Pressure control device and method for soft airship in buoyancy gas insufficiency state

Abstract

The invention provides a pressure control device and method for a soft airship in a buoyancy gas insufficiency state. The device comprises an air bag pressure sensor, an auxiliary air bag pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, an auxiliary air bag tearing width, a tearing width motor, a mounting base, a laser range finder and an air blower. Wherein the air bag pressure sensor and the pressure control computer are arranged on the main air bag, and the auxiliary air bag pressure sensor, the auxiliary air bag tearing width, the tearing width motor, the mounting seat, the laser range finder and the air blower are all arranged on the auxiliary air bag; according to the method provided by the invention, an airship operator can timely know the opportunity of insufficient buoyancy lift gas of the airship, and the communication of the main airbag and the auxiliary airbag is realized by utilizing a set of mechanism when the condition occurs, so that the airbag space can be further filled with air filled into the auxiliary airbag; and it is ensured that the appearance and rigidity of the soft airship can still be maintained when floating gas is insufficient.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of aerostats, and particularly relates to a pressure control device and method for a soft aerostat in a lifting gas deficiency state. BACKGROUND

[0002] A soft aerostat generally comprises a gas bag and a sub-gas bag, wherein the gas bag is filled with lifting gas to provide lift; the sub-gas bag is wrapped in the gas bag and adjusts the pressure of the gas bag by repeatedly inhaling and discharging air. When the sub-gas bag is inflated to a saturated state, if the volume of the lifting gas in the gas bag continues to shrink, the pressure of the gas bag cannot be maintained, and this state is a lifting gas deficiency.

[0003] The soft aerostat will be in a lifting gas deficiency in the following situations: first, the aerostat has a local damage or a safety valve leakage in the air, resulting in continuous discharge of the lifting gas; second, the aerostat flies for a long time above the pressure height (the height at which the sub-gas bag is completely discharged), resulting in excessive discharge of the lifting gas; and third, when the temperature of the landing site is greatly different from that of the take-off site, the volume of the lifting gas shrinks excessively due to temperature drop.

[0004] When the soft aerostat is in a lifting gas deficiency state in the air, it cannot continue to descend. Because the sub-gas bag is saturated at this time and cannot continue to expand to fill the shrinking space of the gas bag. The aerostat cannot maintain the shape due to the lack of pressure, and the equipment, racks and other components installed on the aerostat skin will lose the rigid support of the skin and tear the bag under the action of external forces such as wind and lock pulling, resulting in the aerostat releasing pressure and crashing, causing serious economic loss and safety accidents.

[0005] At present, the problem cannot be completely avoided in the design of the soft aerostat, and only the flight working condition above the pressure height is strictly limited in the use mode. At the same time, in the emergency operation program of the manned aerostat, it is clear that when the lifting gas deficiency occurs in the air, a high-altitude flat site can be found for emergency landing; in the emergency operation program of the unmanned aerostat, it is clear that when the lifting gas deficiency occurs in the air, the aerostat continues to hover to wait for the weather to improve, or slowly forces the aerostat to land on the ground under the condition that the wind field condition allows. The above methods all have certain safety risks, and at the same time, increase the operation difficulty and reduce the service rate of the aerostat. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the application is that the method enables the aerostat operator to know the time when the aerostat has a lifting gas deficiency, and when the condition occurs, a set of mechanisms are used to realize the communication between the main gas bag and the sub-gas bag, so that the air filled in the sub-gas bag can be further filled into the gas bag space, ensuring that the soft aerostat can maintain the shape and rigidity of the aerostat when the lifting gas is deficient.

[0007] In a first aspect, the application provides a pressure control device for a soft airship in a lifting gas deficiency state, the soft airship comprising a main gasbag and a sub gasbag, the device comprising a gasbag pressure sensor, a sub gasbag pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, a sub gasbag tear width, a tear width motor, a mounting seat, a laser range finder and a blower. The gasbag pressure sensor and the pressure control computer are arranged on the main gasbag, and the sub gasbag pressure sensor, the sub gasbag tear width, the tear width motor, the mounting seat, the laser range finder and the blower are arranged on the sub gasbag.

