Projectile turbopump rotation speed measurement device and method

Abstract

A projectile turbopump rotational speed measurement device and method are disclosed. A projectile turbopump rotational speed measurement device according to the present invention comprises: a pickup coil that outputs a sensor signal for detecting the rotational speed of a turbopump mounted on a projectile; and a signal conversion circuit unit for converting, into a pulse signal, the sensor signal that is output from the pickup coil, wherein the signal conversion circuit unit amplifies or attenuates the sensor signal according to the rotational speed of the turbo pump, and then converts the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

Description

Launch vehicle turbopump rotation speed measurement device and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring the rotational speed of a turbo pump mounted on a launch vehicle such as a rocket.

[0002] In general, a liquid propellant rocket engine is a flying device that, unlike a turbojet or ramjet propulsion system, stores oxygen within itself, mixes liquid fuel with an oxidizer, burns it in a combustion chamber, and ejects the exhaust gas through a nozzle to obtain thrust based on the principle of action and reaction.

[0003] Liquid propellant rockets like these allow for easy control of combustion volume through valves and pumps, and are preferred over solid-fuel rockets due to their ease of re-ignition. These liquid propellant rocket engines utilize a turbopump as a rotating device to supply propellant stored in low-pressure tanks to the combustion chamber at high flow and high pressure.

[0004] A turbopump comprises two pumps, one for pressurizing and transporting the oxidizer and the other for transporting the fuel, and a turbine for driving the pumps. To drive the turbine, a portion of the oxidizer and fuel supplied by the oxidizer and fuel pumps is fed to a small combustor called a gas generator or pre-burner, and the resulting high-temperature, high-pressure gas is supplied to the turbine. The turbine expands this high-temperature, high-pressure gas, accelerating it and converting the high-speed flow into rotational driving force in the rotor.

[0005] Related prior art documents include Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2469946 (Title of the invention: Combustor head-turbo pump integrated rocket engine, Publication date: November 23, 2022), Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2462373 (Title of the invention: System for heating a turbo pump of a liquid propellant rocket engine and turbo pump including the same, Publication date: November 1, 2022), Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1894781 (Title of the invention: Turbo pump and liquid rocket engine having the same, Publication date: September 4, 2018), and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1803449 (Title of the invention: Engine simulator for liquid rocket propulsion engine test facility, Publication date: November 30, 2017).

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a launch vehicle turbo pump rotation speed measuring device and a measuring method capable of accurately and reliably measuring the rotation speed of a turbo pump of a launch vehicle engine by converting a sensor signal output from a pickup coil into a pulse signal and an analog signal.

[0007] The above object is achieved by a launch vehicle turbo pump rotation speed measuring device, characterized in that it includes a pickup coil that outputs a sensor signal for detecting the rotation speed of a turbo pump mounted on a launch vehicle, and a signal conversion circuit that converts the sensor signal output from the pickup coil into a pulse signal, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit unit can amplify or attenuate the sensor signal according to the rotational speed of the turbo pump, and then convert the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

[0009] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit unit can amplify the sensor signal when the turbo pump rotates at a low speed and then convert the amplified sensor signal into a pulse form, and can attenuate the sensor signal and then convert the attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form when the turbo pump rotates at a high speed.

[0010] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit unit may include a low-pass filter for removing noise from the sensor signal, a pre-amplifier for amplifying or attenuating the sensor signal passing through the low-pass filter, a signal shaping unit for converting the sensor signal amplified or attenuated by the pre-amplifier into a pulse form, and a power supply circuit for supplying power necessary for the operation of the signal conversion circuit unit.

[0011] Preferably, the missile turbo pump rotation speed measuring device may further include a rotation speed measuring unit that measures the rotation speed of the turbo pump based on a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit.

[0012] Preferably, the rotational speed measuring unit converts a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit into a frequency-voltage converter to generate an analog signal, and can measure the rotational speed of the turbo pump using the generated analog signal.

[0013] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit unit is connected to the pickup coil and the rotational speed measuring unit by a signal cable between the pickup coil and the rotational speed measuring unit, respectively, and the signal conversion circuit unit is installed in an amplifier rack, the rotational speed measuring unit is installed in a measurement system rack, the amplifier rack is arranged at a location 25 m or more away from the pickup coil, and the measurement system rack can be arranged at a location 25 m or more away from the amplifier rack.

