空间导电滑环技术研究与发展综述

Overview of Research and Development on Space Slip Rings

空间导电滑环是通过弹性电刷在导电环道内的滑动电接触来实现航天器连续转动部分和相对固定部分间传输电功率和电信号的关键部件,目前工程上对空间服役环境下导电滑环磨损量、摩擦力矩波动、接触电阻及电噪声等方面性能表现不稳定尚缺乏有效解决方法。空间导电滑环技术研究涉及材料、机械、物理、化学、空间环境等多学科概念及理论,通过梳理导电滑环近些年来的研究热点和难点,发现其性能实现与接触表面粗糙度、材料硬度、电刷压力、耐磨性、抗疲劳性、耐腐蚀性、真空下的自润滑、微重力环境等相关。目前对空间导电滑环电接触表面的微观特征及其演化过程、滑动电接触的磨损机制及磨屑运动路径和电传输性能及其控制方面的研究还存在不足,现有的知识储备和技术储备不足以支撑在轨更长寿命、更高可靠、更稳定运行的空间导电滑环研制,亟需提高对导电滑环在空间极端工况及多场耦合条件下相关特性的科学认识,以期为保障航天器在轨安全运行提供更多的理论指导和技术支持。

Slip ring(SR) is a key component of the long life three-axis stabilization satellite. It is designed to transfer power and propagate signals between constantly rotating part and relatively static part through sliding electrical contacts of elastic brush in the conductive ring. At present, there is no effective method to solve the unstable performance issues of SR under space service environment, such as wear, friction torque fluctuation, contact resistance and electrical noise, etc. The research of space SR technology involves concepts and theories in materials, mechanics, physics, chemistry, space environment and other disciplines. By combing the research hotspots and difficulties of SR in recent years, it is found that its performance is highly related to contact surface roughness, material hardness, brush pressure, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, self-lubrication under vacuum,microgravity environment, etc. At present, there are still deficiencies in the research on the micro characteristics and evolution process of sliding electrical contact surface, the wear mechanism of the sliding electrical contact, the movement path of wear debris, the electrical transmission performance and its control. The existing knowledge reserve and technical reserve are not enough to support the development of SR with longer life, higher reliability and more stable operation on orbit. It is urgent to improve the scientific understanding of the relevant characteristics of SR under extreme space conditions and multi-field coupling conditions, so as to provide more theoretical guidance and technical support for the safe operation of spacecraft on orbit.