Irregular rigid capsule and aircraft based on air column networking

Abstract

The application provides a special-shaped rigid capsule based on gas column networking and an aircraft, and relates to the technical field of flight equipment. The special-shaped rigid capsule based on gas column networking comprises an outer capsule skin, a gas column networking unit and a differential pressure regulation system. The gas column networking unit is composed of a plurality of columnar air bags arranged along a preset special-shaped contour and connected with each other, serving as the main load-bearing structure of the capsule and used for supporting and shaping the outer capsule skin to form a rigid special-shaped structure without an independent rigid framework. The differential pressure regulation system is connected with the gas column networking unit and used for adjusting the pressure difference between the inside of the columnar air bags and the external environment to change the structural rigidity of the special-shaped rigid capsule. The application solves the defects in the prior art that the aircraft cannot simultaneously consider light weight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity and easy maintenance, and realizes a special-shaped structure solution that can simultaneously consider light weight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity and easy maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of flight equipment technology, and in particular to a non-standard rigid capsule and aircraft based on air column networking. Background Technology

[0002] Functional components of an aircraft, such as ring wings, tail fins, and fairing blades, need to have specific irregular profiles and controllable stiffness in order to maintain flight attitude stability and optimize aerodynamic performance.

[0003] In related technologies, irregularly shaped functional components of aircraft are usually formed by combining rigid frames with flexible skins, or by splicing irregularly shaped curved skins with internal tension structures.

[0004] However, there has long been a lack of a non-standard structural solution that can simultaneously achieve lightweight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity, and easy maintenance. This has resulted in the aircraft being unable to adjust the rigidity of its components according to real-time changes in operating conditions during flight, affecting its environmental adaptability and mission performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a non-standard rigid capsule and aircraft based on air column networking, which solves the defects of existing aircraft that cannot simultaneously achieve lightweight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity and easy maintenance, and realizes a non-standard structure solution that can simultaneously achieve lightweight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity and easy maintenance.

[0006] This application provides a rigid, irregularly shaped capsule based on an air column network, comprising an outer capsule skin, an air column network unit, and a pressure differential control system. The air column network unit is composed of multiple columnar air bladders arranged and interconnected along a preset irregular contour. The air column network unit serves as the main load-bearing structure of the capsule, supporting and shaping the outer capsule skin to form a rigid, irregularly shaped structure without an independent rigid skeleton. The pressure differential control system is connected to the air column network unit and is used to adjust the pressure difference between the inside of the columnar air bladders and the external environment to change the structural stiffness of the rigid, irregularly shaped capsule.

[0007] According to the embodiments of this application, the differential pressure range of the columnar airbag is 0.1MPa-0.6MPa.

[0008] According to the embodiment of this application, a non-standard rigid bladder based on an air column network is provided, wherein flexible partitions are provided between the plurality of columnar air bladders, and the columnar air bladders and the outer bladder skin, as well as the columnar air bladders and the flexible partitions, are connected by a quick-release structure.

[0009] According to the embodiments of this application, the irregular rigid bladder based on air column networking includes at least one of Velcro, buckle, magnetic attachment and cord buckle.

[0010] According to the embodiments of this application, the irregular rigid bladder based on air column networking is provided, wherein the outer bladder skin and the flexible partition are both made of non-airtight materials so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the columnar air bladder is maintained by its own airtightness.

[0011] According to the embodiments of this application, the irregular rigid capsule based on air column networking includes at least the annular wing, wings, tail wing, and flexible frame of the aircraft.

[0012] According to the embodiment of this application, the differential pressure control system of the irregular rigid bladder based on air column networking includes a bidirectional air pump, an airflow pipeline and a control valve. One end of the airflow pipeline is connected to the bidirectional air pump, and the other end is provided with a branch pipe. The branch pipe is connected to the columnar air bladder in a one-to-one correspondence. The control valve is provided in the branch pipe in a one-to-one correspondence and is used to control the connection and disconnection between the airflow inside the columnar air bladder and the external environment.

[0013] According to the embodiment of this application, the differential pressure control system further includes a differential pressure sensor and a control unit. The differential pressure sensor is disposed inside the columnar airbag and is used to detect the pressure difference between the inside of the columnar airbag and the external environment. The control unit is connected to the differential pressure sensor, the bidirectional air pump and the control valve. The control unit is used to adjust the working state of the bidirectional air pump and / or the control valve according to the pressure difference value detected by the differential pressure sensor.

