Pneumatic separation device and carrier rocket

Abstract

The utility model provides a pneumatic separation device and a carrier rocket. The pneumatic separation device comprises a box body, an air cavity assembly, a cover plate and a separation assembly, the air cavity assembly comprises a shell with two sub-cavities, a piston and a spring, wherein the piston and the spring are arranged in the two sub-cavities. The spring is arranged between the piston and the cover plate, the rod part of the piston extends to the lower end of the box body, and the head part of the piston and the two sub-cavities form two air chambers respectively; each air chamber is provided with an independent air path joint; a clamping ring and an ejector pin of the separating assembly are in threaded connection with the rod portion of the piston, and the top end of the sectioning nut assembly is restrained through the clamping ring. The base plate assembly is connected with the bottom end of the split nut assembly, and the ejector pin and the base plate are matched to restrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly. The connecting bolt extends into the box body from the bottom of the box body and is in threaded connection with the split nut assembly. The device is simple and reliable in structural form and adopts a double-gas-path redundancy design, so that the separation reliability is greatly improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to rocket launching technology field, concretely relates to a kind of pneumatic separation device and carrier rocket. BACKGROUND

[0002] The interstage separation of carrier rocket refers to the separation between two adjacent stages in multi-stage rocket, and the purpose is to discard the propellant depleted stage. The separation device is required to connect between each stage of the rocket, between the rocket and the payload and the fairing, etc. The connection between the two structures to be separated is unlocked and separated under certain conditions.

[0003] In the prior art, a pyrotechnic separation device is used to connect the two structures to be separated. However, the pyrotechnic separation device generates a large impact during the use of the pyrotechnic separation process, which can easily damage the structures to be separated and affect the reliability of the structures to be separated. Moreover, the large impact force can also damage the structure of the separation device itself, making the pyrotechnic separation device a disposable product that cannot be reused. During the pre-ground test of the separation device, the large impact force also increases the cost of the ground test and affects the accuracy of the ground test.

[0004] Therefore, the prior art uses a pneumatic separation unlocking method to replace the traditional pyrotechnic separation. However, the pneumatic separation in the prior art is either a single-chamber and single-passage pneumatic separation method, which lacks reliability, or has a slightly smaller load and cannot meet the connection strength requirements of existing high-thrust rockets. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of the embodiments of the present utility model is to provide a pneumatic separation device and a carrier rocket that can improve the reliability of pneumatic separation and meet the connection strength requirements of high-thrust rockets.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the embodiments of the present utility model provide a pneumatic separation device, which comprises a box body, a gas cavity assembly and a separation assembly. The gas cavity assembly comprises a shell with a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, a piston and a spring arranged inside the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber respectively, and a cover plate arranged on the top of the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber respectively.

[0007] The spring is arranged between the piston and the cover plate. The rod part of the piston extends to the lower end of the box body. The head part of the piston forms a first gas chamber with the first sub-chamber and a second gas chamber with the second sub-chamber.

[0008] The separation assembly comprises a snap ring, a center pin, a split nut assembly and a connecting bolt.

[0009] The snap ring and the ejector pin are respectively screwed with the rod part of the piston, and the snap ring is arranged above the ejector pin.

[0010] The split nut assembly is arranged between the snap ring and the ejector pin, the top end of the split nut assembly is constrained by the snap ring, and the bottom end is constrained by the ejector pin.

[0011] The connecting bolt extends from the bottom of the box into the box and is screwed with the split nut assembly.

[0012] The piston can drive the snap ring and the ejector pin to move upward, so that the split nut assembly can be radially expanded to release the connecting bolt.

[0013] In some possible embodiments, the pneumatic separation device further comprises a disc spring arranged between the connecting bolt and the base of the box.

[0014] In some possible embodiments, the separation assembly further comprises a backing plate assembly connected with the bottom end of the split nut assembly, and the bottom end of the ejector pin is movably connected with the backing plate assembly and cooperates with the backing plate assembly to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly.

[0015] In some possible embodiments, the bottom of the ejector pin is provided with an annular groove, and the top of the backing plate assembly is provided with an annular protrusion matched with the annular groove, and the annular groove and the annular protrusion cooperate to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly.