[0008] Preferably, the tear width is glued to the inner bag of the sub gasbag. The tear width motor is fixed to the bottom of the sub gasbag through the mounting seat. The laser range finder is mounted on the bottom of the sub gasbag corresponding to the highest point of the sub gasbag in a saturated state. The blower is mounted in an embedded manner on the bottom of the sub gasbag.

[0009] Preferably, the gasbag pressure sensor is used to measure the pressure of the gasbag of the airship. The sub gasbag pressure sensor is used to measure the pressure of the sub gasbag of the airship. The pressure control computer is used to analyze the data collected by the gasbag pressure sensor, the sub gasbag pressure sensor and the laser range finder, and to control and monitor the working state of the tear width motor and the blower.

[0010] Preferably, the tear width covers the air vent on the sub gasbag in a normal state, and realizes the communication between the main gasbag and the sub gasbag in a torn state. The output shaft of the tear width motor is integrated with a winch assembly for winding a high-strength silk cord or steel wire connected to the tear width.

[0011] Preferably, the laser range finder is used to measure the actual height of the sub gasbag. The blower is used to supplement air to the sub gasbag.

[0012] In a second aspect, the application also provides a pressure control method for a soft airship in a lifting gas deficiency state, the method comprising: When the lifting gas is insufficient, a tear width motor working instruction is sent, the motor is powered on to work, the winch is driven to rotate, and the winch drives the silk cord or steel wire to pull the tear width off the sub gasbag; After the tear width is peeled off, the air vent inside is exposed, so that the air in the sub gasbag can enter the space in the main gasbag; The pressure control computer takes the collected pressures of the main gasbag and the sub gasbag as inputs, controls the blower to continuously charge air into the airship according to the pressure control logic, so as to realize the functions of pressure regulation and gasbag shape maintenance.

[0013] Preferably, before the step of sending a command to the tear-width motor to activate it when the lift gas is confirmed to be insufficient, the step of driving the winch to rotate and the winch to pull the tear-width off the auxiliary airbag by pulling the nylon rope or steel wire rope is further included: When the airship is flying in the air, the laser rangefinder measures the altitude of the auxiliary airbags in real time and sends the measurement results to the pressure control computer for analysis and judgment. When the pressure control computer detects that the airship has not yet landed on the ground and the auxiliary gasbags are saturated, it sends a "low lift gas" alarm to the airship operator.

[0014] Preferably, after the pressure control computer detects that the airship has not yet landed on the ground and the auxiliary gasbags are saturated, and sends a "low lift gas" alarm to the airship operator, the method further includes: The authenticity of the alarm is further confirmed by whether the pressure difference between the main airbag and the auxiliary airbag exceeds the saturation threshold.

[0015] This application has the following technical effects: This invention proposes a pressure control device and method for a soft airship in the event of insufficient buoyancy gas. The design ensures that the soft airship can land safely and controllably on the ground when buoyancy gas is insufficient, avoiding unsafe events such as airship tearing and crashing, and personnel injury. This effectively improves the airship's availability, flight fault tolerance, and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure control device for a soft airship in a state of insufficient buoyancy gas, provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation Please see Figure 1 This invention relates to a pressure control method for a soft airship in a state of insufficient buoyancy gas, and mainly includes components such as a laser rangefinder, a pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, a blower, a secondary airbag tear flap, and a tear flap motor.

[0017] The control principle is as follows: A laser rangefinder and pressure sensors are used to comprehensively measure the saturation state of the auxiliary gasbags. The height difference between the top and bottom of the auxiliary gasbag, measured by the laser rangefinder, can be linearly converted into the gasbag saturation level. When gasbag saturation is detected in the airship, it is considered that the lift gas is insufficient. At this time, the airship operator can control the tear-wing electric mechanism to open the tear-wing of the auxiliary gasbag, connecting it to the main gasbag. Simultaneously, the pressure control computer controls the blower according to the preset gasbag pressure control logic, thereby regulating the airship's pressure. This ensures that the flexible airship can maintain its shape and rigidity even when the lift gas is insufficient.

