SIMULATION OF GRAVITY AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING A FORCE ACTING ON AN OBJECT

Abstract

A method is used for simulating a gravity acting on an object in space. The method comprises inducing a magnetic moment in the object via generation of an external magnetic field in an environment of the object. A device is used for generating a force acting on an object. The device comprises a magnetic device for generating an external magnetic field in an environment of the object and therefore for inducing a magnetic moment in the object. The magnetic device has at least two elements, which can be moved relative to one another for setting the external magnetic field.

Claims

1. A method for simulating a gravity acting on an object in space, comprising: inducing a magnetic moment in the object via generation of an external magnetic field in an environment of the object.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object comprises a diamagnetic object and which further comprises determining a value or a value range for a gravity acting on the diamagnetic object, which is to be simulated, determining at least one parameter of the external magnetic field, which is suitable for effecting the determined value or value range, and checking the at least one parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the external magnetic field is generated via a device, which comprises a magnetic device having at least two elements, wherein the at least two elements are movable relative to one another for manipulating the external magnetic field.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising changing a position of the at least two elements relative to one another.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the changing a position of the at least two elements relative to one another comprises changing a spacing between the at least two elements.

6. A device for generating force acting on an object, comprising: a magnetic device configured to generate an external magnetic field and thus for inducing a magnetic moment in the object, the magnetic device having at least two elements which are movable relative to one another for setting the external magnetic field.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least two elements comprise at least one of: at least two coaxially arranged coils of electromagnets; at least three coaxially arranged coils of electromagnets; at least one superconducting coil; at least one permanent magnet; at least one shielding element; at least one ferromagnetic insert element; at least one graphite plate; or at least one water-cooled Bitter magnet.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic field which can be generated by the magnetic device is substantially rotationally symmetrical or homogeneous in at least one part region.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of: for at least one first positioning of the at least two elements relative to one another in at least one part region of a magnetic field that can be generated by the magnetic device, B(z)B′(z)≦−150 T.sup.2/m applies, or for at least one second positioning of the at least two elements relative to one another in at least one part region of a magnetic field that can be generated by the magnetic device, −250 T.sup.2/m≦B(z)B′(z) applies, in this case, in each case along a central axis (A) of the magnetic field, B(z) is the value of the magnetic flux density at point z, and B′(z) is the associated first derivative of B.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein B(z)B′(z)≦−450 T.sup.2/m.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein B(z)B′(z)≦−1500 T.sup.2/m.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein −100 T.sup.2/m≦B(z)B′(z).

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein 0≦B(z)B′(z);

14. The device according to claim 6, further comprising at least one cooling device.

15. A spacecraft or space station having a device according to claim 6.

16. A tank of a spacecraft, comprising a magnetic device according to claim 6, configured to induce a magnet moment in fuel contained in the tank via generation of an external magnetic field in an environment of the fuel in the tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following on the basis of drawings. It is understood that individual elements and components can also be combined differently than illustrated. Reference numbers for elements that correspond to one another are used in all of the figures and, if appropriate, are not described anew for each figure.

[0053] In the figures:

[0054] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary test line having a device for carrying out a method according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 2 schematically shows a device according to the invention according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 3 schematically shows a device according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment; and

[0057] FIGS. 4a, 4b schematically show simplified views of two embodiments of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a detail of a test line 10 (simplified, as a functional diagram), which is set up to be used to carry out experiments in a spacecraft or a space station. The test line comprises schematically illustrated testing stations 20, 20′, and—arranged between these testing stations 20, 20′—a device 100 for simulating gravity according to a method according to the invention. The testing stations 20, 20′ are connected to the device 100 (as further station) via an object line 40 or 40′; an object can be transported and thus forwarded (e.g., with the aid of a gas and/or liquid flow) from station to station, where it can be investigated or treated in each case, through the respective object line, which is realized in the illustrated example in the form of a pipe.

[0059] The device 100 comprises a magnetic device 110, which, in the example shown, comprises a single coil 120 as an electromagnet; alternatively or additionally, the device could, for example, comprise at least one further coil arranged coaxially to the coil shown, at least one ferromagnet and/or at least one quadrupole magnet. In particular, the device 100 could, instead of the coil 120, comprise the magnetic device shown in FIG. 2 with the coils 220, 230 and 240 or the magnetic device illustrated in FIG. 3 with the movable magnets 310, 310′ and graphite plates 320, 320′.

[0060] A testing chamber 130 is arranged in the magnetic center of the magnetic device 110 (here in the interior of the coil 120), into which or out of which leads to the object line 40, 40′. With the aid of the magnetic device, a gravity on an object in the testing chamber can be simulated in the interior of the testing chamber 130.

[0061] The device 100 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a shielding 115 for electromagnetic radiation, illustrated schematically in the figure, arranged in an environment of the magnetic device 110. This is used to prevent the strong magnetic radiation of the magnetic device from penetrating into other subsystems of the testing line or a spacecraft or a space station, in which the testing line 10 can be arranged, and influencing these subsystems.

