A phase change power unit and phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide

Abstract

The application provides a phase change power unit and a phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide. The phase change power unit comprises a phase change pipe body, a liquid carbon dioxide filling joint for filling liquid carbon dioxide into the phase change pipe body, a plasma generator with a relatively independently sealed discharge chamber, high-temperature plasma is generated in the discharge chamber, the pressure in the discharge chamber is increased to a value that can break the sealing diaphragm and then be injected into the phase change pipe body to excite the liquid carbon dioxide in the phase change pipe body to change phase, a cathode connecting rod assembly and an anode connecting rod assembly which are respectively electrically connected with a cathode and an anode of the plasma generator and are used for connecting an external pulse power source, and a constant-pressure rupture disc which is used for breaking when the pressure in the phase change pipe body reaches a preset value and releasing high-pressure working medium to provide power. The application reduces the power demand of the power source by arranging the relatively independently sealed discharge chamber, has high excitation efficiency, low excitation cost and little influence on the environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of powered launch technology, and more specifically, to a phase change power unit and a phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide. Background Technology

[0002] Carbon dioxide phase change propulsion technology originated from carbon dioxide explosion technology. Its basic principle is to utilize the rapid phase transformation of liquid carbon dioxide into a supercritical fluid upon heating (a supercritical fluid is a fluid whose temperature and pressure exceed a critical point, at which point the gas and liquid interfaces disappear and become indistinguishable), thereby generating high pressure to propel the load. Compared to traditional gas and steam catapults, the carbon dioxide phase change process is a purely physical process without chemical reactions, offering advantages such as low heat radiation, no pollution, and adjustable thrust. Therefore, it has received widespread attention in the field of cold-powered propulsion in recent years.

[0003] Currently, the technologies for inducing phase transition of liquid carbon dioxide can be mainly divided into the following three categories:

[0004] The first category is phase change excitation technology based on chemical energy. This technology induces the combustion of energetic chemical agents through microcurrents, using the heat generated to heat liquid carbon dioxide, causing it to undergo a phase change and producing a high-pressure supercritical gas-liquid mixture. This technology is currently widely used in the field of carbon dioxide-induced cracking and has a high degree of technological maturity. However, it has significant drawbacks: the exothermic combustion process of the chemical agents has strong uncertainties and unstable time response characteristics, affecting the repeatability and accuracy of phase change excitation; at the same time, the use of chemical agents causes environmental pollution problems, and they need to be refilled after each use, making rapid reuse difficult.

[0005] The second category is low-power discharge heating phase change excitation technology. This technology uses heating elements such as electric heating rods to heat liquid carbon dioxide from the outside in through heat conduction, bringing it to a supercritical state. This technology has advantages such as reusability, no pollution, and controllable energy, but it is limited by the low thermal conductivity of liquid carbon dioxide itself, resulting in a very slow heating rate. Phase change excitation often takes several seconds or even tens of seconds, which cannot meet the requirements of catapult or launch missions that require rapid response.

[0006] The third category is high-power discharge phase transition excitation technology. This technology directly places discharge electrodes in liquid carbon dioxide, applies a high voltage to drive an electric arc discharge, and uses the Joule heat generated by the arc to instantaneously heat the liquid carbon dioxide, causing it to undergo a phase transition within milliseconds. This technology has a fast response speed and controllable energy, but its efficiency in converting electrical energy into heat energy is low, with a large amount of energy dissipated in electrode ablation and plasma radiation. Furthermore, it requires extremely high instantaneous power from the pulse power supply (often tens of thousands of volts or tens of thousands of amperes), resulting in a large and expensive power system, which limits its engineering application.

[0007] Chinese patent CN115405438A discloses a power device and its operating method that combines carbon dioxide phase change. The device includes a liquid carbon dioxide storage chamber, a gas generation chamber, and a mounting connector. The liquid carbon dioxide storage chamber is installed within the gas generation chamber, which is in turn installed within the mounting connector. The liquid carbon dioxide storage chamber contains a heating device and stores liquid carbon dioxide. The gas generation chamber contains a propellant and an ignition device. One end of the mounting connector has an opening. This patent uses a combination of gas and liquid carbon dioxide, which effectively reduces the heat from the gas while rapidly raising the temperature of supercritical carbon dioxide. It achieves ejection effectively with less liquid carbon dioxide and a smaller propellant charge. However, the electric heating in this patent is relatively slow, relying primarily on gas combustion for the main heat source, and still involves a chemical reaction process. Simple resistance heating is limited by the low thermal conductivity of liquid carbon dioxide, resulting in a slow heating rate, typically requiring several seconds or even tens of seconds to complete the phase change, making it difficult to meet the requirement of rapid response on its own.

