Data processing system suitable for VASIMR propeller inflation system
Through real-time control and visual data processing systems, the problems of delayed response of piezoelectric valves and insufficient linkage of the inflation system in the VASIMR thruster were solved, the matching of working fluid delivery and the improvement of experimental efficiency were achieved, the operation interface was optimized, and the stability of the system and experimental reliability were improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510787629.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-23
AI Technical Summary
The existing VASIMR thruster's piezoelectric valve response delay, lack of linkage between the inflation system and plasma parameter diagnosis, and imperfect operating interface lead to low experimental efficiency and difficulty in performance optimization.
The piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module, the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module, the plasma parameter and intake volume relationship fitting and prediction module, and the plasma parameter evolution law analysis and drawing module are used to achieve real-time control and visual data processing, optimize the piezoelectric valve parameters, establish a real-time association between the inflation system and plasma diagnosis, and provide an integrated operation interface.
Significantly reduce the response delay of the piezoelectric valve, avoid working fluid overload or underload, improve experimental efficiency and data reliability, simplify the operation process, and enhance the dynamic stability and versatility of the system.
Smart Images
Figure CN120688244A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of data processing, and in particular relates to a data processing system suitable for a VASIMR thruster inflation system. Background Art
[0002] The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) is an electric propulsion technology that uses electromagnetic fields to control the plasma state. It ionizes the working gas using a helicon radio frequency source (helicon) and heats the plasma using ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). This thermal energy is ultimately converted into directional kinetic energy in an expanding magnetic nozzle, achieving a wide range of continuously adjustable thrust (N-level thrust) and specific impulse (3000-5000s). This technology, with its electrode-free contact design, effectively avoids the sputtering erosion problem of traditional ion thrusters, making it suitable for long-duration deep space exploration missions.
[0003] In the VASIMR propulsion system, precise delivery of working fluid is a critical step. Existing technologies typically employ components such as pressure manifolds, micro-latch valves (MiLVs), and piezoelectric control valves (PCVs), combined with propellant management electronics modules (PMEMs) for flow control. For example, the early Xenon Flow Control Module (XFCM) and subsequent VX-200 Flow Control Module (VFCM) regulate the delivery of high-pressure gas (up to 3000 psig) to supply working fluid to the propulsion core. However, existing technologies suffer from the following drawbacks:
[0004] Piezoelectric valve response delay: The adjustment speed of the piezoelectric valve is orders of magnitude different from the transient evolution of the plasma (for example, the plasma thermal velocity can reach 10,000 m / s), which can easily lead to working fluid overload or underload during the power modulation stage.
[0005] Insufficient system linkage: The inflation system and the plasma parameter diagnosis system lack real-time linkage, requiring experimenters to manually observe and calculate the inflation rate, which is inefficient and lacks accuracy.
[0006] Imperfect operating interface: The existing system lacks an integrated and visual operating interface, which makes the experimental process cumbersome and difficult to quickly respond to dynamic working conditions.
[0007] The above problems restrict the experimental efficiency and performance optimization of the VASIMR thruster, and a system solution that can realize automated and high-precision data processing is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention
[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a data processing system suitable for the VASIMR thruster inflation system, which aims to solve the problems of delayed response of the piezoelectric valve in the prior art, lack of linkage between the inflation system and plasma parameter diagnosis, and cumbersome operation.
[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:
[0010] A data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system, comprising:
[0011] The piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module is used to calculate the intake rate and intake particle count of the piezoelectric valve in the VASIMR propulsion device in real time;
[0012] The piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module is used to calibrate the relationship between the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate in the VASIMR propulsion device before the experiment, providing a benchmark for the piezoelectric valve parameter setting in the formal experiment;
[0013] A plasma parameter and intake air flow relationship fitting and prediction module is used to fit the functional relationship between plasma parameters and intake air particle counts based on historical experimental data, predict the required plasma parameter target values and the required intake air particle count based on the functional relationship and the real-time calculation results of the piezoelectric valve intake air rate calculation module, and generate reference parameters for the piezoelectric valve voltage, opening time, and intake air pulse width;
[0014] The plasma parameter evolution law analysis and drawing module is used to draw the time evolution curves of different plasma parameters and analyze the correlation laws between physical quantities.