[0014] This application also provides an aircraft, including the irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] According to the embodiments of this application, the aircraft further includes a detection system, which is signal-connected to the differential pressure control system; the differential pressure control system is used to control the pressure inside the columnar airbag according to the detection information of the detection system; the detection information includes at least one of the aircraft's flight speed, flight altitude, angle of attack, and overload.

[0016] This application provides a non-standard rigid capsule and aircraft based on a gas column network. The supporting frame is constructed by directly networking multiple cylindrical gas cells, each filled with high-pressure gas, replacing the traditional metal or composite material rigid frame. This method eliminates the complex processes of mold manufacturing, processing, and assembly required for rigid frames, significantly simplifying the molding process and enabling lightweight production. By changing the internal pressure difference of the cylindrical gas cells, the structural stiffness of the entire capsule can be continuously adjusted to adapt to different flight conditions. The overall weight of this application is only 20%-30% of that of an aluminum alloy frame + skin structure with the same stiffness, and 30%-40% of that of a carbon fiber frame + skin structure with the same stiffness. This can increase the payload capacity of the aircraft by 20%-40%, while reducing overall energy consumption and extending the aircraft's endurance by more than 25%. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0018] Figure 1 A cross-sectional structural diagram of an irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on an air column network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ring wing provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a front view of an irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on an air column network, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0022] 100: External capsule skin;

[0023] 200: Columnar air bladder;

[0024] 300: Differential pressure control system; 310: Two-way air pump; 320: Airflow pipeline; 330: Control valve; 340: Differential pressure sensor; 350: Control unit;

[0025] 400: Flexible partition. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0027] As described in the background section, in related technologies, irregularly shaped functional components of aircraft are typically formed by combining a rigid frame with a flexible skin, or by splicing irregularly shaped curved skin with an internal tension structure. However, there has long been a lack of an irregularly shaped structural solution that can simultaneously achieve lightweight, high rigidity, adjustable rigidity, and easy maintenance. This results in the aircraft being unable to adjust the rigidity of its components according to real-time changes in operating conditions during flight, affecting its environmental adaptability and mission performance.

[0028] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 This application provides a rigid, irregularly shaped capsule based on an air column network, comprising an outer capsule skin 100, an air column network unit, and a pressure differential control system 300. The air column network unit is composed of multiple columnar air bladders 200 arranged and interconnected along a preset irregular contour. The air column network unit serves as the main load-bearing structure of the capsule, supporting and shaping the outer capsule skin 100 to form a rigid, irregularly shaped structure without an independent rigid skeleton. The pressure differential control system 300 is connected to the air column network unit and is used to adjust the pressure difference between the interior of the columnar air bladders 200 and the external environment to change the structural stiffness of the irregularly shaped rigid capsule.

[0030] Specifically, the outer skin 100 possesses high strength and weather resistance, used to form and maintain the irregular contour shape. The columnar airbag 200 is a long, narrow airbag with a circular or near-circular cross-section made of high-strength fiber composite material, capable of being filled with dry, high-pressure air to generate a pressure difference. Multiple columnar airbags 200 are arranged according to a specific spatial path and form an integrated mesh support structure, i.e., an air column network unit, through direct contact or indirect connection. The pressure difference control system 300 is a complete device used to precisely control the pressure difference between the internal and external environments by inflating or deflating gas into the columnar airbags 200.

[0031] Furthermore, the outer bladder skin 100 can be cut and sewn into shape according to the target irregular contour, with pre-reserved connecting structures on its inner surface. The air column networking unit, as the core framework, directly determines the final shape of the outer bladder skin 100. For example, to form a ring-shaped bladder with a diameter of 10 meters, the columnar airbags 200 can be arranged along a path of multiple concentric rings. The two ends or circumferential direction of the columnar airbags 200 are fixed to the inner side of the outer bladder skin 100 or adjacent structures via connectors. The differential pressure control system 300 can be integrated into the aircraft platform, connected to each columnar airbag 200 via pipelines, and can adjust the pressure according to commands.

[0032] During the design process, the arrangement of the air column network units is first determined based on the design outline of the irregular component. Multiple manufactured columnar airbags 200 are assembled and interconnected along a predetermined path to form a mesh skeleton. Subsequently, the outer skin 100 is wrapped around and fixed to this skeleton. High-pressure gas, such as dry air at 0.4 MPa, is injected into each columnar airbag 200 through the differential pressure control system 300. Under the internal pressure, the columnar airbags 200 expand and become rigid, thereby expanding and shaping the flexible outer skin 100 into a pre-defined irregular rigid structure.

