A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform, comprising a windproof module, a release module, an inflation module and a control module; the windproof module comprises a circular track and a windshield sliding on the circular track, and under the control of the control module, the open surface of the windshield is always on the leeward side; the inflation module inflates the capsule under the control of the control module; the release module locks the floating balloon platform before inflation, gradually unlocks the capsule and supports the capsule during the inflation process, and when the capsule is inflated to meet the release requirements, the floating balloon platform is adjusted to the open surface of the windproof module for unlocking and release. The present invention can realize the full-process automated deployment of the floating balloon platform during the entire release process, improve the deployment efficiency, enhance the reliability and stability of the release process, and realize emergency release under various environmental conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of aerostats, and in particular relates to a system and method for rapidly deploying a floating balloon platform. Background Art

[0002] Compared with stratospheric aircraft such as airships and drones, balloon platforms are low-cost, easy to operate, and have high flight altitudes. They can be used as general platforms to carry radar, optoelectronics, electronic monitoring and communication equipment. In the military field, they can be used to perform tasks such as battlefield surveillance during wartime and border control in peacetime; they are more widely used in the civilian field and can be used in various scenarios such as disaster prevention and mitigation, environmental monitoring, urban management, and infrastructure construction.

[0003] Stratospheric balloon platforms are more flexible in emergency rescue. They can be flexibly loaded according to mission requirements. The deployment platform is also very flexible and can be deployed on land or ships. How to quickly prepare for launch, quickly inflate, and achieve reliable launch is the key technology for the rapid operation of floating platforms under emergency conditions.

[0004] In order to improve the wind resistance during the deployment of the floating balloon platform, the fixed point floating balloon platform can be fixed and wind-resistant by adopting the form of ground mooring and diagonal pulling, such as CN112577693A "A ground simulation test system for a fixed point floating balloon platform system under different wind forces" inventors: Li Bo, etc., after setting a mooring rope to hang the balloon, the angle and maximum tension of the diagonal rope are determined according to different wind forces, and then the diagonal rope equipped with a tension sensor is tightened by an electric winch until the tension reaches the maximum tension, so as to simulate the force of the balloon structure under a specific wind force. Although this scheme can improve the ability to resist environmental influences, it has high requirements on the structural strength of the floating balloon platform and the release height is limited. The floating balloon platform is released by combining a releaser with a winch, such as CN1562702A "High Altitude Balloon Release Method". This method uses less equipment, has low release cost and is simple and flexible to operate. However, field release can only be carried out when there is no wind or the wind speed is low. If the wind direction and wind speed on the ground change greatly, the released floating balloon platform cannot be controlled and can only be quickly withdrawn. The poor maneuverability cannot solve the problem of flying in harsh ground environment conditions.

[0005] The current floating balloon deployment system has the following main shortcomings: poor ability to resist environmental winds during the deployment process, low degree of automation control, and lack of inflation control means, resulting in low deployment efficiency, poor reliability and stability. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem solved by the present invention is: to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, to provide a system and method for quickly deploying a floating balloon platform, to improve the deployment efficiency of the floating balloon platform, and to enhance the reliability and stability of the launching process.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is:

[0008] A rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform, the floating balloon platform comprises a capsule and a load compartment, and comprises a windproof module, a release module, an inflation module and a control module; the windproof module comprises a circular track and a windshield sliding on the circular track, and under the control of the control module, the open surface of the windshield is always on the leeward side; the inflation module inflates the capsule under the control of the control module; the release module locks the floating balloon platform before inflation, gradually unlocks the capsule and supports the capsule during inflation, and when the capsule is inflated to meet the release requirements, the floating balloon platform is adjusted to the open surface of the windproof module to be unlocked and released.

[0009] Preferably, the launch module includes a rocker arm, an unlocking mechanism, a hydraulic support structure, a pressure plate and a rotating platform; the rotating platform serves as the operating platform of the launch module, driving the remaining components of the launch module to move or rotate in the horizontal direction; one end of the hydraulic support structure is hinged to the rotating platform, and the other end is hinged to the rocker arm, so as to support and drive the rocker arm; one end of the rocker arm is hinged to the rotating platform, and the other end is suspended in the air, and the rocker arm rotates in the vertical direction driven by the hydraulic support structure; a plurality of unlocking mechanisms are installed on the rocker arm to fix and unlock the capsule; the pressure plate is hinged to the rotating platform, so as to fix and unlock the load compartment.