[0015] Furthermore, the piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module also includes a gas pressure monitoring unit for real-time monitoring of the gas pressure in the pressure-stabilizing tank upstream of the piezoelectric valve. When the gas pressure is lower than a set pressure threshold, a pop-up alarm is issued.
[0016] Furthermore, the piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module calculates the intake rate and intake particle count of the piezoelectric valve according to the inflation mode provided by the inflation mode module, and the inflation mode includes a pulse amplitude modulation mode or a pulse width modulation mode.
[0017] Furthermore, the pulse amplitude modulation mode dynamically adjusts the piezoelectric valve voltage through the pressure change of the pressure regulating tank to control the intake air volume; the pulse width modulation mode adjusts the intake air volume by controlling the intake pulse width and time interval based on the constant flow algorithm.
[0018] Furthermore, the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake air rate calibration module adopts a calibration formula provided by a supplier and determines the formula coefficient by fitting experimental data to establish an accurate correspondence between the piezoelectric valve voltage and the intake air rate.
[0019] Furthermore, the plasma parameter and intake air amount relationship fitting and prediction module fits the functional relationship between the plasma parameters and the intake air particle number based on historical experimental data, including reading the plasma parameters, piezoelectric valve voltage, surge tank gas pressure and charging time data in the historical experimental data.
[0020] Furthermore, the target value of the plasma parameter is obtained by calculating the target thrust and specific impulse according to plasma theory.
[0021] Furthermore, the predicted required intake particle number is sent to the charging mode module for selecting the charging mode and intake parameters.
[0022] Furthermore, the plasma parameters include plasma temperature and density.
[0023] Furthermore, the plasma parameter evolution law analysis drawing module supports custom drawing parameters, including time range, coordinate axis scale and curve style, and supports exporting multiple image formats.
[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0025] The present invention optimizes the control parameters of the piezoelectric valve through a piezoelectric valve voltage and intake air rate calibration module, significantly reducing its response delay and enabling the fluid delivery rate to match the transient evolution of the plasma, avoiding overload or underload, and improving the dynamic stability of the propulsion system. A plasma parameter and intake air particle number dependency fitting and prediction module establishes a real-time correlation between the inflation system and plasma diagnostic data, automatically calculating the optimal intake air volume, reducing manual intervention and improving experimental efficiency and data reliability. A piezoelectric valve intake air rate calculation module monitors the gas pressure in the surge tank in real time and triggers an alarm when it falls below a threshold, prompting the operator to promptly replenish air or check for leaks, thereby avoiding experimental interruptions or equipment damage caused by fluid insufficiency or leakage. A module for analyzing and plotting experimental data evolution patterns integrates multi-parameter visualization capabilities, graphically presenting the temporal evolution of plasma parameters, facilitating rapid analysis of physical processes and optimizing experimental protocols. The interactive interface design, based on the MATLAB GUI, integrates all functional modules into a unified platform, supporting flexible parameter setting and data processing, adapting to different experimental modes, reducing operational complexity, and improving the system's versatility and scalability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a data processing system suitable for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to the present invention;
[0027] Figure 2 This is the block diagram of the piezoelectric valve intake control module;
[0028] Figure 3This is the block diagram of the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake air rate calibration module;
[0029] Figure 4 This is the block diagram of the module for fitting and predicting the relationship between plasma parameters and intake air volume;
[0030] Figure 5 Draw the block diagram of the module for analyzing the evolution of plasma parameters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.
[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a data processing system suitable for a VASIMR thruster inflation system, comprising:
[0033] Piezoelectric valve intake control module 1, which is used to calculate the piezoelectric valve intake rate and intake particle count in real time during the VASIMR propulsion device experiment, and monitor the gas pressure in the pressure-surge tank upstream of the piezoelectric valve. When the gas pressure falls below the set pressure threshold, a pop-up alarm will be issued to remind the experimenter to perform air replenishment, ventilation, or leak detection operations to ensure system safety and the smooth progress of the experiment;
[0034] Piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module 2, which is used to calibrate the relationship between the piezoelectric valve voltage and the intake rate in the VASIMR propulsion device before the experiment, detect whether the piezoelectric valve is working properly, and obtain the piezoelectric valve voltage suitable for the VASIMR experiment, providing a reference for the setting of the piezoelectric valve during the formal experiment;
[0035] Plasma parameter and intake air volume relationship fitting and prediction module 3: This module obtains the corresponding relationship between plasma parameters (temperature, density) and intake air particle number by statistically analyzing existing experimental data, and fits the plasma parameters (temperature, density) with the intake air particle number. On this basis, it makes a prediction, obtains the required plasma parameter target value, and calculates the required intake air volume, providing a reference for setting the experimental parameters such as piezoelectric valve voltage, opening time, and intake air pulse width;
[0036] Plasma parameter evolution law analysis and drawing module 4 is used to draw time evolution diagrams of different plasma parameters.
