Shell structure of stainless steel carrier rocket storage tank

Abstract

The utility model discloses a stainless steel carrier rocket storage tank shell structure, which comprises a stainless steel storage tank cylinder section, the stainless steel storage tank cylinder section comprises an inner cylinder, a plurality of stringers and an outer cylinder, the stringers are arranged between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the stringers are arranged along the outer wall of the inner cylinder in the circumferential direction at equal intervals. The inner side surface and the outer side surface of the stringer are tightly attached to and fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner barrel and the inner wall of the outer barrel respectively. The structure can ensure that the interior of the storage box is clean and tidy, pollutants are reduced, potential safety hazards are reduced, and meanwhile the problem that the welding seam strength of the storage box shell is reduced due to high temperature can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of spacecrafts, and particularly to a shell structure of a stainless - steel launch vehicle tank. Background Technique

[0002] With the rapid development of the space industry, various technologies involved in the rocket field have also advanced by leaps and bounds. The future development trend of launch vehicle technology will focus on improving performance, reducing costs, enhancing reliability, and enabling reusability, which brings new challenges to the manufacturing process of tanks.

[0003] On April 20, 2023, SpaceX launched the "Starship" rocket, marking the successful application of stainless - steel materials in the tanks of the SpaceX Starship rocket. There are precedents for using stainless - steel to manufacture tanks in the field of rocket manufacturing. For example, the tank of the Atlas D is welded from 301 stainless - steel; the second - stage tank of the Delta is welded and manufactured using 410 stainless - steel; the booster of the Ariane 4 is welded and manufactured using stainless - steel. The stainless - steel with the largest usage amount and proportion is the Starship launch vehicle of SpaceX. Most of the fuselage of the Starship is manufactured using 304L - type stainless - steel, which is a common commercially available cold - rolled stainless - steel and has obvious advantages in terms of improving performance, reducing costs, enhancing reliability, and enabling reusability.

[0004] In such stainless - steel tanks, since most of the stringers inside the tank are built - in, it increases the welding difficulty. At the same time, during the welding and manufacturing process of the stringers and the tank, it is easy to accumulate pollutants such as dust, which are not easy to remove and pose safety hazards. In addition, when the reusable rocket returns, the outer shell of the rocket body rubs against the air and heats up, which easily reduces the strength of the welds of the tank shell.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a shell structure of the tank, which can ensure that the inside of the tank is clean and tidy, reduce pollutants, and reduce safety hazards. At the same time, it can also avoid problems such as the reduction of the weld strength of the tank shell due to high temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a shell structure of a stainless - steel launch vehicle tank, which is convenient for welding, can ensure that the inside of the tank is clean and tidy, reduce pollutants, and reduce safety hazards. At the same time, it can also avoid the reduction of the weld strength of the tank shell due to high temperature, which is beneficial to the safe recovery of the rocket.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present utility model provides the following technical solutions: A shell structure of a stainless - steel carrier rocket storage tank, including a stainless - steel storage tank cylinder section, the stainless - steel storage tank cylinder section includes an inner cylinder, multiple stringers, and an outer cylinder. Among them, the stringers are located between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the multiple stringers are arranged at equal intervals circumferentially along the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The inner surface and the outer surface of the stringer are respectively in close contact with and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the inner cylinder and the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

[0008] Further, the inner cylinder is a cylindrical structure with both ends communicating.

[0009] Further, the inner cylinder is composed of multiple short rings, and adjacent short rings are fixedly welded to each other.

[0010] Further, along the axial direction of the inner cylinder, the length of the stringer is equal to the length of the inner cylinder.

[0011] Further, a groove is formed on one side of the stringer close to the inner cylinder along the length direction of the stringer. Both sides in the width direction of the open end of the groove have connecting plates extending away from the groove. Among them, the open end of the groove is close to the outer wall of the inner cylinder, and the closed end of the groove is close to the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

[0012] Further, in the axial direction of the inner cylinder, the length of the groove is the same as the length of the connecting plate.

[0013] Further, the cross - section of the groove is a U - shaped structure. The outer surface of the closed end of the groove is matched with and welded to the inner wall of the outer cylinder; the connecting plate is a long strip plate, and the surface of the long strip plate close to the inner cylinder is in close contact with and welded to the outer surface of the inner cylinder.

