Planetary regolith transfer and heating extraction device

Abstract

A planetary regolith transfer and heating extraction device, comprising a sealing drive module (1), a station conversion module (2) and a frame module (3). The frame module (3) comprises a frame (3-1), a hearth (3-9) and a hopper (3-6). The station conversion module (2) comprises a station conversion drive assembly (2-1), a U-shaped frame assembly (2-2) and a sample assembly (2-3). The sample assembly (2-3) comprises a sample seat (2-3-1), a sample holder (2-3-8) connected to the sample seat (2-3-1) and an end face sealing assembly (2-3-5). A heating plate (2-3-18) and a temperature sensor (2-3-10) are integrated on the sample holder (2-3-8). The sample holder (2-3-8) horizontally moves within the frame (3-1) and is provided with a right-end sample receiving position, a left-end sealing position and a middle rotating position. The sample holder (2-3-8) extends into the hearth (3-9) when in a sealing position, and the end face sealing assembly (2-3-5) is in seal fit with the hearth (3-9). The heating plate (2-3-18) in the sample holder (2-3-8) in the sealing position heats a sample on the basis of a set control condition, and volatiles in the sample are transferred to an external detection apparatus via a pipe (3-2).

Description

A device for conveying and heating soil extraction Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of deep space resource exploration technology, and in particular to a device for transporting and heating spherical soil for extraction. Background Technology

[0002] The exploration of planets beyond Earth is a perpetual mission for humankind. Understanding the composition of planetary materials in the universe helps us understand Earth's evolution and may even provide data support for future planetary resource extraction. Therefore, efficient and high-quality transport and heating devices are crucial for analyzing the volatile components of planetary soil, and repeated heating of planetary soil is essential for detecting its composition. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for conveying and heating star soil for collecting star soil excavated by a planetary rover, and heating the star soil in a heating furnace to release the volatile components of the star soil.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a star soil conveying and heating extraction device, including a sealing drive module, a workstation conversion module and a frame module;

[0005] The frame module includes a frame, a furnace chamber, and a hopper. The furnace chamber is cylindrical and horizontally arranged inside the frame and close to the left end face of the frame. One end of the furnace chamber is connected to an external pipeline, and the other end is open for receiving the sample holder.

[0006] The workstation conversion module includes a workstation conversion drive component, a U-shaped frame component, and a sample component. The U-shaped frame component is horizontally slidably supported within a frame and is driven by a sealing drive module. The sample component is pivotally connected to the U-shaped frame component and is pivotally rotated about a vertical axis and is driven by the workstation conversion drive component.

[0007] The sample assembly includes a sample holder, a sample tray connected to the sample holder, and an end-face sealing assembly, wherein the sample tray integrates a heating element and a temperature sensor;

[0008] The sample holder moves horizontally within the frame and has a sample receiving position on the right end, a sealing position on the left end, and a rotating position in the middle. When the sample holder is in the sample receiving position, it is located directly below the hopper. When the sample holder is in the sealing position, it extends into the furnace and the end face sealing assembly seals with the furnace.

[0009] At the sealed position, the heating element in the sample holder heats the sample according to the set control conditions, and the volatile components in the sample are transported to the detection equipment through an external pipeline.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sample holder is oriented horizontally to the right when in the sample receiving position, and rotates from being oriented horizontally to the right to being oriented horizontally to the left when in the rotating position, and the opening of the furnace is oriented horizontally to the right.

[0011] In one embodiment, two or more sample holders are evenly distributed around the circumference of the sample holder on the sample assembly to work alternately.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sample holder is rotatably connected to the sample holder about a horizontal axis, and the sample holder can be horizontally flipped 180° to discard the sample.

[0013] In one embodiment, a stress sensor for monitoring the thrust on the furnace is also included.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sealing drive module includes a sealing motor, a base, a worm gear transmission mechanism, and a sealing screw, wherein the sealing motor is driven to the sealing screw via the worm gear transmission mechanism at a reduced speed.

[0015] In one embodiment, a scraper disposed inside the frame is also included, the scraper being used to trim the sample in the sample holder.

[0016] In one embodiment, the sample assembly further includes a gear arranged coaxially with the sample holder and a spiral spring assembly for rotating and resetting the sample holder. The sample holder is discarded using the following method:

[0017] S1. At the rotating station, the sample holder rotates around the vertical axis, causing the sample holder to extend from the side of the bracket;

[0018] S2. The sample holder is driven by the sealing drive module to move toward the sealing station. During this process, the gear meshes with the rack suspended on the frame, causing the sample holder to rotate 180° and then discard the sample.

[0019] S3. The sample holder is driven to move toward the rotating position by the sealing drive module. When the gear and rack disengage, the sample holder is elastically reset by the spiral spring assembly.

