Liquid ammonia thruster

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the technical field of space propulsion, and discloses a liquid ammonia thruster. The liquid ammonia thruster comprises a thruster body, an ammonia conveying channel is arranged in the thruster body, the two ends of the ammonia conveying channel penetrate through the thruster body, an input port and an output port are formed in the two ends of the ammonia conveying channel respectively, an electromagnetic valve is arranged at the top of the thruster body and controls connection and disconnection of the ammonia conveying channel, and a pressure reducing valve is arranged on the ammonia conveying channel. The evaporator is arranged at the bottom of the thruster body, the evaporator is connected with the output port, and the nozzle is arranged on the output port. According to the liquid ammonia thruster provided by the embodiment of the invention, through the integrated structural design, the integrated structural layout is realized, the overall size is reduced, the fluid path is shortened, the response time is shortened, and the working medium utilization rate is increased; and the probability of leakage and the investment cost are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of space propulsion technology, and in particular to a liquid ammonia thruster. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the popularity of microsatellites and cube satellites, liquid ammonia propulsion systems have become the preferred propulsion method for these satellites to adjust their orbits and control their attitudes due to their lightweight and low-cost characteristics. Due to their limited mass, volume, and power, the wide application of microsatellites has put forward higher requirements for space power. Space power devices with low thrust, high specific impulse, light mass, and small volume can better match the power requirements of microsatellites. Compared with traditional chemical propulsion and electric propulsion, liquid ammonia propulsion systems have low cost, simple structure, and high safety. Although its specific impulse is lower than that of electric propulsion, it is particularly outstanding in terms of precise control. It is currently widely used in orbit control tasks for microsatellites. Satellites such as Tiandu-2, Magic Cube-2, and Yunyao-1 all use liquid ammonia propulsion technology as the power for satellite orbit change. With the expansion of the satellite constellation market and the advancement of technology, the application scope of cold gas propulsion technology will be further expanded, providing more possibilities for future space missions.

[0003] Liquid ammonia thrusters are particularly important for the precise control of liquid ammonia propulsion systems. In the past, thrusters and upstream valves in liquid ammonia propulsion systems were mostly connected by pipelines. This connection method is limited by the bending requirements of the pipelines and the convenience of installation, commissioning and maintenance of various functional valves. It requires a lot of space, resulting in a large volume of the entire liquid ammonia propulsion system. At the same time, the large number of pipe joints greatly reduces the installation efficiency and increases the leakage points, resulting in complex processes and heavy workload in the subsequent assembly and testing links. Utility Model Content

[0004] The current liquid ammonia thruster is composed of independent valves and components connected by pipelines, resulting in a larger overall volume and a longer fluid path, which is prone to delayed response, reduces the utilization rate of the working fluid, and increases the probability of leakage, thereby increasing the overall cost.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a liquid ammonia thruster, which includes:

[0006] The thruster body has an ammonia delivery passage arranged in it, both ends of the ammonia delivery passage pass through the thruster body, and an input port and an output port are arranged at both ends of the ammonia delivery passage respectively; an electromagnetic valve is arranged at the top of the thruster body, and the electromagnetic valve controls the connection and blocking of the ammonia delivery passage; a pressure reducing valve is arranged on the ammonia delivery passage; an evaporator is arranged at the bottom of the thruster body, and the evaporator is connected to the output port.

[0007] The purpose of the embodiment of the present application is to provide a liquid ammonia thruster, which realizes an integrated structural layout through an integrated structural design, reduces the overall volume, shortens the fluid path and response time, improves the working fluid utilization rate, reduces the probability of leakage, and reduces costs.

[0008] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve includes a valve body assembly, a solenoid valve core and a valve seat. The solenoid valve core is arranged between the valve body assembly and the valve seat. The solenoid valve core is connected to the valve body assembly through a first spring. The valve seat divides the ammonia delivery channel into a first passage and a second passage. The first passage is connected to the input port, and the second passage is connected to the pressure reducing valve.

[0009] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve core is provided with a connecting position and a blocking position; when the solenoid valve core is located at the connecting position, the first passage is connected with the second passage; when the solenoid valve core is located at the blocking position, the first passage is not connected with the second passage.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pressure reducing valve includes a pressure reducing valve core, the pressure reducing valve core is provided with a connecting pipeline, one end of the connecting pipeline is connected to the second air passage, and the other end is connected to the evaporator.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pressure reducing valve further includes a second spring, one end of the second spring is connected to the thruster body, and the other end of the second spring is connected to the pressure reducing valve core.

[0012] In some embodiments, the nozzle is in communication with the vaporizer via the output port.

[0013] In some embodiments, the liquid ammonia thruster further comprises a nozzle, which is disposed on the output port, and a sealing device is disposed at the connection between the nozzle and the output port.

[0014] In some embodiments, the input port and the output port are both disposed on an outer surface of the thruster body.

