JPH05222464A - Method and device for melting material in cosmic space - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the method and device for forming a novel composite material in the cosmic space. CONSTITUTION:After a material to be melted is pulverized, the powder thereof is subjected to compression molding and sintering and is sealed in a fixed state into a transparent container 6 consisting of transparent quartz. Such transparent container 6 is supported integrally with a foundation member by means of an arm 10 above many concave mirrors 2... disposed on the foundation material. The bearing of the concave mirror relative to the foundation material is controlled, by which a prescribed quantity of light is condensed to the material 8 to be melted in the transparent container 6 and the material 8 to be melted is melted. The direct utilization of solar energy as a heat source is possible and the energy efficiency is high. The adjustment of the melting temp. and melting rate of the material to be melted to desired values is possible as well. There are various effects; for example, an arbitrary atmosphere is usable at the time of melting the material to be melted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a material melting method and an apparatus therefor for melting a material to be melted by utilizing solar energy in the space (solar system) under microgravity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, space (solar system) under microgravity
Has been developing and researching the manufacture of various new alloys that could not be made on the ground until now. In the production of such new alloys in outer space, it is necessary to melt the alloy material in outer space, and so far, the melting of the material in outer space has been performed by heating and melting by electricity.

[0003]

By the way, the above-mentioned heating and melting by electricity uses a storage battery or a solar cell as a power source. However, such a storage battery or a solar cell becomes heavy, and the space from the ground to the outer space becomes large. The launch cost was high during the launch. Further, for a solar cell or the like, a material melting apparatus has been desired, which has a durability that can be stably used for a shorter period than a desired value and that can be stably used for a longer period of time. The present invention is intended to solve the above problems.

[0004]

A method of melting a material in outer space according to the present invention is a method in which a material to be melted is sealed in a transparent container whose vacuum or atmosphere is adjusted in a fixed state with respect to the transparent container. In the outer space, the sunlight is collected in the transparent container in which the material to be melted is enclosed, and the material to be melted in the transparent container is melted.

The transparent container may be made of transparent quartz, and may be made of any transparent material that can withstand the temperature and vacuum of melting the melted material. You may form from.

It is preferable that the sunlight is condensed by a plurality of reflecting mirrors. This is to prevent a large amount of solar energy from concentrating on the material to be melted at one time and to control the molten state.

Further, the material to be melted, which is sealed and fixed in the transparent container, is obtained by pulverizing the melted material and then compression-molding it.
After that, it is preferably sintered and formed. In the first place, the material to be melted cannot be manufactured on the ground due to gravity.

To fix the material to be melted to the transparent container, the material to be melted and a material similar to the transparent container are integrally molded, and then, of the integrally molded materials, the material is similar to the transparent container. It is preferably made by joining a portion made of a material to the transparent container. As a material similar to the transparent container, it is preferable that the coefficient of thermal expansion is located between the transparent container and the material to be melted, and the heat resistant temperature is higher than the material to be melted, for example, the composition material of the transparent container and the material to be melted. It may be a mixed material. Then, the material to be melted is joined to the transparent container by forming a through hole in a part of the transparent container, and forming a part of the material integrally molded in the through hole from a material similar to the transparent container. It is preferable to carry out by melting and solidifying the peripheral portion of the through hole after inserting the through hole.

To fix the material to be melted in the transparent container, first, the composition material of the transparent container and the material to be melted are pulverized, and one end side is covered with the composition material of the transparent container and the other end side is covered with the composition material. A molten material, an intermediate portion of which is integrally compression-molded with a mixed powder of the composition material of the transparent container and the material to be fused, and then sintered to form a melted body, and one end side of the melted body is It may be made by joining to a transparent container. And, the joining of the melted body to the transparent container is such that a through hole is formed in a part of the transparent container, and the one end side portion of the melted body is inserted into the through hole, and then the through hole is formed. It is preferable to carry out by melting and solidifying the peripheral portion of the. Further, it is preferable that the one end side portion of the melted body is made transparent by repeating local melting and solidification. This is a method called so-called zone melting (zone melting), and only a necessary portion can be heated and melted.

The sealing of the material to be melted in the transparent container is performed by fixing the material to be melted in the transparent container, and then vacuum suctioning the inside of the transparent container from an adjusting hole formed in the transparent container. After adjusting the atmosphere or adjusting the atmosphere, the adjusting hole may be closed.

Further, the material melting apparatus for outer space according to the present invention comprises a base member, a plurality of reflecting mirrors arranged on the base member so as to be able to collect light within a predetermined range on the base member, Control means for controlling the orientation of each of the plurality of reflecting mirrors on the base member, a support member integrally provided with the base member, for supporting and fixing the melted material above the base member, and a melted material. Temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the material.