[0033] This embodiment uses multiple cylindrical airbags 200, each internally inflatable with high-pressure gas, directly networked to form a support frame, replacing the traditional rigid metal or composite material frame. This method eliminates the complex processes of mold manufacturing, processing, and assembly required for rigid frames, significantly simplifying the molding process and enabling lightweight production. By changing the internal pressure difference of the cylindrical airbags 200, the structural stiffness of the entire airbag can be continuously adjusted to adapt to different flight conditions. Simultaneously, the modular airbag unit design provides a basis for rapid maintenance and replacement, solving the problems of fixed structural stiffness and difficult maintenance associated with traditional structures, and achieving a lightweight, high-stiffness, adjustable-stiffness, and easily maintainable solution for irregularly shaped structures.

[0034] The air column networking unit has a modular structure. When a single columnar airbag 200 ruptures, the differential pressure control system 300 can quickly cut off the air path of the faulty columnar airbag 200 and activate the pressure compensation of the remaining columnar airbags 200, so that the airbag body still maintains more than 80% of its rigidity, reserving a window period of ≥4 hours for emergency response. Moreover, the faulty columnar airbag 200 can be replaced individually or repaired by patching through the quick-release structure, with on-site repair time ≤1 hour. Compared with the traditional rigid frame overall replacement mode, the maintenance efficiency is improved by 4 times and the maintenance cost is reduced by 60%.

[0035] The overall weight of this embodiment is only 20%-30% of that of an aluminum alloy frame + skin structure with the same stiffness, and 30%-40% of that of a carbon fiber frame + skin structure with the same stiffness. This can increase the payload capacity of the aircraft by 20%-40%, while reducing the overall energy consumption and extending the flight time of the aircraft by more than 25%.

[0036] In other possible embodiments, the air column networking units can perform topology optimization for different irregularly shaped components. For the flexible skeleton of the aircraft, the columnar airbags 200 can be arranged in a straight line to simulate a truss structure and connect at the nodes; for the wings or tail, the columnar airbags 200 can be arranged parallel along the ribs or spars to precisely shape the airfoil surface.

[0037] In some embodiments of this application, the pressure difference of the columnar airbag 200 ranges from 0.1 MPa to 0.6 MPa.

[0038] Specifically, the pressure difference range of 0.1MPa-0.6MPa defines the allowable range of the difference between the internal gas pressure and the external ambient pressure when the cylindrical airbag 200 is working. For example, at a pressure difference of 0.1MPa, the airbag exhibits a certain degree of flexibility, suitable for low-load or deformation-requiring working conditions; at a pressure difference of 0.6MPa, the airbag exhibits support stiffness close to that of a rigid structure.

[0039] Furthermore, the skin of the cylindrical airbag 200 is made of a high-strength fiber composite material with a measured tensile strength of 800 N / cm, ensuring its safe operation under a pressure difference of 0.6 MPa. The pressure difference control system 300 is designed to be precisely adjustable within this range, for example, by achieving rapid inflation using a high-pressure air pump with a rated pressure of 0.8 MPa.

[0040] During use, the operator or automatic control system selects the target differential pressure value based on the aircraft's current flight stage or environmental conditions. The differential pressure control system 300 is activated, adjusting the internal differential pressure of each columnar gasbag 200 to the target value, for example, setting it to 0.2 MPa during cruise and increasing it to 0.5 MPa when dealing with strong winds.

[0041] This embodiment provides a clear stiffness adjustment spectrum for irregularly shaped rigid airbags by limiting the specific pressure difference operating range to 0.1MPa-0.6MPa. Within this range, the cylindrical airbag 200 can effectively produce mechanical property changes from flexible to rigid, allowing the airbag stiffness to match the actual load-bearing requirements of components such as the aircraft's ring wings and tail fins. This ensures the structure's load-bearing capacity under harsh conditions while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption and material stress, achieving an optimized balance between stiffness performance, safety, and economy.

[0042] In other possible embodiments, the preferred differential pressure operating range can be further narrowed or shifted depending on the size of the capsule and mission requirements. For large primary load-bearing rings, the conventional operating differential pressure range can be set to 0.2MPa-0.5MPa to optimize response speed while ensuring sufficient safety redundancy. For small auxiliary wing surfaces, the operating range can be set to 0.1MPa-0.4MPa, focusing on rapid adjustment and low power consumption. By adapting to different core operating differential pressure ranges, this technology can more precisely meet the differentiated performance requirements of various irregularly shaped components of aircraft.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 In some embodiments of this application, a flexible partition 400 is provided between multiple columnar airbags 200, and the columnar airbags 200 and the outer skin 100, as well as the columnar airbags 200 and the flexible partition 400, are connected by a quick-release structure.

