Engine thrust measuring device and method

Abstract

The application discloses an engine thrust measuring device and method, which comprises a base, a slide rail which is detachably installed on the base and is a linear guide rail, a sliding block arranged on the slide rail and linearly moving along the slide rail under the action of driving force, a first movable frame which is detachably installed above the sliding block, a first end of the first movable frame being connected with a first end of a second movable frame, a second end of the first movable frame being connected with a thrust device to be measured, a force sensor which is detachably installed on a support, the support being detachably installed on the base, the first end of the first movable frame being in contact with the force sensor, a fixed pulley which is fixedly connected on the base, one end of a rope on the fixed pulley being connected with the second end of the second movable frame, and the other end of the rope on the fixed pulley being connected with a weight. The technical scheme provided by the application has a simple structure and is easy to perform measurement error calibration and thrust measurement operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of aerospace propulsion system technology, specifically to an engine thrust measurement device and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasingly widespread application of satellite technology, thrust systems used for satellite attitude and orbit control have become a research hotspot. Low-thrust chemical engines have advantages such as clean combustion gases, small size, high specific impulse, and long lifespan. For low-thrust engines, thrust measurement is the most direct and effective method for evaluating the engine and is one of the key parameters reflecting the engine's technical performance and reliability. The measured thrust can then guide the design and development of the engine.

[0003] In existing technologies, micro-thrust is usually measured using torsion pendulum, balance, or single pendulum methods, which convert the thrust into the vibration amplitude or rotational displacement of the measuring platform. To ensure measurement accuracy, the measurement system is usually expensive and the test device has a complex structure. The measurement of large thrust is generally carried out using the direct pushing method, but the thrust measurement device has a large measurement error and cannot accurately characterize the characteristics of small thrust. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this application is to provide an engine thrust measurement device and method, which achieves a simplified structure and easy operation, thereby alleviating the existing technical problems.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a first aspect of this application provides an engine thrust measuring device, comprising: a base; a slide rail detachably mounted on the base, the slide rail being a linear guide rail on which a slider is disposed, the slider moving linearly along the slide rail under the action of a driving force; a first movable frame detachably mounted above the slider, a first end of the first movable frame being connected to a first end of a second movable frame, and a second end of the first movable frame being connected to the thrust to be measured; a force sensor detachably mounted on a bracket, the bracket being detachably mounted on the base, the first end of the first movable frame being in contact with the force sensor; a fixed pulley fixedly connected to the base; one end of a rope on the fixed pulley being connected to the second end of the second movable frame, and the other end of the rope on the fixed pulley being connected to a weight.

[0006] In one embodiment, a leveling knob is installed at the bottom of the base.

[0007] In one embodiment, the centers of mass of the first moving frame, the force sensor, and the thruster under test are located at the same height.

[0008] In one embodiment, one end of the rope on the fixed pulley is connected to the second moving frame via a through-hole screw.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fixed pulley is fixedly connected to the base via a lifting bracket.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a second aspect of this application provides an engine thrust measurement method using the thrust measurement device provided in the first aspect of this application. The method includes: error calibration, configuring the mass of a weight to a first value, acquiring first measurement data from a force sensor, and determining the system error of the device based on the first value and the first measurement data; pre-tightening configuration, configuring the mass of a weight to a second value so that a first moving frame applies a pre-tightening force to the force sensor; and thrust measurement, acquiring second measurement data from the force sensor in real time after the thruster under test is ignited.

[0011] The embodiments disclosed herein may have, or at least have, the following advantages:

[0012] 1) The first moving frame is detachably mounted above the slider. The second end of the first moving frame is connected to the thruster to be tested, and the first end of the first moving frame is in contact with the force sensor. The force sensor directly measures the pressure applied by the first moving frame, and then indirectly measures the thrust of the thruster to be tested.

[0013] 2) By using weights and fixed pulleys, the engine thrust is simulated, and the thrust is applied to the second moving frame, thereby calibrating the error of the measuring device.

[0014] 3) During thrust measurement, a preload is applied to the second moving frame using weights and a fixed pulley, causing the first moving frame to move axially and come into close contact with the force sensor, thereby improving the accuracy of the measuring device. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an engine thrust measuring device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an engine thrust measurement method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure label:

[0018] 1: Base; 2: Slide rail; 3: Slider; 4: First moving frame; 5: Bracket; 6: Force sensor; 7: Second moving frame; 8: Through screw; 9: Fixed pulley; 10: Weight; 11: Thrust device to be tested. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of this application.

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate layer structure diagrams according to embodiments of this application. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some details have been enlarged for clarity, and some details may have been omitted. The shapes of the various regions and layers shown in the drawings, as well as their relative sizes and positional relationships, are merely exemplary and may deviate from reality due to manufacturing tolerances or technical limitations. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can design regions / layers with different shapes, sizes, and relative positions as needed.

[0021] Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the various drawings, the same elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For clarity, the various parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an engine thrust measuring device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 This application provides an engine thrust measuring device, comprising: a base 1; a slide rail 2 detachably mounted on the base 1, the slide rail 2 being a linear guide rail on which a slider 3 is mounted, the slider 3 moving linearly along the slide rail 2 under the action of a driving force; a first moving frame 4 detachably mounted above the slider 3, the first end of the first moving frame 4 being connected to the first end of a second moving frame 7, and the second end of the first moving frame 4 being connected to the thrust generator 11 to be measured; a force sensor 6 detachably mounted on a bracket 5, the bracket 5 being detachably mounted on the base 1, the first end of the first moving frame 4 being in contact with the force sensor 6; and a fixed pulley 9 fixedly connected to the base 1; one end of a rope on the fixed pulley 9 being connected to the second end of the second moving frame 7, and the other end of the rope on the fixed pulley 9 being connected to a weight 10.

