A two-stage light gas gun projectile acceleration device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a two-stage light gas gun projectile accelerating device and method, and belongs to the technical field of nuclear fusion projectile injection. The device comprises a high-pressure gas source, a high-pressure pressure-reducing valve, a high-pressure air inlet valve, a high-pressure pressure stabilizing tank, a high-pressure fast valve, a vacuum pump, a buffer tank, a gas release valve, a pump pipe, a piston, a back pressure valve, a stop valve, a low-pressure pressure-reducing valve, a low-pressure air inlet valve, a low-pressure pressure stabilizing tank and a low-pressure fast valve. The piston is arranged in the pump pipe, and the pump pipe is divided into a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side. The high-pressure side is connected with the high-pressure pressure stabilizing tank through the high-pressure fast valve, and is also connected with the vacuum pump through the gas release valve and the buffer tank. The low-pressure side is connected with the stop valve through the back pressure valve, and is also connected with the low-pressure pressure stabilizing tank through the low-pressure fast valve. The high-pressure pressure stabilizing tank is connected with the high-pressure gas source through the high-pressure air inlet valve and the high-pressure pressure-reducing valve. The low-pressure pressure stabilizing tank is also connected with the high-pressure gas source through the low-pressure air inlet valve and the low-pressure pressure-reducing valve. A launching gun barrel is connected to the rear side of the stop valve, and the launching gun barrel is arranged with a projectile. The application can realize continuous high-speed launching of solid projectiles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of nuclear fusion projectile injection technology, specifically relating to a two-stage light gas gun projectile acceleration device and method. Background Technology

[0002] In tokamak fusion reactors, to achieve deeper fuel particle injection depths, plasma is typically fed using pellet injection. The injection depth is closely related to the pellet injection velocity; higher velocities result in greater injection depths. However, the injection depth decreases with increasing background plasma temperature. In future fusion reactors, to achieve greater injection depths, pellets need to be accelerated to extremely high velocities. Current pellet acceleration techniques struggle to achieve high injection velocities, failing to meet the demands of future fusion reactors. Therefore, improving the pellet injection velocity is one of the key issues that urgently needs to be addressed in future fusion reactors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0004] A two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device includes: a high-pressure gas source, a high-pressure pressure reducing valve, a high-pressure inlet valve, a high-pressure stabilizing tank, a high-pressure fast valve, a vacuum pump, a buffer tank, a vent valve, a pump pipe, a piston, a back pressure valve, a shut-off valve, a low-pressure pressure reducing valve, a low-pressure inlet valve, a low-pressure stabilizing tank, and a low-pressure fast valve; wherein, a piston is installed in the pump pipe, dividing the pump pipe into a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side; the high-pressure side is connected to the high-pressure stabilizing tank via the high-pressure fast valve, and is also connected to the vacuum pump via the vent valve and the buffer tank; the low-pressure side is connected to the shut-off valve via the back pressure valve, and is also connected to... The low-pressure fast valve is connected to the low-pressure stabilizing tank; the high-pressure stabilizing tank is connected to the high-pressure gas source via the high-pressure inlet valve and the high-pressure pressure reducing valve; the low-pressure stabilizing tank is also connected to the high-pressure gas source via the low-pressure inlet valve and the low-pressure pressure reducing valve; a firing barrel is connected to the back of the shut-off valve, and a projectile is loaded in the firing barrel; the piston in the pump tube moves from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side under the action of the pressure difference, pressurizing the light gas on the low-pressure side of the pump tube. When the pressure reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve, the back pressure valve automatically opens, accelerating the projectile in the firing barrel.

[0005] A method for accelerating a secondary light air gun projectile, used in the aforementioned secondary light air gun projectile accelerating device, comprising:

[0006] Step 1: Set the pressure in both the high-pressure and low-pressure stabilizing tanks to the set pressure.

[0007] Step 2: After briefly opening the low-pressure quick valve, close it to introduce low-pressure light gas into the low-pressure side;

[0008] Step 3: After briefly opening the high-pressure quick valve, close it to introduce high-pressure light gas into the high-pressure side;

[0009] Step 4: Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston in the pump tube moves from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side in the pump tube, compressing the gas in the low-pressure side;

[0010] Step 5: When the gas pressure on the low-pressure side reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve, the back pressure valve opens automatically, and the gas on the low-pressure side pushes the projectile, accelerates the projectile, and launches the projectile.

[0011] Step 6: After the projectile is launched, the gas pressure on the low-pressure side decreases, the back pressure valve closes automatically, the vent valve opens, and the light gas on the high-pressure side enters the buffer tank and is then removed by the vacuum pump, making the pressure on the high-pressure side lower than that on the low-pressure side. Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston returns to the high-pressure side.