[0062] The coil 120 is connected by means of at least one cable 125 to an energy source 142 and a control monitoring device 144, which, in the example shown, are contained together in a supply and control device 140; a supply and control device 140 of this type can, in particular, comprise a data memory, in which comparison values can be stored, for example for regulating a temperature and/or for automatically setting a voltage to be applied. If the test line 10 is arranged in a spacecraft or a space station, the energy source 142 can be connected to the energy source thereof (not illustrated). The energy source can preferably be set, particularly it advantageously has an option for manual and/or automated setting of a supply voltage for the electromagnet 120.| In embodiments in which the magnetic device, in addition to the electromagnet 120 shown as first element, comprises a second element (not shown), which is movable relative to the electromagnet, the supply and control device 140 can preferably comprise a moving device for the automatic or manual movement of the elements relative to one another; thus, the properties of the device 100, in particular, can be adapted in a suitable mariner to desired conditions and/or respective objects.

[0063] The supply and control device 140 illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected by means of at least one further cable 145 to an external temperature control device 152, which is arranged outside of an outer wall 160 (illustrated in a schematically limited manner), e.g., in an external environment of a spacecraft or a space station and, together with an inner temperature control device 154, is part of a cooling device 150. The external temperature control device 152 is preferably set up to record the temperature of the external environment; the temperature can be conducted via temperature lines 156 to the inner temperature control device 154 and from there via temperature lines 158 to the electromagnet 120, which can thus be cooled quickly and efficiently. The inner temperature control device 154 preferably comprises a measuring device for detecting the temperature of the electromagnet, and the temperature detected in each case is preferably transmitted to the control monitoring device 144, which according to an advantageous embodiment, regulates the cooling by means of the cooling device 150 using the thus-obtained data (e.g., after a comparison with control data from a data memory).

[0064] An example of a device 200 according to the invention, for generating a force acting on an object 5, is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the example shown, the object 5 is arranged inside a testing chamber 130, which, analogously to the example shown in FIG. 1, can be connected to object lines 40, 40′. In the case of use in space, the force to be generated using the device can, for example, simulate a gravity acting on the object, in the case of use on the Earth, the force can counteract gravity and thus a floating of the object 5 can be realized; in this case, the device is preferably to be aligned in such a manner that the central axis A of the shown coaxial coils 220, 230, 240 (which are elements of a magnetic device which can be moved relative to one another) runs vertically.

[0065] The coils 220, 230, 240 are preferably to be connected or are already connected to at least one energy source, the supply voltage of which can advantageously be set; preferred is an embodiment, in which the respective supply voltage for the individual coils 220, 230, 240 can be set individually.

[0066] A current flow can preferably be set in the coil 240 by means of the supply voltage to be applied, which runs counter to a current flow in the coils 220 and 230. In the cylindrical coils 220 and 230 (of which the coil 230 has a smaller axial extent than the coil 220, around which the coil 230 runs) a first external magnetic field can therefore preferably be generated, counter to which a second magnetic field, which can be generated using the coil 240 which is arranged offset to the coils 220, 230 in the axial direction and is likewise cylindrically constructed, is directed. The external magnetic field resulting from overlaying the first and second magnetic fields induces a magnetic moment in the object 5. The force mentioned, which acts on the object, results from this magnetic moment.

[0067] As indicated in FIG. 2 by double arrows, the coil 240 is, in this case, preferably movable relative to the coils 220, 230 in the axial direction; alternatively or additionally, the coils 220, 230 arranged around one another can also be movable relative to one another.

[0068] Thus, the overlaying of the magnetic fields can be manipulated and for the resultant external magnetic field in particular, the course (and the derivative) of the function B(z) can be changed in direction z along the central axis A; in this case B(z) is in each case the value of the magnetic flux density of the external magnetic field resulting from the overlaying of the individual magnetic fields.

[0069] As described above, the force acting on the object 5 and a suitable stability range (in which the object 5 can preferably float in the case of a use on the Earth) can thus be set. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, an axial spacing up to a diameter of the inner coil 220 or further can be set between the coils 220 and 240.

[0070] The movement of the coils relative to one another may be possible in a manual and/or automated manner; in particular, the device can comprise a moving device (e.g., an electric motor) (not shown).

[0071] A further embodiment of a device 300 according to the invention, for generating a force acting on an object 5, is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. In the example shown, the object 5 is, in turn, arranged inside a testing chamber 130, which, analogously to the example shown in FIG. 1, can be connected to object lines 40, 40′.

[0072] The device 300 comprises a magnetic device, which comprises two permanent magnets 310, 310′ with mutually facing faces. Two graphite plates 320, 320′ are arranged between the mutually facing faces, which likewise have mutually facing surfaces; the testing chamber 130 is between these surfaces. The graphite plates are in this case used for a targeted influencing of the magnetic field (which surrounds the object 5 and is therefore “external”).