[0014] Further, the outer cylinder is composed of multiple sub - steel plates with inner arc surfaces. The inner surface of the sub - steel plate is welded to the stringer, and adjacent sub - steel plates are welded to each other on the side close to each other.

[0015] Further, the diameter of the outer cylinder is A, the diameter of the inner cylinder is B, and the dimension of the stringer in the radial direction of the stainless - steel storage tank cylinder section is C, where A = B + 2C.

[0016] Further, the stringer is fixedly connected to both the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder by laser welding.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The shell structure of a stainless steel launch vehicle tank of the present application includes a stainless steel tank barrel section. The stringers are arranged outside the inner barrel to facilitate welding of the stringers and the inner barrel, reduce welding difficulty, and prevent contaminants from being retained in the inner barrel during the welding process of the stringers and the inner barrel, which is difficult to remove, thereby reducing safety hazards.

[0019] The shell structure of the rocket tank of the present application is arranged by arranging a plurality of the stringers at equal intervals along the circumference of the outer wall of the inner tube. The stringers support the inner tube so that the inner tube is subjected to uniform force, thereby preventing the inner tube from being deformed due to excessive pressure.

[0020] In addition, the setting of the outer tube can provide thermal protection. When the rocket is reused and returned, it can isolate the inner tube from contact with the outside air, avoiding the reduction of weld strength of the entire inner tube due to high temperature, which in turn affects the safe recovery of the rocket.

[0021] The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank of the present application is convenient for welding, which can ensure that the interior of the tank is clean and tidy, reduce pollutants, and reduce safety hazards. At the same time, it can also avoid the reduction of weld strength of the tank shell due to high temperature, which is conducive to the safe recovery of the rocket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is an assembly exploded view of the shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a top view of the shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a simplified structural diagram of the connection between the inner tube, beams and outer tube of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a simplified structural diagram of the storage tank barrel section of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of the inner tube, beams and outer tube of the utility model.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1 inner tube 2 beams

[0030] 3 outer cylinder 4 tank body

[0031] 5 connecting plate 6 tank section DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present utility model clearer and more understandable, the spirit of what is disclosed in the present utility model will be clearly explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions. After any person skilled in the relevant technical field understands the embodiments of the content of the present utility model, the techniques taught by the content of the present utility model can be changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the content of the present utility model.

[0033] The schematic embodiments of the present utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the present utility model, but do not limit the present utility model. In addition, elements / components with the same or similar reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings and embodiments are used to represent the same or similar parts.

[0034] Regarding the use of "first", "second",... etc. in this article, it does not particularly refer to the meaning of order or sequence, nor is it used to limit the present utility model. It is only used to distinguish elements or operations described with the same technical terms.

[0035] Regarding the directional terms used in this article, such as: up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., they are only references to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for explanation and not for limiting this creation.

[0036] Regarding the use of "comprising", "including", "having", "containing", etc. in this article, they are all open-ended terms, that is, they mean including but not limited to.

[0037] Regarding the use of "and / or" in this article, it includes any one or all combinations of the described things.

[0038] Regarding the use of terms such as "substantially", "about", etc. in this article, they are used to modify any quantity or error that can vary slightly, but these slight variations or errors will not change their essence. Generally speaking, the range of such slight variations or errors modified by such terms can be 20% in some embodiments, 10% in some embodiments, 5% in some embodiments or other values. Those skilled in the art should understand that the aforementioned values can be adjusted according to actual needs and are not limited thereto.

[0039] Certain terms used to describe this application will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art regarding the description of this application.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present utility model provides a shell structure of a stainless - steel carrier rocket storage tank, which includes a stainless - steel storage tank cylinder section 6. The stainless - steel storage tank cylinder section includes an inner cylinder 1, multiple stringers 2, and an outer cylinder 3. Among them, the stringers 2 are located between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 3, and multiple stringers 2 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the inner cylinder 1. The inner surface and the outer surface of the stringer 2 are respectively tightly attached to and fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner cylinder 1 and the inner wall of the outer cylinder 3.