[0018] The laser range finder is used for measuring the height of the auxiliary gas bag of the airship, and the fullness of the auxiliary gas bag can be measured and converted according to the corresponding relationship between the height and the volume.

[0019] The pressure sensor is used for measuring the pressure of the gas bag and the auxiliary gas bag, assisting in judging the authenticity of the auxiliary gas bag reaching the saturation state, and providing input for the pressure control law of the airship.

[0020] The pressure control computer is used for sensor analysis, control law calculation and transmission of the control instructions of the airship operator.

[0021] The air blower is used for inflating and pressurizing the airship.

[0022] The auxiliary gas bag tear strip is a flexible cover pasted on the auxiliary gas bag, which is torn to expose the opening on the auxiliary gas bag, so that the auxiliary gas bag is communicated with the gas bag.

[0023] The tear strip motor is a rotary motor with a winch, and the rope on the winch is connected with the tear strip, so that the tear strip can be peeled off when the motor rotates.

[0024] In the embodiment of the application, a pressure control method for the insufficient state of the lifting gas of a soft airship is provided, which includes a laser range finder, a pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, an air blower, an auxiliary gas bag tear strip and a tear strip motor.

[0025] The principle of the pressure control method for the insufficient state of the lifting gas of the soft airship is that when the airship is detected to have insufficient lifting gas in the air, the airship operator can control the tear strip motor to pull open the auxiliary gas bag tear strip, so that the auxiliary gas bag is communicated with the main gas bag. Then, the air blower is used for inflating to realize the pressure regulation function of the airship.

[0026] The communication device of the auxiliary gas bag and the gas bag of the soft airship is realized through the auxiliary gas bag tear strip. The tear strip is an independent cover pasted or bonded on the auxiliary gas bag. The auxiliary gas bag tear strip can be peeled off from the auxiliary gas bag by mechanical or electric control.

[0027] The measurement method of the fullness of the auxiliary gas bag is that the height of the auxiliary gas bag of the airship is measured by the laser range finder, and the fullness of the auxiliary gas bag is measured and converted according to the corresponding relationship between the height and the volume.

[0028] The application provides a pressure control method for the insufficient state of the lifting gas of a soft airship. The design ensures that the soft airship can be safely and controllably landed on the ground when the lifting gas is insufficient, avoids the occurrence of unsafe events such as the tearing and crashing of the gas bag and the injury of the personnel, and can effectively improve the attendance rate, the flight fault tolerance rate and the safety of the airship. In other embodiments of the application, a pressure control method for the insufficient state of the lifting gas of a soft airship is provided, which is referred to Figure 1The hardware components include an air bag pressure sensor, a secondary air bag pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, a secondary air bag tearing width, a tearing width motor, a motor mounting seat, a laser range finder and a blower. The air bag pressure sensor is used to measure the air bag pressure of the airship. The secondary air bag pressure sensor is used to measure the secondary air bag pressure of the airship. The pressure control computer is used to analyze the data collected by the pressure sensor and the laser range finder, and to control and monitor the working state of the tearing width motor and the blower. The tearing width is glued to the inner bag of the secondary air bag, and normally covers the air vent on the secondary air bag. When torn, the main and secondary air bags are connected. The tearing width motor is fixed on the bottom of the secondary air bag through the mounting seat, and the winch assembly is integrated on the output shaft of the motor for winding the high-strength silk cord or steel wire connected with the tearing width. The laser range finder is installed at the bottom of the secondary air bag corresponding to the highest point of the saturated state of the secondary air bag, and is used to measure the actual height of the secondary air bag. The blower is embedded in the bottom of the secondary air bag, and is used to supplement air to the secondary air bag.

