A Self-Alignment Sealing Hatch-Door System Updated for Airlock Chambers of KM6 Space Simulator

Abstract:

KM6 space simulator built in 1990s is currently the largest thermal vacuum test facility for spaceships and satellites in China. In order to meet new requirements of ground test for outer-cabin space walk of astronauts under China Manned Space Project II, a hatch-door system with ten rectangular doors in auxiliary horizontal chamber of KM6 space simulator has been updated since 2006. For the sake of pressure balance, every hatch-door is upgraded with a pressure regulator, which enables easy close and open of every hatch-door under no pressure difference. To improve vacuum compatibility of rotating hatch-doors, single axis hinge mechanism is renewed as biaxial hinge mechanism with more degrees of freedom for door spindle, which is combined with coordinated lock mechanism and O-ring sealing structure to realize the self-alignment sealing of hatch-door flange structure. Up until now, three manned spaceships of SZ-5, SZ-6 and SZ-7 have successfully finish thermal vacuum tests in auxiliary horizontal chamber with high performance of the updated hatch-door system as results.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 390)
• Pages: 606-610
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.390.606
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Feng Guo, Bo Tao Liu, Xiao Han, Yan Qi, Yi Zhang
• Keywords: Biaxial Hinge Mechanism, Hatch-Door, Manned Space Project, Pressure Regulator, Self-Alignment Sealing

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