[0008] It is evident that existing liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation technologies suffer from a technical contradiction: "fast response leads to low efficiency and high cost, while low cost and high efficiency result in slow response; and the chemical energy response is uncontrollable and highly polluting." Therefore, providing a liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation scheme that is fast-responding, has high energy conversion efficiency, is cost-controllable, and environmentally friendly is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation unit with fast response speed, high energy conversion efficiency, controllable cost and green environmental protection.

[0010] This invention discloses a phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, comprising:

[0011] Phase change tube body;

[0012] A liquid carbon dioxide filling connector is located at the first end of the phase change tube body and is used to fill the phase change tube body with liquid carbon dioxide.

[0013] A plasma generator is installed inside the phase change tube body. The plasma generator has a relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber, which is isolated from the interior of the phase change tube body by a ruptureable sealing diaphragm. The plasma generator is configured to generate high-temperature plasma in its discharge chamber, increase the pressure in the discharge chamber to the point that it breaks the sealing diaphragm and is then injected into the interior of the phase change tube body to excite the liquid carbon dioxide therein to undergo a phase change.

[0014] The cathode connecting rod assembly and the anode connecting rod assembly are electrically connected to the cathode and anode of the plasma generator, respectively, for connecting to an external pulse power supply.

[0015] The constant pressure rupture disc is located at the second end of the phase change tube body and is used to rupture when the pressure inside the phase change tube body reaches a preset value, releasing the high-pressure working fluid to provide power.

[0016] Furthermore, the plasma generator is detachably mounted within the phase change tube body.

[0017] Furthermore, the plasma generator includes a plasma generator body, an ablation anode, a discharge tube, an ablation tube, a sealing diaphragm, a sealing plug, and an arc-starting wire. The discharge tube forms a discharge chamber inside, with its first end disposed within the plasma generator body and its second end extending into the phase change tube body. The second end of the discharge tube is sealed by the sealing diaphragm, and the sealing plug is used to press the sealing diaphragm tightly onto the second end of the discharge tube. The ablation tube is disposed on the inner wall of the discharge tube, and the ablation anode extends at least partially into the discharge tube. The ablation anode and the sealing diaphragm are connected by the arc-starting wire.

[0018] Furthermore, the sealing plug is detachably connected to the second end of the discharge tube, which is used to press and fix the sealing diaphragm.

[0019] Furthermore, several sets of connecting holes are provided on the side wall of the plasma generator body, and the liquid carbon dioxide filled by the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector can enter the internal cavity of the phase change tube body through the connecting holes.

[0020] Furthermore, the plasma generator also includes an anode base, an insulating sleeve, an insulating gasket, and a pressure screw. The anode base is disposed within the plasma generator body and is electrically connected to the anode connecting rod assembly and the ablation anode, respectively. The insulating sleeve is disposed between the anode base and the plasma generator body. The insulating gasket is disposed between the anode base and the discharge tube. The pressure screw is used to press the discharge tube, insulating gasket, anode base, and insulating sleeve tightly inside the plasma generator body.

[0021] Furthermore, the anode connecting rod assembly includes an anode connecting rod and an anode connecting rod insulation portion wrapped around the anode connecting rod. The first end of the anode connecting rod is used to connect to the positive terminal of an external pulse power supply, and the second end is connected to the anode base in the plasma generator. The anode connecting rod insulation portion is used to electrically isolate the anode connecting rod from the phase change tube body and the plasma generator body, respectively.

[0022] Furthermore, the cathode connecting rod assembly includes a cathode connecting rod and a plug. The first end of the cathode connecting rod is connected to the negative terminal of the pulse power supply, and the second end of the cathode connecting rod is electrically connected to the phase change tube body through the plug.

[0023] Furthermore, a needle valve is provided at the first end of the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector for connecting to an external liquid carbon dioxide storage tank, and the second end is sealed to the first end of the phase change tube body through a pressure ring and a sealing ring.

[0024] The present invention also discloses a phase change dynamic system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, the phase change dynamic system comprising:

[0025] At least one phase change power unit as described above;

[0026] Liquid carbon dioxide storage tank, used to store liquid carbon dioxide;

[0027] The filling pipeline is used to connect the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank and the phase change power unit;

[0028] A liquid carbon dioxide filling device is used to control the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank to fill the phase change power unit with liquid carbon dioxide;

[0029] A pulse power supply, electrically connected to the phase change power unit, is used to provide pulse energy to the phase change power unit;

[0030] A charger, used to provide electrical energy to a pulse power source;

[0031] The control console is communicatively connected to both the pulse power supply and the charger, and is used to control the charger to charge the pulse power supply and to control the discharge timing and discharge energy of the pulse power supply.

[0032] Compared with existing technologies, the phase change power unit and phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide described in this invention have the following advantages:

[0033] 1. The present invention, through the setting of a relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber, allows the plasma to accumulate to a certain pressure inside the discharge chamber before being released, which significantly reduces the power requirements and excitation costs. Furthermore, since the ablation of the generated plasma occurs entirely inside the discharge tube, very few ablation products enter the outside world with the plasma excitation, greatly reducing the environmental impact of the phase change power unit.