[0015] In some embodiments, sealing devices are provided at the connections between the thruster body and the solenoid valve, the one-way valve and the evaporator.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thruster body is a titanium alloy material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid ammonia thruster provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a top view of a liquid ammonia thruster provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid ammonia thruster provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0021] Explanation of the reference numerals: 11, thruster body; 111, ammonia delivery passage; 112, input port; 113, output port; 12, solenoid valve; 121, valve body assembly; 122, solenoid valve core; 123, valve seat; 124, first spring; 125, first passage; 126, second passage; 127, cover; 128, clamping screw; 129, coil; 13, pressure reducing valve; 131, pressure reducing valve core; 132, connecting pipeline; 133, second spring; 14, evaporator; 141, heating flow channel; 15, nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] To make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, each embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in each embodiment of the present application, many technical details are proposed in order to enable the reader to better understand the present application. However, even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments, the technical scheme claimed in the present application can also be implemented. The division of the following embodiments is for the convenience of description, and the specific implementation of the present application should not constitute any limitation, and the various embodiments can be combined with each other and referenced to each other without contradiction.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, installation cavities are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the thruster body 11, the input port 112 is connected to the upper installation hole, the output port 113 is connected to the lower installation cavity, a connecting hole is provided between the two installation cavities, the solenoid valve 12 is fixedly connected in the upper installation cavity, the pressure reducing valve 13 is slidably connected to the top of the lower installation cavity, the evaporator 14 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower installation cavity, and the nozzle 15 is fixedly connected to the outer end of the output port 113.

[0028] The solenoid valve 12 comprises a valve body assembly 121, a solenoid valve core 122, a valve seat 123, a first spring 124, a cover 127, a clamping screw 128 and a coil 129. The valve seat 123 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the upper mounting cavity. The valve body assembly 121 is fixedly connected above the valve seat 123. A cavity is provided between the valve body assembly 121 and the valve seat 123. The solenoid valve core 122 is slidably provided in the cavity. Both ends of the first spring 124 are in contact with the valve body assembly 121 and the solenoid valve core 122 respectively. The coil 129 The valve body assembly 121 is wound around the valve body assembly 121, which is fixedly connected to the pusher body 11 by bolts. A cover 127 is sleeved on the outer side of the valve body assembly 121, and the cover 127 is fixedly connected to the valve body assembly 121 by a clamping screw 128. The valve seat 123 divides the ammonia delivery channel 111 into a first passage 125 and a second passage 126. One end of the first passage 125 is connected to the input port 112, and the other end is connected to the above-mentioned cavity. One end of the second passage 126 is connected to the above-mentioned cavity, and the other end is connected to the pressure reducing valve 13;

[0029] When the solenoid valve core 122 moves to the upper end of the valve seat 123, the solenoid valve core 122 is located at the blocking position, and the solenoid valve core 122 blocks the upper end of the second passage 126. At this time, the first passage 125 and the second passage 126 are disconnected;

[0030] When the solenoid valve core 122 is separated from the upper end of the valve seat 123 , the solenoid valve core 122 is located at the communication position, and the solenoid valve core 122 will be separated from the upper end of the second passage 126 . At this time, the first passage 125 and the second passage 126 are in a communication state.

[0031] The pressure reducing valve 13 includes a pressure reducing valve core 131 and a second spring 133. The pressure reducing valve core 131 is arranged at the top of the lower mounting cavity. The second spring 133 is sleeved on the pressure reducing valve core 131. One end of the second spring 133 is in contact with the thruster body 11, and the other end is in contact with the pressure reducing valve core 131. A connecting pipe 132 is arranged in the pressure reducing valve core 131. Both ends of the connecting pipe 132 pass through the pressure reducing valve core 131. The upper end of the connecting pipe 132 is connected to the second passage 126 through the connecting hole in the thruster body 11, and the lower end of the connecting pipe 132 is connected to the heating flow channel 141 in the evaporator 14.

[0032] The evaporator 14 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting cavity at the lower side of the thruster body 11 by bolts. A heating channel 141 is provided at the top of the evaporator 14 . One end of the heating channel 141 is connected to the lower end of the connecting pipe 132 , and the other end is connected to the output port 113 .

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the nozzle 15 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the output port 113 by means of threads, and the nozzle 15 is connected to the other end of the heating flow channel 141 through the output port 113 .

[0034] The ammonia delivery passage 111 is composed of an input port 112, a first passage 125, a cavity between the valve body assembly 121 and the valve seat 123, a second passage 126, a connecting hole in the thruster body 11, a connecting pipeline 132, a heating flow channel 141 and an output port 113 in sequence.

[0035] It should be noted that: in actual use, the input port 112 is connected to an external ammonia source device, and the external ammonia source device converts the stored liquid ammonia working fluid into gaseous ammonia working fluid.