[0010] Preferably, the unlocking mechanism includes a protective rubber plate, an electromagnetic flap, an electromagnetic base and an electromagnet; the protective rubber plate is installed on the rocker arm; the electromagnetic base is installed at one end of the protective rubber plate, and the electromagnet is installed at the other end of the protective rubber plate; the electromagnetic flap is arranged opposite to the protective rubber plate, and is rotatably connected to the electromagnetic base, and rotates around the electromagnetic base under the action of the electromagnet; before inflation, the bladder passes between the electromagnetic flap and the rubber bottom plate, and the electromagnetic flap locks and unlocks the bladder under the action of the electromagnet.

[0011] Preferably, the release module further includes a limiting structure, which is installed on the rotating platform and is used to limit the lowest position of the swing rod rotation.

[0012] Preferably, the windproof module further comprises a plurality of automatic leveling mechanisms evenly distributed along the circular track, and when the height difference between the inner and outer sides of the circular track reaches a threshold value, the automatic leveling mechanisms apply forces to the inner and outer sides of the circular track respectively to make the inner and outer sides consistent in height.

[0013] Preferably, the automatic leveling mechanism includes two support plates arranged below the circular track, and the two support plates are connected by two support seats respectively located on both sides of the circular track, one end of the support seat is fixed to the support plate located below, and the other end passes through the support plate located above, and an electric push rod is installed on the other end of the support seat, and the electric push rod applies a force to the support plate located above under the action of the control module, and then applies a force to the circular track.

[0014] Preferably, the threshold value is 10 mm.

[0015] Preferably, a roller group sliding on a circular track is provided at the bottom of the windshield.

[0016] Preferably, the inflation module comprises a gas cylinder group, a pressure reducing valve, a high-pressure hard pipe and a joint, a filter, a gas flow meter, a pressure regulating valve, a deflation valve, a solenoid valve and an inflation hose which are connected in sequence.

[0017] A method for rapidly deploying a floating balloon platform, comprising:

[0018] Inflation preparation: place the launch module at the center of the windproof module, and the control module controls the hydraulic support structure to lower the swing arm to contact the limit structure; control the electromagnetic flaps of all unlocking mechanisms to be in an open state, fold the capsule into a long strip, and lay the protective rubber plates of each unlocking structure on the swing arm, so that the inflation port of the capsule is located at the suspended end of the swing arm and extends out, so that the load compartment is placed on the rotating platform; control the electromagnetic flaps of all unlocking structures to flip to close with the electromagnet, and lock the capsule in sections; control the pressure plate to lock the load compartment;

[0019] Inflation: connect the air outlet of the inflation hose of the inflation module with the inflation port of the bladder to inflate the bladder. As the air pressure in the bladder gradually increases, the static buoyancy generated by the bladder increases continuously. When it is greater than the binding force of the electromagnet of the locking mechanism on the electromagnetic flap, the electromagnetic flaps of each locking mechanism release the lock on the bladder in turn. The bladder changes from a horizontal state to a vertical state under the action of the static buoyancy. The swing arm moves to a vertical state with the posture of the bladder under the drive of the hydraulic support structure;

[0020] Release: When the balloon is judged to have reached the release requirement through the reading of the gas flow meter, stop the inflation, disconnect the inflation hose and seal the balloon inflation port; control the rotary platform to adjust the floating balloon platform to the release position, release the locking of the load compartment by the pressure plate, and let the floating balloon platform pass through the open surface of the windshield of the windproof module to complete the release;

[0021] The windproof module is controlled by the control module so that the open surface of the windshield is always on the leeward side.

[0022] The advantages of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0023] (1) The windproof module of the present invention can adjust its direction in real time as the wind direction changes by setting up a circular track and a windscreen structure, so that the open surface of the windproof space is always located on the leeward side, thereby improving the flexibility of the floating balloon platform in dealing with wind field changes during deployment. At the same time, the track status is monitored in real time and leveling is performed to ensure the safe placement of the windproof module, so that the floating balloon can be safely deployed under harsh environmental conditions.

