Gas self-adaptive buffering and sealing device and working method

Abstract

The invention provides a gas self-adaptive buffering and sealing device and a working method. The gas self-adaptive buffering and sealing device comprises a gas main pipeline and a bypass pipeline, the bypass pipeline is connected with the gas main pipeline in parallel; a gas self-adaptive buffering and sealing device is mounted on the gas main pipeline, valves are mounted on the gas main pipeline at two ends of the gas self-adaptive buffering and sealing device, and a stop valve is arranged on the bypass pipeline. The piston structure is used as a gas circulation pipeline, the gas pressure pulse is reduced in a gas self-adaption mode, a gas channel can be blocked when gas changes, and the gas pressure buffering and sealing functions are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of spacecraft gas distribution systems, and more specifically, to a gas adaptive buffering and sealing device and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] The spacecraft propulsion system is a crucial component ensuring its on-orbit operation. During ground testing, gas distribution equipment is used to perform the charging and decharging of the propulsion system, along with leak detection. Gas cylinders must be filled before launch. Due to the high operating pressure of the propulsion system, the gas rate must be strictly controlled during charging and decharging to avoid dangerous operations such as overcharging and rapid depressurization, which could damage the product. Simultaneously, the gas distribution equipment and connecting pipelines need to be equipped with mass flow sensors and flow meters, high-precision pressure sensors / gauges, precision valves, gas analysis instruments, etc., which are highly sensitive to changes in gas pressure in the supply pipeline. For example, if mass flow control equipment encounters a pressure pulse (pressure surge or drop), it can cause internal components to overload, deviate from calibration values, or even suffer permanent damage. Similarly, for pressure sensors (diaphragm type), gas impacts can easily cause diaphragm deformation and damage, leading to equipment failure or reduced measurement accuracy. To avoid damage to products and components caused by sudden changes in gas pressure during charging and decharging, this invention provides a simple gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a gas adaptive buffering and sealing device and its operating method.

[0004] A gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to the present invention includes: a main gas pipeline and a bypass pipeline; The bypass pipeline is connected in parallel with the main gas pipeline; A gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is installed on the main gas pipeline, and valves are installed on the main gas pipelines at both ends of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. A shut-off valve is installed on the bypass pipeline.

[0005] Preferably, the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device includes: an airflow chamber and a piston mechanism; One or more piston mechanisms are installed in the airflow chamber; One or more buffer airflow pipes are provided on the airflow chamber, and a piston body is provided between the areas corresponding to each buffer airflow pipe. Two piston bodies are connected to form the piston mechanism.

[0006] Preferably, the airflow chamber includes: a front cover, a housing, a buffer airflow pipe, and a rear cover; The shell has a front cover and a rear cover connected to its two ends respectively. A buffer airflow pipe is provided on the periphery of the shell, and the two ends of the buffer airflow pipe are connected to the interior of the shell.

[0007] Preferably, the piston mechanism includes: a connector, a guide ring, a sealing ring, and a piston body; The piston body is provided in multiple parts and connected by the connecting member. The piston body is provided with guide ring and sealing ring on its periphery and slides along the inner wall of the housing.

[0008] Preferably, the piston bodies at both ends of the piston mechanism are provided with a first boss structure on the side facing the front end cover and the rear end cover, respectively, and the first boss structure is provided with a sealing groove for installing the end face sealing ring. The front end cover and the rear end cover are provided with a second boss structure on the side facing the piston mechanism, which cooperates with the first boss structure.

[0009] Preferably, airflow channels are provided on the front end cover and the rear end cover.

[0010] Preferably, the diameter of the sealing groove is larger than the diameter of the airflow channel.

[0011] Preferably, the connector includes a connecting rod and a spring.

[0012] Preferably, the front cover and the rear cover are respectively connected to the gas main pipelines at both ends.

[0013] Preferably, a method of operating the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device includes the following steps: Step S1: Install the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device on the gas distribution equipment pipeline and connect it to the gas inlet and outlet of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. Step S2: Close the valve of the main gas pipeline, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and start charging or venting through the gas distribution equipment. Step S3: After the pressure before and after the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device reaches a stable balance through the bypass pipeline, open the valve of the main gas pipeline, close the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and charge or depressurize through the main gas pipeline. Step S4: During the inflation or deflation process, the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is used to achieve stable airflow delivery or output, thereby playing the role of air pressure buffer and sealing. Step S5: If the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is blocked from gas flow due to excessive gas pressure pulse, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline to balance the pressure before and after the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is activated, and then use it again according to step S4.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This application uses a piston structure as a gas flow pipeline, reduces gas pressure pulses through a gas adaptive method, and can block the gas passage when the gas changes suddenly, thereby achieving gas pressure buffering and sealing functions. 2. For pressure pulses under special circumstances, multi-stage buffer airflow pipelines can be added according to the gas pressure fluctuation range and the pressure bearing capacity of the device to achieve multi-stage gas buffering and improve the safety and reliability of the equipment. 3. This application has a simple structure and can be installed on any pipeline where gas pressure fluctuations are required, making it versatile. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the principle of a gas adaptive buffer and sealing device; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a gas adaptive buffer and sealing device; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a radial sealing structure; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an oblique sealing structure; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a multi-stage gas adaptive buffer and sealing device; As shown in the figure: Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0017] Example 1 like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a gas adaptive buffer and sealing device, including a gas main pipeline and a bypass pipeline; the gas main pipeline is connected to the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device, and valves are installed on the inlet and outlet pipelines of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device respectively; the bypass pipeline is a direct current channel, and a shut-off valve is provided on the bypass pipeline.