[0016] In some possible embodiments, the bottom of the snap ring is provided with an annular clamping groove, and the top end of the split nut assembly is arranged in the annular clamping groove, and the top end of the split nut assembly is constrained by the annular clamping groove.

[0017] In some possible embodiments, the split nut assembly comprises a first split nut and a second split nut, and the backing plate assembly comprises a first backing plate and a second backing plate.

[0018] The first backing plate is connected with the first split nut, and the second backing plate is connected with the second split nut.

[0019] The top ends of the first split nut and the second split nut are constrained together by the snap ring, and the bottom ends are constrained by the cooperation of the ejector pin and the first backing plate and the second backing plate, and the first split nut and the second split nut are combined together to form a complete threaded hole matched with the connecting bolt in the middle.

[0020] In some possible implementation manners, the upper end of the ejector pin is a tapered structure, the lower end of the split nut assembly is a tapered surface matched with the tapered structure, and the ejector pin pushes the first split nut and the second split nut apart to release the connecting bolt during upward movement of the ejector pin.

[0021] In some possible implementation manners, the pneumatic separation device further comprises a transport screw connected with the first split nut and the second split nut, used for locking the first split nut and the second split nut during transportation.

[0022] In some possible implementation manners, the shell is provided with a first gas passage joint and a second gas passage joint, the first gas passage joint is in communication with the first gas chamber, and the second gas passage joint is in communication with the second gas chamber.

[0023] In a second aspect, the utility model embodiment further provides a carrier rocket, the carrier rocket includes the pneumatic separation device of first aspect.

[0024] The above technical scheme has the beneficial technical effects of:

[0025] The pneumatic separation device has the advantages of simple and reliable structure, double-gas-path redundancy design, greatly improved separation reliability, fully adopted "strong connection + strong unlocking" design, met the connection strength requirement of the large-thrust rocket, and fully met the design input requirement through ground test verification.

[0026] The pneumatic separation device can be recycled and reused, greatly reducing the use cost of the device, and compared with the pyrotechnics, the device realizes the beneficial effect of strong connection but low impact during unlocking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment or the prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows, and obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0028] Figure 1 is the overall structure schematic view of the pneumatic separation device of the utility model embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 is the sectional view of the pneumatic separation device of the utility model embodiment in the locked state;

[0030] Figure 3is a sectional view of a pneumatic separation device in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a gas circuit joint of a pneumatic separation device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a structure inside a box according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic view of two gas chambers of a pneumatic separation device being unlocked simultaneously according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic view of one gas chamber of a pneumatic separation device being unlocked according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] 1, box; 11, base;

[0037] 2, gas cavity assembly; 20, shell; 201, first sub-chamber; 202, second sub-chamber; 21, piston; 22, spring; 23, cover plate; 24, first gas circuit joint; 25, second gas circuit joint; A, first gas chamber; B, second gas chamber;

[0038] 31, snap ring; 311, annular snap groove; 32, thimble; 321, annular groove; 33, split nut assembly; 33a, first split nut; 33b, second split nut; 34, pad assembly; 341, annular protrusion; 34a, first pad; 34b, second pad; 35, connecting bolt;

[0039] 4, disc spring;

[0040] 5, transport screw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Features and exemplary embodiments of each aspect of the present application will be described below in detail. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is provided to give a better understanding of the present application. In the drawings and the following description, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present application; and, for clarity, the dimensions of some structures can be exaggerated. Furthermore, features described hereinafter can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the pneumatic separation device includes: a box body 1, an air chamber assembly 2 and a separation assembly; the air chamber assembly 2 includes: a shell 20 with a first sub-chamber 201 and a second sub-chamber 202, a piston 21 and a spring 22 respectively arranged in the first sub-chamber 201 and the second sub-chamber 202, and a cover plate 23 respectively arranged on the top of the first sub-chamber 201 and the second sub-chamber 202; the cover plate 23 is threadedly connected to the top of the shell body 20, and the lower end of the shell body 20 is embedded in the upper end of the box body 1; the spring 22 is arranged between the piston 21 and the cover plate 2 3, the rod of the piston 21 extends to the lower end of the box body 1, and the head of the piston 21 forms a first air chamber A with the first sub-chamber 201 and a second air chamber B with the second sub-chamber 202; a first air path connector 24 and a second air path connector 25 are provided on the shell 20, the first air path connector 24 is connected to the first air chamber A, and the second air path connector 25 is connected to the second air chamber B; in addition, sealing rings can be respectively provided at the parts where the head and rod of the piston 21 contact the shell 20 to increase the sealing performance of the first air chamber A and the second air chamber B.