[0044] Specifically, the flexible partition 400 is a flexible partition plate disposed between adjacent cylindrical airbags 200. Its function is to limit the displacement of the air column, isolate direct friction between the airbags, and assist in the transmission of force within the air column network unit. The quick-release structure is a mechanical device disposed at the connection interface that allows for quick connection and separation without tools.

[0045] Furthermore, the flexible partition 400 can be a sheet-like structure made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, with a shape adapted to the layout of the air column network unit, such as a ring or strip. The edge of the flexible partition 400 can have a connecting edge with a width of 5cm-8cm, which is firmly bonded to the inner surface of the outer capsule skin 100 by stitching. The main body area of ​​the flexible partition 400 can have multiple stress relief holes with a diameter of 10mm-40mm to disperse the stress generated during air column expansion. Quick-release structures are provided at the connection interfaces between the columnar airbag 200, the outer capsule skin 100, and the flexible partition 400, which are responsible for the fixation and release of the physical connection.

[0046] During assembly, the edge of the flexible partition 400 is first sewn to the predetermined position inside the outer capsule skin 100. Then, the cylindrical airbag 200 is placed into the corresponding cavity formed by the outer capsule skin 100 and the flexible partition 400, and the end or side of the airbag is quickly locked to the external structure (outer capsule skin 100 or flexible partition 400) using a quick-release mechanism. If a cylindrical airbag 200 malfunctions, its quick-release mechanism can be operated to disconnect the physical connection, allowing it to be removed from the airbag body for replacement or repair.

[0047] This embodiment, by incorporating flexible partitions 400, creates orderly partitions within the air column network unit, ensuring that each columnar airbag 200 has clear boundaries and support during inflation, thereby improving the accuracy and consistency of irregular contour forming. The modular installation and disassembly of the columnar airbags 200 are achieved through quick-release structures between components. When a single air column fails, it can be quickly isolated and replaced, significantly shortening maintenance time and improving the reliability and maintainability of the entire airbag system.

[0048] In other possible embodiments, the flexible partition 400 may employ a gradient material design depending on the stress conditions, with higher-strength fabric or an added coating in the edge connection areas to enhance tear resistance, while the central area remains flexible to facilitate deformation. The quick-release structure can be integrated with the pneumatic interface, allowing for automatic connection or disconnection of the pneumatic path upon mechanical locking. This embodiment further enhances the durability of the isolation structure and the ease of maintenance by optimizing the material distribution of the flexible partition 400 and integrating quick-release functionality.

[0049] In some embodiments of this application, the quick-release structure includes at least one of Velcro, snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and cord loops.

[0050] Specifically, Velcro is a fabric fastener that connects two fabric surfaces by bonding the hook side to the fleece side. Clips are mechanical fasteners that connect by the interlocking and releasing of protrusions and grooves. Magnetic fasteners are components that use magnetic attraction to achieve connection. Cord locks are structures that achieve binding and fixation by wrapping, tightening, and loosening cords.

[0051] Furthermore, taking Velcro as an example, the hook side can be sewn onto the inner surface of the outer bladder skin 100 or a preset position of the flexible partition 400, while the fleece side is sewn onto the corresponding position on the outer surface of the cylindrical airbag 200. During installation, align the cylindrical airbag 200, make the fleece side contact the hook side and press it tightly to achieve a firm bond. Taking the quick-connect straight connector for air circuit connection as an example, its male end can be installed on the end of the cylindrical airbag 200, and the female end can be installed on the air supply PU tube. The air circuit can be quickly connected and disconnected through the insertion and removal action, and it cooperates with the control valve 330.

[0052] During use, when using Velcro as the quick-release structure for physical connection, replacing the air column simply requires peeling the felt side off the corresponding hook side of the faulty air column. When installing a new air column, simply align it and press it in place. When using a quick-connect straight connector as the quick-release structure for air circuit connection, simply unplug the connector to disconnect the air circuit and plug it in to connect again; the operation is simple and quick.

[0053] This embodiment provides practical and diverse options for connecting the air column networking unit to other parts of the bladder by specifically listing various quick-release structures such as Velcro, clips, magnetic attachments, cord loops, and quick-connect air line connectors. These structures all enable rapid assembly and disassembly, effectively supporting the modular design concept of the air column unit, making on-site maintenance simple and efficient, and significantly reducing the technical threshold and time cost of maintenance.