[0037] The specific working logic of each module is introduced below.
[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the piezoelectric valve inlet control module 1 is used to control the inlet volume and monitor plasma parameters, calculating the inlet rate and inlet particle count during the pre-VASIMR engineering test phase and the formal experiment. This function is applicable to both pulse width modulation and pulse amplitude modulation modes. It also monitors the gas pressure in the surge tank upstream of the piezoelectric valve. When the pressure falls below a threshold, a pop-up alarm prompts the experimenter to perform air replenishment, ventilation, or leak detection operations, ensuring the safety of the device and the smooth progress of the experiment. The specific steps are as follows: First, the first experimental data reading module 101 reads the piezoelectric valve voltage, surge tank gas pressure, and filling time in real time. Then, the first data processing module 102 performs data processing, including selecting the corresponding filling mode in the filling mode module 102-1. Filling modes include pulse amplitude modulation and pulse width modulation. The pulse amplitude modulation mode uses a pressure derivative calculation method, that is, it controls the piezoelectric valve voltage to adjust the inlet volume by adjusting the pressure change of the surge tank. Its high inlet volume is suitable for large-scale filling during the initial discharge and thrust change phases. The disadvantage is large error, but the advantage is that it can quickly approach the target thrust value. The pulse-width modulation mode calculates the charge volume based on a constant-flow algorithm. This assumes a constant intake flow and adjusts the intake by controlling the intake pulse width and time interval. This method is characterized by pulsed intake, which has the disadvantage of slow intake. However, it has the advantage of low error and is suitable for precise adjustment after approaching the target thrust value. In the first data processing module 102-2, based on the plasma temperature and density obtained through diagnostic methods such as probes and spectroscopy, the plasma parameters are substituted into the corresponding calculation formula (provided by the plasma parameter and intake volume relationship fitting and prediction module 3, which will be discussed in detail later) to obtain the intake volume. The first data plotting module 103 presents the data processing results by determining plotting parameters and a plotting style. Finally, the first data storage module 104 stores the data processing and plotting results in a local folder.
[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, in the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module 2, the second experimental data reading module 201 reads the gas pressure and charge volume data of the surge tank. Using this data as the underlying background experimental data, the piezoelectric valve calibration formula (provided by the piezoelectric valve supplier) is used to calculate the relationship between the calibrated piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate (i.e., determine the coefficients of the calibration formula). The second data plotting module 203 plots the relationship between the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate based on the specific gas pressure and charge volume and the plotting format. Finally, the second data storage module 204 stores the relationship between the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate, as well as the plotted results, in a local folder. The purpose of using these modules is to ensure diagnostic usability and accuracy (calibration). Therefore, the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module 2 does not work in conjunction with other modules.
[0040] like Figure 4As shown, the plasma parameter and intake volume relationship fitting and prediction module 3 provides a calculation formula for the piezoelectric valve intake control module 1. The third experimental data module 301 reads data such as plasma parameters, piezoelectric valve voltage, surge tank gas pressure and filling time. These data come from existing VASIMR experimental data, such as the experimental data of the VX-series device and the STAR device. Based on these experimental data, a function calculation formula for the plasma parameter change and the intake volume is established. The third data processing module 302 is responsible for calculating the required intake volume. The specific method is to obtain the real-time plasma parameters and target plasma parameters through the first data statistics module 302-1, and calculate the required intake volume according to the above-mentioned function calculation formula through the first fitting and prediction module 302-2. The target plasma parameters are obtained by calculating the target thrust and specific impulse based on relevant plasma theory. The intake volume data is passed to the inflation mode module 102-1 so that the inflation mode module 102-1 can select a suitable inflation mode and intake parameters; at the same time, the intake volume data is also presented in a graphical style in the third data drawing module 303 by selecting suitable drawing parameters and drawing styles; finally, the results are stored in a local folder with the help of the third data storage module 304.
