Press-in hardness measuring device and method in microgravity environment

Abstract

The invention discloses a press-in hardness measuring device and method in a microgravity environment, and relates to the technical field of space science experimental equipment. The invention discloses a press-in hardness measuring device in a microgravity environment. The press-in hardness measuring device comprises an airtight module, an air filtering module and a hardness measuring module, the airtight module comprises an airtight cabin body and a negative pressure device; the air filtering module is directly mounted in the airtight cabin body or is communicated with the interior of the airtight cabin body through a pipeline, and is used for circularly filtering dust in air in the airtight cabin body; the hardness measuring module is used for being coupled with or separated from a to-be-tested sample, and the air tightness of the airtight cabin body is not damaged in the coupling and separating processes. The invention discloses a press-in hardness measurement method in a microgravity environment. The method comprises the following steps: 1, carrying out sealing operation; 2, negative pressure operation; 3, hardness measurement and dust filtration; and 4, taking out the sample. The device has the advantages that by actively establishing a negative pressure environment, the airflow direction is inward even if extremely small leakage exists in the sealed cabin, so that chippings are efficiently restrained in the sealed space, and the safety is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space science experimental equipment technology, and in particular to an indentation hardness measuring device and method suitable for microgravity environments such as space stations and lunar bases. Background Technology

[0002] Indentation hardness testing is an important method for evaluating the mechanical properties of materials. However, in microgravity environments (such as on space stations), this test faces a serious challenge: the tiny debris generated when the indenter penetrates the sample surface can float in the air for extended periods due to the loss of gravity. These suspended particles are easily inhaled and can harm human health, and may also drift into the optical paths, cooling vents, or moving parts of precision instruments, leading to equipment malfunctions, performance degradation, or shortened lifespan. Currently, existing hardness tester designs focus primarily on measurement accuracy and interference resistance, and debris management typically only mentions "operation in a closed environment," lacking a complete, reliable, and proactive solution for debris restraint and collection. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an on-orbit hardness measurement technology that can effectively address this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device and method that can effectively constrain, collect and process sample debris generated by indentation hardness measurement under microgravity conditions, so as to prevent it from causing harm to the cabin environment and personnel health, in order to address the problem that existing hardness testers cannot collect and manage sample debris under microgravity conditions.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: an indentation hardness measuring device under microgravity conditions, comprising an airtight module, an air filter module, and a hardness measuring module; The airtight module includes an airtight chamber and a negative pressure device; the airtight chamber is equipped with an exhaust port; the negative pressure device is directly installed on the exhaust port or indirectly connected to the exhaust port, and is used to reduce the air pressure inside the airtight chamber and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside of the airtight chamber and the outside. The air filter module is installed directly inside the airtight chamber or connected to the airtight chamber through a pipe. It is used to circulate and filter dust in the air inside the airtight chamber. The hardness measurement module is used to couple or separate from the test sample placed inside the airtight chamber, and the coupling and separation processes do not compromise the airtightness of the airtight chamber.

[0005] A further technical solution of the present invention is as follows: it also includes a monitoring module, a main control module, and an alarm module; the monitoring module includes a pressure sensor installed inside the airtight chamber and a particulate matter sensor installed inside the airtight chamber; the main control module is provided with a signal input port and a signal output port, the signal input port of the main control module is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor and the particulate matter sensor respectively, and the signal output port of the main control module is communicatively connected to the alarm module and the hardness measurement module respectively; the alarm module is used to indicate airtight operation failure.

[0006] A further technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the hardness measuring module is located inside the airtight chamber; correspondingly, the air filter module is directly installed inside the airtight chamber; correspondingly, the airtight chamber is a rigid sealed box, and its exterior is provided with a door for inserting and removing the test sample.