[0043] The separation assembly includes a retaining ring 31, an ejector pin 32, a split nut assembly 33, a pad assembly 34 and a connecting bolt 35; the retaining ring 31 and the ejector pin 32 are respectively threadedly connected to the rod of the piston 21, and the retaining ring 31 is arranged above the ejector pin 32; the split nut assembly 33 is arranged between the retaining ring 31 and the ejector pin 32, and the top of the split nut assembly 33 is constrained by the retaining ring 31; the pad assembly 34 is connected to the bottom end of the split nut assembly 33, and the bottom end of the ejector pin 32 is movably connected to the pad assembly 34, and cooperates with the pad to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly 33; the piston 21 can drive the retaining ring 31 and the ejector pin 32 to move upward so that the split nut assembly 33 can expand radially; the connecting bolt 35 extends from the bottom of the box body 1 to the inside of the box body 1 and is threadedly connected to the split nut assembly 33.

[0044] Specifically, two DN4 gas circuit connectors, a first gas circuit connector 24 and a second gas circuit connector 25, are provided on the shell 20. The two gas circuit connectors are independently arranged. High-pressure gas can enter the first air chamber A and the second air chamber B respectively through the first gas circuit connector 24 and the second gas circuit connector 25. When the device is initially locked, the retaining ring 31 constrains the top of the split nut assembly 33 together, and the ejector pin 32 cooperates with the pad assembly 34 to constrain the bottom of the split nut assembly 33, that is, the ejector pin 32 constrains the pad assembly 34, and then constrains the split nut assembly 33 through the pad assembly 34. After the split nut assembly 33 is constrained together by the retaining ring 31 and the ejector pin 32, it is threadedly connected to the connecting nut.

[0045] The pneumatic separation device has the advantages of simple and reliable structure, double-gas-path redundancy design, greatly improved separation reliability, fully adopted design mode of strong connection and strong unlocking, satisfied connection strength requirement of large-thrust rockets, completely satisfied design input requirement through ground test verification, recyclable and reusable, greatly reduced use cost of the device, and realized the beneficial effects of strong connection and low impact during unlocking compared with the pyrotechnics.

[0046] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 indicate that, in some embodiments, the pneumatic separation device further comprises: a disc spring 4 arranged between the connecting bolt 35 and the base 11 of the box body 1. In the embodiment, the disc spring 4 is pressed between the connecting bolt 35 and the base 11 of the box body 1, and when the connecting bolt 35 is released after ensuring that the disc spring 4 is pressed flat by applying torque, the disc spring 4 can provide a certain initial elastic value for the connecting bolt 35, so as to ensure that the connecting bolt 35 is quickly detached.

[0047] As Figure 3 indicates, in some embodiments, the bottom of the thimble 32 is provided with an annular groove 321, and the top of the gasket assembly 34 is provided with an annular protrusion 341 matched with the annular groove 321, and the annular groove 321 and the annular protrusion 341 cooperate to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly 33.

[0048] As Figure 3 indicates, in some embodiments, the bottom of the clasp ring 31 is provided with an annular clamping groove 311, and the top end of the split nut assembly 33 is arranged in the annular clamping groove 311, and the annular clamping groove 311 constrains the top end of the split nut assembly 33.

[0049] As Figure 5 indicates, in some embodiments, the split nut assembly 33 comprises a first split nut 33a and a second split nut 33b, and the gasket assembly 34 comprises a first gasket 34a and a second gasket 34b; the first gasket 34a is connected with the first split nut 33a, and the second gasket 34b is connected with the second split nut 33b; the top end of the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b is constrained together through the clasp ring 31, and the bottom end is constrained through the thimble 32 and the cooperation of the first gasket 34a and the second gasket 34b; after the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b are combined together, a complete threaded hole matched with the connecting bolt 35 is formed in the middle.