[0018] like Figure 2As shown, the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device includes: an airflow chamber and a piston mechanism; the airflow chamber includes: a front cover 1, a housing 2, a buffer airflow pipeline and a rear cover 9; the piston mechanism includes: a connector 4, a guide ring 5, a sealing ring 6, a piston body 7 and an end face sealing ring 8.

[0019] The front cover 1 and the rear cover 9 are convex in shape and are provided with a second boss structure. The second boss structure is a planar structure, including: cylindrical and oblique cut structure; the front cover 1 and the rear cover 9 have airflow channels in the central axis, and the front cover 1, the rear cover 9 and the shell 2 are connected by planar flange bolts.

[0020] The buffer airflow pipeline is a gas flow pipeline used to connect the chambers between the piston bodies 7. It is divided into primary, secondary, ... or multi-stage buffer airflow pipelines and is connected to the housing 2 by welding. The positions of the inlet and outlet ports at both ends of the buffer airflow pipeline are determined according to the piston mechanism stroke. Specifically, when the piston mechanism moves to the extreme positions at both ends, a single piston body 7 is located between the inlet and outlet ports at the corresponding ends of the buffer airflow pipeline.

[0021] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the piston body 7 is a circular boss structure. The piston body 7 has a first boss structure on the side facing the front cover 1 or the rear cover 9. The first boss structure has a dovetail sealing groove, or other sealing structure forms can be used. The center diameter of the sealing groove is larger than the airflow channel diameter of the front cover 1 or the rear cover 9, and it performs planar sealing with the second boss structure. The sealing fit method includes radial sealing, oblique sealing, etc.

[0022] The piston body 7 has an annular groove in the radial direction for installing the guide ring 5 and the sealing ring 6. The number of piston bodies 7 corresponds to the number of buffer airflow pipelines (two sets, three sets, ... or more sets of piston bodies 7). The piston bodies 7 are connected by connectors 4, including connecting rods or springs.

[0023] This embodiment also provides a simple gas adaptive buffer and sealing device for the inflation and deflation of a spacecraft propulsion system, including the following operating steps: Step S1: Install the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device of this embodiment on the gas distribution equipment pipeline and connect it to the gas inlet or outlet of the gas distribution equipment pipeline. Step S2: Close the inlet valve and outlet valve of the main gas pipeline, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and start charging or discharging gas through the gas distribution equipment. Step S3: After the pressure before and after the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device reaches a stable balance through the bypass pipeline, open the inlet valve and outlet valve of the main gas pipeline, close the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and charge or exhaust gas through the main gas pipeline. Step S4: During the inflation or deflation process, the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is used to achieve stable airflow delivery or output, thereby playing the role of air pressure buffer and sealing. Step S5: If the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is blocked from gas flow due to excessive gas pressure pulse, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline to balance the upstream and downstream pressures of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device, and then use it again according to step S4.

[0024] The working mechanism of step S4 is as follows: If a gas pressure pulse occurs during the inflation or deflation process (taking inflation as an example), the high-pressure gas at the inlet end enters the airflow chamber and acts on the piston mechanism. The piston body 7 slides backward under pressure. Simultaneously, the high-pressure gas enters the next airflow chamber through the primary buffer airflow pipeline and reverses to prevent the piston mechanism from sliding rapidly. Then, the gas again enters the next airflow chamber through the secondary buffer airflow pipeline and further reverses to prevent the piston mechanism from sliding, thus forcing the gas pressure pulse not to be transmitted to the downstream product or component, thus playing a buffering role. When the gas pressure increases dramatically, it will directly cause the piston mechanism to slide to the outlet end, and the gas pressure will achieve a sealing function. Multiple buffer airflow pipelines and corresponding multiple sets of piston mechanisms can be set according to the actual application to achieve multi-stage buffering and sealing functions.

[0025] Example 2 Example 2 is a preferred example of Example 1.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment mainly consists of two sets of parallel gas paths. The main gas path is connected to the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. Valves are installed on the inlet and outlet pipes of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. The bypass path is a direct current channel and is equipped with a shut-off valve to block gas flow. In the actual charging and discharging process, the bypass path works with the main gas path to achieve pressure balance in the early stages of charging and discharging.

