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面向空间引力波探测器的超高真空局部密封技术研究

Ultra-high Vacuum Local Sealing Technology for Space-based Gravitational Wave Detectors

  • 摘要: 空间引力波探测器内部包含检验质量、电极笼、锁紧释放机构等多种功能模块,这些模块需封装在超高真空条件下。本文设计了一种基于特殊法兰密封与均匀施力机构的局部真空封装技术,分别采用刀口密封和平面密封两种密封结构,利用液压驱动在抽气完成后实现密封面的调心与均匀压紧,并在大气环境下通过机械紧固维持封装腔室的真空状态。通过有限元仿真与实验压痕对比表明,60°刀口配合镀银无氧铜密封圈所需压紧力仅为较普通CF法兰降低约74%。测试采用的三种密封圈在液压压紧状态下的漏率均达10−13 Pa·m3/s量级;撤去液压后,镀银无氧铜圈和C型圈漏率基本维持不变,验证了力转移过程的稳定性。其中镀银无氧铜圈兼具优异的密封性能、较低压紧力需求和空间环境适应性,被确认为最优候选方案。本技术相对于传统真空封装具有结构简单、易烘烤的优点,为引力波真空腔未来的地面封装提供了可行的技术路径与实验依据。

     

    Abstract: The space gravitational wave detector contains multiple functional modules inside, such as test masses, electrode cages, and lock-release mechanisms, all of which need to be sealed under ultra-high vacuum conditions. This paper designs a local vacuum sealing technique based on special flange sealing and a uniform force application mechanism. Two types of seal structures are used: knife-edge seals and flat seals. After pumping, hydraulic drive is used to achieve alignment and even pressing of the sealing surfaces, and the vacuum in the sealed chamber is maintained in an atmospheric environment through mechanical fastening. Finite element simulation and experimental indentation comparison show that a 60° knife edge combined with a silver-plated oxygen-free copper seal ring requires about 74% less pressing force than ordinary CF flanges. The three types of seal rings tested have leak rates on the order of 10−13 Pa·m3/s under hydraulic pressing; after removing the hydraulic pressure, the leak rates of the silver-plated oxygen-free copper ring and C-ring basically remain unchanged, verifying the stability of the force transfer process. Among them, the silver-plated oxygen-free copper ring combines excellent sealing performance, low pressing force requirements, and adaptability to the space environment, making it the best candidate. Compared with traditional vacuum sealing techniques, this method offers advantages such as simpler structural configuration and more convenient bake-out capability, providing a feasible technical approach and experimental reference for future ground-based sealing of gravitational wave vacuum chambers.

     

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