The main torch of the Beijing Winter Olympics: the perfect combination of aerospace technology and art

The research and development and support tasks of the main torch of the Beijing Winter Olympics fell on the shoulders of the Beijing 11 Institutes of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. As the earliest unit engaged in the development of liquid rocket engines in the mainland, they have been on the road of applying aerospace technology to the civilian industry for nearly 40 years, and the industrial torch is a typical application of aerospace combustion technology in the chemical field. The word "torch" was a "high-frequency word" more than 40 years ago in the mouths of 11 technicians in Beijing.

"From rockets to torches, for Beijing 11, the technical fit is very high." Liu Yue, technical leader of the special engineering torch project of the Aerospace Winter Olympics, introduced that the main torch uses green and environmentally friendly hydrogen energy as fuel, and the Long March 5 carrier rocket, which undertakes major tasks such as the continental space station, lunar exploration, and fire exploration, uses a hydrogen-oxygen engine, and the related technology is in a leading position in the world. Liu Yue led the technical team to skillfully apply rocket engine related technology to the development task of the main torch, "We are too familiar with hydrogen. ”

Lighting the main torch was the most exciting part of the opening ceremony. The 260-ton steel structure lifts and lowers rapidly, relying on the fine control of the aerospace software system, lifts the main torch from 10 meters underground to the center of the stage in 69 seconds. The torchbearer inserts the torch into the center of the "snowflake", the main torch "flies" high in the air with the cooperation of the via and the ground device, and the Flame of the Olympic Flame is reflected in 96 crystal clear snowflakes and 6 flowing olive branches.

It's a new way to light the Olympic flame, but the challenge for technicians is how to provide enough fuel for the main torch that hangs in mid-air and is constantly rotating. The technicians designed a set of attitude adjustment actuators on the WIA hanging the main torch, and cooperated with the ground device to realize the flipping and lifting of the main torch. Hydrogen storage and decompression device is hidden in it, and the decompressed hydrogen is continuously transported to the torch center through the hose, and the aerospace hydrogen-oxygen engine combustion technology is applied to ensure that it does not turn off, does not temper, and does not de-ignite. In order to allow the main torch to burn efficiently and stably when rotating at 360 degrees, the supporting hydrogen hose, cable, and control cable can be rolled up, so that hydrogen, electricity, and control signals can be continuously, stably, and reliably supplied and transmitted.

Liu Yue said that the successful development of the main torch hydrogen supply and combustion system fully reflects the technical accumulation and development capabilities of China's aerospace in the field of hydrogen energy utilization.

The flame burning effect is equally important. Liu Yue explained that compared with traditional propane fuel, hydrogen combustion is faster, the flame in the air is light blue, if not treated, it is bound to affect the main torch effect. Combined with the director's team's creativity, the team designed a hydrogen combustion flame stabilization structure, and solidified the flame color developer on it, so that the burning hydrogen showed a warm, beating visual effect.

"The main torch determines the success or failure of the opening and closing ceremonies." Li Xiaofeng, secretary of the Party Committee of the 11 Institutes in Beijing, said frankly that the biggest pressure on the torch support team comes from the need to ensure the high reliability of the entire system and cannot be lost. Decades of product development experience and the practice of many projects have sharpened, so that the team in the development process of the main torch can not be afraid of difficulties, quickly develop solutions, and carry out effective verification tests, the director team's creativity step by step into reality, "I believe that before this, no one can think that the main torch of the Winter Olympics will be such a peculiar form, this time, is the perfect combination of technology and art." ”