed thereby on the particles to be studied is also stronger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present application, are intended to provide further understanding of the present application, and the illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions serve the purpose of explaining the present application, and do not constitute improper limitations on the present application. In the drawings:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic view of the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support provided by the specific embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support provided by the specific embodiment of the present application.

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] 1, support; 2, ultrasonic transducer array; 3, reflector; 4, recovery table; 5, particle input pipeline; 6, camera; 7, avoidance space; 8, suspension space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments.

[0035] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature "on", "above" and "over" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature "under", "below" and "under" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is lower in horizontal height than the second feature.

[0037] In the description of the present embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", and the like orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in description and have no special meaning.

[0038] Referring to Figs. 1-2 To illustrate the present embodiment, the present application provides a device for simulating a microgravity environment by ultrasonic support and a test method thereof. The device for simulating a microgravity environment by ultrasonic support comprises a support 1, a reflecting cover 3, an ultrasonic transducer array 2, a single-chip microcomputer, a power amplifier, a matching circuit, and a particle input pipeline 5. The reflecting cover 3 is fixedly arranged above the support 1. The ultrasonic transducer array 2 is located below the reflecting cover 3, and a suspension space 8 is formed between the ultrasonic transducer array 2 and the reflecting cover 3. The ultrasonic transducer array 2 comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups arranged in order from inside to outside, and each ultrasonic transducer group comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in order in a circumferential direction. An avoiding space 7 is arranged at a middle position of the ultrasonic transducer array 2, and the avoiding space 7 is in communication with the suspension space 8. The single-chip microcomputer, the power amplifier, the matching circuit, and the ultrasonic transducer array 2 are electrically connected in order. The particle input pipeline 5 is fixedly arranged on the support 1, and an outlet of the particle input pipeline 5 is in communication with the suspension space 8.

[0039] The device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support generates a 58 kHz sine signal by using a single-chip microcomputer. However, the signal output by the single-chip microcomputer usually has a small power, which is insufficient to drive the ultrasonic transducer. Therefore, a power amplifier is needed to increase the signal power. Since the ultrasonic transducer usually has a high impedance, a matching circuit is needed to improve the energy transmission efficiency. Thus, the single-chip microcomputer is electrically connected to the power amplifier, and then electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array 2 through the matching circuit, thereby completing the driving of the ultrasonic transducer by the single-chip microcomputer. The ultrasonic transducer converts the electrical signal into ultrasonic waves, which are reflected at the reflecting cover 3 to form a stable standing wave field in the suspension space 8, thereby forming a microgravity environment in the suspension space 8. A certain number of particles to be studied are placed at the inlet of the particle input pipeline 5, and then enter the acoustic field at a certain initial speed through the particle input pipeline 5. Some of the particles to be studied enter at a certain initial speed and are stably suspended at the nodes of the standing wave. According to simulation analysis, the nodes are the points with the minimum pressure, and there are more than one node. The final suspension position of the particles to be studied is related to the initial speed at which the particles to be studied leave the particle input pipeline 5. The remaining particles to be studied, i.e. the particles not captured, fall from the suspension space 8 and leave the suspension space 8 through the avoidance space 7 without contaminating the ultrasonic transducer.

[0040] It can be understood that, since the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support is used to simulate the microgravity environment of an extraterrestrial celestial body containing an atmosphere, it can assist in studying the characteristics of dust in a microgravity environment and the working effect of some special devices. Therefore, the particles to be studied placed in the suspension space 8 can fall, and thus the avoidance space 7 is needed to prevent the particles to be studied not captured from falling and contaminating the ultrasonic transducer. In this embodiment, the model of the ultrasonic transducer is TCT40-16T.

[0041] Optionally, the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support further comprises a recovery table 4, which is fixedly arranged on the support 1 and located below the avoidance space 7. The recovery table 4 is used to recover the particles to be studied that have fallen, so as to be used by other studies.

[0042] Optionally, the device for simulating microgravity environment by ultrasonic support further comprises a camera 6, which can shoot the scene in the suspension space 8. The camera 6 can shoot the entire process of the particles to be studied from the outlet of the particle input pipeline 5 to being captured, and can also record some unique phenomena of the particles to be studied in the microgravity environment or phenomena of some special treatments of the particles to be studied in the microgravity environment, such as melting of the particles, fusion of liquid droplets, cultivation of microorganisms, etc.

[0043] Optionally, the angle between the ultrasonic transducer located in the innermost circle and the vertical direction is 20°, and the angle between the ultrasonic transducer located in the outermost circle and the vertical direction is 42°.

[0044] The ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a region with an angle of 20° or more with the vertical direction, that is, the innermost circle of ultrasonic transducers has an angle of 20° with the vertical direction, so that the outermost circle of ultrasonic transducers has an angle of 42° with the vertical direction, thereby enhancing the acoustic radiation force in the horizontal direction and making the horizontal direction have stronger capturing capability.

[0045] Optionally, the number of the circle of the ultrasonic transducer group is 4.

[0046] Optionally, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the innermost circle of the ultrasonic transducer group is 24, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the second circle from the inside is 30, the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the third circle from the inside is 35, and the number of the ultrasonic transducers in the fourth circle from the inside is 40.