[0034] 2. The pulse power supply is released in an orderly manner through a pulse forming network (PFN). The corresponding energy is input according to the needs of the emission process, thereby controlling the pressure of the ejected supercritical fluid and making the power precise and controllable.

[0035] 3. High-temperature plasma has a high energy density. After interacting with liquid carbon dioxide, it can quickly heat, ionize, or decompose the liquid carbon dioxide into a supercritical mixture of plasma, gas, and liquid, realizing the rapid conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0036] 4. Liquid carbon dioxide is excited by plasma to form a high-temperature and high-pressure supercritical fluid. Its product component is still carbon dioxide. It is chemically stable. The supercritical carbon dioxide gas ejected from the phase change tube will not react chemically with the surrounding atmosphere and will not produce a large amount of fire and smoke. It can form a relatively ideal cold emission.

[0037] 5. The sealing diaphragm, ablation tube, and arc-starting wire are replaceable, allowing for simple replacement of a few low-cost consumables after each excitation, making maintenance simple and reducing the cost per excitation. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the phase change dynamic system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plasma generator described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the anode connecting rod assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0043] 1. Liquid carbon dioxide storage tank; 2. Filling pipeline; 3. Liquid carbon dioxide filling equipment; 4. Phase change power unit; 5. Control console; 6. Pulse power supply; 7. Charger; 8. Coaxial cable; 9. Liquid carbon dioxide filling connector; 10. Pressure ring; 11. Sealing ring; 12. Plasma generator; 13. Phase change tube body; 14. Constant pressure rupture disc; 15. Front plug; 16. Cathode connecting rod assembly; 17. Anode connecting rod assembly; 18. Connecting hole; 19. Cathode 20. Anode terminal block pressure plate assembly; 21. Plasma generator body; 22. Insulating sleeve; 23. Anode base; 24. Ablation anode; 25. Insulating gasket; 26. Press screw; 27. Discharge tube; 28. Ablation tube; 29. ​​Sealing diaphragm; 30. Sealing plug; 31. Arc ignition wire; 32. Anode connecting rod; 33. Anode connecting rod insulating sleeve; 34. Anode press screw; 35. Anode connecting rod insulating gasket; 36. Connecting rod insulating sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0045] The following describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a phase change power unit and phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] This embodiment provides a phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0048] Phase change tube body 13;

[0049] A liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 is located at one end of the phase change tube body 13 and is used to fill the phase change tube body 13 with liquid carbon dioxide.

[0050] A plasma generator 12 is installed inside the phase change tube body 13. The plasma generator 12 has a relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber, which is isolated from the interior of the phase change tube body 13 by a ruptureable sealing diaphragm 29. The plasma generator 12 is configured to generate high-temperature plasma in its discharge chamber, increase the pressure in the discharge chamber to the point that it breaks through the sealing diaphragm 29 and is then injected into the interior of the phase change tube body 13 to excite the liquid carbon dioxide therein to undergo a phase change.

[0051] The cathode connecting rod assembly 16 and the anode connecting rod assembly 17 are electrically connected to the cathode and anode of the plasma generator 12, respectively, for connecting to the external pulse power supply 6; and

[0052] The constant pressure rupture disc 14 is located at the other end of the phase change tube body 13 and is used to rupture when the pressure inside the phase change tube body 13 reaches a preset value, releasing the high-pressure working fluid to provide power.