[0050] In some embodiments, the upper end of the ejector pin 32 is a tapered structure, the lower end of the split nut assembly 33 is a tapered surface matching the tapered structure, and the ejector pin 32 pushes the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b apart to release the connecting bolt 35 during upward movement. Through the matching of the tapered structure and the tapered surface, the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b can be easily pushed apart during the upward movement of the ejector pin 32, the separation time is shortened, and the separation efficiency is improved.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5 some examples, the pneumatic separation device further comprises a transport screw 5 connected with the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b, used for locking the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b during transportation. In this embodiment, the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b can be locked during transportation by arranging the transport screw 5, so as to prevent the device from being affected by vibration during transportation. Of course, the transport screw 5 needs to be removed in time after the assembly on the arrow body is completed.

[0052] The working principle of the pneumatic separation device is as follows:

[0053] When the high-pressure gas enters the first gas chamber A and the second gas chamber B through the first gas path joint 24 and the second gas path joint 25 respectively, the pistons 21 of the first gas chamber A and the second gas chamber B are forced to compress the springs 22 to move upward. Since the snap ring 31 and the ejector pin 32 are both threadedly connected with the rod part of the piston 21, the piston 21 will drive the snap ring 31 and the ejector pin 32 to move upward when the piston 21 moves upward. After the snap ring 31 and the ejector pin 32 move upward by about 5 mm, the ejector pin 32 pushes the split nut assembly 33 upward to release the constraint on the split nut assembly 33, so that the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b of the split nut assembly 33 are separated (as shown in Figure 6 The outer surface of the ejector pin 32 is a tapered structure, which will contact the inner tapered surface of the split nut assembly 33 during upward movement, and further push the two split nuts apart. At this time, the first split nut 33a and the second split nut 33b move along a rotating track around the rod part of the piston 21, so as to achieve the purpose of releasing the connecting bolt 35.

[0054] Since the separation device in this embodiment has two independent gas path joints and two independent gas chambers, when a certain gas path leaks and cannot provide normal gas pressure for the separation device, the device can also rely on the other normal gas path to complete the unlocking (as shown in Figure 7 This embodiment greatly improves the reliability of separation through the redundant structure design of double gas paths and double gas chambers.

[0055] In addition, the utility model discloses a carrier rocket, and the carrier rocket comprises a pneumatic separation device.

[0056] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the utility model are as follows:

[0057] The utility model adopts double gas path redundancy design, ensures that even if one side gas path appears gas leakage, still can maintain normal operation through the other side gas path, strengthens the reliability of system.

[0058] The utility model can ensure the connection strength demand of large thrust rocket and support stronger structure combination while meeting the separation reliability.

[0059] Compared with the traditional pyrotechnic separation mode, the device has smaller impact on the structure during the separation process, and reduces the potential damage to the rocket and its load.

[0060] The utility model not only can be recycled and reused, reduces the use and operation cost, and can also protect the environment and avoid the pollution caused by the pyrotechnic separation mode to the environment.

[0061] The pneumatic separation device has simple and reliable structure, and reflects its high efficiency and operability in test and actual application.

[0062] The utility model discloses a transport screw is designed, locks relevant components during transportation, prevents potential structural change caused by vibration, and ensures safety.

[0063] The utility model discloses the reasonable design with piston 21 and ejector pin 32, makes separation time shorten, separation efficiency improves, and is more in line with the requirement of high -efficient carrying rocket.