[0012] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] First, the present invention adds a back pressure valve between the shut-off valve and the low-pressure side of the pump tube, so that the light gas on the low-pressure side of the pump tube can be fully compressed, thereby generating transient high pressure, which is beneficial to further improve the launch speed of the projectile.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention can achieve continuous firing of solid projectiles through the coordinated operation of a high-pressure fast valve, a venting valve, a back pressure valve, and a low-pressure fast valve. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device of the present invention, wherein: 1-high pressure air source, 2-high pressure reducing valve, 3-high pressure inlet valve, 4-high pressure stabilizing tank, 5-high pressure gauge, 6-high pressure quick valve, 7-vacuum pump, 8-buffer tank, 9-vent valve, 10-high pressure side, 11-pump pipe, 12-piston, 13-low pressure side, 14-back pressure valve, 15-stop valve, 16-projectile, 17-low pressure reducing valve, 18-high pressure fine-tuning valve, 19-low pressure inlet valve, 20-low pressure gauge, 21-low pressure fine-tuning valve, 22-low pressure stabilizing tank, 23-low pressure quick valve, 24-firing barrel. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0017] In future fusion reactors, plasma temperatures will remain above 100 million degrees Celsius. Low-speed projectile injection will struggle to deliver solid fuel projectiles into the plasma core, failing to meet the operational requirements of the fusion reactor. To inject fuel particles into the fusion plasma core, solid fuel projectiles need to be accelerated to speeds exceeding 1000 m / s. A two-stage light gas gun can easily achieve projectile speeds exceeding 1000 m / s with minimal propellant gas. During projectile acceleration, high-pressure gas on one side of the pump tube pushes a piston to compress low-pressure gas, rapidly increasing its pressure to an extremely high value. Under this transient high pressure, the projectile is ejected at an extremely high speed, achieving a high-speed projectile launch exceeding 1000 m / s.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the secondary light air gun projectile acceleration device of the present invention includes: a high-pressure air source 1, a high-pressure pressure reducing valve 2, a high-pressure air inlet valve 3, a high-pressure stabilizing tank 4, a high-pressure fast valve 6, a vacuum pump 7, a buffer tank 8, a vent valve 9, a pump pipe 11, a piston 12, a back pressure valve 14, a shut-off valve 15, a low-pressure pressure reducing valve 17, a low-pressure air inlet valve 19, a low-pressure stabilizing tank 22, and a low-pressure fast valve 23.

[0019] The pump pipe 11 is equipped with a piston 12, which divides the pump pipe 11 into a high-pressure side 10 and a low-pressure side 13. The high-pressure side 10 is connected to the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 via a high-pressure quick valve 6, and is also connected to the vacuum pump 7 via a vent valve 9 and a buffer tank 8. The low-pressure side 13 is connected to the shut-off valve 15 via a back pressure valve 14, and is also connected to the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 via a low-pressure quick valve 23. The high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 is connected to the high-pressure air source 1 via a high-pressure air inlet valve 3 and a high-pressure pressure reducing valve 2. The low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 is also connected to the high-pressure air source 1 via a low-pressure air inlet valve 19 and a low-pressure pressure reducing valve 17. A firing barrel 24 is connected to the rear of the shut-off valve 15, and a projectile 16 is installed in the firing barrel 24. Under the action of pressure difference, the piston 12 in the pump tube moves from the high-pressure side 10 to the low-pressure side 13, pressurizing the light gas in the low-pressure side 13 of the pump tube. When the pressure reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve 14, the back pressure valve 14 opens automatically, thereby accelerating the projectile 16 in the firing barrel 24.

[0020] The high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 is equipped with a high-pressure gauge 5 and a high-pressure fine-tuning valve 18; the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 is equipped with a low-pressure gauge 20 and a low-pressure fine-tuning valve 21.

[0021] When the system is working, light gases (such as hydrogen and helium) in the high-pressure gas source 1 enter the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 through the high-pressure reducing valve 2 and the high-pressure inlet valve 3. When the reading of the high-pressure gauge 5 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 is lower than the set pressure, the high-pressure inlet valve 3 opens and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve 18 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 closes, thus filling the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 with gas. When the reading of the high-pressure gauge 5 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 is higher than the set pressure, the high-pressure inlet valve 3 closes and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve 18 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 opens, releasing excess light gases. When the reading of the high-pressure gauge 5 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 is at the set pressure, both the high-pressure inlet valve 3 and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve 18 of the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 close, thereby stabilizing the pressure in the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 within the set pressure range.