[0020] S4. After the sample holder reaches the rotating position, rotate it to the idle position and then cool it down.

[0021] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0022] This invention realizes the functions of soil sampling, conveying, and heating extraction, and also has a sample disposal function. The device has a reasonable and compact structure and can operate continuously without interruption. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figures 1 to 18 show the structure of the star soil conveying and heating extraction device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for conveying and heating star soil for collecting star soil excavated by a planetary rover, and heating the star soil in a heating furnace to release the volatile components of the star soil.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 18, the present invention provides a star soil conveying and heating extraction device, which consists of three parts: a sealing drive module 1, a workstation conversion module 2, and a frame module 3.

[0029] The sealing drive module 1 drives the station conversion module 2 to move horizontally. The station conversion module 2 is equipped with a pair of sample components to realize quantitative collection, transfer of sample to the furnace assembly, and sample disposal. The furnace assembly and external pipeline on the frame module 3 cooperate with the sample components to realize the heating and extraction of the sample, and transport the volatile components to the external detection device through the pipeline.

[0030] The sealing drive module 1 includes a sealing motor 1-1, a base 1-2, a worm gear transmission mechanism 1-3, and a sealing lead screw 1-5. The sealing motor 1-1 is driven by the worm gear transmission mechanism 1-3 with a reduction speed and has a self-locking function. The sealing lead screw 1-5 drives the nut of the station conversion module 2, forming a lead screw and nut pair.

[0031] The workstation conversion module 2 includes a workstation conversion drive component 2-1, a U-shaped frame component 2-2, and a sample component 2-3. The workstation conversion component 2-1 and the sample component 2-3 are mounted on the U-shaped frame component 2-2.

[0032] The workstation changeover drive assembly 2-1 includes a workstation changeover motor 2-1-1, a rigid-flexible belt mounting base 2-1-2, an encoder 2-1-3, a worm gear transmission mechanism 2-1-4, a workstation changeover shaft 2-1-6, and a mounting base 2-1-7. The workstation changeover motor 2-1-1 is fixed to the workstation changeover worm gear base 2-1-7 with screws. When the workstation changeover motor 2-1-1 rotates, it drives the worm gear and worm wheel in the worm gear transmission mechanism 2-1-4 to reduce speed and transmit power, thereby driving the rotation of the workstation changeover shaft 2-1-6 that cooperates with the worm wheel.

[0033] U-shaped frame assembly 2-2 includes U-shaped frame 2-2-1, trapezoidal nut 2-2-2, PTFE scraper pad A 2-2-3, PTFE scraper pad B 2-2-4, PTFE scraper pad C 2-2-5, PTFE scraper pad D 2-2-6, linear potentiometer shaft 2-2-7, linear potentiometer bracket 2-2-8, Hall sensor 2-2-10, lower bearing 2-2-13, pressure cap 2-2-14, and dust cover 2-2-15.

[0034] The U-shaped bracket 2-2-1 is equipped with a pair of bearings. A pressure cap 2-2-14 is provided on the upper bearing to fix the outer ring of the bearing. A dust cover 2-2-15 is provided on the U-shaped bracket 2-2-1 to protect the lower bearing 2-2-13 from dust.

[0035] One end of the sample holder 2-3-1 in sample assembly 2-3 is engaged with the upper bearing, and the other end is engaged with the lower bearing 2-2-13 to form a rotating mechanism. The station conversion drive assembly 2-1 is mounted on the U-shaped frame 2-2-1, and the station conversion shaft 2-1-6 is connected to the sample holder 2-3-1 by a key. When the station conversion drive assembly 2-1 rotates, it can drive the sample assembly 2-3 to rotate.

[0036] Sample assembly 2-3 includes sample holder 2-3-1, wire fixing seat 2-3-2, spiral spring seat 2-3-3, cover 2-3-4, sealing ring seat 2-3-5, sealing ring 2-3-6, gear 2-3-7, sample holder 2-3-8, Hall magnet 2-3-9, temperature sensor 2-3-10, bearing seat A 2-3-11, bearing A 2-3-12, bearing B 2-3-13, spiral spring shaft 2-3-14, spiral spring 2-3-15, needle bar 2-3-16, bar seat 2-3-17, and heating element 2-3-18.

[0037] The sealing ring seat 2-3-5 is glued to the bearing seat A2-3-11. The bearing seat A2-3-11 is equipped with the bearing A2-3-12, and the fixed bearing A2-3-12 is placed inside the cover 2-3-4. The cover 2-3-4 is fixed to the scroll spring seat 2-3-3 with screws.

