Room-Temperature Cured Polysiloxane Flexible Stops for Thrusters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing processes for flexible stops in thrusters require high temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption, costs, and resource utilization, while also limiting the temperature range of mechanical performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a liquid polysiloxane composition that crosslinks at room temperature, comprising a polydimethylsiloxane base and catalyst, which is injected into a mold and cured at ambient temperature, reducing the need for expensive equipment and energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hot vulcanization is used to manufacture flexible stops, then mechanical strength and robustness are improved, but energy consumption and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the curing temperature parameter from high temperature (140-200°C hot vulcanization) to room temperature (20-25°C), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining mechanical strength through the use of a specific polysiloxane composition with modified chemical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite polysiloxane composition comprising base polymer, crosslinking agent, and catalyst system that enables room temperature curing while achieving mechanical properties comparable to hot vulcanization, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and energy consumption
2Reliability
If hot vulcanization process is implemented, then mechanical performance is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the thermal-mechanical vulcanization system (heated presses, temperature control equipment) with a chemical crosslinking system that operates at room temperature, thereby simplifying manufacturing equipment and process complexity while maintaining mechanical performance
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical composition parameters of the polysiloxane system (adding specific crosslinking agents and catalysts), the invention enables curing at lower temperatures, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces equipment complexity while preserving mechanical performance
3Strength
If traditional rubber materials are used for flexible stops, then robustness is achieved, but operating temperature range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite polysiloxane material system that combines base polymer, crosslinking agents, and catalysts to achieve both robustness and extended temperature range (-50°C to +70°C), overcoming the limitations of traditional rubber materials
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process simplifies manufacturing, lowers costs, and maintains mechanical performance equivalent to traditional methods, while allowing operation across a wider temperature range from -50°C to +70°C.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinking at room temperature the injected liquid polysiloxane composition
Implementation Method 2
a polydimethylsiloxane catalyst B having vinyl groups at the chain end and a platinum catalyst
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing flexible stops used in the field of propulsion to form joints connecting a nozzle to the body of a propulsion unit, said method employing a liquid polysiloxane composition obtained by mixing: (1) a polydimethylsiloxane base A having a vinyl group and a -SiH group at the end of the chain, and a polydimethylsiloxane oil of formula Si(CH3)3-[O-Si(CH3)2]n-OSi(CH3)3 in which n varies from 2 to 2000, with (2) a polydimethylsiloxane catalyst B having vinyl groups at the end of the chain and a platinum catalyst, the polydimethylsiloxane base A, the polydimethylsiloxane oil, and the polydimethylsiloxane catalyst B being different polydimethylsiloxane materials, and said polysiloxane composition being crosslinked at room temperature.The present invention also relates to a flexible stop for a thruster obtained according to the process of the invention, as well as a thruster comprising a body extended by a nozzle, comprising a flexible stop according to the invention.