[0014] The above object is achieved by a method for measuring the rotational speed of a launch vehicle turbo pump, characterized in that, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises a step in which a pickup coil of a turbo pump rotational speed measuring device outputs a sensor signal for detecting the rotational speed of the turbo pump, and a step in which a signal conversion circuit unit of the turbo pump rotational speed measuring device converts the sensor signal output from the pickup coil into a pulse signal.

[0015] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit unit can amplify or attenuate the sensor signal according to the rotational speed of the turbo pump, and then convert the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

[0016] Preferably, the method for measuring the rotational speed of the turbo pump of the launch vehicle may further include a step in which the rotational speed measuring unit of the turbo pump rotational speed measuring device converts a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit into a frequency-voltage converter to generate an analog signal, and a step in which the rotational speed measuring unit measures the rotational speed of the turbo pump using the analog signal.

[0017] According to a device and method for measuring the rotational speed of a turbo pump of a launch vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotational speed of a turbo pump of a launch vehicle engine can be accurately and reliably measured by converting a sensor signal output from a pickup coil into a pulse signal and an analog signal, thereby strengthening noise countermeasures and reducing the error rate due to voltage drop.

[0018] In addition, according to the missile turbo pump rotation speed measuring device and measuring method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor signal output from the pickup coil is amplified or attenuated according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump and then converted into a pulse form, thereby stably providing the sensor signal in the signal conversion circuit through strengthening the amplification rate for low-speed signals and attenuating the amplitude for high-speed signals.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a launch vehicle turbopump rotational speed measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a detailed configuration according to one embodiment of the signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the arrangement and connection structure of a pickup coil, a signal conversion circuit unit, and a rotational speed measuring unit in a launch vehicle turbopump rotational speed measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a detailed configuration according to another embodiment of the signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the rotational speed of a launch vehicle turbopump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In order to fully understand the present invention, its operational advantages, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the present invention, descriptions of previously known functions or configurations will be omitted to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a launch vehicle turbopump rotational speed measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a launch vehicle turbo pump rotational speed measuring device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a pickup coil (110), a signal conversion circuit unit (120), and a rotational speed measuring unit (130). Here, the launch vehicle is used as a concept including a space launch vehicle such as a rocket, and the launch vehicle turbo pump rotational speed measuring device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may not be mounted on the launch vehicle, but may be installed as a device for testing the launch vehicle at a location a certain distance away from the launch vehicle.

[0028] The above pickup coil (110) can output a sensor signal for detecting the rotation speed of a turbo pump mounted on a launch vehicle. To this end, the pickup coil (110) can include an RPM sensor. That is, the pickup coil (110) can output a sensor signal according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump through the RPM sensor. For reference, the sensor signal of the pickup coil (110) changes in frequency and amplitude according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump.

[0029] The signal conversion circuit unit (120) can convert the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) into a pulse signal. That is, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) can convert the sensor signal into a pulse form such as a square waveform to generate the pulse signal.

[0030] Preferably, the signal conversion circuit (120) can amplify or attenuate the sensor signal according to the rotational speed of the turbo pump, and then convert the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

[0031] Specifically, when the turbo pump rotates at a low speed, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) amplifies the sensor signal and then converts the amplified sensor signal into a pulse form because the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) and input to the signal conversion circuit unit (120) is weak (i.e., because the amplitude of the sensor signal is small), and thus, it is preferable in terms of the accuracy and reliability of the measurement of the rotational speed. On the other hand, when the turbo pump rotates at a high speed, the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) and input to the signal conversion circuit unit (120) is strong (i.e., because the amplitude of the sensor signal is large), and thus, it is preferable in terms of the accuracy and reliability of the measurement of the rotational speed to attenuate the sensor signal and then convert the attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

[0032] Here, when the turbo pump rotates at a low speed, it means that the turbo pump rotates at a speed that falls below a preset rotation speed range, and when the turbo pump rotates at a high speed, it means that the turbo pump rotates at a speed that falls above a preset rotation speed range. In addition, it is preferable that the preset rotation speed range is set to 4,000 to 6,000 RPM. That is, when the turbo pump rotates at a speed less than 4,000 RPM, it can be classified as low speed rotation, and when the turbo pump rotates at a speed exceeding 6,000 RPM, it can be classified as high speed rotation.