It is desirable that each of the reflecting mirrors is a concave mirror having a shape obtained by dividing a part of a spherical surface.

Further, it is preferable that the support member is provided with driving means for changing the position of the material to be melted with respect to the base member.

Further, the supporting member supports and fixes the material to be melted above the base member by fixing and supporting a transparent container in which the material to be melted is fixed and the inside of which is vacuum or atmosphere adjusted. Those that do are preferable.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a schematic configuration of a material melting apparatus in space (hereinafter referred to as “melting apparatus”) will be described.

In these figures, reference numeral 2 is a concave mirror (reflecting mirror), the curvature of the surface 2a of which is a shape obtained by dividing a part of a spherical surface, and the shape in plan view is shown in FIG.
It has a square shape as shown in. A large number of these concave mirrors 2 are arranged on the base member 4 so as to be able to collect light within a predetermined range above the base member 4.

Reference numeral 6 is a transparent container in which a member 8 to be melted is fixed and enclosed, and one end of the transparent container is held by an arm (corresponding to a supporting member) 10 so that the base member 4 is covered. The base member 4 is integrally connected to the upper side.

On the lower surface of each concave mirror 2, a needle 12 is provided at the center of the concave mirror 2, and at each vertex of an equilateral triangle whose center of gravity is the center of the needle 12,
Three cylindrical bodies 14, 14 and 14 made of permanent magnets are provided with their axes substantially parallel to the needle 12.

On the other hand, three cylindrical bodies 18, 18, 18 are arranged in a regular triangular shape in the portion corresponding to each concave mirror 2 on the base member 4, and the positions of the centers of gravity of these cylindrical bodies 18, 18, 18 are arranged. Has a support base 16 having a conical concave surface formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
Are arranged. This is a support structure because the lubricant cannot be used in the ultra vacuum state of outer space. The diameter of the hollow portion of each cylindrical body 18 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the cylindrical body 14, and a coil 20 made of a superconducting material exhibiting a superconducting phenomenon in outer space is arranged on its inner peripheral surface so that the energization can be controlled. It is set up. These coils 20 ... Are the base members 4
Is connected to a control device (not shown) provided in the lower part of the. Then, by controlling the respective energization amounts of these coils 20, the respective cylindrical bodies 14 are moved up and down, and the concave mirror 2 supported by the tip of the needle 12 on the support base 16 moves to the arm 10.
At the tip position of the material to be melted in the transparent container 6 supported by
It can collect light. On the side of the concave mirror 2, a contact-type temperature sensor (temperature sensor) for measuring the surface temperature of the material to be melted from the ratio of radiant energy of two wavelengths of infrared rays emitted from the surface of the material to be melted 8 (Corresponding to measuring means) is provided (not shown), and is connected to a control device provided below the base member 4.

Next, a method of molding the melted material 8 and a method of fixing and encapsulating the melted material 8 in the transparent member 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

An example of forming the material to be melted will be described. First, the silicon dioxide and the material to be melted M are pulverized. The material M to be melted is composed of two or more materials having different specific gravities. The powder of the material M to be melted is subjected to a mixing operation such as mechanical alloying.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a melted body 22 having one end only made of silicon dioxide, the other end made of only the melted material M, and an intermediate portion made of a mixed powder of silicon dioxide and the melted material M is compression molded. .. Next, the entire melted body 22 is sintered, and thereafter, the one end side portion (a portion formed only of silicon dioxide) 22a of the melted body 22 is locally melted and solidified to be transparent.

On the other hand, the transparent container 6 is made of transparent quartz and has a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG.
Then, a through hole 6a through which the melted material 22 can be inserted is formed on one end side thereof, and an adjusting hole portion 6 on the other end side.
b is formed in a tubular shape.

Fixing the melted material 22 to the transparent container 6,
For encapsulation, first, the melted body 22 is inserted from the through hole 6a so that the portion 22c made of only the melted material M is inside the transparent container 6, and a portion of the portion 22a made of only silicon dioxide is transparent. Let's go out from 6. Then, in this state, the peripheral edge of the through hole 6a is melted, and the one end side portion 22a of the melted object and the transparent container 6 are joined and fixed (FIG. 6).

Next, the air in the transparent container 6 is sucked from the adjusting hole 6b to a vacuum state, and then the adjusting hole 6b is melted to close the adjusting hole 6b. The transparent container 6 is evacuated. When the atmosphere is enclosed in the transparent container 6, the component-adjusted atmosphere is blown into the transparent container 6 before the adjustment hole 6b is closed, and then the adjustment hole 6b is closed. To do.

