JP2522772Y2 - Container for sample melting experiment in space - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for a sample melting experiment in outer space for melting a sample in outer space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the progress of space technology development in recent years, experiments for melting a sample in outer space, that is, in a zero-gravity state, and observing a crystal at the time of solidification thereof have been performed. Specifically, a sample to be melted (such as tungsten) is contained in an airtight container, and the airtight container is launched into outer space by a rocket or the like, and the container is heated in a zero-gravity state to melt the sample and solidify the sample. Observe the crystals at the time.

A plurality of crucibles are provided in the closed container, and each crucible contains a different kind of sample. In addition, the inside of the closed container is evacuated,
Sample is insulated from reactants.

[0004]

However, in such a container, when the sample in the closed container is melted,
The gas components contained in the sample may be vaporized to generate evaporative gas, or the molten sample may react (mainly oxidize) with a substance slightly contained in vacuum to generate a reactive gas. There is. When these gases are generated, the sample melted in a zero-gravity state is pushed out of the crucible by the gas pressure, and different kinds of samples are mixed in the closed container. In addition, the sample extruded from the crucible reacts with the inner surface of the closed container, causing a problem that an accurate experimental result cannot be obtained.

An object of the present invention, which has been made in view of the above circumstances, is to provide a container for a sample melting experiment in outer space which can suppress generation of gas generated when the sample is melted.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a container for melting a sample in a zero-gravity state, wherein the sample to be melted is housed in a closed container which is launched into outer space. In addition, in order to suppress generation of gas generated from the sample when the sample is melted, an inert gas having a pressure higher than the gas pressure is sealed.

[0007]

According to the above construction, an inert gas having a pressure higher than the gas pressure generated from the sample at the time of melting is sealed in the closed container, so that generation of gas generated from the sample is suppressed by the pressure of the inert gas. It is. In addition, since the inside of the closed vessel is in an inert gas atmosphere, oxidation of the sample is suppressed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a container 1 for a sample melting experiment in outer space. As shown in the figure, a cylindrical outer case 2 having a bottom made of tantalum, molybdenum, etc.
Similarly, a bottomed cylindrical inner case 3 made of tantalum or the like is provided in a double case shape. These outer and inner cases 2 and 3 constitute a closed case as claimed in the utility model registration claim. A crucible 4 made of ceramics such as alumina and boron nitride is contained in the inner case 3.
And a gas chamber 5 to be filled with an inert gas later.

The three crucibles 4 are provided in series in the inner case 3. These crucibles 4 are also formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and their openings are respectively covered with detachable lid members 6 made of alumina or the like. Each of these crucibles 4 accommodates a different sample S to be melted (for example, a tungsten-based alloy).

To the opening of the inner case 3 and the opening of the outer case 2, lids 7, 8 made of the same material as the case (tantalum, molybdenum, etc.) are attached by welding. The cover member 7 is provided with a hole 9 having a diameter of about 0.5 mm for communicating the inside and the outside of the inner case 3.

The container 1 includes a crucible 4 in an inner case 3.
After that, the lid 7 is laser-beam welded to the opening of the inner case 3, and then the inert gas filling device 10 shown in FIG.
An inert gas is filled. It is housed in the outer case 2, and finally, the lid 8 is manufactured by electron beam welding at the opening of the outer case 2.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a vacuum chamber, and the inside of the chamber 11 is evacuated by a vacuum pump 12. A vacuum valve 14 as a check valve is interposed in an exhaust line 13 connecting the chamber 11 and the pump 12. An exhaust gas line 13 between the vacuum valve 14 and the chamber 11 has an inert gas supply line 15.
Are connected, and an inert gas is supplied from the inert gas cylinder 16.

On the other hand, a cylindrical cooling block 17 is provided in the vacuum chamber 11, and an inner case 3 shown in FIG. The cooling block 17 is provided with a cooling pipe inside if necessary, and cools the inner case 3 from the outer surface. Above the vacuum chamber 11, a laser beam welding machine (not shown) for welding and closing the hole 9 of the inner case 3 is provided, and a lens 18 attached to the upper surface of the chamber 11 is provided. The laser beam L is applied to the hole 9 of the inner case 3 through the hole.