[0007] A further technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the indenter of the hardness measuring module is located inside the airtight chamber, and the rest of the hardness measuring module, except for the indenter, is located outside the airtight chamber; correspondingly, the airtight chamber is an inflatable sealed cover made of flexible material, and the sealed cover is provided with a measuring port, a return air circulation port, and an exhaust air circulation port. The lower end of the sealed cover is provided with an opening for inserting or removing the test sample. The sealed cover is movably mounted on the measuring platform of the hardness measuring module through the opening and sealing. The indenter of the hardness measuring module extends into the interior of the sealed cover through the measuring port, and the indenter and the measuring port are in a movable sealing fit; correspondingly, the air filter module is located outside the airtight chamber, and the air inlet and exhaust outlet of the air filter module are respectively connected to the exhaust air circulation port and the return air circulation port of the sealed cover through pipes.

[0008] The technical solution of this invention is: a microgravity environment indentation hardness measurement method, applied to the above-mentioned microgravity environment indentation hardness measurement device, the steps of which are as follows: S01, Sealing Operation: Place the test sample into the airtight chamber and then perform the sealing operation to isolate the gas communication channel between the inside of the airtight chamber and the outside. S02, Negative Pressure Operation: Perform negative pressure operation to reduce the air pressure inside the airtight chamber and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside of the airtight chamber and the outside. S03, Hardness Measurement and Dust Filtration: Perform indentation hardness measurement; at the same time, perform dust filtration through the air filtration module to circulate and filter the sample dust inside the airtight chamber. The sample dust is pressed into the test sample by the indenter, causing microscopic breakdown of the sample surface. S04, Remove the sample: Stop the negative pressure operation and dust filtration operation, and allow the air pressure inside the airtight chamber to gradually return to the same level as the outside air pressure. Finally, remove the test sample from the airtight chamber.

[0009] A further technical solution of the present invention is as follows: In step S02, if, within a set time, based on the real-time data of the pressure sensor, it is found that the airtight chamber fails to reach and maintain the preset pressure value, the main control module determines that the airtightness has failed, and then controls the alarm module to start the alarm, while stopping the subsequent hardness measurement operation.

[0010] A further technical solution of the present invention is: in step S01, the closing operation is: closing the hatch.

[0011] A further technical solution of the present invention is: in step S01, the sealing operation is: sealing the opening at the lower end of the sealing cover with the measuring platform of the hardness measuring module.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. Active safety: By actively creating a negative pressure environment, it ensures that even if there is a very small leak in the sealed chamber, the airflow direction is inward, thus efficiently confining debris in the closed space and ensuring high safety.

[0013] 2. High-efficiency collection: The integrated air filtration module can efficiently filter and collect suspended debris, purify the air inside the cabin, and meet the requirements for space cleanliness.

[0014] 3. Flexible adaptation: It provides two airtight solutions, namely box type and flexible shield type, which can be selected according to different integration levels and operational requirements of space missions, and has wide applicability.

[0015] 4. Intelligent and reliable: By integrating air pressure monitoring and process control through the computing module, it can realize automated air tightness checks, fault diagnosis and safety interlocks, reducing the operational burden on personnel and the risk of human error, and has high reliability.

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the figures and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the present invention (general for both Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2); Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 2; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the method of the present invention (general for both Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2).

[0018] Legend: Airtight module 1; Airtight chamber 11; Door 111; Negative pressure device 12; Air filter module 2; Hardness measurement module 3; Monitoring module 4; Pressure sensor 41; Particulate matter sensor 42; Main control module 5; Alarm module 6. Detailed Implementation Example

[0019] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the microgravity environment indentation hardness measuring device includes an airtight module 1, an air filter module 2, and a hardness measuring module 3.

[0020] The airtight module 1 includes an airtight chamber 11 and a negative pressure device 12. The airtight chamber 11 is provided with an exhaust port. The negative pressure device 12 is installed on the exhaust port and is used to reduce the air pressure inside the airtight chamber 11 and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside of the airtight chamber 11 and the outside.

[0021] The air filter module 2 is installed inside the airtight chamber 11 and is used to circulate and filter dust in the air inside the airtight chamber 11.