[0054] In other possible embodiments, the quick-release structure can be a composite form, for example, using Velcro at the end of the air column for main body fixation and integrating a quick-connect air line connector. In this way, a simple plug-and-play action can simultaneously release the physical fixation and air line connection. This embodiment, by spatially integrating quick-release structures with different functions, further simplifies maintenance operations, improves replacement efficiency, and reduces errors or damage that may be introduced by multi-step operations.

[0055] In some embodiments of this application, the outer capsule skin 100 and the flexible partition 400 are both made of non-airtight materials so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the columnar airbag 200 is maintained by its own airtightness.

[0056] Specifically, the outer bladder skin 100 is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene modified composite material, sewn together with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene sewing thread. The flexible partition 400 also uses a breathable flexible fabric. This means that the space enclosed by the outer bladder skin 100 is not sealed, allowing the exterior of the columnar airbag 200 to be in direct contact with atmospheric pressure.

[0057] During use, when the cylindrical airbag 200 is filled with high-pressure gas, the internal pressure of the airbag is much higher than that of its external environment. Since the outer skin 100 and the flexible partition 400 are breathable, the external spatial pressure of the cylindrical airbag 200 is essentially the same as the ambient air pressure. Therefore, the pressure difference maintaining the rigidity of the irregularly shaped airbag is entirely guaranteed by the airtightness of each cylindrical airbag 200 itself, and the outer skin 100 does not require additional airtightness treatment.

[0058] This embodiment uses non-airtight materials to manufacture the outer bladder skin 100 and the flexible partition 400, thereby eliminating the complex process of making the entire irregularly shaped bladder airtight. This not only greatly simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces production costs and process difficulty, but also avoids the additional stress caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the sealed gas inside the bladder, enhancing the dimensional stability and safety of the structure under different ambient temperatures.

[0059] In other possible embodiments, the outer bladder skin 100 can be made of laminated composite material, wherein the substrate is a breathable, high-strength fabric, and the surface can be coated with a functional coating that is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, or scratch-resistant, as needed. These coatings can be microporous to maintain overall breathability. This embodiment, while retaining the core advantage of breathability, endows the outer bladder skin 100 with more environmental adaptability through material composite technology, extending its service life under complex weather conditions.

[0060] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the irregular profile includes at least the aircraft's ring wing, wings, tail wing, and flexible frame.

[0061] Specifically, irregular profiles refer to complex three-dimensional curved surface shapes designed to meet specific aerodynamic or structural functions. The ring wing of an aircraft is usually a closed annular lifting surface; the wing is the wing surface that generates the main lift; the tail includes the horizontal tail and the vertical tail, which are used to ensure flight stability and maneuverability; the flexible frame refers to the truss-like frame structure that forms the internal support of the main body or large components of the aircraft and can withstand a certain degree of bending deformation.

[0062] Furthermore, the arrangement of the air column network units must strictly adhere to the geometric characteristics of the target irregular profile. For the annular wing, the columnar airbag 200 can arrange multiple concentric air column rings of different diameters along the radial section of the annular shape. For the wing and tail, the columnar airbag 200 can be arranged as "wing spars" along the wingspan direction or as "wing ribs" along the chord direction, jointly outlining the curved surface of the airfoil. For the flexible frame, the columnar airbag 200 can replace the metal members of the traditional truss, arranged in straight lines or curves along the force path, and connected to each other at the nodes.

[0063] During use, designers first obtain the target component (such as...) Figure 3 The final three-dimensional model and stiffness requirements of the annular wing shown are determined. Based on this, the topology optimization design of the air column networking unit is carried out to determine the path, diameter, and connection points of each columnar airbag 200. The air columns are assembled according to this design and covered with the outer skin 100. After inflation, it can be directly molded into a component with the required shape and structural performance.

[0064] This embodiment explicitly points out that the irregularly shaped rigid capsule can be specifically applied to key functional components of aircraft, such as ring wings, wings, tail fins, and flexible frames, clarifying its direct role as a primary or secondary load-bearing structure. It provides a revolutionary component forming method: using an adjustable stiffness air column network as a "smart frame" to replace the traditional rigid frame with a fixed and unadjustable shape, enabling aircraft components to achieve both precise aerodynamic shape and dynamically adjustable mechanical properties.