Inert gas filling apparatus 1 having the above configuration
How to use 0 will be described. First, inside the cooling block 17 of the vacuum chamber 11, the inner case 3 shown in FIG. Then, the vacuum pump 12 is operated,
The inside of the chamber 11 is evacuated. When the inside of the chamber 11 reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum, an inert gas (argon, nitrogen, krypton, or the like) is supplied into the chamber 11 from the inert gas cylinder 16 via the inert gas supply line 15.
Then, the inside of the chamber is evacuated again by the vacuum pump 12, and when the inside of the chamber 11 reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum, an inert gas is supplied from the inert gas cylinder 16 into the chamber again.

By repeating this operation, the partial pressure of air in the chamber 11 is gradually reduced. Finally, after the chamber is evacuated, the chamber 11 is filled with an inert gas. As a result, the interior of the chamber 11 becomes almost 100% inert gas. At this time, the inside of the inner case 3 installed in the chamber 11 is also filled with approximately 100% of the inert gas through the hole 9.

The pressure of the inert gas finally filled in the chamber 11 is set to be higher than the pressure of the gas generated from the sample S during the melting experiment of the sample S. For example,
Assuming that the gas pressure generated from the sample S when the sample S is melted at the temperature set in the melting experiment (several thousands of degrees) is 1500 Torr, the pressure of the inert gas filled in the chamber 11 is set by the inert gas. 1500 when heated to temperature
Set to be above Torr. From this calculation, in this example, the pressure of the inert gas finally filled in the chamber 11 is about 150 torr at room temperature.
That is, the gas chamber 5 in the inner case 3 is filled with an inert gas at a pressure of about 150 torr.

After that, a laser beam L is irradiated from a laser beam welding machine provided on the upper surface of the vacuum chamber 11 through the lens 18 toward the hole 9 of the inner case 3, and the hole 9 is welded and closed. Thus, the inert gas at 150 torr (normal temperature) is confined in the gas chamber 5 in the inner case 3. Here, there is a possibility that the inner case 3 is heated by the irradiation of the laser beam L and the sample S inside the inner case 3 is melted, so that accurate experimental results cannot be obtained. The sample S is prevented from melting by cooling the inner case 3 by the cooling block 17 at the time of irradiation with the beam L.

The reason for using laser beam welding to weld the hole 9 is as follows. That is, at this time, since the inside of the vacuum chamber 11 is filled with 150 torr of inert gas, electron beam welding in which vacuum is a necessary condition cannot be used, and therefore, laser beam welding which does not require vacuum is used. ing.

The inner case 3 filled with the inert gas as described above is then housed in the outer case 2 as shown in FIG. Then, the container 1 is completed.

The container 1 for a sample melting experiment manufactured as described above is launched into space by a rocket, and the sample S is melted in a weightless state by heating. At the time of melting the sample, the inert gas (argon) filled in the gas chamber 5 in the container 1 expands due to heating, and the gas pressure generated from the sample S at the time of melting (1500 Torr)
Since the pressure becomes higher, the generation of gas generated from the sample S during melting is suppressed by the pressure of the inert gas. That is, according to the container 1, no gas is generated from the sample S even when heated.

As a result, the sample S melted in a zero gravity state by the pressure of the gas generated from the sample S, which has been a problem in the past.
Is extruded through the space between the crucible 4 and the lid member 6, and the container 1
Mixing of different kinds of samples S within each other is prevented beforehand. In addition, the problem that the sample S extruded from the crucible 4 reacts with the inner surface of the closed container 1 and an accurate experimental result cannot be obtained is also solved. Further, since the inert gas (argon) is substantially filled in the inner case 3 in contact with the sample S, the oxidation of the sample S is prevented.

[0023]

As described above, according to the "vessel for sample melting experiment in outer space" according to the present invention, an excellent effect of suppressing generation of gas generated when the sample is melted can be exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a container for a sample melting experiment in outer space showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an apparatus for filling the container with an inert gas.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2, 3 Outer case, inner case as a closed container 5 Gas chamber S sample 16 Inert gas cylinder

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A container for melting a sample in a zero-gravity state, wherein the container is enclosed in a closed container launched into outer space.
A container for a sample melting experiment in outer space, in which a sample to be melted is housed, and an inert gas having a pressure higher than the gas pressure is sealed to suppress generation of gas generated from the sample when the sample is melted. .