[0053] In this example, the plasma generator 12 is used to generate high-temperature plasma with extremely high energy density. It can directly exchange energy with liquid carbon dioxide through radiation, convection, thermal conduction, and even ionization, thereby heating the liquid carbon dioxide from within. This configuration effectively overcomes the limitation of the low thermal conductivity of carbon dioxide, significantly shortening the total time from electrical energy input to the liquid carbon dioxide reaching a supercritical state compared to chemical energy phase transition excitation and low-power discharge heating phase transition excitation technologies. The overall excitation time is close to that of high-power discharge phase transition excitation technology. However, in this example, the relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber allows the plasma to accumulate in the discharge chamber instead of being generated in the main chamber. It is released instantaneously into the main chamber filled with liquid carbon dioxide in the phase change tube body 13 only after the pressure rises to the point where it breaks through the sealing diaphragm 29. In this case, energy can be continuously input and accumulated in the discharge chamber, greatly reducing the instantaneous power requirement of the pulse power supply 6. The stringent requirements for high-power power supplies in high-power discharge phase change excitation technology significantly reduce power supply costs. The sealing diaphragm 29 acts as a precise mechanical threshold switch, ensuring that liquid carbon dioxide in the main chamber is released only when the energy in the discharge chamber reaches a preset level, effectively improving the repeatability and consistency of each excitation. When the plasma breaks through the sealing diaphragm 29, it possesses extremely high speed and impact kinetic energy. This strong impact effect, combined with the thermal conduction effect of the high-temperature plasma, enables faster and more thorough excitation of the phase change of liquid carbon dioxide, significantly shortening its phase change excitation time. Furthermore, the plasma generation process is located within the discharge chamber, confining the ablation process during plasma generation within the discharge chamber. This ensures that most ablation products are blocked outside the main chamber of the phase change tube body 13 by the sealing diaphragm 29, greatly reducing contamination of the main chamber and allowing the phase change tube body 13 to remain clean over a longer service life without frequent cleaning. Through the above setup, instantaneous excitation of high-temperature plasma within liquid carbon dioxide is achieved. Liquid carbon dioxide can be rapidly vaporized or ionized through radiation, convection, heat conduction, and ionization. The resulting high-temperature, high-pressure supercritical vapor-liquid mixture acts on the target object, thereby propelling its movement. This achieves rapid phase transition excitation of liquid carbon dioxide, exhibiting fast response speed and high energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, since plasma generation can be continuously accumulated, no high-power power supply is required, significantly reducing excitation costs. In addition, the ablation during plasma generation mainly occurs in a relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber, ensuring that ablation products are concentrated within this chamber. The amount of plasma injected into the main chamber is minimal, resulting in minimal environmental impact. This achieves green and environmentally friendly phase transition excitation of liquid carbon dioxide.The phase change tube body 13, serving as a mounting platform for other components, is made of high-strength alloy steel and has an internally formed, approximately cylindrical main chamber to contain liquid carbon dioxide and withstand the extremely high pressure generated during the liquid carbon dioxide excitation process. The constant-pressure rupture disc 14 is made of stainless steel or copper, and its specific rupture pressure is set according to requirements, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0054] As one optional example, the plasma generator 12 includes a plasma generator body 21, an ablation anode 24, a discharge tube 27, an ablation tube 28, a sealing diaphragm 29, a sealing plug 30, and an arc-starting wire 31. The discharge tube 27 forms a discharge chamber inside, with its first end disposed inside the plasma generator body 21 and its second end extending into the phase change tube body 13. The second end of the discharge tube 27 is sealed by the sealing diaphragm 29. The sealing plug 30 is used to press the sealing diaphragm 29 tightly onto the second end of the discharge tube 27. The ablation tube 28 is disposed on the inner wall of the discharge tube 27. The ablation anode 24 extends at least partially into the discharge tube 27. The ablation anode 24 and the sealing diaphragm 29 are connected by the arc-starting wire 31. In this example, the plasma generator body 21 provides a foundation for the installation of other components. The discharge tube 27, in conjunction with the sealing diaphragm 29, forms a discharge chamber that is independently sealed from the main chamber of the phase change tube body 13. The ablation tube 28, as the ablation material, decomposes under the action of an electric arc to generate plasma. The ablation anode 24 serves as the discharge electrode to introduce energy. The arc-starting wire 31 is used to first break down and vaporize under high pressure to form an initial electric arc channel, guiding the input energy to establish a stable discharge field within the ablation tube 28. Through the above configuration, the function of controllably generating and accumulating plasma within an independent chamber and releasing it instantaneously after reaching a predetermined pressure is achieved, significantly improving the response speed of liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation and reducing the power requirement of the pulse power supply 6, thus reducing the power supply cost of liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation. Optionally, the arc-starting wire 31 is made of brass, and its specific diameter can be set according to requirements, which will not be elaborated here. Specifically, the ablation anode 24 extends partly into the discharge tube 27 and the other part extends into the anode base 23.

[0055] like Figure 3As shown, the sealing plug 30 is detachably connected to the second end of the discharge tube 27, used to press and fix the sealing diaphragm 29. Specifically, the sealing plug 30 is threadedly connected to the second end of the discharge tube 27. This configuration allows the sealing plug 30 to replace the sealing diaphragm 29, ablation tube 28, and arc-starting wire 31 in the plasma generator 12 after liquid carbon dioxide phase change excitation. This makes these three components quickly replaceable consumables; after each excitation, simply unscrewing the sealing plug 30 allows for replacement of these components, simplifying the operation and significantly improving the maintenance convenience of the phase change power unit. A through hole is provided in the center of the sealing plug 30, from which plasma is ejected after breaking through the sealing diaphragm 29.

