Energetic metal target belt capable of being used for laser transmission type ablation propulsion and micro-thruster of energetic metal target belt

The energy-containing metal target tape and automated mobile system prepared through 3D direct writing printing solve the problems of low propellant utilization and low specific impulse in traditional laser ablation propulsion, and realizes multiple reuse of the thrust and thrust adjustment, which is suitable for laser transmission ablation propulsion.

CN120396324APending Publication Date: 2025-08-01NANJING UNIV OF SCI & TECH
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510746628.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-06-05
Publication Date
2025-08-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In traditional laser ablation propulsion technology, self-sustaining combustion of propellant is not conducive to the precise attitude control of the spacecraft. The propellant utilization rate is low and the specific impulse is lower, and the thrust is costly to use.

Method used

The energy-containing metal target belt is prepared by 3D direct writing printing technology, and the target belt position is automatically moved through the stepper motor and gear system, combined with laser transmission ablation propulsion, the multiple reuse and thrust adjustment of the target belt are achieved.

Benefits of technology

It improves the utilization rate of the propulsion working fluid, realizes flexible adjustment of thrust and impulse, reduces the cost of thrust, and meets the power demand of micro-nano satellites.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention discloses an energetic metal target belt capable of being used for laser transmission type ablation propulsion, which is prepared by 3D direct writing printing and has the advantages of high specific impulse, good uniformity, capability of performing propulsion work for multiple times and the like. In addition, the invention discloses a laser ablation micro-thruster capable of automatically moving the target belt and adjustable in thrust. The laser ablation micro-thruster comprises a stepping motor, a controller, an outer frame, a roller, a gear, a gear shaft, a bearing, a Laval nozzle, a target belt limiter, an energetic target belt and a base. According to the invention, the energy-containing target belt is ablated by using laser, so that impulse and thrust are generated in an extremely short time, a laser ablation point is changed through the automatic target material moving device, the number of times of propelling a single target material is more than 100, and the utilization rate of the target material is high. The thrust and impulse can be adjusted by changing laser energy, the thrust range is 1 mN to 100 mN magnitude, and the power requirements of attitude control and orbit change of the spacecraft can be met.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerospace propulsion technology, and particularly relates to an energetic metal target tape and a microthruster that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion. Background Art

[0002] Laser ablation micropropulsion technology is a technology that uses high-energy density lasers to interact with propellants, causing the propellants to vaporize and dissociate. Through the backspray action of ablation products, the thruster obtains a reaction impulse, thereby generating propulsion. Compared with several other propulsion technologies, laser micropropulsion technology has the advantages of small impulse element (high control accuracy), wide thrust adjustable range, and large thrust-to-power ratio, meeting the performance requirements of micro-nano satellite propulsion systems. For traditional laser ablation propellants, since the propellants continue to self-sustain combustion after the energy is removed, it is not conducive to the precise attitude control and orbit adjustment of spacecraft. At the same time, the specific impulse of traditional propulsion target materials is relatively low, and the propellant utilization rate is low. After a single ignition propulsion, it cannot be propelled again, resulting in high usage costs of thrusters and propulsion target materials. Therefore, improving the propellant utilization rate and specific impulse of propellants and realizing intelligent thrust adjustment of propellants are urgent problems to be solved in the field of laser micropropulsion. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aiming at the current situation that the thrust of traditional solid chemical thrusters is difficult to adjust in real time, and the problems of low specific impulse and low propellant utilization rate of traditional solid target materials, the present invention proposes an energetic metal target tape that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion and a laser ablation microthruster with an automatically movable target tape. By moving the position of the target tape through an automatic device, the number of propulsion times can be significantly increased, and the propellant utilization rate can be improved. By changing the laser energy during different propulsion work, the thrust and impulse can be adjusted, and the thrust range is in the range of 1 mN to 100 mN. The energetic target material is a metal target material prepared by 3D direct writing printing technology, which has the advantages of high specific impulse and good uniformity. It can meet the power requirements for attitude control and orbit change of space vehicles.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0005] The present invention provides an energetic metal target tape and a microthruster that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion. The irradiated position of the target tape is automatically changed by driving a gear with a stepper motor, realizing that the target tape can be repeated multiple times.

[0006] Specifically, it is an energetic metal target tape that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion

[0007] The energetic metal target tape is obtained by 3D direct writing printing; the 3D direct writing printing mixture ink includes

[0008] metal working fluids, one or more of aluminum, copper, and silver at the nanoscale;

[0009] The solution is a mixture of PVDF and DMF;

[0010] Among them, the mass ratio of the metal working fluid to the solution is 9:1 or 8:2, and the substrate is a polyimide film.