In the melting apparatus having the above-described structure, first, in the outer space, the material to be melted 22 is processed as described above.
The transparent container 6 fixed and sealed inside is fixedly attached to the arm 10 as shown in FIG. At this time, the melted material 22
Of the concave mirror 2 ...
Set the transparent container 6 so that the transparent container 6 approaches.

After that, the control device provided at the bottom of the base member 4 is driven to collect the sun rays radiated on each concave mirror 2 while reflecting them on the transparent container 6 side, and the transparent container 6
Through, and is condensed in a ring shape at one point or the surface portion of the tip end of the melted body 22 in the transparent container 6 to melt the melted body 22. Then, the focal point of each of the concave mirrors 2 is gradually moved to the upper side of the melted material 22 to melt the melted material 22c.
To melt.

At this time, when the temperature of the melted body 22 becomes excessively high, a part of each concave mirror 2 ... (For example, the concave mirror 2 located on the outer peripheral side) is removed from the transparent container 6. The melting temperature and the melting speed of the melted material 22 are controlled by adjusting the number of the concave mirrors 2 to be condensed on the transparent container 6 in such a manner that light is condensed at a position.

When the melting points 22c have been melted at the necessary points, if the converging points of all the concave mirrors 2 are controlled so as to be out of the transparent container 6, the melted material to be melted is gradually solidified in the transparent container 6. Then, the desired new material is manufactured.

According to the material melting method and the apparatus therefor in outer space as described above, solar energy can be directly used as a heat source, and conversion equipment such as a solar cell is not required, so that the energy efficiency is high. Moreover, since the concave mirror 2 can be used semi-permanently, its service life is remarkably increased as compared with a solar cell or the like. Further, by adjusting the number of concave mirrors 2 ...
The temperature and melting rate of 2 can be adjusted to the desired values.

By fixing and encapsulating the material to be melted 22 in the transparent container 6, the atmosphere during melting can be controlled to an arbitrary atmosphere, and due to bumping or the like of the material to be melted 22 during melting. Even if scattering occurs, the melted material 22 does not scatter from the transparent container 6 to the outside, and it is possible to prevent functional damage to the melting device and objects located around the melting device.

The technical matters other than the above are listed below. (1) In the above embodiments, the concave mirrors 2 having a square shape in plan view are used as the reflecting mirrors, and the concave mirrors 2 are arranged so that the overall shape in plan view is rectangular. The shape and overall arrangement of the above are not limited to those in the above embodiment. For example, as a reflector
A plane mirror may be used instead of the concave mirror. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the concave mirror 2 has a trapezoidal shape in plan view.
4 may be arranged so as to form a circular shape as a whole.

(2) The base member 4 may have any shape as long as all the reflecting mirrors can be integrally connected in a state capable of focusing and adjusting, for example, a plate shape or a grid shape. May be. The base member 4 may have any strength as long as it is not destroyed when it is launched from the ground to outer space, and a material having a small specific gravity can be used.

(3) The molding mode of the material to be melted, which is sealed and fixed in the transparent container, is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, in the melted object shown in FIG. 4, the part 22a made only of silicon dioxide may not be formed, and the part 22b formed from the mixed powder of silicon dioxide and the material to be melted may be joined and fixed to the transparent container 6. It is possible. In addition, after the material to be melted and the material similar to the transparent container are integrally molded, a part of the integrally molded material made of a material similar to the transparent container may be joined to the transparent container. .. As a material similar to this transparent container, a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate between the transparent container and the material to be melted and having a higher heat resistant temperature than the material to be melted is preferable.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, after the material to be melted is condensed in an annular shape at one point or on the surface, the focal point is moved with respect to the material to be melted to melt the material to be melted.
0 or at the connecting portion between the arm 10 and the base member 4 is provided with a drive means for driving the transparent container 6 supported by the arm 10 in a direction of moving toward and away from the base member 4, so that one point of the material to be melted is provided. After the light is collected, the material to be melted may be melted by driving the material to be melted in a direction approaching the base member 4.

(5) An example of rough calculation of the required area of the reflecting mirror is as follows. Sample (material to be melted) 5k
Consider the case where g is melted at 1800 ° C. As a premise of calculation, each value is assumed as follows. Sample weight; 5 kg Sample specific heat (average including latent heat); 0.5 (cal / g /
° C) Temperature difference; 2000 ° C (The average temperature in space is -200 ° C.) Sample radiation ratio: 0.5 From the above assumption, (required heat quantity) = 5000 (g) x 0.5 (cal / G /
° C) x 2000 (° C) /0.5 = 5,000,00
0 (cal) solar constant in space = 2 (cal / min / cm 2)
Therefore, the required area when the temperature is raised in about 1 hour is (area) = 5,000,000 (cal) / 2 (cal)
/ Min / cm ² ) / 60 (min) = 42,000
(Cm ² ) Therefore, it is possible to melt by arranging and converging each reflecting mirror so as to form a square shape of about 2 m × 2 m or a circular shape with a radius of 1.2 m.