[0024] (2) The inflation module of the present invention controls the inflation volume of the system by monitoring the buoyancy of the floating balloon, thereby achieving precise control of the inflation volume and automatically shutting down after reaching the specified inflation volume, thereby improving the inflation efficiency;

[0025] (3) The present invention realizes remote control and automatic release of the launching device by adjusting the inflation volume of the inflation module through an integrated platform, thereby optimizing the deployment process of the floating balloon platform and improving the deployment efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rapid deployment system of the floating balloon platform of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a control module of a rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a windproof module of a rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic leveling mechanism of the floating balloon platform rapid deployment system of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a release module of a rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking mechanism of the floating balloon platform rapid deployment system of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an inflation module of a rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the deployment process of the method for rapidly deploying a floating balloon platform of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following detailed description of the present invention will make the features and advantages of the present invention clearer and more explicit.

[0035] A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system, the structure is as follows Figure 1 As shown in the figure, it is mainly composed of windproof module 1, release module 2, inflation module 3 and control module. The three functional modules are realized by the control module to run quickly and accurately, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control module is mainly composed of a movable power supply, a voltage-stabilized power supply, a control platform, an interactive interface, etc.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the windproof module 1 is mainly composed of a windshield 101 , a roller assembly 102 , a circular guide rail 103 , and an automatic leveling mechanism 104 .

[0037] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the automatic leveling mechanism 104 is composed of a motor 1040, an electric push rod 1041, a support seat 1042, and upper and lower symmetrical plates 1043. Figure 3 shown.

[0038] Further, after determining a suitable site, the windproof module 1 is quickly built. First, each set of automatic leveling mechanism 104 is assembled and reasonably arranged and fixed to the installation surface. The control module is started to control the motor 1040 to drive the electric push rod 1041 installed in the support seat 1042 on the upper end surface of the upper and lower symmetrical plates 1043 to move, so that the installation state of each set of automatic leveling mechanism 104 is the same. The circular guide rail 103 composed of 4 sections is installed on the automatic leveling structure 104 by screwing, and at the same time, it is ensured that the circular guide rail 103 is tightly connected and the installation state is consistent. Each set of windshield 101 is fixed to each set of roller group 102 to form an integral rolling windshield. The rolling windshield is docked with the circular guide rail 103 to form a row and can roll smoothly on the circular guide rail 103. Since the wind direction on site changes in real time, the wind direction monitoring device on the windshield 101 ensures that the open surface of the windproof module 1 is always located on the leeward side through the control module. At the same time, the number of rolling windshields in use can be adjusted arbitrarily to achieve rapid operation of the windproof module 1.

[0039] Furthermore, when the height difference between the inner and outer sides of the windproof module track reaches more than 10 mm, the reliable windproof requirement cannot be met, and a driving torque needs to be applied to the inner and outer motors. The torque can rotate in both directions. The control judgment and torque control of the automatic leveling mechanism 104 are as follows:

[0040] When |ΔH|=|H1-H2|≥10mm:

[0041]

[0042] Among them, H1 and H2 are the relative heights of the inner and outer tracks, M1 and M2 are the rotational torques applied to the inner and outer tracks, and ε is the calculated conversion coefficient.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, the release module 2 is mainly composed of a swing arm 201, an unlocking mechanism 202, a hydraulic support structure 203, a limiting structure 204, a pressure plate 205, a rotating platform 206, etc.

[0044] Specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the unlocking mechanism 202 is composed of an electromagnetic flap 2020 , an electromagnetic base 2021 , a protective rubber plate 2022 , and an electromagnet 2023 .

[0045] Furthermore, the release module 2 is placed at the center of the windproof module 1, and the hydraulic support structure 203 in the release module 2 is controlled to lower the lower end surface of the swing arm 201 to contact the upper end surface of the limit structure 204. This position is the lowest downward position control point of the swing arm 201. At the same time, by controlling the unlocking mechanism 202 on the swing arm 201 to work, the electromagnet 2023 receives a signal to make the electromagnetic flap 2020 flip upward to 90 degrees with the electromagnetic base 2021 as the axis, and expose the protective rubber plate 2022 on the electromagnetic base 2021. This process is to control the unlocking mechanism 202 to open.

