Pressure adjusting device for optical sealed cabin

Abstract

The invention provides a pressure adjusting device for an optical sealed cabin, and belongs to the technical field of airborne photoelectric system environmental control. Comprising a shell of an integrated structure, a bolt type screw installed on the flange face of the outer side of the shell, a fluid socket component installed on the inner side wall parallel to the flange face, a breather valve component installed on the other inner side wall, a humidity indicator installed on the exposed side wall and an installation cover plate component installed on the open side wall, and the exposed side wall of the shell is consistent with the outer side wall of the optical sealed cabin in shape. The pressure adjusting device not only has the pressure adjusting function, but also has the functions of drying, filtering and drying agent state monitoring, nitrogen leakage of the optical sealed cabin cannot be caused when the drying agent is replaced, and the system maintainability is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of airborne optoelectronic system environmental control technology, specifically relating to a pressure regulating device for an optical sealed chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Airborne optoelectronic systems are primarily used for target detection, observation, tracking, and guiding precision weapon attacks, and are widely used on various aircraft platforms. These systems are typically exposed on the aircraft fuselage, operating in complex environments. They are generally equipped with visible light, infrared, and laser optoelectronic sensors, which are highly sensitive to humidity, temperature, and dust. Exposure to high humidity or marine atmospheric conditions can easily lead to mold growth, corrosion, condensation of water vapor on optical components, or frost formation on optical components due to rapid temperature changes. These conditions can cause a decline in the performance of the airborne optoelectronic system or even its complete failure. To protect the optoelectronic sensors from external environmental corrosion, they are usually housed in a sealed optical chamber filled with nitrogen. However, due to changes in altitude and temperature, especially under high-altitude, low-pressure conditions, a significant atmospheric pressure difference can occur inside and outside the optical chamber. This not only causes deformation of the external optical windows and thin-walled shell of the optical chamber but also makes it easier for external water vapor to enter the chamber due to pressure, causing seal failure. This situation can also lead to a decline in the performance of the airborne optoelectronic system or even its complete failure. Based on the above, the optical sealing chambers of some high-performance airborne optoelectronic systems must be designed with functions such as deformation resistance, moisture resistance, and dust resistance. Some optical sealing chambers are equipped with a breather valve. When the ambient atmospheric pressure changes, the breather valve regulates the pressure inside the optical sealing chamber, ensuring that the pressure difference between the inside and outside does not exceed a set pressure threshold. This method solves the problem of pressure difference deformation, but it also leads to air exchange (breathing phenomenon) between the optical sealing chamber and the outside, easily introducing external water vapor, dust, etc., into the optical sealing chamber. To solve this problem, a dryer can be installed at the end of the breather valve to dry and filter water vapor, dust, etc., in the exchanged air. However, this method cannot monitor whether the desiccant in the dryer has expired; the breather valve must be periodically removed to replace the desiccant. Moreover, removing the breather valve inevitably causes nitrogen leakage inside the optical sealing chamber. After replacing the desiccant and reinstalling the breather valve, additional exhaust and nitrogen filling of the optical sealing chamber are required. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems by providing a pressure regulating device that has a compact structure, includes pressure regulation, drying and filtration, desiccant status monitoring, and prevents leakage of the optical sealing chamber when the desiccant is replaced.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber, comprising: a housing with an integral structure; bolts mounted on the outer flange surface of the housing; a fluid socket component mounted on the inner side wall parallel to the flange surface; a breather valve component mounted on another inner side wall; a humidity indicator mounted on the exposed side wall; and a mounting cover plate component mounted on the opening side wall. The exposed sidewall of the shell has the same shape as the outer sidewall of the optical sealed chamber.

[0005] The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical feature: the fluid socket component includes a fluid socket filter mounted on the housing via a threaded sealing connection and a fluid socket mounted on the fluid socket filter via a threaded sealing connection.

[0006] The pressure regulating device for the optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical features: the breathing valve component includes a breathing valve installed on the housing via a threaded sealing connection and a breathing valve filter installed at the tail end of the breathing valve via a threaded connection.

[0007] The pressure regulating device for the optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical features: the mounting cover plate component includes a cover plate that is sealed and mounted on the housing by a screw assembly and a knob cover that is installed on the cover plate by a threaded seal.

[0008] The pressure regulating device for the optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical features: the humidity indicator is installed on the exposed side wall of the housing through a threaded sealing connection, and the internal opening end of the humidity indicator communicates with the inner cavity of the housing through the thin-walled vent hole at the bottom of the threaded hole on the housing, for detecting the humidity of the inner cavity of the housing.