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of the utility model, it should be explained that the orientation or position relation of the terms "up, down, inside and outside" shown in the drawing is only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a particular orientation, structure and operation, therefore, it cannot be understood as the limitation of the utility model. In addition, the terms "first, second or third" are only for the description purpose, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0065] Unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installation, connection, connection" in the embodiments of the utility model should be understood broadly, for example: it can be fixed connection, detachable connection or integral connection, and can also be mechanical connection, electrical connection or direct connection, can also be indirectly connected through intermediate medium, and can also be the communication of two elements inside. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0066] Although the utility model has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope of the utility model and equivalent replacements can be made to the components therein. In particular, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pneumatic separation device, characterized in that, The pneumatic separation device comprises a box body (1), a gas cavity assembly (2) and a separation assembly; The gas cavity assembly (2) comprises a shell (20) with a first sub-cavity (201) and a second sub-cavity (202), a piston (21) and a spring (22) arranged inside the first sub-cavity (201) and the second sub-cavity (202) respectively, and a cover plate (23) arranged on the top of the first sub-cavity (201) and the second sub-cavity (202) respectively; The spring (22) is arranged between the piston (21) and the cover plate (23), the rod part of the piston (21) extends to the lower end of the box body (1), and the head part of the piston (21) forms a first air chamber (A) with the first sub-cavity (201) and a second air chamber (B) with the second sub-cavity (202) respectively; The separation assembly comprises a snap ring (31), a thimble (32), a split nut assembly (33) and a connecting bolt (35); The snap ring (31) and the thimble (32) are threadedly connected with the rod part of the piston (21) respectively, and the snap ring (31) is arranged above the thimble (32); The split nut assembly (33) is arranged between the snap ring (31) and the thimble (32), the top end of the split nut assembly (33) is constrained by the snap ring (31), and the bottom end is constrained by the thimble (32); The connecting bolt (35) extends from the bottom of the box body (1) into the box body (1) and is threadedly connected with the split nut assembly (33); The piston (21) can drive the snap ring (31) and the thimble (32) to move upward, so that the split nut assembly (33) can expand radially to release the connecting bolt (35).

2. The pneumatic separation device of claim 1, wherein, The pneumatic separation device further comprises a disc spring (4) arranged between the connecting bolt (35) and the base (11) of the box body (1).

3. The pneumatic separation device of claim 1, wherein, The separation assembly further comprises a backing plate assembly (34) connected with the bottom end of the split nut assembly (33), the bottom end of the thimble (32) is movably connected with the backing plate assembly (34), and the backing plate assembly (34) cooperates with the thimble (32) to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly (33).

4. The pneumatic separation device of claim 3, wherein, The bottom of the thimble (32) is provided with an annular groove (321), the top of the backing plate assembly (34) is provided with an annular protrusion (341) matched with the annular groove (321), and the annular groove (321) and the annular protrusion (341) cooperate to constrain the bottom end of the split nut assembly (33).

5. The pneumatic separation device of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the snap ring (31) is provided with an annular clamping groove (311), and the top end of the split nut assembly (33) is arranged in the annular clamping groove (311), and the annular clamping groove (311) constrains the top end of the split nut assembly (33).

6. The pneumatic separation device of claim 4, wherein, The split nut assembly (33) comprises a first split nut (33a) and a second split nut (33b), and the backing plate assembly (34) comprises a first backing plate (34a) and a second backing plate (34b); The first backing plate (34a) is connected with the first split nut (33a), and the second backing plate (34b) is connected with the second split nut (33b); The top ends of the first split nut (33a) and the second split nut (33b) are constrained together by a snap ring (31), and the bottom ends are constrained by the thimble (32) cooperating with the first backing plate (34a) and the second backing plate (34b); the first split nut (33a) and the second split nut (33b) are combined together to form a complete threaded hole in the middle, which matches the connecting bolt (35).

7. The pneumatic separation device of claim 6, wherein, The upper end of the thimble (32) is a conical structure, and the lower end of the split nut assembly (33) is a conical surface matching the conical structure; the thimble (32) pushes the first split nut (33a) and the second split nut (33b) apart during upward movement to release the connecting bolt (35).

8. Aerodynamic separation device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The pneumatic separation device further comprises a transport screw (5) connected with the first split nut (33a) and the second split nut (33b) for locking the first split nut (33a) and the second split nut (33b) during transportation.

9. The pneumatic separation device of claim 1, wherein, The housing (20) is provided with a first gas path joint (24) and a second gas path joint (25); the first gas path joint (24) communicates with the first gas chamber (A), and the second gas path joint (25) communicates with the second gas chamber (B).

10. A launch vehicle, characterized by, The carrier rocket comprises the pneumatic separation device according to any one of claims 1-9. The carrier rocket comprises the pneumatic separation device according to any one of claims 1-9.

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