[0056] Optionally, the ablation tube 28 is made of polyethylene, and the sealing diaphragm 29 is made of copper. The ablation tube 28, made of polyethylene, can decompose under arc ablation to generate high-enthalpy plasma rich in hydrogen and carbon. This plasma has extremely high thermal conductivity, enabling efficient heating of liquid carbon dioxide. Furthermore, polyethylene is inexpensive and its ablation rate is controllable, ensuring consistent performance across multiple excitations. The sealing diaphragm 29, made of copper, has good electrical conductivity and suitable mechanical strength. It can serve as part of the discharge circuit, reliably contacting the arc-starting wire 31. Moreover, the copper-made sealing diaphragm 29 exhibits brittle fracture behavior, capable of instantaneous and complete rupture upon reaching a predetermined pressure, thereby achieving instantaneous plasma burst release and further enhancing the phase transition excitation response rate of liquid carbon dioxide.

[0057] In this example, the plasma generator 12 is detachably housed within the phase change tube body 13. Specifically, the plasma generator 12 and the phase change tube body 13 are connected by threads. With this configuration, after each excitation, the operator only needs to unscrew the plasma generator 12 as a whole, disassemble it, replace three low-cost consumables, and then screw it back on to complete the preparation for the next excitation. The expensive and complex phase change tube body 13 and the precision-machined electrode connecting rod assembly can be reused multiple times, typically hundreds or even thousands of times. Compared to existing technologies that require refilling the working fluid or repairing the electrodes after each excitation, the technical solution provided in this example significantly reduces the consumable cost and maintenance time per excitation, demonstrating extremely high economic value.

[0058] As a preferred example, the plasma generator 12 further includes an anode base 23, an insulating sleeve 22, an insulating gasket 25, and a pressure screw 26. The anode base 23 is disposed inside the plasma generator body 21 and is electrically connected to the anode connecting rod assembly 17 and the ablation anode 24, respectively. The insulating sleeve 22 is disposed between the anode base 23 and the plasma generator body 21. The insulating gasket 25 is disposed between the anode base 23 and the discharge tube 27. The pressure screw 26 is used to press the discharge tube 27, the insulating gasket 25, the anode base 23, and the insulating sleeve 22 tightly inside the plasma generator body 21. In this example, the anode base 23 serves as an intermediate connector, electrically connecting the anode connecting rod assembly 17 and the ablation anode 24, thereby connecting the ablation anode 24 to the positive terminal of the external pulse power supply 6. The insulating sleeve 22 and insulating gasket 25 are both made of insulating materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), used to electrically isolate the anode base 23 from the plasma generator body 21 and the phase change tube body 13, preventing high-voltage electricity from short-circuiting to ground through the outer shell of the plasma generator body 21. The pressure screw 26 is connected to the plasma generator body 21 and is used to press at least a portion of the discharge tube 27, the insulating gasket 25, the anode base 23, and the insulating sleeve 22 tightly inside the plasma generator body 21 to ensure sealing and positioning of the components. Preferably, the pressure screw 26 is threadedly connected to the plasma generator body 21. Specifically, the anode base 23 is made of brass.

[0059] In this example, the anode connecting rod assembly 17 includes an anode connecting rod 32 and an anode connecting rod insulation portion surrounding the anode connecting rod 32. The first end of the anode connecting rod 32 is connected to the positive terminal of an external pulse power supply 6, and the second end is connected to the anode base 23 in the plasma generator 12. The anode connecting rod insulation portion electrically isolates the anode connecting rod 32 from both the phase change tube body 13 and the plasma generator body 21. The anode connecting rod 32 introduces the energy released by the external pulse power supply 6 into the anode base 23. The anode connecting rod insulation portion electrically isolates the anode connecting rod 32 from the phase change tube body 13 and from the plasma generator body 21, ensuring the operational stability of the phase change excitation unit. As a specific example, the anode connecting rod insulation part includes an anode connecting rod insulation sleeve 33, an anode connecting rod insulation gasket 35, and a connecting rod insulation sleeve 36. The anode connecting rod insulation sleeve 33 is sleeved near the first end of the anode connecting rod 32, the connecting rod insulation sleeve 36 is disposed near the second end of the anode connecting rod 32, and the anode connecting rod insulation gasket 35 is disposed between the connecting rod insulation sleeve 33 and the connecting rod insulation sleeve 36. Specifically, the anode connecting rod 32 is provided with a boss structure that protrudes radially outward at the connection position with the phase change tube body 13. The boss structure is a continuous annular boss or a discontinuous annular boss. The anode connecting rod assembly 17 also includes an anode clamping screw 34, which is screwed to the phase change tube body 13 to press the anode connecting rod 32 onto the phase change tube body 13. The connecting rod insulating sleeve 36 is sleeved on the side wall, lower surface, and outer periphery of the portion of the anode connecting rod 32 that passes through the phase change tube body 13 and the plasma generator body 21. The anode connecting rod insulating gasket 35 is disposed between the anode clamping screw 34 and the upper end face of the boss structure. The anode connecting rod insulating sleeve 33 is disposed between the anode connecting rod 32 and the anode clamping screw 34. Through the above settings, while ensuring the installation stability of the anode connecting rod assembly 17, the anode connecting rod 32 also forms two insulating isolations with the phase change tube body 13 and the plasma generator body 21, respectively, thus ensuring the operational stability of the phase change excitation unit.