[0041] Specifically, the shell structure of a stainless - steel carrier rocket storage tank in this application adopts the method of arranging the stringers outside the inner cylinder 1, which is convenient for welding the stringers to the inner cylinder, reduces the welding difficulty, and at the same time can avoid the retention of pollutants in the inner cylinder during the welding manufacturing process of the stringers 2 and the inner cylinder 1, thereby reducing potential safety hazards. The shell structure of the rocket storage tank in this application arranges multiple stringers 2 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the inner cylinder 1, and the inner cylinder 1 can be supported by the stringers, so that the strength of the inner cylinder 1 is increased and the force is evenly distributed, avoiding the deformation of the inner cylinder 1 due to excessive overload pressure during the rocket flight. In addition, the setting of the outer cylinder 3 can achieve the thermal protection of the storage tank. When the rocket is reused and returns, it isolates the inner cylinder from contact with the external air, avoids the reduction of the weld strength of the entire inner cylinder due to high temperature, and ensures the safe recovery of the rocket.

[0042] The shell structure of the stainless - steel carrier rocket storage tank in this application has a simple processing technology, can ensure the cleanliness inside the storage tank, reduce pollutants, reduce potential safety hazards, and at the same time can avoid the reduction of the weld strength of the storage tank shell due to high temperature, which is beneficial to the safe recovery of the rocket.

[0043] It should be noted that, in order to ensure the structural stability of the inner cylinder 1, facilitate the storage of liquid fuel, and adapt to the shape of the rocket body, for example, the inner cylinder 1 is a cylindrical structure with both ends communicating.

[0044] In this embodiment, for the convenience of processing and manufacturing the inner cylinder 1, for example, the inner cylinder 1 is composed of multiple short rings, and adjacent short rings are welded and fixed to each other. For example, adjacent short rings are welded between the axial ends to form an inner cylinder with a certain length in sequence.

[0045] In the same embodiment, for the convenience of connecting the stringer 2 to the inner cylinder 1 and avoiding the deformation of the inner cylinder 1 due to excessive internal pressure (the stringer 2 can make the welding between the short rings more firm), for example, along the axial direction of the inner cylinder 1, the length of the stringer 2 is equal to the length of the inner cylinder 1.

[0046] In addition, in order to reduce the weight of the stringer 2, for example, a groove 4 is formed on one side of the stringer 2 (the side close to the inner cylinder) along its length direction. For the convenience of connecting the stringer 2 to the inner cylinder 1, for example, both sides in the width direction of the open end of the groove 4 have connecting plates 5 extending away from the groove 4, where the open end of the groove 4 is close to the outer wall of the inner cylinder 1, and the closed end of the groove is close to the inner wall of the outer cylinder 3.

[0047] In addition, in the axial direction of the inner tube 1, the length of the slot body 4 is the same as the length of the connecting plate 5. In order to make the slot body 4 and the connecting plate 5 connected more closely and fixed more firmly, for example, the slot body 4 and the connecting plate 5 are designed as an integral molding.

[0048] Specifically, the cross section of the tank body 4 is a U-shaped structure, and the outer surface of the closed end of the tank body 4 opposite to the open end of the tank body matches and is welded to the inner wall of the outer tube 3. The connecting plate 5 is a long strip, and the surface of the long strip close to the inner tube 1 is closely attached to the outer surface of the inner tube 1 and is welded to each other.

[0049] In the same embodiment, in order to facilitate the welding of the outer tube 3 and the beam 2, for example, the outer tube is composed of a plurality of sub-steel plates with inner curved surfaces, the inner surfaces of the sub-steel plates are welded to the beam 2, and adjacent sub-steel plates are welded to each other at the sides close to each other.

[0050] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, in order to facilitate welding of the beam 2 with the inner tube 1 and the outer tube 3, for example, the diameter of the outer tube 3 is A, the diameter of the inner tube 1 is B, and the dimension of the beam 2 along the radial direction of the stainless steel tank tube section is C, wherein A=B+2C.

[0051] In this embodiment, in order to facilitate the fixation of the beam 2 to the inner tube 1 and the outer tube 3, for example, the beam 2 to the inner tube 1 and the outer tube 3 are fixedly connected by laser welding.