[0011] 3D direct writing printing prints the mixture ink of metal powder and solvent on the polyimide substrate film, and then cuts it into an energetic metal target tape.

[0012] The thruster of the present invention includes:

[0013] A stepper motor and a controller;

[0014] The gear, gear shaft, and roller are integrally structured;

[0015] The gears are respectively set as a left gear, a middle gear, and a right gear;

[0016] The gear shafts are respectively set as a left gear shaft, a middle gear shaft, and a right gear shaft corresponding to the gears;

[0017] The rollers are set as a left roller and a right roller;

[0018] The stepper motor and the controller drive the middle gear shaft and the middle gear to rotate. The middle gear drives the left and right gear shafts and the left and right gears to rotate. Since the roller and the gear and the gear shaft are of an integrated structure, the gear roller rotates together with the gear and the gear shaft, thereby driving the energetic target tape arranged at both ends on the left and right rollers to move horizontally, exposing new laser ablation points. This structural design ensures the repeated use of the energetic target tape and can also achieve adjustable thrust.

[0019] The energetic target tape is arranged through a target tape limiter;

[0020] A Laval nozzle is arranged coaxially with the energetic target tape and the laser beam of the laser.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0022] (1) The metal energetic target tape is prepared by using 3D direct writing printing technology, which has good uniformity and high specific impulse.

[0023] (2) The position of the target tape is moved by an automatic device, which greatly improves the number of propulsion times, improves the utilization rate of the working fluid, reduces the waste of the working fluid. In addition, the present invention can be disassembled and recycled multiple times, achieving the effect of recycling multiple times in one launch, and greatly increasing the service life of the thruster.

[0024] (3) By changing the laser energy during different propulsion work, the thrust and impulse can be adjusted, and the thrust range is in the range of 1 mN to 100 mN.

[0025] (4) The present invention is light in weight and easy to carry, greatly reducing the load of the micro-nano satellite and enabling more precise control of the micro-nano satellite. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 It is a flowchart for the preparation and integration of an energetic metal target tape.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a top view structural schematic diagram of the energetic metal target tape and the micro-thruster structure applied in the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a structural design diagram of the energetic metal target tape and the micro-thruster structure applied in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a physical diagram of the laser ablation micro-thruster applied in the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0030] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

[0031] As Figures 1-4 shown, an energetic metal target tape that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion

[0032] The energetic metal target tape is obtained by 3D direct writing printing;

[0033] The 3D direct writing printing mixture ink includes

[0034] A metal working fluid, one or more of aluminum, copper, and silver at the nanoscale;

[0035] The solution is a mixed solution of PVDF and DMF;

[0036] Among them, the mass ratio of the metal working fluid to the solution is 9:1 or 8:2, and the substrate is a polyimide film.

[0037] 3D direct writing printing prints the mixture ink of metal powder and solvent on the polyimide substrate film, and then cuts it into an energetic metal target tape.

[0038] The present invention provides a specific preparation process of the energetic metal target tape as follows:

[0039] It includes the following preparation steps:

[0040] S1. Weigh PVDF and DMF, and magnetically stir the two for 1 h and then ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a clear and uniform solution;

[0041] S2. Add the sieved nano-metal powder to the mixed solution obtained in S1, magnetically stir for 1 h and ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a uniformly mixed metal powder / PVDF ink;

[0042] S3. The mixture obtained in step S2 is 3D printed on a polyimide film, and the film is rapidly cured by heating; the curing temperature is 60 °C.

[0043] The 3D direct writing printing system used in the present invention consists of two parts: a software control module and a hardware execution module. The software control module is mainly divided into three parts, namely a model generation program, a model conversion program, and an instruction file generation program. The hardware execution module is also composed of three parts, namely an electric displacement platform controller, a three-dimensional motion platform, and a vacuum adsorption heating device.

[0044] The present invention provides a laser ablation microthruster with an energetic metal target tape that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion. The thruster includes:

[0045] A stepper motor and a controller 1;

[0046] The gear 4, the gear shaft 5, and the roller 3 are integrally structured;

[0047] The gear 4 is respectively set as a left gear, a middle gear, and a right gear;

[0048] The gear shafts 5 are respectively set as a left gear shaft, a middle gear shaft, and a right gear shaft corresponding to the gears;

[0049] The rollers 3 are set as a left roller and a right roller;

[0050] The stepper motor and the controller 1 drive the middle gear shaft and the middle gear to rotate. The middle gear drives the left and right gear shafts and the left and right gears to rotate. Since the roller and the gear and the gear shaft are of an integral structure, the gear roller rotates together with the gear and the gear shaft, thereby driving the energetic target tape (9) disposed at both ends on the left and right rollers to move laterally, exposing new laser ablation points. This structural design ensures the repeated use of the energetic target tape and can also achieve adjustable thrust.