[0060] As an example of the present invention, the cathode connecting rod assembly 16 includes a cathode connecting rod and a plug. The first end of the cathode connecting rod is connected to the negative terminal of the pulse power supply 6, and the second end of the cathode connecting rod is electrically connected to the phase change tube body 13 through the plug. Specifically, the cathode connecting rod is made of brass, and the plug is made of stainless steel. Specifically, a plurality of pressure sensor test holes are provided around the circumference of the phase change tube body 13. The plug is disposed on one of the pressure sensor test holes, and pressure sensors are correspondingly disposed on the remaining pressure sensor test holes for collecting pressure parameters inside the phase change tube body 13 during the use of the phase change power unit. Optionally, the plug is threadedly connected to the pressure sensor test hole and seals the corresponding pressure sensor test hole to prevent leakage of the high-pressure working fluid in the phase change tube body 13. In this configuration, the cathode connecting rod assembly 16 is in direct contact with the metal phase change tube body 13, with no insulating material between them. This makes the phase change tube body 13 part of the discharge circuit (negative electrode). This configuration effectively simplifies the cathode introduction structure, eliminates the need for complex insulating seals, reduces the number of components and the risk of leakage. Furthermore, the large surface area of ​​the phase change tube body 13, as a circuit conductor, provides extremely high current carrying capacity, enabling it to withstand large currents without overheating or being damaged, significantly improving the safety of the phase change power unit.

[0061] As one optional example, a needle valve is provided at the first end of the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 for connection to an external liquid carbon dioxide storage tank 1, and the second end is sealed to the first end of the phase change tube body 13 via a pressure ring 10 and a sealing ring 11. Specifically, the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 is threadedly connected to the phase change tube body 13, and the sealing ring 11 is disposed between the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 and the first end face of the phase change tube body 13. The needle valve allows the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 to close the valve and disconnect from the external pipeline after filling the phase change tube body 13 with liquid carbon dioxide, so as to maintain the high pressure inside the phase change tube body 13. The pressure ring 10 and the sealing ring 11 form a self-reinforcing sealing structure. When the internal pressure of the phase change tube body 13 increases sharply due to phase change, the pressure acts on the back side of the sealing ring 11 through the working fluid in the phase change tube body 13, making the sealing ring 11 tighter and enhancing the sealing effect, thus making it suitable for ultra-high pressure dynamic load conditions. Specifically, the first end of the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector is provided with a needle valve and a filling port, which is connected to the liquid carbon dioxide filling equipment through a filling clamp for filling liquid carbon dioxide.

[0062] Specifically, several sets of connecting holes 18 are provided on the side wall of the plasma generator body 21, allowing the liquid carbon dioxide filled by the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9 to enter the internal chamber of the phase change tube body 13 through the connecting holes 18. It should be noted that the first end of the plasma generator body 21 is threadedly connected to the first end of the phase change tube body 13. Since the first end of the phase change tube body 13 is connected to the second end of the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9, the plasma generator body 21 is prone to clogging the liquid carbon dioxide filling path. The connecting holes 18 ensure smooth filling of liquid carbon dioxide, thereby enabling the phase change power unit to operate smoothly.

[0063] A front plug 15 is provided at the excitation end (second end, or the end where the constant pressure rupture disc is provided) of the phase change tube body 13. The front plug 15 is used to press the constant pressure rupture disc 14 onto the phase change tube body 13. Specifically, the front plug 15 is threaded to the phase change tube body 13, and a through hole is provided at the center of the front plug 15. After the constant pressure rupture disc 14 ruptures, the high-pressure working fluid in the phase change tube body 13 is ejected through the central through hole of the front plug 15 to excite the target object. Preferably, a first sealing ring is also provided between the front plug 15 and the constant pressure rupture disc 14. The first sealing ring is used to improve the sealing performance of the phase change tube body 13.

[0064] Example 2

[0065] This embodiment provides a phase change power system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, which uses the phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in Embodiment 1.

[0066] The phase change dynamic system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide includes:

[0067] At least one phase change power unit 4 as described in Example 1;

[0068] Liquid carbon dioxide storage tank 1, used for storing liquid carbon dioxide;

[0069] The filling pipeline 2 is used to connect the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank 1 and the phase change power unit 4;

[0070] Liquid carbon dioxide filling device 3 is used to control the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank 1 to fill liquid carbon dioxide into the phase change power unit 4;

[0071] The pulse power supply 6 is electrically connected to the phase change power unit 4 and is used to provide pulse energy to the phase change power unit 4.