[0052] In addition, the inner tube 1 can be made of 304 stainless steel, 301 stainless steel, duplex steel, etc. The beam 2 can be made of 304 stainless steel, 301 stainless steel, duplex steel, etc. The outer tube can be made of stainless steel with a surface grade ranging from No. 3 to H.

[0053] The welding process is as follows:

[0054] The manufacturing process is to form a support circle on the inner wall of the inner cylinder, and then weld a certain number of stringers at the specified positions on its outer wall. The stringers are parallel to the axis of the cylinder along their length direction (the extension direction of the two ends of the stringers).

[0055] Then the thin wall layer of the outer tube is welded to the stringer, and the welding part of the outer wall of the outer tube is processed to ensure that its surface grade is close to the surface grade of the thin wall layer of the outer tube.

[0056] The entire tank production includes:

[0057] 1. Unwind the selected cold-rolled hardened 301 stainless steel coil, flatten it, laser cut it, and laser weld it into a short ring with a certain diameter and height.

[0058] 2. Use reasonable welding fixtures to laser-weld the circumferential seams of the two short rings in a vertical position, and then continue to laser-weld other short rings on this equipment using the same process as above to form the inner cylinder.

[0059] 3. Select a number of girders, and the quantity is basically in the range of 48 to 120.

[0060] 4. Weld the girders one by one to the inner wall of the short cylinder of the inner cylinder.

[0061] 5. The outer cylinder is made of solution-treated 301 or 304 stainless steel sheets with a thickness of 0.1 mm in a predetermined specification. Roll and cut the stainless steel sheets into sub-sheets, and weld all the sub-sheets one by one to the girders using lap-through laser welding to ensure that the sub-sheets and the girders are penetrated.

[0062] 6. Weld the welded short cylinder to the head to complete the production of the storage tank.

[0063] The above embodiments can be combined with each other and have corresponding technical effects.

[0064] The above description is only a schematic specific embodiment of the present utility model. Without departing from the concept and principle of the present utility model, any equivalent changes and modifications made by any person skilled in the art shall fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A shell structure of a stainless steel launch vehicle tank, characterized in that: It comprises a stainless steel tank barrel section, which comprises an inner barrel, a plurality of beams and an outer barrel, wherein the beams are located between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, and a plurality of beams are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the outer wall of the inner barrel, and the inner side surface and the outer side surface of the beams are respectively tightly attached to and fixedly connected with the outer wall of the inner barrel and the inner wall of the outer barrel.

2. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The inner cylinder is a cylindrical structure with two ends communicating with each other.

3. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The inner cylinder is composed of a plurality of short rings, and adjacent short rings are welded and fixed to each other.

4. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: Along the axial direction of the inner tube, the length of the beam is equal to the length of the inner tube.

5. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A groove body is formed on one side of the beam close to the inner tube along the length direction of the beam, and connecting plates extending away from the groove body are provided on both sides of the width direction of the open end of the groove body, wherein the open end of the groove body is close to the outer wall of the inner tube, and the closed end of the groove body is close to the inner wall of the outer tube.

6. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 5 is characterized in that: In the axial direction of the inner cylinder, the length of the slot body is the same as the length of the connecting plate.

7. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The cross-section of the trough body is a U-shaped structure, and the outer surface of the closed end of the trough body opposite to the open end of the trough body matches the inner wall of the outer cylinder and is welded together; the connecting plate is a long strip, and the surface of the long strip close to the inner cylinder is tightly attached to the outer surface of the inner cylinder and is welded together.

8. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The outer cylinder is composed of a plurality of sub-steel plates with inner arc surfaces, the inner surfaces of the sub-steel plates are welded to the trusses, and the adjacent sub-steel plates are welded to each other at the sides close to each other.

9. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The diameter of the outer cylinder is A, the diameter of the inner cylinder is B, and the dimension of the beam along the radial direction of the stainless steel tank cylinder section is C, wherein A=B+2C.

10. The shell structure of the stainless steel launch vehicle tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beams are fixedly connected to the inner tube and the outer tube by laser welding.

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