[0036] It should be noted that the liquid ammonia thruster has a working state and a non-working state. When the liquid ammonia thruster is in the working state, the coil 129 is energized to generate electromagnetic attraction, which attracts the solenoid valve core 122 to separate from the upper end of the valve seat 123, and the solenoid valve core 122 is in a connected state. The first passage 125 and the second passage 126 are connected through the cavity between the valve body assembly 121 and the valve seat 123. The gaseous ammonia working medium enters the first passage 125 through the input port 112, and then enters the second passage 126 through the cavity between the valve body assembly 121 and the valve seat 123. The gaseous ammonia working medium entering the second passage 126 passes through the connecting hole in the thruster body 11 and the pressure reduction of the pressure reducing valve core 131 to enter the connecting pipeline 132. The gaseous ammonia working medium entering the connecting pipeline 132 finally enters the heating flow channel 141 in the evaporator 14. After being heated by the heating flow channel 141, the gaseous ammonia working medium enters the nozzle 15 through the output port 113, and is finally ejected through the nozzle 15.

[0037] When the liquid ammonia thruster is in a non-working state, when the solenoid valve core 122 moves to the upper end of the valve seat 123 under the action of the first spring 124, the solenoid valve core 122 is in a blocking position, and the solenoid valve core 122 will block the upper port of the second passage 126. At this time, the first passage 125 and the second passage 126 are in a disconnected state, causing the ammonia delivery passage 111 to be in a blocked state. The gaseous ammonia working fluid entering the first passage 125 through the input port 112 is blocked in the first passage 125 under the blocking action of the solenoid valve core 122.

[0038] It should be noted that: if the conversion effect of the external ammonia source equipment is not good or the gaseous ammonia working fluid contacts the various components on the ammonia transport passage 111, the above-mentioned gaseous ammonia working fluid may be mixed with liquid ammonia working fluid during actual use. The ammonia working fluid in the mixed state is heated by the evaporator 14 in the heating flow channel 141 and converted into gaseous ammonia working fluid, and finally sprayed out through the nozzle 15.

[0039] It should be noted that the first spring 124 is used to reset the solenoid valve core 122 .

[0040] It should be noted that the second spring 133 adjusts the output pressure of the pressure reducing valve 13 when the pressure reducing valve core 131 performs the pressure reducing function, and keeps the output pressure of the pressure reducing valve 13 stable.

[0041] It should be noted that the nozzle 15 can be replaced according to the requirements of the actual task.

[0042] It should be noted that the material of the thruster body 11 includes but is not limited to titanium alloy material, and can be replaced by other materials with high strength, low density and compatibility with the working fluid.

[0043] It should be noted that sealing devices are provided at the connection between the valve body assembly 121 and the thruster body 11, the connection between the valve seat 123 and the thruster body 11, the connection between the pressure reducing valve core 131 and the thruster body 11, the connection between the evaporator 14 and the thruster body 11, and the connection between the nozzle 15 and the output port 113. The sealing devices include but are not limited to sealing rubber rings.

[0044] It should be noted that the solenoid valve is connected to the satellite system through a wire-shaking method to exchange data and control with the external control system.

[0045] The liquid ammonia thruster achieves an integrated structural layout through an integrated structural design, reduces the overall volume, shortens the fluid path and response time, improves the working fluid utilization rate, and reduces the probability of leakage and investment cost.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-mentioned embodiments are specific examples for implementing the present application, and in actual applications, various changes may be made thereto in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid ammonia thruster, characterized in that: include: A thruster body, wherein an ammonia delivery passage is provided in the thruster body, both ends of the ammonia delivery passage pass through the thruster body, and both ends of the ammonia delivery passage are respectively provided with an input port and an output port; A solenoid valve is arranged on the top of the thruster body, and the solenoid valve controls the connection and blocking of the ammonia delivery passage; A pressure reducing valve, arranged on the ammonia delivery passage; An evaporator is arranged at the bottom of the thruster body, and the evaporator is connected to the output port.

2. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solenoid valve includes a valve body assembly, a solenoid valve core and a valve seat, wherein the solenoid valve core is arranged between the valve body assembly and the valve seat, and the solenoid valve core is connected to the valve body assembly through a first spring. The valve seat divides the ammonia delivery passage into a first passage and a second passage, wherein the first passage is connected to the input port, and the second passage is connected to the pressure reducing valve.

3. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 2, characterized in that: The solenoid valve core is provided with a connecting position and a blocking position; When the solenoid valve core is located at the communication position, the first passage is communicated with the second passage; When the solenoid valve core is located at the blocking position, the first passage is not connected to the second passage.

4. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure reducing valve comprises a pressure reducing valve core, and the pressure reducing valve core is provided with a communication pipeline, one end of the communication pipeline is communicated with the second passage, and the other end of the communication pipeline is connected with the evaporator.

5. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure reducing valve further comprises a second spring, one end of the second spring is connected to the thruster body, and the other end of the second spring is connected to the pressure reducing valve core.

6. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid ammonia thruster also includes a nozzle, which is arranged on the output port, and a sealing device is arranged at the connection between the nozzle and the output port.

7. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 6, characterized in that: The nozzle is in communication with the evaporator through the output port.

8. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The input port and the output port are both arranged on the outer surface of the thruster body.

9. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sealing devices are provided at the connection points between the thruster body and the electromagnetic valve, the pressure reducing valve and the evaporator.

10. A liquid ammonia thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thruster body is made of titanium alloy material.

Images