[0072] Charger 7 is used to provide electrical energy to pulse power supply 6;

[0073] The control console 5 is communicatively connected to the pulse power supply 6 and the charger 7, respectively, and is used to control the charger 7 to charge the pulse power supply 6, and to control the discharge timing and discharge energy of the pulse power supply 6.

[0074] Specifically, the pulse power supply 6 is connected to the phase change power unit 4 via a coaxial cable 8. The anode connecting rod assembly 17 is mounted on the phase change tube body 13, and its first end is connected to the positive terminal of the coaxial cable 8 via the anode terminal block pressure plate assembly 20. The first end of the cathode connecting rod assembly 16 is connected to the negative terminal of the coaxial cable 8 via the cathode terminal block pressure plate assembly 19. Through the above configuration, the phase change power system provided in this application forms a complete energy conversion chain, converting electrical energy into plasma thermal energy, then into the pressure energy of carbon dioxide, and finally forming the mechanical kinetic energy of the target object. The entire conversion process is fast, efficient, low-cost, and releases very few pollutants, significantly improving the ease of use of carbon dioxide phase change and reducing its operating costs. It should be noted that in a phase change power system, there can be one or more phase change power units 4. Multiple phase change power units 4 can jointly propel a target object, or each can propel a target object independently; this is not limited here. When a larger total impulse or a longer working time is required, multiple phase change power units 4 can be bundled together, and the control console 5 can sequentially stimulate each unit according to a preset timing sequence to achieve continuous power output.

[0075] Specifically, the single excitation process of the phase change dynamic system provided in this example is as follows:

[0076] Assemble the phase change power unit 4, and install components such as liquid carbon dioxide filling connector 9, pressure ring 10, sealing ring 11, plasma generator 12, constant pressure rupture disc 14, front plug 15, cathode connecting rod assembly 16, and anode connecting rod assembly 17 on the phase change tube body 13. Connect the various positions and ensure the sealing effect.

[0077] Connect the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank 1, the liquid carbon dioxide filling device 3, and the phase change power unit 4 using the filling pipeline 2, and connect the control console 5, the pulse power supply 6, and the charger 7 using cables. Then connect the pulse power supply 6 and the phase change power unit 4 using a coaxial cable 8.

[0078] Operate the liquid carbon dioxide filling device 3 to fill the phase change power unit 4 with a preset mass of liquid carbon dioxide. Operate the control console 5 to charge the pulse power supply 6 through the charger 7 until it reaches the preset voltage. After charging is completed, it enters the ready-to-excite state.

[0079] Operating console 5 discharges plasma to plasma generator 12 via pulse power supply 6. The current passes through anode connecting rod 32 and anode base 23 to ablation anode 24, and then discharges to discharge tube 27 via arc ignition wire 31. The arc ablates the inner surface of ablation tube 28, generating plasma. Due to the isolation effect of sealing diaphragm 29, a sealed discharge chamber is formed inside discharge tube 27, and its internal pressure rises sharply. When the pressure reaches a certain value (exceeding the mechanical strength of sealing diaphragm 29), sealing diaphragm 29 ruptures instantly. The high-temperature and high-pressure plasma accumulated in discharge tube 27 is ejected from the central through hole of sealing plug 30 in the form of a jet, which rapidly heats, ionizes, or decomposes the liquid carbon dioxide in phase change tube body 13 into supercritical fluids of plasma, gas, and liquid, causing the pressure inside phase change tube body 13 to rise sharply. When it reaches the rupture pressure of constant pressure rupture disc 14, constant pressure rupture disc 14 ruptures, and supercritical fluid is ejected through the central through hole of front plug 15, acting on the target object and propelling the target object to move. It should be noted that the target object refers to the object pushed by the phase change power unit 4.

[0080] After completing the above activation, prepare for the next activation task according to the following:

[0081] Unscrew the front plug 15 and remove and discard the broken constant pressure rupture disc 14;

[0082] Remove the plasma generator 12 entirely from the phase change tube body 13;

[0083] Remove the sealing plug 30 from the plasma generator 12 and remove and discard the broken sealing diaphragm 29;

[0084] Remove the ablated tube 28 from the discharge tube 27, remove the melted end of the arc-starting wire 31, and discard both.

[0085] A new ablation tube 28 and a new arc-starting wire 31 are installed inside the discharge tube 27, a new sealing diaphragm 29 is placed, and the sealing plug 30 is installed and tightened.

[0086] The plasma generator 12 is installed inside the phase change tube body 13;

[0087] Install a new constant pressure rupture disc 14 on the phase change tube body 13 and press it with the front plug 15.

[0088] With the above settings, after completing the preparation for the first excitation, liquid carbon dioxide can be refilled for another excitation.

[0089] It should be noted that all directional and positional terms used in this invention, such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "top," "lower," "tail end," "head end," and "center," are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and connection situations between components in a specific state. They are merely for the convenience of describing the invention and do not require the invention to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously.