[0033] The rotational speed measuring unit (130) can measure the rotational speed (RPM) of the turbo pump based on the pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit (120). Specifically, the rotational speed measuring unit (130) can convert the pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit (120) into a frequency-voltage converter to generate an analog signal, and can measure the rotational speed of the turbo pump using the generated analog signal.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a detailed configuration according to one embodiment of the signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the signal conversion circuit (120) may be configured to include a pre-amplifier (Pre-AMP) (210), a signal shaping unit (220), a power conversion circuit (230), and a frequency / voltage conversion unit (240).

[0036] The above pre-amplifier (210) performs a function of amplifying or attenuating the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110). Specifically, as described above, the pre-amplifier (210) preferably amplifies the amplitude of the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) when the turbo pump rotates at a low speed, whereas it is preferable to attenuate the amplitude of the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) when the turbo pump rotates at a high speed.

[0037] The above signal shaping unit (220) performs the function of converting the sensor signal amplified or attenuated through the preamplifier (210) into a pulse form such as a square waveform.

[0038] The above power conversion circuit (230) performs the function of supplying power required for the operation of the signal conversion circuit unit (120), converts external power from alternating current to direct current, and can supply the converted direct current power to the signal shaping unit (220) and the frequency / voltage conversion unit (240).

[0039] The above frequency / voltage conversion unit (240) performs the function of converting the pulse signal into frequency-voltage to generate an analog signal.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the arrangement and connection structure of a pickup coil, a signal conversion circuit unit, and a rotational speed measuring unit in a launch vehicle turbopump rotational speed measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) is disposed between the pickup coil (110) and the rotational speed measuring unit (130), and can be connected to the pickup coil (110) and the rotational speed measuring unit (130) by a signal cable, respectively. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) can be installed in a PCB amplifier rack (310), and the rotational speed measuring unit (130) can be installed in a measurement system rack.

[0042] And, in that the present invention is applied to a launch vehicle such as a rocket, it is preferable that the amplifier rack (310) be placed at a location more than 25 m away from the pickup coil, and the measurement system rack be placed at a location more than 25 m away from the amplifier rack. For reference, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the amplifier rack (310) is placed at a location 50 m away from the pickup coil, and the measurement system rack is placed at a location 50 m away from the amplifier rack.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a detailed configuration according to another embodiment of the signal conversion circuit of FIG. 1.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) may be configured to include a low pass filter (410) that removes noise from the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110), a pre-amplifier (420) that amplifies or attenuates the sensor signal that has passed through the low pass filter (410), a signal shaping unit (430) that converts the sensor signal amplified or attenuated by the pre-amplifier (420) into a pulse form such as a square waveform, and a power supply circuit (430) that supplies power to the pre-amplifier (420) and the signal shaping unit (440).

[0045] Here, the preamplifier (420) has a configuration corresponding to the preamplifier (210) of FIG. 2, the signal shaping unit (430) has a configuration corresponding to the signal shaping unit (220) of FIG. 2, and the power supply circuit (430) has a configuration corresponding to the power conversion circuit (230) of FIG. 2.

[0046] The above rotational speed measuring unit (130) converts the pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit (120) into frequency-voltage through a frequency-voltage converter (320) to generate the analog signal, and can measure the rotational speed (RPM) of the turbo pump using the generated analog signal.

[0047] At this time, the rotational speed measuring unit (130) transmits the analog signal output through the frequency voltage converter (320) to the high-frequency measuring system, and distributes the analog signal through the signal distributor (330), thereby transmitting a voltage signal to the low-frequency measuring system and a current signal to the control system.

[0048] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the rotational speed measuring unit (130) not only receives the pulse signal of the signal conversion circuit unit (120) that is directly used to measure the rotational speed of the turbo pump, but also receives the sensor signal of the pickup coil and the sensor signal amplified or attenuated by the preamplifier (420) of the signal conversion circuit unit (120). This is to be used to verify or discover errors or mistakes in measuring the rotational speed of the turbo pump in the rotational speed measuring unit (130).

[0049] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the rotational speed of a launch vehicle turbopump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] The method for measuring the rotational speed of a turbopump for a launch vehicle described herein can be performed using the turbopump rotational speed measuring device described in detail above. The above-described method for measuring the rotational speed of a turbopump for a launch vehicle is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and various steps may be added as described below as needed, and the steps below may also be performed in a changed order, so the present invention is not limited to each step and the order described below.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, in step 510, the pickup coil (110) of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device (100) can output a sensor signal for detecting the rotation speed of the turbo pump through the RPM sensor.