[0027] The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device consists of an airflow chamber and a piston mechanism. The airflow chamber includes a front cover 1, a housing 2, a buffer airflow pipeline, and a rear cover 9. The front cover 1 and the rear cover 9 are convex in shape, with airflow channels axially formed at their centers. The front cover 1 and the rear cover 9 are connected to the housing 2 via flat flange bolts, ensuring a tight seal, i.e., a leakage rate not exceeding 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. -6 Pa·m 3 / s; The buffer airflow pipeline is a gas flow pipeline used to connect the chambers between the piston bodies 7. It is divided into primary, secondary, ... or multi-stage buffer airflow pipelines, which are welded to the housing 2. The positions of the inlet and outlet ports are determined according to the piston mechanism stroke.

[0028] The piston mechanism includes: piston body 7, connecting piece 4, guide ring 5, sealing ring 6, and end face sealing ring 8. The piston body 7 is a circular boss structure. A first boss structure is provided on the side of the piston body 7 facing the front end cover 1 or the rear end cover 9. The first boss structure has a dovetail sealing groove for placing the end face sealing ring 8. The center diameter of the sealing groove is larger than the airflow channel diameter of the front end cover 1 or the rear end cover 9, and can form a planar seal with the second boss structure of the front end cover 1 or the rear end cover 9. At the same time, the piston body 7 has three annular grooves in the radial direction for installing two guide rings 5 ​​on both sides and one sealing ring 6 in the middle, ensuring that the piston body 7 slides left and right in the airflow chamber and plays a gas barrier sealing role. The number of piston bodies 7 corresponds to the buffer airflow pipeline (two sets, three sets, ... or more sets of piston bodies 7). The piston bodies 7 are connected by connecting rods. In order to better play the gas buffering role, the connecting rods can be designed as springs. The length of the connecting rods must match the position of the inlet and outlet ports of the buffer airflow pipeline.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "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 this application 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 limitations on this application.

[0030] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A gas adaptive buffering and sealing device, characterized in that, include: Gas main pipeline and bypass pipeline; The bypass pipeline is connected in parallel with the main gas pipeline; A gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is installed on the main gas pipeline, and valves are installed on the main gas pipelines at both ends of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. A shut-off valve is installed on the bypass pipeline.

2. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device includes: an airflow chamber and a piston mechanism; One or more piston mechanisms are installed in the airflow chamber; One or more buffer airflow pipes are provided on the airflow chamber, and a piston body (8) is provided between the areas corresponding to each buffer airflow pipe. Multiple piston bodies (7) are connected to form the piston mechanism.

3. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The airflow chamber includes: a front cover (1), a shell (2), a buffer airflow pipe, and a rear cover (9). The two ends of the housing (2) are respectively connected to the front end cover (1) and the rear end cover (9). A buffer airflow pipe is provided on the periphery of the housing (2), and the two ends of the buffer airflow pipe are connected to the inside of the housing (2). The piston mechanism slides axially along the inner wall of the housing (2).

4. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The piston mechanism includes: a connector (4), a guide ring (5), a sealing ring (6), and a piston body (7); The piston body (7) is provided with multiple pistons and connected by the connector (4). The piston body (7) is provided with a guide ring (5) and a sealing ring (6) on its periphery and slides along the inner wall of the housing (2).

5. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The piston bodies (7) at both ends of the piston mechanism are provided with a first boss structure on one side facing the front end cover (1) and the rear end cover (9), respectively. The first boss structure is provided with a sealing groove for installing the end face sealing ring (8). The front end cover (1) and the rear end cover (9) are provided with a second boss structure that cooperates with the first boss structure on the side facing the piston mechanism.

6. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Airflow channels are provided on the front cover (1) and the rear cover (9).

7. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The diameter of the sealing groove is larger than the diameter of the airflow channel.

8. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connector (4) includes a connecting rod and a spring.

9. The gas adaptive buffer and sealing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The front cover (1) and the rear cover (9) are respectively connected to the gas main pipelines at both ends.

10. A method of operating the gas adaptive buffering and sealing device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: Install the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device on the gas distribution equipment pipeline and connect it to the gas inlet and outlet of the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device. Step S2: Close the valve of the main gas pipeline, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and start charging or venting through the gas distribution equipment. Step S3: After the pressure before and after the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device reaches a stable balance through the bypass pipeline, open the valve of the main gas pipeline, close the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline, and charge or depressurize through the main gas pipeline. Step S4: During the inflation or deflation process, the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is used to achieve stable airflow delivery or output, thereby playing the role of air pressure buffer and sealing. Step S5: If the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is blocked from gas flow due to excessive gas pressure pulse, open the shut-off valve of the bypass pipeline to balance the pressure before and after the gas adaptive buffer and sealing device is activated, and then use it again according to step S4.

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