[0090] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0091] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, characterized in that, include: Phase change tube body (13); A liquid carbon dioxide filling connector (9) is provided at the first end of the phase change tube body (13) and is used to fill the phase change tube body (13) with liquid carbon dioxide. A plasma generator (12) is installed inside the phase change tube body (13). The plasma generator (12) has a relatively independent and sealed discharge chamber, which is isolated from the interior of the phase change tube body (13) by a ruptureable sealing diaphragm (29). The plasma generator (12) is configured to generate high-temperature plasma in its discharge chamber, raise the pressure in the discharge chamber to the point that it breaks through the sealing diaphragm (29) and is then injected into the interior of the phase change tube body (13) to excite the liquid carbon dioxide therein to undergo a phase change. The cathode connecting rod assembly (16) and the anode connecting rod assembly (17) are electrically connected to the cathode and anode of the plasma generator (12) respectively, for connecting to an external pulse power supply (6). The constant pressure rupture disc (14) is located at the second end of the phase change tube body (13) and is used to rupture when the pressure inside the phase change tube body (13) reaches a preset value, releasing the high-pressure working fluid to provide power.

2. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plasma generator (12) is detachably mounted inside the phase change tube body (13).

3. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plasma generator (12) includes a plasma generator body (21), an ablation anode (24), a discharge tube (27), an ablation tube (28), a sealing diaphragm (29), a sealing plug (30), and an arc-starting wire (31). The discharge tube (27) forms a discharge chamber inside, with its first end located inside the plasma generator body (21) and its second end extending into the phase change tube body (13). The second end of the discharge tube (27) is sealed by the sealing diaphragm (29). The sealing plug (30) is used to press the sealing diaphragm (29) tightly onto the second end of the discharge tube (27). The ablation tube (28) is located on the inner wall of the discharge tube (27). The ablation anode (24) extends at least partially into the discharge tube (27). The ablation anode (24) and the sealing diaphragm (29) are connected by the arc-starting wire (31).

4. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The sealing plug (30) is detachably connected to the second end of the discharge tube (27) for pressing and fixing the sealing diaphragm (29).

5. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Several sets of connecting holes (18) are provided on the side wall of the plasma generator body (21), and the liquid carbon dioxide filled by the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector (9) can enter the internal chamber of the phase change tube body (13) through the connecting holes (18).

6. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The plasma generator (12) further includes an anode base (23), an insulating sleeve (22), an insulating gasket (25), and a pressure screw (26). The anode base (23) is disposed inside the plasma generator body (21) and is electrically connected to the anode connecting rod assembly (17) and the ablation anode (24) respectively. The insulating sleeve (22) is disposed between the anode base (23) and the plasma generator body (21). The insulating gasket (25) is disposed between the anode base (23) and the discharge tube (27). The pressure screw (26) is used to press the discharge tube (27), the insulating gasket (25), the anode base (23), and the insulating sleeve (22) tightly inside the plasma generator body (21).

7. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The anode connecting rod assembly (17) includes an anode connecting rod (32) and an anode connecting rod insulation portion wrapped around the anode connecting rod (32). The first end of the anode connecting rod (32) is used to connect to the positive terminal of an external pulse power supply (6), and the second end is connected to the anode base (23) in the plasma generator (12). The anode connecting rod insulation portion is used to electrically isolate the anode connecting rod (32) from the phase change tube body (13) and the plasma generator body (21) respectively.

8. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode connecting rod assembly (16) includes a cathode connecting rod and a plug. The first end of the cathode connecting rod is connected to the negative terminal of the pulse power supply (6), and the second end of the cathode connecting rod is electrically connected to the phase change tube body (13) through the plug.

9. The phase change power unit for exciting liquid carbon dioxide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A needle valve is provided at the first end of the liquid carbon dioxide filling connector (9) for connecting to an external liquid carbon dioxide storage tank (1), and the second end is sealed to the first end of the phase change tube body (13) through a pressure ring (10) and a sealing ring (11).

10. A phase change dynamic system for exciting liquid carbon dioxide, characterized in that, The phase change power system includes: At least one phase change power unit as described in any one of claims 1-9; A liquid carbon dioxide storage tank (1) is used to store liquid carbon dioxide; The filling pipeline (2) is used to connect the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank (1) and the phase change power unit; A liquid carbon dioxide filling device (3) is used to control the liquid carbon dioxide storage tank (1) to fill the phase change power unit with liquid carbon dioxide; A pulse power supply (6) is electrically connected to the phase change power unit and is used to provide pulse energy to the phase change power unit. Charger (7) is used to provide electrical energy to pulse power supply (6); The control console (5) is connected to the pulse power supply (6) and the charger (7) respectively, and is used to control the charger (7) to charge the pulse power supply (6) and control the discharge timing and discharge energy of the pulse power supply (6).

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