[0038] A spiral spring 2-3-15 is provided between the spiral spring seat 2-3-3 and the spiral spring shaft 2-3-14. One end of the spiral spring 2-3-15 is fixed to 2-3-14, and the other end is fixed to the spiral spring seat 2-3-3. A bearing B2-3-13 is provided between the spiral spring shaft 2-3-14 and the sample holder 2-3-1.

[0039] The spiral spring seat 2-3-3 is fixed on the sample seat 2-3-1, thereby forming a rotating system consisting of the sealing ring seat 2-3-5, bearing seat A2-3-11, fixed bearing A2-3-12, cover 2-3-4, spiral spring seat 2-3-3, sample seat 2-3-1, bearing B2-3-13, and spiral spring shaft 2-3-14.

[0040] A gear 2-3-7 is provided at the end of the sealing ring seat 2-3-5. The gear 2-3-7 is fixed to the end of the sealing ring seat 2-3-5. A torque is applied to the gear 2-3-7, and the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 will rotate with bearings A2-3-12 and B2-3-13. After rotating a certain angle, the spiral spring 2-3-15 will store force. After the torque applied to the gear 2-3-7 is released, the spiral spring 2-3-15 will quickly rebound, thereby causing the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 to quickly return to its original position.

[0041] Four rod holders 2-3-17 are mounted on the sealing ring seat 2-3-5, and four needle rods 2-3-16 are mounted on the rod holders 2-3-17. The rod holders 2-3-17 are sintered onto the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 and the needle rods 2-3-16. The four needle rods 2-3-16 are connected to the sample holder 2-3-8. A temperature sensor 2-3-10 is mounted at the tail of the sample holder 2-3-8 to measure its temperature. The two upper needle rods 2-3-16 are connected to the two wires of the temperature sensor 2-3-10, and the two lower needle rods 2-3-16 are connected to the two wires of a heating element 2-3-18 mounted on the surface of the sample holder to heat the sample holder 2-3-8.

[0042] When the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 rotates, it drives the sample holder 2-3-8 to rotate. A Hall magnet 2-3-9 is installed on the sample holder 2-3-1 to control the rotation angle of the sample assembly 2-3. A wire holder 2-3-2 is installed on the sample holder 2-3-1 to secure the wires leading from the needle bar 2-3-16. The right side of the sample assembly 2-3 is completely symmetrical to the left side, and uses identical parts.

[0043] The frame module 3 includes frame 3-1, exhaust pipe 3-2, guide rod A 3-3, linear potentiometer 3-4, funnel 3-6, rack 3-7, guide rod B 3-8, furnace chamber 3-9, strain gauge 3-10, scraper 3-11, and cover plate 3-12.

[0044] In the U-shaped frame assembly 2-2, a pair of sliders cooperate with guide rods A3-3 and B3-8 on the frame module 3 to form a sliding friction pair. Furthermore, PTFE scraper pads A2-2-3, B2-2-4, C2-2-5, and D2-2-6 are provided at both ends of the pair of sliders to protect them and prevent dust from entering the sliding friction pair.

[0045] The sealing drive module 1 is mounted on the U-shaped frame 2-2-1 of the frame module 3. The sealing screw 1-5 on the sealing drive module 1 and the trapezoidal nut 2-2-2 cooperate to form a helical pair. When the sealing screw 1-5 of the sealing drive module 1 rotates, it drives the trapezoidal nut 2-2-2 to move, thereby driving the station conversion module 2 to move. The linear potentiometer 3-4 cooperates with the linear potentiometer shaft 2-2-7 to monitor the moving distance of the station conversion module 2 in real time.

[0046] When the station conversion module 2 is in the rotating position, the rotation of the sealing drive module 1 drives the station conversion module 2 to move towards the sample receiving position. When the linear potentiometer 3-4 detects that the station conversion module 2 has moved to the sample receiving position, and the micro switch 3-5 is in contact with the linear potentiometer bracket 2-2-8, the sealing drive module 1 stops rotating, the station conversion module 2 is in the sample receiving position, and the external equipment (such as a robot) delivers the sample into the sample holder 2-3-8 through the funnel 3-6.

[0047] Then, the sealing drive module 1 rotates in the opposite direction, causing the station conversion module 2 to move in the opposite direction. When the sample tray 2-3-8 moves to the position of the scraper 3-16, the scraper 3-16 can trim the sample in the sample tray 2-3-8 to facilitate subsequent heating.