[0073] The mutually facing surfaces of the permanent magnets 310, 310′ and the graphite plates 320, 320′ lie on parallel planes and are movable relative to one another by means of rails 315, 315′. Thus, the spacing between the permanent magnets 310 and 310′, the spacing between the graphite plates 320, 320′ and the spacings between the permanent magnets and graphite plates can be changed; in the terminology used in this publication, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the permanent magnets and the graphite plates are therefore the elements which can be moved relative to one another. Thus, the magnetic field and therefore the product B(z)B′(z) can be optimized for the respective object (using its inherent properties). The movement of the elements relative to one another may be possible in a manual and/or automated manner; in particular, the device can comprise a moving device (e.g., an electric motor) (not shown).

[0074] In alternative embodiments, a device according to the invention only has exactly one permanent magnet and/or exactly one graphite plate as elements which can be moved relative to one another.

[0075] In the case of a use on the Earth, the permanent magnet(s) and the graphite plate(s) are, in each case, preferably arranged above one another in the vertical direction (as illustrated).

[0076] A method according to the invention is used for simulating a gravity acting on an object 5 in space. The method comprises generating an external magnetic field in an environment of the object. Thus, a magnetic moment is induced in the object.

[0077] A device (200, 300) according to the invention is used for generating a force acting on an object 5. The device comprises a magnetic device for generating an external magnetic field in an environment of the object and therefore for inducing a magnetic moment in the object. The magnetic device has at least two elements 220, 230, 240, 310, 310′, 320, 320′, which can be moved relative to one another for setting the external magnetic field.

[0078] FIGS. 4a and 4b show simplified views of two embodiment of one device 400a or 400b according to the invention in each case: Each of these devices comprises two coils of electromagnets arranged coaxially in one another, which run around a respective testing chamber: In the device 400a shown in FIG. 4a, these coils 220a, 230a running around the testing chamber 130a are constructed, like an outer wall of the testing chamber 130a also, substantially along the enveloping surface of a respective circular cylinder, whereas the corresponding coils 220b, 230b and the outer wall of the testing chamber 130b in the exemplary embodiment 400b shown in FIG. 4b are substantially formed along the enveloping surface of a respective circular cone. The respective common central axis (axis of rotational symmetry) is not drawn in FIGS. 4a, 4b. The respectively internally arranged coil 220a or 220b has a larger axial extent (with respect to this central axis) than the respectively outer coil 230a or 230b.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, one further coil 240′, 240″ in each case on each side is arranged offset in the axial direction (again with respect to the central axis), the spacing of which coils from one another can be adjusted with the aid of rails 215. One permanent magnet 330′, 330″ in each case is arranged on the outwardly facing side, in the axial direction, of each of the coils 240′, 240″. The permanent magnets 330′, 330″ are preferably likewise movable relative to one another in the axial direction (not illustrated), the spacing thereof from one another (and therefore the space delimited thereby, which comprises the coils and the testing chamber) can therefore be set.

[0080] The coils 220a, 230a, 240′ and 240″ (or 220b, 230b, 240′, 240″) are preferably to be connected or are already connected to at least one energy source (not illustrated), the supply voltage of which can advantageously be set; advantageous is an embodiment, in which the respective supply voltage for the individual coils can be set individually.

[0081] A current flow can preferably be set in each case in the coils 240′, 240″ by means of the supply voltage to be applied, which runs counter to a current flow in the coils 220a and 230a (or 220b, 230b).

[0082] The (external) magnetic field resulting from overlaying the magnetic fields of the coils 220a, 230a, 240′ and 240″ (or 220b, 230b, 240′, 240″) and the permanent magnets induces a magnetic moment in the object 5. The force mentioned, which acts on the object 5, results from this magnetic moment. By means of a setting of the various spacings and/or supply voltage(s), the force can preferably be set up in a suitable fitting manner for the object (for example for the material thereof, the shape thereof and/or the dimensions thereof). In the case of use on the Earth, the object 5 can for example be caused to float in this manner, in the case of use in space, a gravity (of settable strength) acting on the object 5 can be simulated by means of the generation of the force.

[0083] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0084] 5 Object

[0085] 10 Test line

[0086] 20, 20′ Testing station

[0087] 40, 40′ Object line

[0088] 100 Device for simulating gravity

[0089] 110 Magnetic device

[0090] 115 Shielding

[0091] 120 Coil

[0092] 125 Cable

[0093] 130, 130a, 130b Testing chamber

[0094] 140 Supply and control device

[0095] 142 Energy source

[0096] 144 Control monitoring device

[0097] 145 Cable

[0098] 150 Cooling device

[0099] 152 Inner temperature control device

[0100] 154 Outer temperature control device

[0101] 156, 158 Temperature lines

[0102] 160 Outer wall

[0103] 200, 300, 400a, 400b Device for generating a force acting on an object

[0104] 215 Rails

[0105] 220, 220a, 220b, 230,

[0106] 230a, 230b, 240, 240′, 240″ Coils

[0107] 310, 310′ Permanent magnet

[0108] 315, 315′ Rails

[0109] 320, 320′ Graphite plate

[0110] 330′, 330″ Permanent magnet

[0111] A Central axis