[0052] Next, in step 520, the signal conversion circuit (120) of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device (100) can convert the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) into a pulse form such as a square waveform to generate a pulse signal.

[0053] Here, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) can amplify or attenuate the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump, and then convert the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form. Specifically, when the turbo pump rotates at a low speed, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) can amplify the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) and then convert the amplified sensor signal into a pulse form, whereas when the turbo pump rotates at a high speed, the signal conversion circuit unit (120) can attenuate the sensor signal output from the pickup coil (110) and then convert the attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

[0054] Next, in step 530, the rotation speed measuring unit (130) of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device (100) can convert the pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit (120) into frequency-voltage through a frequency-voltage converter to generate an analog signal.

[0055] Next, in step 540, the rotation speed measuring unit (130) of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device (100) can measure the rotation speed of the turbo pump using the analog signal.

[0056] While the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned preferred embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications and variations should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0057] The present invention can be used in the technical field related to a turbo pump mounted on a launch vehicle such as a rocket.

Claims

1. A pickup coil that outputs a sensor signal for detecting the rotation speed of a turbo pump mounted on a launch vehicle; and A signal conversion circuit that converts the sensor signal output from the above pickup coil into a pulse signal A launch vehicle turbopump rotation speed measuring device characterized by including a .

2. In paragraph 1, The above signal conversion circuit part A launch vehicle turbo pump rotation speed measuring device characterized in that it amplifies or attenuates the sensor signal according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump, and then converts the amplified or attenuated sensor signal into a pulse form.

3. In paragraph 2, The above signal conversion circuit part When the turbo pump rotates at low speed, the sensor signal is amplified and the amplified sensor signal is converted into a pulse form. A launch vehicle turbo pump rotation speed measuring device characterized in that when the turbo pump rotates at high speed, the sensor signal is attenuated and the attenuated sensor signal is converted into a pulse form.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, The above signal conversion circuit part A low pass filter for removing noise from the above sensor signal; A pre-amplifier that amplifies or attenuates the sensor signal that has passed through the low pass filter; A signal shaping unit that converts the sensor signal amplified or attenuated by the above preamplifier into a pulse form; and A power supply circuit that supplies power required for the operation of the above signal conversion circuit. A launch vehicle turbopump rotation speed measuring device characterized by including a .

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, A rotation speed measuring unit that measures the rotation speed of the turbo pump based on a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit unit. A launch vehicle turbopump rotation speed measuring device characterized by further including:

6. In paragraph 5, The above rotation speed measuring unit A launch vehicle turbo pump rotation speed measuring device characterized in that it converts a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit section into a frequency-voltage converter to generate an analog signal, and measures the rotation speed of the turbo pump using the generated analog signal.

7. In paragraph 5, The above signal conversion circuit section is connected to the pickup coil and the rotational speed measuring section respectively by a signal cable between the pickup coil and the rotational speed measuring section, The above signal conversion circuit part is installed in the amplifier rack, and the above rotational speed measuring part is installed in the measuring system rack. A launch vehicle turbopump rotation speed measuring device, characterized in that the amplifier rack is positioned at a distance of at least 25 m from the pickup coil, and the measuring system rack is positioned at a distance of at least 25 m from the amplifier rack.

8. A step in which the pickup coil of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device outputs a sensor signal for detecting the rotation speed of the turbo pump; and A step for converting a sensor signal output from the pickup coil into a pulse signal by the signal conversion circuit of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device. A method for measuring the rotation speed of a launch vehicle turbopump, characterized by including a.

9. In paragraph 8, The above signal conversion circuit part A method for measuring the rotation speed of a launch vehicle turbo pump, characterized in that the sensor signal is amplified or attenuated according to the rotation speed of the turbo pump, and the amplified or attenuated sensor signal is converted into a pulse form.

10. In clause 8 or 9, A step of converting a pulse signal output from the signal conversion circuit section into a frequency-voltage converter by the rotation speed measuring section of the turbo pump rotation speed measuring device to generate an analog signal; and A step in which the rotation speed measuring unit measures the rotation speed of the turbo pump using the analog signal. A method for measuring the rotation speed of a launch vehicle turbopump, characterized by further including:

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