[0065] In other possible embodiments, this irregular profile can also be applied to non-load-bearing or aerodynamically rectified components with complex curved surfaces, such as air intakes, ducts, and bulges on aircraft. Through the refined arrangement of the air column network, complex curved surfaces with smooth surfaces and precise shapes can be formed to meet specific aerodynamic or stealth requirements. This embodiment further broadens the application boundaries of this technology, demonstrating its enormous potential for achieving lightweighting and performance adjustment in various irregular structures of aircraft.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments of this application, the differential pressure control system 300 includes a bidirectional air pump 310, an airflow pipeline 320, and a control valve 330. One end of the airflow pipeline 320 is connected to the bidirectional air pump 310, and the other end is provided with a branch pipe, which is connected to the columnar airbag 200 in a one-to-one correspondence. The control valve 330 is provided in the branch pipe in a one-to-one correspondence, and is used to control the connection and disconnection between the airflow inside the columnar airbag 200 and the external environment.

[0067] Specifically, the bidirectional air pump 310 is a pump body capable of providing both positive pressure (inflation) and negative pressure (vacuuming) operating modes, such as a miniature high-pressure air pump. The airflow piping 320 is a piping system connecting the air pump to each cylindrical air bladder 200, with its branch pipes connected individually to each air bladder. The control valve 330 is installed on each branch pipe and is used to control the on / off flow of gas in that branch, such as a solenoid valve.

[0068] Furthermore, the bidirectional air pump 310 can be a miniature high-pressure air pump with a rated pressure of 0.8 MPa to meet the control requirements within the pressure difference range of 0.1-0.6 MPa. The airflow pipeline 320 can be made of flexible PU tubing (polyurethane flexible tubing), with its main branch connected to the air pump outlet and its branches connected to the air inlets of each cylindrical airbag 200 via quick-connect fittings. Each cylindrical airbag 200 corresponds to an independent branch pipe and an independent control valve 330, enabling independent and precise control of each airbag.

[0069] During use, when it is necessary to increase the pressure differential of a certain columnar airbag 200, the control system opens the corresponding control valve 330 and starts the inflation mode of the bidirectional air pump 310. Gas enters the airbag through the airflow pipe 320 and the opened branch. When it is necessary to decrease the pressure differential, the corresponding control valve 330 is opened, and the air pump starts the degassing mode to extract the gas from the airbag.

[0070] This embodiment constructs a centralized air supply and distributed control air pressure management network through a differential pressure regulation system 300 composed of a bidirectional air pump 310, an airflow pipeline 320, and an independent control valve 330. This system can efficiently and accurately control the internal pressure of each cylindrical airbag 200, thereby achieving flexible and dynamic adjustment of the overall or local stiffness of the airbag, providing a key technical means for the aircraft to adapt to different flight conditions.

[0071] In other possible embodiments, the gas flow path 320 can be designed with a redundant ring or mesh structure, so that when a section of the path becomes blocked or leaks, the gas can still reach the target gas column through other paths, improving the reliability of the system. The control valve 330 can be a low-power normally closed solenoid valve to ensure that the gas path automatically closes when the system is powered off, maintaining the gas column pressure and ensuring safety. This embodiment enhances the robustness and fail-safe capability of the differential pressure control system 300 in complex environments by optimizing the pipeline layout and valve safety design.

[0072] Reference Figure 3In some embodiments of this application, the differential pressure control system 300 further includes a differential pressure sensor 340 and a control unit 350. The differential pressure sensor 340 is disposed inside the cylindrical airbag 200 and is used to detect the pressure difference between the inside of the cylindrical airbag 200 and the external environment. The control unit 350 is signal-connected to the differential pressure sensor 340, the bidirectional air pump 310 and the control valve 330. The control unit 350 is used to adjust the working state of the bidirectional air pump 310 and / or the control valve 330 according to the pressure difference value detected by the differential pressure sensor 340.

[0073] Specifically, the differential pressure sensor 340 is a sensing element capable of directly measuring the pressure difference between the interior of the cylindrical airbag 200 and the external environment. The control unit 350 is an electronic controller that receives sensor signals, processes them, and outputs control commands to the actuator.

[0074] Furthermore, a differential pressure sensor 340 can be installed inside each cylindrical airbag 200, with its signal line leading out through a sealed interface in the airbag wall. The differential pressure sensor 340 needs to have high accuracy and fast response capability, for example, a response time of no more than 0.6 seconds, and be able to adapt to high-altitude and low-temperature environments (such as -40°C). The control unit 350 can be connected to the differential pressure sensor 340, the drive circuit of the bidirectional air pump 310, and the drive circuit of each control valve 330. The control unit 350 can store preset pressure control logic and algorithms.