[0024] For example, the slide rail 2 can be fixedly mounted on the base 1 by threads; the first moving frame 4 can be mounted on top of the slider 3 by threads. The slider 3 can move along the slide rail 2, which is beneficial for the disassembly and assembly of various components; secondly, it is also beneficial for calibrating the error of the measuring device; and thirdly, the preload of the first moving frame 4 in contact with the force sensor 6 can be adjusted, thereby reducing the measurement error of the system.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first end of the first movable frame 4 is threadedly connected to the first end of the second movable frame 7, and the second end of the second movable frame 7 is connected to one end of the rope on the fixed pulley 9. It should be noted that the rope on the fixed pulley 9 needs to be lightweight and high-strength, for example, it can be steel wire. In the entire device, the second movable frame 7 acts as a transition and adapter, connecting the fixed pulley 9 and the weight 10, transmitting the gravity generated by the weight 10 as a pulling force on the first movable frame 4, simulating the effect of engine thrust, which can be used to calibrate and pre-tighten the measuring device.

[0026] In one embodiment, a leveling knob is installed at the bottom of the base 1. By adjusting the leveling knob, the base 1 can be positioned in a horizontal plane, thereby reducing the error component during thrust measurement.

[0027] In one embodiment, the centers of mass of the first moving frame 4, the force sensor 6, and the thruster under test 11 are located at the same height. When the centers of mass of these components are at the same height, the thrust generated by the thruster under test 11 is as horizontal as possible, reducing the interference of error components.

[0028] In one embodiment, one end of the rope on the fixed pulley 9 is connected to the second moving frame 7 via a through screw 8.

[0029] In one embodiment, the fixed pulley 9 is fixedly connected to the base 1 via a lifting bracket. The height of the fixed pulley 9 can be adjusted via the lifting bracket to keep the rope on it horizontal, thereby ensuring test accuracy.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an engine thrust measurement method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0031] refer to Figure 2 This application also provides an engine thrust measurement method, which uses the measuring device provided in the above embodiments and includes the following steps.

[0032] Step S1, error calibration. Specifically, the mass of the weight 10 is set to a first value, the first measurement data of the force sensor 6 is acquired, and the system error of the device is determined based on the first value and the first measurement data.

[0033] For example, the weight of the weight 10 is configured to be 1 kg, that is, the first value is 1 kg; ideally, the reading of the force sensor 6 is 9.8 N, that is, the first measurement data is 9.8 N, at which time the calibrated device system error is 0; in reality, due to system errors such as installation errors and measurement errors of various components on the device, there is a difference between the first measurement data and the gravity generated by the counterweight 10; this difference is the calibration system error.

[0034] Step S2, pre-tightening configuration. Specifically, the mass of the weight 10 is configured to a second value so that the first moving frame 4 applies a pre-tightening force to the force sensor 6.

[0035] For example, the second value is 0.5 kg, so that the first moving frame 4 is in close contact with the force sensor 6, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement system.

[0036] Step S3, thrust measurement. Specifically, after the thruster under test 11 is ignited, the second measurement data of the force sensor 6 is acquired in real time.

[0037] It should be noted that the system error calibrated in step S1 and the preload generated in step S2 need to be deducted from the second measurement data to obtain the thrust of the thruster 11 under test in real time.

[0038] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative or explanatory of the principles of this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made without departing from the spirit and scope of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. Furthermore, the appended claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications falling within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims, or equivalent forms of such scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. An engine thrust measuring device, characterized in that, include: Base (1); The slide rail (2) is detachably mounted on the base (1). The slide rail (2) is a linear guide rail, on which a slider (3) is provided. The slider (3) moves linearly along the slide rail (2) under the action of driving force. The first moving frame (4) is detachably mounted above the slider (3). The first end of the first moving frame (4) is connected to the first end of the second moving frame (7), and the second end of the first moving frame (4) is connected to the thruster (11) to be tested. Force sensor (6) is detachably mounted on bracket (5), which is detachably mounted on base (1), and the first end of the first moving frame (4) is in contact with force sensor (6); A fixed pulley (9) is fixedly connected to the base (1); one end of the rope on the fixed pulley (9) is connected to the second end of the second moving frame (7), and the other end of the rope on the fixed pulley (9) is connected to a weight (10).

2. The measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is equipped with a leveling knob at its bottom.

3. The measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centers of mass of the first moving frame (4), the force sensor (6) and the thruster to be tested (11) are located at the same height.

4. The measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the rope on the fixed pulley (9) is connected to the second moving frame (7) through a through screw (8).

5. The measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed pulley (9) is fixedly connected to the base (1) via a lifting bracket.

6. A method for measuring engine thrust, characterized in that, The measuring device according to any one of claims 1-5 comprises: Error calibration: The mass of the weight (10) is configured to a first value, the first measurement data of the force sensor (6) is obtained, and the system error of the device is determined based on the first value and the first measurement data. The pre-tightening configuration sets the mass of the weight (10) to a second value so that the first moving frame (4) applies a pre-tightening force to the force sensor (6); Thrust measurement: After the thruster under test (11) is ignited, the second measurement data of the force sensor (6) is acquired in real time.

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