[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, the plasma parameter evolution law analysis and drawing module 4 analyzes the mutual influence between different physical quantities. The specific steps are as follows: First, the fourth experimental data reading module 401 reads the required plasma parameters, including plasma parameters and surge tank gas pressure; then, in the fourth data processing module 402, for subsequent data evolution law analysis and physical mechanism exploration, the second data statistics module 402-1 counts the read parameters, and the second fitting and prediction module 402-2 performs curve fitting on the statistical data; the results of data processing are presented in the fourth data drawing module 403 by selecting appropriate drawing parameters and drawing styles; finally, the results are stored in a local folder through the fourth data storage module 404.
[0042] The first, second, third and fourth data drawing modules all include two modules: original data drawing and data processing result drawing. In addition, the data drawing modules can select drawing parameters and drawing styles and draw according to requirements.
[0043] In summary, the present invention provides a data processing system suitable for VASIMR inflation systems. Specifically implemented using MATLAB software as a platform, the system utilizes its graphical user interface (GUI) to design an interactive interface, configure corresponding controls, and compile code to implement the functions of each of the aforementioned modules. This system can quickly and accurately calculate the piezoelectric valve inlet velocity; calibrate the piezoelectric valve voltage with the inlet velocity, verify the proper functioning of the piezoelectric valve, and identify the optimal piezoelectric valve voltage for VASIMR experiments; calibrate plasma parameters with the inlet particle count, and perform fitting and prediction during the discharge phase, providing a reference for further increasing or decreasing thrust and specific impulse, as well as for compatibility between different operating modes. The system can also fit and predict the relationship between other physical quantities (such as plasma pressure and flow rate) and the inlet particle count; and can also be used to plot the time evolution of different plasma parameters. All of these results can be presented graphically, with all data displayed on a single interface, providing researchers with intuitive data and a reliable reference for VASIMR discharge experiments.
[0044] 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 are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are 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 data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system, characterized in that: include: The piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module is used to calculate the intake rate and intake particle count of the piezoelectric valve in the VASIMR propulsion device in real time; The piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module is used to calibrate the relationship between the piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate in the VASIMR propulsion device before the experiment, providing a benchmark for the piezoelectric valve parameter setting in the formal experiment; A plasma parameter and intake air flow relationship fitting and prediction module is used to fit the functional relationship between plasma parameters and intake air particle counts based on historical experimental data, predict the required plasma parameter target values and the required intake air particle count based on the functional relationship and the real-time calculation results of the piezoelectric valve intake air rate calculation module, and generate reference parameters for the piezoelectric valve voltage, opening time, and intake air pulse width; The plasma parameter evolution law analysis and drawing module is used to draw the time evolution curves of different plasma parameters and analyze the correlation laws between physical quantities.
2. The data processing system for the VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module also includes a gas pressure monitoring unit for real-time monitoring of the gas pressure in the pressure-stabilizing tank upstream of the piezoelectric valve. When the gas pressure is lower than a set pressure threshold, a pop-up alarm is issued.
3. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric valve intake rate calculation module calculates the intake rate and intake particle count of the piezoelectric valve according to the inflation mode provided by the inflation mode module, wherein the inflation mode includes a pulse amplitude modulation mode or a pulse width modulation mode.
4. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pulse amplitude modulation mode dynamically adjusts the piezoelectric valve voltage by changing the pressure of the pressure regulating tank to control the intake air volume; the pulse width modulation mode adjusts the intake air volume by controlling the intake pulse width and time interval based on a constant flow algorithm.
5. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric valve voltage and intake rate calibration module adopts the calibration formula provided by the supplier and determines the formula coefficient by fitting experimental data to establish an accurate correspondence between the piezoelectric valve voltage and the intake rate.
6. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plasma parameter and intake air amount relationship fitting and prediction module fits the functional relationship between the plasma parameters and the intake air particle number according to the historical experimental data, including reading the plasma parameters, piezoelectric valve voltage, surge tank gas pressure and charging time data in the historical experimental data.
7. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The target values of the plasma parameters are obtained by calculating the target thrust and specific impulse according to plasma theory.
8. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The predicted required intake particle number is sent to the charging mode module for selecting the charging mode and intake parameters.
9. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plasma parameters include plasma temperature and density.
10. The data processing system for a VASIMR thruster inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plasma parameter evolution law analysis drawing module supports custom drawing parameters, including time range, coordinate axis scale and curve style, and supports exporting multiple image formats.