[0009] The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical feature: the regulating device further includes a desiccant placed in the inner cavity of the housing.

[0010] The pressure regulating device for the optical sealing chamber provided by the present invention also has the following technical feature: the bolt screw is installed on the flange surface of the housing by riveting.

[0011] Beneficial effects: The pressure regulating device provided by this invention not only has pressure regulating function, but also drying and filtering function and desiccant status monitoring function. Moreover, it will not cause nitrogen leakage in the optical sealing chamber when the desiccant is replaced, which effectively improves the maintainability of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure regulating device provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fluid socket component structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the breathing valve component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cover plate component structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, 1: housing; 2: fluid socket component; 2-1: fluid socket; 2-2: fluid socket filter; 3: breather valve component; 3-1: breather valve; 3-2: breather valve filter; 4: mounting cover component; 4-1: cover; 4-2: knob cover; 5: humidity indicator; 6: desiccant; 7: bolt screw. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Equivalent changes or substitutions in function, method, or structure made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0015] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0016] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0017] The terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0018] like Figure 1-4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pressure regulating device for an optical sealed chamber, comprising: a housing 1 with an integral structure, a bolt screw 7 mounted on the outer flange surface of the housing 1, a fluid socket component 2 mounted on the inner side wall parallel to the flange surface, a breather valve component 3 mounted on another inner side wall, a humidity indicator 5 mounted on the exposed side wall, and a mounting cover plate component 4 mounted on the opening side wall, wherein the exposed side wall of the housing 1 has the same shape as the outer side wall of the optical sealed chamber.

[0019] In the above embodiment, the outer flange surface of the housing has a set of through holes, and bolt screws 7 are installed by riveting. Threaded through holes are provided on the inner side wall parallel to the flange surface and are sealed to the fluid socket component 2. Threaded through holes are provided on the other side wall and are sealed to the breather valve component 3. One side wall is open, and a sealing groove and threaded connection assembly structure are provided on the open side wall for sealing to the cover plate component 4. Threaded blind holes are provided on the exposed side wall for sealing to the humidity indicator 5. The bottom of the blind hole is a thin-walled structure with vent holes, communicating with the inner cavity of the housing. The inner cavity of the housing is provided with an airflow baffle, which can extend the airflow channel and fully dry and exchange air. By mate between the flange surface and the mounting surface of the optical sealing chamber, the bolt screws 7 are tightened, and the fluid connector is inserted, completing the mechanical and pneumatic sealing connection with the optical sealing chamber.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fluid socket component 2 includes a fluid socket filter 2-2 mounted on the housing 1 via a threaded sealing connection and a fluid socket 2-1 mounted on the fluid socket filter 2-2 via a threaded sealing connection.

[0021] The end of the fluid socket filter 2-2 is inserted into the desiccant inside the housing cavity. When the fluid connector 2-1 is engaged, the valve core opens; when disengaged, the valve core closes. In the engaged state, the pressure regulating device and the optical sealing chamber form a single, interconnected sealed chamber structure. In the disengaged state, the pressure regulating device and the optical sealing chamber are independent sealed chamber structures, thus preventing leakage in the optical sealing chamber after the pressure regulating device is removed. After replacing the desiccant 6 in the pressure regulating device, the desiccant 6 remains within the sealed cavity, and the replacement process is unaffected by external factors. The fluid socket filter 2-2 consists of a fluid socket filter housing, a filter screen, and a pressure ring. The filter screen is made of HEPA composite filter paper material, using a folded paper design, capable of filtering dust particles larger than 0.3μm.

[0022] In some embodiments, the breathing valve component 3 includes a breathing valve 3-1 installed on the housing 1 via a threaded sealing connection and a breathing valve filter 3-2 installed at the tail end of the breathing valve 3-1 via a threaded connection.

[0023] The end of the breather valve 3-1 is inserted into the desiccant inside the housing cavity. Breather valve 3-1 consists of a breather valve housing, an inlet valve, and an exhaust valve. When the pressure inside the chamber is lower than the set threshold for the external pressure, the inlet valve opens to increase pressure; when the pressure inside the chamber is higher than the set threshold for the external pressure, the exhaust valve opens to decrease pressure. When the ambient atmospheric pressure changes, breather valve 3-1 regulates the pressure inside and outside the sealed chamber, ensuring that the pressure difference does not exceed the set pressure threshold. Breather valve filter 3-2 consists of a breather valve filter housing, a filter screen, and a pressure ring. The filter screen is made of HEPA composite filter paper material, using a folded paper design, and can filter dust particles larger than 0.3μm.