[0029] In other embodiments of the application, a pressure control method for a soft airship in a lift gas deficiency state is provided: When the airship is flying in the air, the laser range finder measures the height of the secondary air bag in real time, and sends the measurement result to the pressure control computer for analysis and judgment. When the pressure control computer detects that the airship has not landed on the ground and the secondary air bag has been saturated, it sends an "lift gas deficiency" alarm to the airship operator. The operator further confirms the authenticity of the alarm based on whether the pressure difference between the air bag and the secondary air bag exceeds the saturation threshold. When the lift gas deficiency is confirmed, the operator sends a tearing width motor working instruction, the motor is powered on and works, drives the winch to rotate, and the winch drives the silk cord or steel wire to pull the tearing width off the secondary air bag. After the tearing width is peeled off, the air vent inside is exposed, so that the air in the secondary air bag can enter the air bag space. At the same time, the pressure control computer takes the air bag and secondary air bag pressures as input, and controls the blower to continuously fill air into the airship according to the pressure control logic, so as to realize the functions of pressure regulation and air bag shape maintenance.

Claims

1. A pressure control device for a soft airship in a state of insufficient buoyancy gas, characterized in that, The soft airship includes a main airbag and a secondary airbag, and the device includes an airbag pressure sensor, a secondary airbag pressure sensor, a pressure control computer, a secondary airbag tear width, a tear width motor, a mounting base, a laser rangefinder, and a blower. The airbag pressure sensor and the pressure control computer are mounted on the main airbag, while the auxiliary airbag pressure sensor, the auxiliary airbag tear width, the tear width motor, the mounting base, the laser rangefinder, and the blower are all mounted on the auxiliary airbag.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tear is bonded to the inner bladder of the auxiliary airbag; The tear width motor is fixed to the bottom of the auxiliary airbag by a mounting bracket; The laser rangefinder is installed at the bottom of the sub-airbag, corresponding to the highest point of the sub-airbag's saturation state. The blower is embedded in the bottom of the auxiliary airbag.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The airbag pressure sensor is used to measure the airbag pressure of the airship; The auxiliary airbag pressure sensor is used to measure the pressure of the airship's auxiliary airbags; The pressure control computer is used to analyze the data collected by the airbag pressure sensor, the auxiliary airbag pressure sensor, and the laser rangefinder, as well as to control and monitor the working status of the tear-width motor and the blower.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tear width normally covers the air vent on the auxiliary airbag, and when torn open, it enables communication between the main and auxiliary airbags. The output shaft of the tearing width motor integrates a winch assembly for winding up the high-strength nylon rope or steel wire rope connecting the tearing width.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The laser rangefinder is used to measure the actual height of the auxiliary airbag; The blower is used to supply air to the auxiliary airbag.

6. A pressure control method for a soft airship in a state of insufficient buoyancy gas, characterized in that, The method includes: When it is confirmed that the lifting gas is insufficient, a working command for the tearing width motor is sent. The motor is powered on and drives the winch to rotate. The winch drives the nylon rope or steel wire rope to pull the tearing width off from the auxiliary air bag. After the tear is removed, the internal vent is exposed, allowing air from the auxiliary airbag to enter the space inside the main airbag. The pressure control computer takes the collected pressure of the main airbag and auxiliary airbag as input, and controls the blower to continuously fill the airship with air according to the pressure control logic, so as to realize the functions of pressure regulation and airbag shape maintenance.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When it is confirmed that the lift gas is insufficient, a command is sent to the tearing web motor to operate. The motor is powered on and drives the winch to rotate. Before the winch pulls the tearing web off the auxiliary airbag along with the nylon rope or steel wire rope, the process also includes: When the airship is flying in the air, the laser rangefinder measures the altitude of the auxiliary airbags in real time and sends the measurement results to the pressure control computer for analysis and judgment. When the pressure control computer detects that the airship has not yet landed on the ground and the auxiliary gasbags are saturated, it sends a "low lift gas" alarm to the airship operator.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, After the pressure control computer detects that the airship has not yet landed and the auxiliary gasbags are saturated, and sends a "low lift gas" alarm to the airship operator, it also includes: The authenticity of the alarm is further confirmed by whether the pressure difference between the main airbag and the auxiliary airbag exceeds the saturation threshold.

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