[0022] When the system is working, light gases (such as hydrogen and helium) in the high-pressure gas source 1 enter the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 through the low-pressure reducing valve 17 and the low-pressure inlet valve 19. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge 20 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 is lower than the set pressure, the low-pressure inlet valve 19 opens and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve 21 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 closes, thus filling the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 with gas. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge 20 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 is higher than the set pressure, the low-pressure inlet valve 19 closes and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve 21 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 opens, releasing excess light gases. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge 20 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 is at the set pressure, both the low-pressure inlet valve 19 and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve 21 in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 close, thereby stabilizing the pressure in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 within the set pressure range.

[0023] The gas pressure in the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 shall not be lower than 50 bar, and the gas pressure in the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 shall not be higher than 5 bar.

[0024] High-pressure inlet valve 3, high-pressure fast valve 6, high-pressure fine-tuning valve 18, vent valve 9, low-pressure inlet valve 19, low-pressure fine-tuning valve 21, and low-pressure fast valve 23 are all normally closed valves; high-pressure pressure reducing valve 2, low-pressure pressure reducing valve 17, and shut-off valve 15 are normally open valves.

[0025] Back pressure valve 14 is a normally closed valve. It will automatically open when the gas pressure reaches its opening pressure and remain closed when the gas pressure is lower than its opening pressure.

[0026] Piston 12 is made of wear-resistant and lightweight material, has self-lubricating properties, and can withstand high temperatures above 100°C, such as nylon. Piston 12 is in contact with the inner wall of pump pipe 11. When there is a pressure difference between the high-pressure side 10 and the low-pressure side 13 of the pump pipe, piston 12 can move inside pump pipe 11.

[0027] The projectile 16 is millimeter in size, weighs no more than 100 milligrams, has a gap of no more than 0.5 millimeters between it and the firing barrel 24, and the distance between the projectile 16 and the exit of the firing barrel 24 is no less than 1 meter.

[0028] When accelerating projectiles with a level 2 light air rifle, the following steps must be followed:

[0029] Step 1: Set the pressure in the high-pressure stabilizing tank 4 and the low-pressure stabilizing tank 22 to the set pressure;

[0030] Step 2: After the low-pressure quick valve 23 is briefly opened and then closed, low-pressure light gas is introduced into the low-pressure side 13;

[0031] Step 3: After briefly opening and then closing the high-pressure quick valve 6, high-pressure light gas is introduced into the high-pressure side 10;

[0032] Step 4: Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston 12 in the pump tube 11 moves from the high-pressure side 10 to the low-pressure side 13 in the pump tube, compressing the gas in the low-pressure side 13.

[0033] Step 5: When the gas pressure in the low-pressure side 13 reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve 14, the back pressure valve 14 opens, and the gas in the low-pressure side 13 pushes the projectile 16, accelerates the projectile 16, and launches the projectile 16.

[0034] Step 6: After the projectile 16 is launched, the gas pressure in the low-pressure side 13 decreases, the back pressure valve 14 automatically closes, the vent valve 9 opens, and the light gas in the high-pressure side 10 enters the buffer tank 8 and is then removed by the vacuum pump 7, so that the pressure on the high-pressure side is lower than that on the low-pressure side. Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston 12 returns to the high-pressure side.

[0035] By performing steps 2 to 6 above, one projectile launch is completed; by continuously repeating steps 2 to 6, continuous projectile launches can be achieved.

[0036] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related system fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A two-stage lightweight air gun projectile acceleration device, characterized in that, include: The system includes a high-pressure gas source, a high-pressure pressure reducing valve, a high-pressure inlet valve, a high-pressure stabilizing tank, a high-pressure quick valve, a vacuum pump, a buffer tank, a vent valve, pump tubing, a piston, a back pressure valve, a shut-off valve, a low-pressure pressure reducing valve, a low-pressure inlet valve, a low-pressure stabilizing tank, and a low-pressure quick valve. The pump tubing contains a piston that divides it into a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side. The high-pressure side is connected to the high-pressure stabilizing tank via the high-pressure quick valve, and also to the vacuum pump via the vent valve and the buffer tank. The low-pressure side is connected to the shut-off valve via the back pressure valve, and also to the low-pressure quick valve. The pressure stabilizing tank is connected; the high-pressure stabilizing tank is connected to the high-pressure gas source via a high-pressure inlet valve and a high-pressure pressure reducing valve; the low-pressure stabilizing tank is also connected to the high-pressure gas source via a low-pressure inlet valve and a low-pressure pressure reducing valve; a firing barrel is connected to the back of the shut-off valve, and a projectile is loaded in the firing barrel; the piston in the pump tube moves from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side under the action of the pressure difference, pressurizing the light gas on the low-pressure side of the pump tube. When the pressure reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve, the back pressure valve opens automatically, accelerating the projectile in the firing barrel.

2. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projectile is located behind the shut-off valve.

3. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The system includes a high-pressure gauge, a high-pressure fine-tuning valve, a low-pressure gauge, and a low-pressure fine-tuning valve; wherein the high-pressure gauge and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve are mounted on the high-pressure stabilizing tank; and the low-pressure gauge and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve are mounted on the low-pressure stabilizing tank.

4. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, During system operation, light gas from the high-pressure gas source enters the high-pressure stabilizing tank via the high-pressure pressure reducing valve and the high-pressure inlet valve. When the high-pressure gauge reading of the high-pressure stabilizing tank is lower than the set pressure, the high-pressure inlet valve opens and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve of the high-pressure stabilizing tank closes, filling the high-pressure stabilizing tank with gas. When the high-pressure gauge reading of the high-pressure stabilizing tank is higher than the set pressure, the high-pressure inlet valve closes and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve of the high-pressure stabilizing tank opens, releasing excess light gas. When the high-pressure gauge reading of the high-pressure stabilizing tank is at the set pressure, both the high-pressure inlet valve and the high-pressure fine-tuning valve of the high-pressure stabilizing tank close, thereby stabilizing the pressure in the high-pressure stabilizing tank within the set pressure range.

5. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the system is working, light gas from the high-pressure gas source enters the low-pressure stabilizing tank through the low-pressure reducing valve and the low-pressure inlet valve. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge in the low-pressure stabilizing tank is lower than the set pressure, the low-pressure inlet valve opens and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve of the low-pressure stabilizing tank closes, filling the low-pressure stabilizing tank with gas. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge in the low-pressure stabilizing tank is higher than the set pressure, the low-pressure inlet valve closes and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve of the low-pressure stabilizing tank opens, releasing excess light gas. When the reading of the low-pressure gauge in the low-pressure stabilizing tank is at the set pressure, both the low-pressure inlet valve and the low-pressure fine-tuning valve of the low-pressure stabilizing tank close, thereby stabilizing the pressure in the low-pressure stabilizing tank within the set pressure range.

6. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, High-pressure inlet valve, high-pressure fast valve, high-pressure fine-tuning valve, vent valve, low-pressure inlet valve, low-pressure fine-tuning valve, and low-pressure fast valve are normally closed valves; high-pressure pressure reducing valve, low-pressure pressure reducing valve, and shut-off valve are normally open valves; back pressure valve is a normally closed valve that automatically opens when the gas pressure reaches its opening pressure and remains closed when the gas pressure is lower than its opening pressure.

7. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas pressure in the high-pressure stabilizing tank shall not be lower than 50 bar, and the gas pressure in the low-pressure stabilizing tank shall not be higher than 5 bar.

8. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston is made of wear-resistant and lightweight material, has self-lubricating properties, and can withstand high temperatures above 100°C. The piston contacts the inner wall of the pump tube. When there is a pressure difference between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side of the pump tube, the piston moves inside the pump tube.

9. The two-stage light air gun projectile acceleration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projectile is in the millimeter range in size, weighs no more than 100 milligrams, has a gap of no more than 0.5 millimeters between it and the firing barrel, and the distance between the projectile and the exit of the firing barrel is no less than 1 meter.

10. A method for accelerating a two-stage light air gun projectile, used in a two-stage light air gun projectile accelerating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: Step 1: Set the pressure in both the high-pressure and low-pressure stabilizing tanks to the set pressure. Step 2: After briefly opening the low-pressure quick valve, close it to introduce low-pressure light gas into the low-pressure side; Step 3: After briefly opening the high-pressure quick valve, close it to introduce high-pressure light gas into the high-pressure side; Step 4: Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston in the pump tube moves from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side in the pump tube, compressing the gas in the low-pressure side; Step 5: When the gas pressure on the low-pressure side reaches the opening pressure of the back pressure valve, the back pressure valve opens automatically, and the gas on the low-pressure side pushes the projectile, accelerates the projectile, and launches the projectile. Step 6: After the projectile is launched, the gas pressure on the low-pressure side decreases, the back pressure valve closes automatically, the vent valve opens, and the light gas on the high-pressure side enters the buffer tank and is then removed by the vacuum pump, making the pressure on the high-pressure side lower than that on the low-pressure side. Under the action of the pressure difference, the piston returns to the high-pressure side.

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