[0051] The energetic target tape 9 is arranged through the target tape limiter 8; the Laval nozzle 7 is coaxially arranged with the energetic target tape 9 and the laser beam of the laser.

[0052] A specific embodiment provided by the present invention is: the integral structure of the gear 4, the gear shaft 5, and the roller 3 is fixed on the base 10 through a bearing 6, and the upper ends of the left and right gear shafts are fixed on the outer frame 2 by using a bearing 6, and the upper end of the middle gear shaft is connected to the stepper motor and the controller 1.

[0053] A specific embodiment provided by the present invention is: the propulsion of the energetic target tape 9 is adjusted by turning on or off the laser beam of the laser, so that the thruster can be restarted repeatedly; the thrust of the energetic target tape 9 is changed by changing the laser energy and the spot size, so that the thrust impulse of the thruster can be adjusted in real time.

[0054] A specific embodiment provided by the present invention is that the laser spot is equal to the throat area of the Laval nozzle 7.

[0055] A specific embodiment provided by the present invention is that the laser of the laser device irradiates the substrate of the energetic target tape 9 from the rear, and the energy penetrates through the substrate and couples in the metal powder to generate thrust.

[0056] A specific embodiment provided by the present invention is that the Laval nozzle 7 is a convergent-divergent nozzle, including two sections: one section is a convergent section with a convergence angle of 60°, and the other section is a divergent section with a divergence angle of 33.4°, and the throat diameter ratio is 10:1; the diameter of the convergent section gradually decreases from the inside to the outside and is used to bundle the gas; the divergent section is in contact with the external environment and is used to accelerate the gas.

[0057] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention

[0058] Example 1:

[0059] Weigh a certain amount of PVDF and DMF, magnetically stir the two for 1 h and then ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a clear and uniform solution. Add the sieved nano-metal powder to the mixed solution, magnetically stir for 1 h and ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a uniformly mixed metal powder / PVDF ink. Then load the mixed solution into a syringe and place it on a 3D direct writing printer for printing on a polyimide film. At the same time, directly heat the platform. Since DMF has good volatility when heated, the film can be quickly cured, and the curing temperature is selected as 60 °C. Cut the energetic target tape into target strips, load them on the thruster as shown in Figure 2 and then install the thruster on the torsion pendulum to test the corresponding performance parameters.

[0060] Table 1 Formulation of the energetic target tape in Example 1 and corresponding performance parameters

[0061]

[0062]

[0063] Example 2:

[0064] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, change the spot size, and the performance parameters are shown in Table 2.

[0065] Table 2 Formulation of the energetic target tape in Example 2 and corresponding performance parameters

[0066]

[0067] Example 3:

[0068] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, change the spot size, and the performance parameters are shown in Table 3.

[0069] Table 3 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 3 and corresponding performance parameters

[0070]

[0071] Example 4:

[0072] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, except for changing the spot size. The performance parameters are shown in Table 4.

[0073] Table 4 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 4 and corresponding performance parameters

[0074]

[0075] Example 5:

[0076] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, except for changing the target material. The performance parameters are shown in Table 5.

[0077] Table 5 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 5 and corresponding performance parameters

[0078]

[0079] Example 6:

[0080] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, except for changing the spot size. The performance parameters are shown in Table 6.

[0081] Table 6 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 6 and corresponding performance parameters

[0082]

[0083]

[0084] Example 7:

[0085] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, except for changing the spot size. The performance parameters are shown in Table 7.

[0086] Table 7 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 7 and corresponding performance parameters

[0087]

[0088] Example 8:

[0089] Other conditions are the same as in Example 1, except for changing the spot size. The performance parameters are shown in Table 8.

[0090] Table 8 Energetic target tape formulation of Example 8 and corresponding performance parameters

[0091]

[0092] The above embodiments show that the specific impulse and impulse coupling coefficient of the silver target in laser ablation propulsion are very high, showing significant advantages compared with the copper target. The corresponding thrusts are different under different metal target tapes and different laser parameters, indicating that the thrust can be adjusted intelligently, with a range of 1 mN to 100 mN. The energetic target tape can achieve repeated propulsion multiple times by changing the laser ablation point, greatly improving the utilization rate of the working medium.