[0048] When the linear potentiometer 3-4 on the station conversion module 2 detects that the station conversion module 2 has moved to the set distance, and when the strain gauge 3-14 detects that the set stress is generated due to the contact between the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 on the station conversion module 2 and the furnace 3-9, the sealing drive module 1 stops rotating, thereby stopping the station conversion module 2 from moving. At this time, the sample holder 2-3-8 heats the sample, causing the sample components to volatilize and be transported to the testing equipment through the exhaust pipe 3-2. The heating time and temperature can be set as needed, with the time typically ranging from 10 to 30 minutes and the heating temperature ≤300℃.

[0049] After heating is completed, the sealing drive module 1 rotates, causing the station conversion module 2 to move in the sample receiving direction. When the linear potentiometer 3-4 detects that the station conversion module 2 has moved to the rotation position, the sealing drive module 1 stops rotating, and the station conversion module 2 stops moving. At this time, the station conversion drive component 2-1 in the station conversion module 2 starts to rotate, thereby driving the sample component 2-3 to rotate horizontally. When the encoder 2-1-3 detects that the sample component 2-3 has rotated to the sample rejection position (rotation 90°), the station conversion drive component 2-1 stops rotating, and the sample component 2-3 stops rotating.

[0050] At this time, the sealing drive module 1 starts to drive the station conversion module 2 to move towards the sealing position. When the gear 2-3-7 on the sample assembly 2-3 moves to the rack 3-7 of the frame module 3 and engages, the movement of the gear 2-3-7 can drive the sample holder 2-3-8 on the sealing ring seat 2-3-5 to rotate 180°, thus discarding the sample. After the sample is discarded, the sealing drive module 1 moves in the opposite direction until the station conversion module 2 is in the rotating position again, and one work cycle ends. Cover plates 3-12 are provided on both sides and the top surface of the frame module to protect the station conversion module 2.

[0051] The sample holders on the right and left sides of sample assembly 2-3 are used alternately. This way, when one sample holder is heated, the other sample holder is in a cooling state, which allows for uninterrupted sampling and reduces the cooling interval time.

[0052] Any adaptive changes made according to actual needs are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0053] It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0054] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for conveying and heating soil for extraction, characterized in that, Includes a sealing drive module, a workstation conversion module, and a frame module; The frame module includes a frame, a furnace chamber, and a hopper. The furnace chamber is cylindrical and horizontally arranged inside the frame and close to the left end face of the frame. One end of the furnace chamber is connected to an external pipeline, and the other end is open for receiving the sample holder. The workstation conversion module includes a workstation conversion drive component, a U-shaped frame component, and a sample component. The U-shaped frame component is horizontally slidably supported within a frame and is driven by a sealing drive module. The sample component is pivotally connected to the U-shaped frame component and is pivotally rotated about a vertical axis and is driven by the workstation conversion drive component. The sample assembly includes a sample holder, a sample tray connected to the sample holder, and an end-face sealing assembly, wherein the sample tray integrates a heating element and a temperature sensor; The sample holder moves horizontally within the frame and has a sample receiving position on the right end, a sealing position on the left end, and a rotating position in the middle. When the sample holder is in the sample receiving position, it is located directly below the hopper. When the sample holder is in the sealing position, it extends into the furnace and the end face sealing assembly seals with the furnace. At the sealed position, the heating element in the sample holder heats the sample according to the set control conditions, and the volatile components in the sample are transported to the detection equipment through an external pipeline.

2. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sample holder is in the receiving position, it is oriented horizontally to the right. When the sample holder is in the rotating position, it rotates from being oriented horizontally to the right to being oriented horizontally to the left. The opening of the furnace is oriented horizontally to the right.

3. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the sample assembly, two or more sample holders are evenly distributed around the circumference of the sample holder to work alternately.

4. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample holder is rotatably connected to the sample holder about a horizontal axis, and the sample holder can be flipped horizontally 180° to discard the sample.

5. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes stress sensors for monitoring the thrust on the furnace.

6. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing drive module includes a sealing motor, a base, a worm gear transmission mechanism, and a sealing screw. The sealing motor is driven to the sealing screw by the worm gear transmission mechanism.

7. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a scraper set inside the frame, which is used to trim the sample in the sample holder.

8. The star soil conveying and heating extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample assembly also includes a gear arranged coaxially with the sample holder and a spiral spring assembly for rotating and resetting the sample holder. The sample holder is discarded using the following method: S1. At the rotating station, the sample holder rotates around the vertical axis, causing the sample holder to extend from the side of the bracket; S2. The sample holder is driven by the sealing drive module to move toward the sealing station. During this process, the gear meshes with the rack suspended on the frame, causing the sample holder to rotate 180° and then discard the sample. S3. The sample holder is driven to move toward the rotating position by the sealing drive module. When the gear and rack disengage, the sample holder is elastically reset by the spiral spring assembly. S4. After the sample holder reaches the rotating position, rotate it to the idle position and then cool it down.

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