[0046] Furthermore, the capsule structure of the floating balloon platform is folded into a long strip, so that it is laid in an "S" shape on the upper end surface of the swing arm 201 and the capsule passes through the protective rubber plate 2022 in the unlocking mechanism 202, so that the capsule is divided into several parts through the unlocking mechanism 202, and at the same time, the capsule inflation port is located on the side of the suspended end of the swing arm 201 and extends out of the suspended end. By controlling the electromagnetic flap 2020 to flip downward again with the electromagnetic base 221 as the axis to achieve closure with the upper end surface of the electromagnet 2023, the unlocking mechanism 202 is closed and the segmented locking of the floating balloon platform capsule is achieved. Arrange the capsule to the load compartment in the floating balloon platform so that the load compartment is located at the rear end of the pressure plate 205 and placed on the rotating platform 206, and control the pressure plate 205 to flip backward to complete the locking of the load compartment. At this time, the floating balloon platform capsule can be inflated.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, the inflation module 3 is mainly composed of a gas cylinder group 301, a pressure reducing valve 302, a high-pressure hard pipe and a joint 303, a filter 304, a gas flow meter 305, a pressure regulating valve 306, a purge valve 307, a solenoid valve 308, an inflation hose 309, etc.

[0048] Specifically, the air outlet of the inflation hose 309 is connected to the inflation port of the floating balloon platform bladder, the control module is started, the deflation valve 307 is closed and the pressure reducing valve 302, the gas flow meter 305, the pressure regulating valve 306, and the solenoid valve 308 are opened, so that the gas source of the gas cylinder group 301 is pressurized into the floating balloon platform bladder at a suitable inflation speed under the action of the gas flow meter 305 and the pressure regulating valve 306. As the air pressure in the floating balloon bladder continues to increase, the upward static buoyancy generated by the bladder continues to increase. When the air pressure in the bladder is greater than the binding force of the electromagnet 2023 in the locking mechanism 202, the electromagnetic flap 2020 is opened in sequence, and the bladder is transformed from a horizontal state to a vertical state under the action of the static buoyancy. At this time, the swing arm 201 of the control release module 2 is slowly moved upward to a vertical state as the bladder posture changes. When the buoyancy monitoring value of the floating balloon meets the requirements, the control module is started, and the pressure reducing valve 302 and the solenoid valve 308 are controlled to be closed in sequence. Disconnect the connection between the inflation hose 309 and the bladder inflation port and seal the bladder inflation port. At this time, the floating balloon platform has completed inflation through the inflation module 3.

[0049] The inflation module usually uses a gas flow meter to monitor the cumulative amount of inflation gas to calculate the inflation quality. However, since the helium flow measurement method is not accurate and is greatly affected by the temperature change during the high-pressure inflation process, it is difficult to achieve the purpose of accurate monitoring. Therefore, the inflation module uses the buoyancy of the balloon to monitor the helium inflation quality:

[0050]

[0051] Where: P air The atmospheric pressure is monitored in real time and is the same as the helium pressure inside the balloon before it is filled;

[0052] F 浮 The net buoyancy or drag force on the balloon is monitored in real time;

[0053] R He is the helium gas constant

[0054] T air To monitor the ambient temperature in real time, set the temperature inside the balloon to be the same as the ambient temperature after the helium inflation is stable;

[0055] Therefore, the accurate helium inflation amount can be obtained by monitoring the buoyancy of the floating balloon:

[0056]

[0057] The process of launching the floating balloon platform is as follows: Figure 8As shown, when the floating balloon platform is released, the control module controls the release module 2 to move the floating balloon platform to the release position through the rotating platform 206, releases the restraint of the load compartment by the pressure plate 205 in the release module 2, and the floating balloon platform passes through the open surface of the windshield 101 in the windproof module 1 under the action of buoyancy and wind force, completing the release of the floating balloon platform.