[0093] There is provided an energetic metal target tape and its micro-thruster for laser transmission ablation propulsion prepared by the above process. By moving the position of the target tape through an automated device, the number of propulsions can be significantly increased, and the utilization rate of the working medium can be improved. By changing the laser energy during different propulsion operations, the thrust and impulse can be adjusted, and the thrust range is within 1 mN to 100 mN. The energetic target material is a metal target material prepared by 3D direct writing printing technology, having advantages such as high specific impulse and good uniformity, and can meet the dynamic requirements for attitude control and orbit change of space vehicles.

[0094] The above-described embodiments are generally applicable. Although the description is relatively specific and detailed, it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the present invention. Any simple modification, decoration, and equivalent change made to the above embodiments based on the essence of the present invention all fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energetic metal target tape applicable to laser transmission ablation propulsion, characterized in that: The energetic metal target tape is obtained by 3D direct writing printing; The 3D direct writing printing mixture ink includes Metal working medium, one or more of aluminum, copper, and silver at the nanoscale; The solution is a mixed solution of PVDF and DMF; The mass ratio of the metal working medium to the solution is 9:1 or 8:2, and the substrate is a polyimide film.

2. The energetic metal target tape applicable to laser transmission ablation propulsion according to claim 1, wherein: 3D direct writing printing prints the mixture ink of metal powder and solvent on the polyimide substrate film, and then cuts it into an energetic metal target tape.

3. The energetic metal target tape applicable to laser transmission ablation propulsion according to claims 1-2, characterized in that: It includes the following preparation steps: S1. Weigh PVDF and DMF, and magnetically stir the two for 1 h and then ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a clear and uniform solution; S2. Add the sieved nano-metal powder to the mixed solution obtained in S1, magnetically stir for 1 h and ultrasonically disperse for 1 h to obtain a uniformly mixed metal powder / PVDF ink; S3. Perform 3D printing of the mixed solution obtained in step S2 on the polyimide film, and heat to quickly cure the film.

4. The energetic metal target tape for laser transmission ablation propulsion according to claim 3, characterized in that: The curing temperature is 60 °C.

5. A laser ablation microthruster with an energetic metal target tape that can be used for laser transmission ablation propulsion, characterized in that: The thruster includes: A stepper motor and a controller (1); The gear (4), gear shaft (5), and roller (3) are integrally structured; The gear (4) is respectively set as a left gear, a middle gear, and a right gear; The gear shafts (5) are respectively set as a left gear shaft, a middle gear shaft, and a right gear shaft corresponding to the gears; The rollers (3) are set as a left roller and a right roller; The stepper motor and the controller (1) drive the middle gear shaft and the middle gear to rotate. The middle gear drives the left and right gear shafts and the left and right gears to rotate. The roller and the gear and the gear shaft are of an integrated structure, and the gear roller rotates together with the gear and the gear shaft, thereby driving the energetic target tape (9) arranged at both ends on the left and right rollers to move horizontally, exposing new laser ablation points; The said energetic target tape (9) is arranged through the target tape limiter (8); A Laval nozzle (7) is arranged coaxially with the energetic target tape (9) and the laser beam of the laser.

6. The laser ablation microthruster according to claim 5, wherein The integrated structure of the gear (4), gear shaft (5), and roller (3) is fixed on the base (10) through a bearing (6). The upper ends of the left and right gear shafts are fixed on the outer frame (2) by bearings (6), and the upper end of the middle gear shaft is connected to the stepper motor and the controller (1).

7. The laser ablation microthruster according to claim 5, characterized in that: The propulsion of the energetic target tape (9) is adjusted by turning on or off the laser beam of the laser, so that the thruster can be restarted; the thrust of the energetic target tape (9) is changed by changing the laser energy and the spot size, so that the thrust impulse of the thruster can be adjusted in real time.

8. The laser ablation microthruster according to claim 7, characterized in that: The laser spot is equal to the throat area of the Laval nozzle (7).

9. The laser ablation microthruster according to claim 5, 7 or 8, characterized in that: The laser of the laser irradiates the substrate of the energetic target tape (9) from the rear, and the energy penetrates the substrate and couples in the metal powder to generate thrust.

10. The laser ablation microthruster according to claim 5 or 8, characterized in that: The Laval nozzle (7) is a convergent-divergent nozzle, including two sections: one section is a convergent section with a convergence angle of 60°, and the other section is a divergent section with a divergence angle of 33.4°, and the throat diameter ratio is 10:1; the diameter of the convergent section gradually decreases from the inside to the outside and is used for beam-gathering the gas; the divergent section is in contact with the external environment and is used for accelerating the gas.