[0047] As many ultrasonic transducers as possible are arranged on each circle, that is, 24 ultrasonic transducers in the innermost circle, 30 ultrasonic transducers in the second circle, 35 ultrasonic transducers in the third circle, and 40 ultrasonic transducers in the fourth circle. The more the number of the circle of the ultrasonic transducers, the better the capturing effect, and smaller and denser particles can be suspended. In a two-dimensional acoustic field simulation analysis for simplification of calculation, 3 circles of the ultrasonic transducer group can suspend particles with a diameter of 60 microns and a density of 1940 kg / m3 or less, and when the number of the ultrasonic transducer group is increased to 4, particles with a diameter of 60 microns and a density of 2280 kg / m3 or less can be suspended.

[0048] Optionally, the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 2 and the lower surface of the reflector 3 are on the same spherical surface, and the outermost edge of the reflector 3 and the outermost edge of the ultrasonic transducer array 2 are symmetric about the center of the sphere. It can be understood that the lower surface of the reflector 3 is a concave spherical plane, and the outermost edge of the reflector 3 and the outermost edge of the ultrasonic transducer array 2 are symmetric about the center of the sphere. The upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer and the reflector 3 are on the same sphere, and the diameter of the sphere is 200 mm, which is approximately 68 times the half wavelength to better form a standing wave field.

[0049] Optionally, the particle input pipeline 5 is arranged to be inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0050] Optionally, a funnel is arranged at the inlet of the particle input pipeline 5.

[0051] The application also provides a test method for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support, which adopts the device for simulating a microgravity environment by using ultrasonic support.

[0052] The single-chip microcomputer generates an electrical signal, the signal power is increased through a power amplifier, and the energy transmission efficiency is improved through a matching circuit, so as to complete the driving of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0053] The ultrasonic transducer converts the electrical signal into ultrasonic waves and transmits them, which are reflected by the reflector 3 and form a stable standing wave field in the suspension space 8, thereby forming a microgravity environment in the suspension space 8;

[0054] A set number of particles to be studied are placed at the entrance of the particle input pipe 5. The particles to be studied enter the suspension space 8 through the particle input pipe 5 at a set initial velocity. Some particles to be studied cannot escape the control of the sound field and thus stably suspend at the nodes of the suspension space 8. Another part of the particles to be studied that are not captured leave the suspension space 8 from the avoidance space 7.

[0055] Obviously, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are intended only to help illustrate the present invention. The embodiments do not describe all details in detail, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Numerous modifications and variations are possible based on the contents of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments in order to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to list all embodiments here.

Claims

1. A device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support, characterized in that: include: Bracket (1); A reflector (3), the reflector (3) is fixedly arranged above the bracket (1); An ultrasonic transducer array (2), the ultrasonic transducer array (2) is located below the reflective cover (3), and a suspended space (8) is formed between the ultrasonic transducer array (2) and the reflective cover (3); the ultrasonic transducer array (2) includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside, the ultrasonic transducer group includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged sequentially along the circumferential direction, an avoidance space (7) is provided in the middle of the ultrasonic transducer array (2), and the avoidance space (7) is connected to the suspended space (8); A single chip microcomputer, a power amplifier and a matching circuit, wherein the single chip microcomputer, the power amplifier, the matching circuit and the ultrasonic transducer array (2) are electrically connected in sequence; The particle input pipe (5) is fixedly arranged on the bracket (1), and the outlet of the particle input pipe (5) is communicated with the suspension space (8).

2. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a recovery platform (4), which is fixedly arranged on the bracket (1) and is located below the avoidance space (7).

3. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a camera (6), which can shoot the scene in the suspended space (8).

4. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the ultrasonic transducer located in the innermost circle and the vertical direction is 20°, and the angle between the ultrasonic transducer located in the outermost circle and the vertical direction is 42°.

5. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of turns of the ultrasonic transducer group is 4.

6. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of ultrasonic transducers in the innermost circle of ultrasonic transducer groups is 24, the number of ultrasonic transducers in the second circle of ultrasonic transducer groups from the inside to the outside is 30, the number of ultrasonic transducers in the third circle of ultrasonic transducer groups from the inside to the outside is 35, and the number of ultrasonic transducers in the fourth circle of ultrasonic transducer groups from the inside to the outside is 40.

7. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer array (2) and the lower surface of the reflective cover (3) are on the same spherical surface, and the outermost edge of the reflective cover (3) and the outermost edge of the ultrasonic transducer array (2) are symmetrical about the center of the sphere.

8. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The particle input pipe (5) is arranged to be inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

9. The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to claim 1, characterized in that: A funnel is provided at the inlet of the particle input pipe (5).

10. A test method for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasonic support, characterized in that: The device for simulating a microgravity environment using ultrasound support according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises: The single chip microcomputer generates an electrical signal, increases the signal power through the power amplifier, and improves the energy transmission efficiency through the matching circuit to complete the driving of the ultrasonic transducer; The ultrasonic transducer converts the electrical signal into ultrasonic waves and transmits them, which are reflected by the reflective cover (3) and form a stable standing wave field in the suspended space (8), thereby forming a microgravity environment in the suspended space (8); A set number of particles to be studied are placed at the entrance of a particle input pipe (5). The particles to be studied enter the suspension space (8) through the particle input pipe (5) at a set initial velocity. Some of the particles to be studied cannot escape the control of the sound field and thus stably suspend at the nodes of the suspension space (8). Another part of the particles to be studied that are not captured leave the suspension space (8) from the avoidance space (7).

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