[0058] The contents not described in detail in the specification of the present invention belong to the common knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A rapid deployment system for a floating balloon platform, the floating balloon platform comprising a capsule and a payload cabin, characterized in that: It includes a windproof module, a release module, an inflation module and a control module; the windproof module includes a circular track and a windshield sliding on the circular track, and under the control of the control module, the open surface of the windshield is always on the leeward side; the inflation module inflates the balloon under the control of the control module; the release module locks the floating balloon platform before inflation, gradually unlocks the balloon and supports it during the inflation process, and when the balloon is inflated to meet the release requirements, the floating balloon platform is adjusted to the open surface of the windproof module to be unlocked and released; The launch module includes a swing arm, an unlocking mechanism, a hydraulic support structure, a pressure plate and a rotating platform; the rotating platform serves as an operating platform for the launch module, driving the remaining components of the launch module to move or rotate in a horizontal direction; one end of the hydraulic support structure is hinged to the rotating platform, and the other end is hinged to the swing arm, so as to support and drive the swing arm; one end of the swing arm is hinged to the rotating platform, and the other end is suspended in the air, and the swing arm rotates in a vertical direction under the drive of the hydraulic support structure; a plurality of unlocking mechanisms are installed on the swing arm to fix and unlock the capsule; the pressure plate is hinged to the rotating platform, so as to fix and unlock the load compartment; The unlocking mechanism includes a protective rubber plate, an electromagnetic flap, an electromagnetic base and an electromagnet; the protective rubber plate is installed on the rocker arm; the electromagnetic base is installed at one end of the protective rubber plate, and the electromagnet is installed at the other end of the protective rubber plate. The electromagnetic flap is arranged opposite to the protective rubber plate and is rotatably connected to the electromagnetic base. It rotates around the electromagnetic base under the action of the electromagnet. Before inflation, the bladder passes between the electromagnetic flap and the rubber bottom plate, and the electromagnetic flap locks and unlocks the bladder under the action of the electromagnet.

2. A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The release module also includes a limiting structure, which is installed on the rotating platform and is used to limit the lowest position of the swing rod.

3. A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The windproof module also includes a plurality of automatic leveling mechanisms evenly distributed along the circular track. When the height difference between the inner and outer sides of the circular track reaches a threshold value, the automatic leveling mechanisms apply forces to the inner and outer sides of the circular track respectively to make the inner and outer sides have the same height.

4. A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The automatic leveling mechanism includes two support plates arranged below the circular track, and the two support plates are connected by two support seats respectively located on both sides of the circular track. One end of the support seat is fixed to the support plate located below, and the other end passes through the support plate located above. An electric push rod is installed on the other end of the support seat. Under the action of the control module, the electric push rod applies a force to the support plate located above, and then applies a force to the circular track.

5. The floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The threshold value is 10 mm.

6. A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to claim 5, characterized in that: A roller group sliding on a circular track is arranged at the bottom of the windshield.

7. A floating balloon platform rapid deployment system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inflation module comprises a gas cylinder group, a pressure reducing valve, a high-pressure hard pipe and a joint, a filter, a gas flow meter, a pressure stabilizing valve, a deflation valve, a solenoid valve and an inflation hose which are connected in sequence.

8. A method for rapidly deploying a floating balloon platform, using a system for rapidly deploying a floating balloon platform as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: include: Inflation preparation: place the launch module at the center of the windproof module, and the control module controls the hydraulic support structure to lower the swing arm to contact the limit structure; control the electromagnetic flaps of all unlocking mechanisms to be in an open state, fold the capsule into a long strip, and lay the protective rubber plates of each unlocking mechanism on the swing arm, so that the inflation port of the capsule is located at the suspended end of the swing arm and extends out, so that the load cabin is placed on the rotating platform; control the electromagnetic flaps of all unlocking mechanisms to flip to close with the electromagnet, and lock the capsule in sections; control the pressure plate to lock the load cabin; Inflation: connect the air outlet of the inflation hose of the inflation module with the inflation port of the bladder to inflate the bladder. As the air pressure in the bladder gradually increases, the static buoyancy generated by the bladder increases continuously. When it is greater than the binding force of the electromagnet of the unlocking mechanism on the electromagnetic flap, the electromagnetic flaps of each unlocking mechanism release the lock on the bladder in turn. The bladder changes from a horizontal state to a vertical state under the action of the static buoyancy. The swing arm moves to a vertical state with the posture of the bladder under the drive of the hydraulic support structure. Release: When the balloon is judged to have reached the release requirement through the reading of the gas flow meter, stop the inflation, disconnect the inflation hose and seal the balloon inflation port; control the rotary platform to adjust the floating balloon platform to the release position, release the locking of the load compartment by the pressure plate, and let the floating balloon platform pass through the open surface of the windshield of the windproof module to complete the release; The windproof module is controlled by the control module so that the open surface of the windshield is always on the leeward side.

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