[0024] In some embodiments, the mounting cover component 4 includes a cover plate 4-1 that is sealed to the housing 1 by a screw assembly and a knob cover 4-2 that is threadedly sealed to the cover plate 4-1. The knob cover 4-2 has a wrench groove and an opening / closing direction marking. By rotating the knob cover 4-2 with a wrench, the desiccant 6 inside the housing 1 can be easily replaced.

[0025] In some embodiments, the humidity indicator 5 is installed on the exposed sidewall of the housing 1 via a threaded seal connection. The internal opening of the humidity indicator 5 communicates with the inner cavity of the housing 1 through a threaded hole at the bottom of a thin-walled vent on the housing 1, and is used to detect the humidity inside the housing cavity. The humidity indicator 5 mainly consists of a humidity indicator card, an indicator card housing, and a transparent window. It can monitor changes in the relative humidity of the surrounding space through the indicator card. The humidity indicator card changes color under different humidity levels. When the humidity increases, the elements on the indicator card change from blue to light purple to pink, and when the humidity decreases, it turns back to blue. The color change of the elements on the humidity card is reversible and can be reused.

[0026] In some embodiments, the regulating device further includes a desiccant 6 placed within the inner cavity of the housing. The desiccant 6 is an adsorbent, typically silica gel or molecular sieve particles, and is located within the inner cavity of the housing 1. The desiccant 6 adsorbs moisture and retains it in the form of water vapor until the water vapor condenses into a liquid and becomes ineffective.

[0027] In some embodiments, the bolt screw 7 is installed on the housing flange surface by riveting. The bolt screw 7, also known as a non-detachable screw or spring screw, is installed on the housing flange surface by press-fitting and is used for the mechanical connection between the housing 1 and the optical sealing chamber. The bolt screw consists of a hand-tightening sleeve, screw, spring, press-fitting sleeve, etc. After being riveted onto the housing 1, it can be screwed in and out at will without falling off. Its hand-tightening cap generally has a straight-lined design for easy manual tightening.

[0028] The working principle of the device provided in the above embodiments is as follows: When the external environment changes and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the optical sealing chamber exceeds the set pressure threshold, the breather valve opens, allowing air to enter or exit the optical sealing chamber, thus regulating the pressure. The exchanged air passes through the breather valve filter, desiccant, and fluid connector filter, completing the drying and filtration process. The filters also isolate and filter internal desiccant dust, preventing contamination within the optical sealing chamber and contamination and blockage of the breather valve and fluid connector valve cores. When the humidity indicator indicates that the desiccant has failed, loosen the bolt screw and remove the pressure regulating device. Because the fluid connector and plug have self-sealing flat valve cores, the optical sealing chamber and the pressure regulating device housing each form an independent sealed chamber the moment the fluid connector is disconnected, preventing nitrogen leakage from the optical sealing chamber after removing the pressure regulating device. Open and close the knob cover to replace the desiccant; because the pressure regulating device housing is a sealed chamber, the condition of the replaced desiccant is unaffected by the external environment.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber, characterized in that, include: The housing is a single unit; bolts are mounted on the outer flange of the housing; a fluid socket assembly is mounted on the inner wall parallel to the flange; a breather valve assembly is mounted on another inner wall; a humidity indicator is mounted on the exposed side wall; and a mounting cover assembly is mounted on the opening side wall. The exposed sidewall of the shell has the same shape as the outer sidewall of the optical sealed chamber.

2. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid socket component includes a fluid socket filter mounted on the housing via a threaded seal connection, and a fluid socket mounted on the fluid socket filter via a threaded seal connection.

3. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The breather valve assembly includes a breather valve mounted on the housing via a threaded sealing connection and a breather valve filter mounted on the tail end of the breather valve via a threaded connection.

4. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting cover assembly includes a cover plate that is sealed to the housing by a set of screws and a knob cover that is installed on the cover plate by a threaded seal.

5. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidity indicator is installed on the exposed side wall of the housing via a threaded sealing connection. The internal opening of the humidity indicator is connected to the inner cavity of the housing through a threaded hole at the bottom of the thin-walled vent hole on the housing, and is used to detect the humidity inside the housing cavity.

6. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regulating device also includes a desiccant placed inside the housing cavity.

7. The pressure regulating device for an optical sealing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bolts are installed on the housing flange surface by riveting.

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