[0022] The hardness measurement module 3 is used to couple or separate from the test sample placed inside the airtight chamber 11 (for performing hardness measurement of the test sample), and the coupling and separation processes do not damage the airtightness of the airtight chamber 11.

[0023] More specifically, it also includes a monitoring module 4, a main control module 5, and an alarm module 6. The monitoring module 4 includes a pressure sensor 41 and a particulate matter sensor 42 installed inside the airtight chamber 11. The main control module 5 has signal input and signal output ports. The signal input port of the main control module 5 is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor 41 and the particulate matter sensor 42, respectively, and the signal output port of the main control module 5 is communicatively connected to the alarm module 6 and the hardness measurement module 3, respectively. The alarm module 6 is used to indicate airtight operation failure.

[0024] More specifically, the hardness measurement module 3 is entirely located inside the airtight chamber 11. Correspondingly, the air filter module 2 is directly installed inside the airtight chamber 11. Correspondingly, the airtight chamber 11 is a rigid, sealed box, with a door 111 on the outside for inserting and removing the test sample.

[0025] The working process of Example 1 is as follows: like Figure 4 As shown, the indentation hardness measurement method under microgravity conditions, applied to the indentation hardness measurement device under microgravity conditions in Example 1, comprises the following steps: S01, Sealing Operation: Place the test sample into the airtight chamber 11 and then perform the sealing operation to isolate the gas communication channel between the inside of the airtight chamber 11 and the outside.

[0026] In this step, the closing operation is to close the hatch 111.

[0027] S02, Negative Pressure Operation: Execute a negative pressure operation to reduce the air pressure inside the airtight chamber 11 and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside of the airtight chamber 11 and the outside. If, within a set time (e.g., 30 seconds), based on real-time data from the pressure sensor 41, the airtight chamber 11 fails to reach and maintain the preset pressure value (e.g., 25 Pa), the main control module 5 determines "airtightness failure" and immediately controls the alarm module 6 to activate the alarm to prompt the operator to conduct on-site inspection. At the same time, subsequent hardness measurement operations are stopped.

[0028] S03, Hardness Measurement and Dust Filtration: The hardness measurement module 3 performs an indentation hardness measurement operation. At the same time, the air filtration module 2 performs a dust filtration operation, circulating and filtering the sample dust inside the airtight chamber 11. The sample dust is pressed into the test sample by the indenter on the hardness measurement module 3, causing microscopic damage to the sample surface.

[0029] S04, Remove the sample: Stop the negative pressure operation and dust filtration operation, and gradually restore the air pressure inside the airtight chamber 11 to the same as the outside air pressure. Finally, remove the test sample from inside the airtight chamber 11.

[0030] In this step, the prerequisite for stopping the dust filtration operation and the negative pressure operation is that the particulate matter sensor 42 detects a dust concentration of less than 15 μg / m³. Example

[0031] like Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the indenter on the hardness measuring module 3 is located inside the airtight chamber 11, while the rest of the hardness measuring module 3, except for the indenter, is located outside the airtight chamber 11. Correspondingly, the airtight chamber 11 is an inflatable, sealed cover made of flexible material. The sealed cover has a measuring port, a return air circulation port, and an exhaust air circulation port. The lower end of the sealed cover has an opening for inserting or removing the test sample. The sealed cover is movably mounted on the measuring platform of the hardness measuring module 3 through the opening. The indenter of the hardness measuring module 3 extends into the sealed cover through the measuring port, and the indenter and measuring port are in a movable, sealed fit. Correspondingly, the air filter module 2 is located outside the airtight chamber 11. The air inlet and exhaust outlet of the air filter module 2 are respectively connected to the exhaust air circulation port and return air circulation port of the sealed cover via pipes.

[0032] Description of the working process of Example 2: The working process of this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 1 only in that: in step S01, the sealing operation is to seal the opening at the lower end of the sealing shield with the measuring platform of the hardness measuring module 3.