[0037]

As described above, according to the material melting method and the apparatus therefor in the outer space according to the present invention, solar energy can be directly used as a heat source, and conversion equipment such as a solar cell is required. Because it does not, energy efficiency is high. Moreover, since the reflecting mirror can be used semi-permanently, its service life is remarkably increased as compared with a solar cell or the like. Further, by adjusting the number of reflecting mirrors that collect light, the temperature and melting rate of the material to be melted can be adjusted to desired values.

The material to be melted is fixed in a transparent container,
By encapsulating, the atmosphere during melting can be controlled to an arbitrary one, and even if splashing such as bumping of the melted material occurs during melting, the melted material should scatter outside the transparent container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent functional damage to the melting device and objects located around the melting device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a material melting apparatus in outer space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion A of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion A of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a molding mode of a material to be melted.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a shape of a transparent container before fixing a material to be melted.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a shape of a transparent container after fixing a material to be melted.

FIG. 7 is a material melting device in outer space according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Reflector 4 Base member 6 Transparent container 6a Through hole 6b Adjusting hole 8 Material to be melted 10 Supporting member 12 Needle 14 Columnar body 16 Support stand 18 Cylindrical body 20 Coil 24 Reflector

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A transparent container in which a vacuum or atmosphere is adjusted,
The material to be melted is sealed in a fixed state with respect to the transparent container, sunlight is condensed in the transparent container in which the material to be melted is encapsulated, and the material to be melted in the transparent container is melted. A method for melting a material in outer space characterized by: 2. The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 1, wherein the transparent container is made of transparent quartz. 3. The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 1, wherein the sunlight is collected by a plurality of reflecting mirrors. 4. The material to be melted, which is sealed and fixed in the transparent container, is formed by pulverizing the melted material, compression-molding it, and then sintering it. The method of melting a material in outer space according to claim 2 or claim 3. 5. The fixing of the material to be melted to the transparent container is carried out by integrally molding the material to be melted and a material similar to the transparent container, and then fixing the material to the transparent container among the integrally molded materials. The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the method is performed by joining a portion made of a similar material to the transparent container. 6. The material to be melted is joined to the transparent container by forming a through hole in a part of the transparent container, and a material close to the transparent container of the integrally molded material in the through hole. 6. The method is characterized in that after the insertion of the portion consisting of, the peripheral portion of the through hole is melted and solidified.
A method for melting a material in the described space. 7. The fixing of the material to be melted into the transparent container is performed by first pulverizing the composition material and the material to be melted of the transparent container, and coating one end of the composition material of the transparent container and the other end of the transparent container. A molten material, an intermediate portion of which is integrally compression-molded with a mixed powder of the composition material of the transparent container and the material to be fused, and then sintered to form a melted body, and one end side of the melted body is The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the method is performed by joining the material to a transparent container. 8. The method of joining the melted material to the transparent container comprises:
A through hole is formed in a part of the transparent container, the one end side portion of the melted object is inserted into the through hole, and then the peripheral portion of the through hole is melted and solidified. The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 7. 9. The method for melting a material in outer space according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the one end side portion of the material to be melted is made into a transparent state by repeating local melting and solidification. 10. Encapsulating the material to be melted in the transparent container, after fixing the material to be melted in the transparent container,
10. The adjusting hole is closed while the inside of the transparent container is vacuum-sucked through the adjusting hole formed in the transparent container, or after the atmosphere is adjusted, the adjusting hole is closed. The method for melting a material in outer space according to Kaichi. 11. A base member, a plurality of reflecting mirrors arranged on the base member so as to be able to collect light within a predetermined range on the base member, and the base member of each of the plurality of reflecting mirrors. Control means for controlling the upper direction, a support member integrally provided with the base member, for supporting and fixing the material to be melted above the base member, and temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the material to be melted. A material melting apparatus in outer space characterized by being provided. 12. The material melting apparatus for outer space according to claim 11, wherein each of the reflecting mirrors is a concave mirror in which a part of a spherical surface is divided. 13. A material melting apparatus in space according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said support member is provided with driving means for changing the orientation of said material to be melted with respect to said base member. 14. The support member includes a transparent container, in which a material to be melted is fixed, and a vacuum or an atmosphere is adjusted in the interior, which is fixedly supported by the support member, whereby The material melting apparatus for outer space according to claim 11, 12, or 13, wherein the material to be melted is supported and fixed above.