[0075] During operation, each differential pressure sensor 340 continuously monitors the real-time differential pressure of its respective air column and sends the data to the control unit 350. The control unit 350 compares the measured value with the set target value. If the differential pressure of a certain air column is lower than the set value, the control unit 350 issues a command to open the control valve 330 corresponding to that air column and start the bidirectional air pump 310 to inflate until the differential pressure is restored. If the differential pressure is too high, the control valve opens and the air pump starts to evacuate. The entire process is automatic, achieving closed-loop control.

[0076] This embodiment introduces a differential pressure sensor 340 and a closed-loop control unit 350, enabling the differential pressure regulation system 300 to possess automatic monitoring and intelligent adjustment capabilities. The system can sense the state of each air column in real time and automatically maintain its working pressure within a set range, ensuring the stability and consistency of the irregularly shaped capsule stiffness. This automated and precise control reduces reliance on manual intervention, significantly improving the system's response speed and control accuracy, providing fundamental support for the aircraft to achieve adaptive flight.

[0077] In other possible embodiments, the control unit 350 may employ advanced control algorithms, such as fuzzy control or adaptive PID control, to better handle nonlinearity and time lag issues in the pressure regulation process, achieving smoother and faster pressure tracking. The control unit 350 may also integrate data logging and fault diagnosis functions to provide a basis for preventative maintenance.

[0078] This application also provides an aircraft, including an irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0079] Specifically, the aircraft is an aircraft or other aircraft that relies on airbag structures to provide lift or functional surfaces, and it includes at least one irregularly shaped rigid bladder based on an air column network as described in the preceding claims, which is integrated into the configuration of the aircraft as an indispensable functional component.

[0080] Furthermore, this irregularly shaped rigid capsule can be directly used as an annulus, wing, tail, or internal flexible skeleton of an aircraft. The outer skin 100 of the capsule constitutes the aerodynamic shape surface of the corresponding part of the aircraft. The differential pressure control system 300 inside the capsule can be dedicated to this component or can be part of the aircraft's integrated management system.

[0081] During operation, the aircraft uses a differential pressure control system 300 to pressurize its irregularly shaped rigid capsule components during preparation or flight, giving them the shape and structural stiffness required for flight missions. The aircraft relies on these pressurized rigid capsule components to generate lift, maintain stability, or perform maneuver control.

[0082] This embodiment utilizes an innovative high-pressure air column network of irregularly shaped rigid capsules as the core component of the aircraft, replacing the traditional "rigid frame + skin" structure. This achieves significant weight reduction while maintaining or even improving performance. For example, the total weight of this capsule is only about 40% of that of a fiberglass frame structure with the same stiffness. This not only significantly improves the aircraft's payload capacity and endurance, but its adjustable stiffness also endows the aircraft with unprecedented environmental adaptability and mission flexibility.

[0083] In other possible embodiments, the aircraft can be configured with multiple such irregularly shaped rigid capsule components to collectively form its main structure. For example, an aircraft can simultaneously possess a ring-shaped main body formed by an air column network, a tail fin, and several internal flexible skeletons. These components can share a single differential pressure control system 300 or be controlled independently in separate zones. This embodiment demonstrates the potential of this technology in constructing entirely new concept aircraft, enabling the optimization of overall aircraft performance and innovation in mission modes through the coordinated operation of multiple adjustable stiffness capsule components.

[0084] In some embodiments of this application, the aircraft further includes a detection system, which is signal-connected to the differential pressure control system 300; the differential pressure control system 300 is used to control the pressure inside the columnar airbag 200 according to the detection information of the detection system; the detection information includes at least one of the aircraft's flight speed, flight altitude, angle of attack, and overload.

[0085] Specifically, the detection system is a cluster of sensors on the aircraft used to sense its own motion status and the external flight environment. Its detection information includes at least the flight speed measured by the pitot tube, the flight altitude measured by the altimeter, the angle of attack measured by the angle of attack sensor, and the overload measured by the accelerometer. The differential pressure control system 300 is connected to this detection system via a signal link.

[0086] Furthermore, the sensors in the detection system convert real-time flight parameters into electrical signals and transmit them to the control unit 350 of the differential pressure control system 300 via a data bus (such as a CAN bus). The control unit 350 has a pre-stored control strategy based on aerodynamic load analysis, which establishes the correspondence between different combinations of flight speed, altitude, angle of attack, and overload and the target differential pressure of the air column networking unit.