Claims

1. A press-in hardness measuring device in a microgravity environment, characterized by: The air-tight module, the air filtering module and the hardness measuring module are included. The air-tight module includes an air-tight cabin and a negative pressure device; the air-tight cabin is provided with an exhaust port; the negative pressure device is directly installed on the exhaust port or indirectly connected to the exhaust port, which is used to reduce the air pressure inside the air-tight cabin and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside and outside of the air-tight cabin. The air filtering module is directly installed inside the air-tight cabin or connected to the air-tight cabin through a pipeline, which is used to circulate and filter the dust in the air inside the air-tight cabin. The hardness measuring module is used to couple or separate with the test sample placed inside the air-tight cabin, and the coupling and separation processes do not damage the air-tightness of the air-tight cabin.

2. The press-in hardness measurement device in a microgravity environment according to claim 1, characterized by: It also includes a monitoring module, a main control module and an alarm module; the monitoring module includes a pressure sensor installed inside the air-tight cabin and a particulate matter sensor installed inside the air-tight cabin; the main control module is provided with a signal input port and a signal output port, the signal input port of the main control module is respectively connected to the pressure sensor and the particulate matter sensor, and the signal output port of the main control module is respectively connected to the alarm module and the hardness measuring module; the alarm module is used to prompt the failure of the air-tight operation.

3. The press-in hardness measurement device in a microgravity environment according to claim 2, characterized by: The hardness measuring module is located inside the air-tight cabin; accordingly, the air filtering module is directly installed inside the air-tight cabin; accordingly, the air-tight cabin is a rigid closed box body, and the outside of the air-tight cabin is provided with a cabin door for putting in and taking out the test sample.

4. The press-in hardness measurement device in a microgravity environment according to claim 2, wherein: The pressure head on the hardness measuring module is located inside the air-tight cabin, and the rest of the hardness measuring module is located outside the air-tight cabin; accordingly, the air-tight cabin is a inflatable sealed cover made of flexible material, the sealed cover is provided with a measuring port, a gas circulation port and an exhaust circulation port, the lower end of the sealed cover is provided with an open port for putting in or taking out the test sample, the sealed cover is sealingly and movably installed on the measuring table surface of the hardness measuring module through the open port, the pressure head of the hardness measuring module extends into the inside of the sealed cover through the measuring port, and the pressure head and the measuring port are movably and sealingly matched; accordingly, the air filtering module is located outside the air-tight cabin, and the air inlet port and the air outlet port of the air filtering module are respectively connected to the exhaust circulation port and the gas circulation port of the sealed cover through pipelines.

5. The method of measuring the indentation hardness in a microgravity environment according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the step of As follows: S01, closing operation: the test sample is put into the air-tight cabin, and then the closing operation is performed to isolate the gas communication channel between the inside of the air-tight cabin and the outside; S02, negative pressure operation: the negative pressure operation is performed to reduce the air pressure inside the air-tight cabin and maintain a stable pressure difference between the inside and outside of the air-tight cabin; S03, hardness measurement and dust filtering: the hardness measurement operation is performed; at the same time, the test sample dust inside the air-tight cabin is filtered by the air filtering module, and the test sample dust is pressed into the test sample by the pressure head, so that the microstate of the test sample surface is destroyed; S04, taking out the test sample: stop the negative pressure operation, gradually restore the air pressure inside the air-tight cabin to the same as the outside, and finally take out the test sample inside the air-tight cabin.

6. The microgravity environment press-in hardness measurement method of claim 5, wherein: In the S02 step, if it is found based on the real-time data of the pressure sensor that the preset pressure value cannot be reached and maintained in the air-tight cabin within a set time, the main control module determines that the air-tightness fails, and then controls the alarm module to start alarm, and stops the subsequent hardness measurement operation.

7. The microgravity environment press-in hardness measurement method of claim 6, wherein: In the S01 step, the closing operation is to close the cabin door.

8. The microgravity environment press-in hardness measurement method of claim 6, wherein: In the S01 step, the closing operation is to seal and connect the opening at the lower end of the sealing cover to the measurement table surface of the hardness measurement module.

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