[0087] During operation, the detection system continuously collects real-time data on flight speed, altitude, angle of attack, and overload. This data is sent in real-time to the control unit 350 of the differential pressure control system 300. Based on its built-in control strategy and the current flight status, the control unit 350 calculates the optimal target differential pressure required by the air column networking unit in real time, and automatically executes the control program, driving the bidirectional air pump 310 and control valve 330 to adjust the differential pressure of each columnar airbag 200 to the calculated value.

[0088] This embodiment achieves intelligent adaptive adjustment of the stiffness of an irregularly shaped rigid capsule by deeply coupling the differential pressure control system 300 with the aircraft condition monitoring system. The system can automatically increase the capsule stiffness to maintain shape stability based on real-time flight conditions (such as increased aerodynamic loads during high-speed flight); during low-altitude maneuvers or encounters with gusts, it rapidly adjusts the stiffness according to overload and angle-of-attack changes to optimize response. This transforms the capsule from a passive, static structure into an "intelligent structure" that actively adapts to changes in flight conditions, greatly improving the aircraft's flight quality, safety boundaries, and mission execution capabilities.

[0089] In other possible embodiments, the control strategy can be more refined, such as distinguishing between different flight phases like climb, cruise, and descent, or making forward-looking adjustments based on forecasted meteorological information. The control unit 350 can also receive direct commands from the flight control system to execute specific stiffness transformation modes. This embodiment, by incorporating more multi-dimensional information input and more complex decision-making logic, enables the differential pressure control system 300 to serve the overall control objectives of the aircraft more accurately and proactively, reflecting the development direction of integrated intelligent collaboration across multiple aircraft systems.

[0090] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the claims.

[0091] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A non-circular rigid capsule based on an air column network, characterized in that, include: External capsule skin (100); The air column networking unit is composed of multiple columnar air bladders (200) arranged along a preset irregular contour and connected to each other. The air column networking unit serves as the main load-bearing structure of the bladder body and is used to support and shape the outer bladder skin (100) to form a rigid irregular structure without an independent rigid skeleton. The differential pressure control system (300) is connected to the air column networking unit and is used to adjust the differential pressure between the inside of the columnar airbag (200) and the external environment in order to change the structural stiffness of the irregular rigid bladder. The differential pressure control system (300) includes: Two-way air pump (310); The airflow duct (320) is connected at one end to the bidirectional air pump (310) and at the other end to a branch pipe, which is connected to the columnar airbag (200) in a one-to-one correspondence. Control valves (330) are provided one-to-one with the branch pipes to control the flow of air inside the columnar airbag (200) and the external environment.

2. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure difference of the columnar airbag (200) ranges from 0.1 MPa to 0.6 MPa.

3. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to claim 1, characterized in that, Flexible partitions (400) are provided between the plurality of columnar airbags (200), and the columnar airbags (200) and the outer skin (100), as well as the columnar airbags (200) and the flexible partitions (400) are connected by quick-release structures.

4. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to claim 3, characterized in that, The quick-release structure includes at least one of Velcro, snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and cord loops.

5. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the outer capsule skin (100) and the flexible baffle (400) are made of non-airtight materials so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the columnar airbag (200) is maintained by its own airtightness.

6. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The irregular profile includes at least the aircraft's ring wing, wings, tail wing, and flexible frame.

7. The irregularly shaped rigid capsule based on air column networking according to claim 6, characterized in that, The differential pressure control system (300) also includes: Differential pressure sensors (340) are installed one-to-one inside the cylindrical airbag (200) to detect the pressure difference between the inside of the cylindrical airbag (200) and the external environment; The control unit (350) is connected to the differential pressure sensor (340), the bidirectional air pump (310) and the control valve (330) by signal connection. The control unit (350) is used to adjust the working state of the bidirectional air pump (310) and / or the control valve (330) according to the pressure difference value detected by the differential pressure sensor (340).

8. An aircraft, characterized in that, include: The irregular rigid capsule based on air column networking as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The aircraft according to claim 8, characterized in that, The aircraft also includes a detection system, which is signal-connected to the differential pressure control system (300); The differential pressure control system (300) is used to control the pressure inside the columnar airbag (200) according to the detection information of the detection system; The detection information includes at least one of the following: the aircraft's flight speed, flight altitude, angle of attack, and overload.

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