A shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and its control method

Abstract

This invention discloses a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and its control method, relating to the field of airship technology. The airship includes a capsule, an airbag frame, a tail fin, and a fan system. The airbag frame is disposed within the capsule and serves to provide structural support for the capsule and maintain its shape after inflation. The tail fin is disposed at the tail of the capsule. Both the airbag frame and the tail fin are connected to the fan system, which allows for inflation and deflation of the airbag frame and tail fin. The control method includes the airship assembly stage, the airship takeoff stage, the airship depressurization stage upon encountering a supercooled environment, and the airship landing stage. This invention reliably enables the stratospheric airship to maintain its basic shape and reduces the possibility of equipment or structures scratching the capsule during ground integration, takeoff, depressurization, and landing, while also improving the stability of the descent process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of airship technology, and in particular to a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Airships can be structurally categorized into rigid airships, semi-rigid airships, and flexible airships. Unlike traditional rigid airships, flexible airships use flexible materials such as polyurethane, nylon, and polyester for their outer shells, replacing the traditional metal frame. This design reduces the overall weight of the airship, avoiding the weight burden of a metal frame, thus improving its lift and payload capacity. Since flexible airships do not require a metal frame for support, they can achieve a lighter design. Furthermore, by using overpressure to maintain the airship's shape, they avoid the weight increase problem associated with the metal frame support of traditional rigid airships. However, because the shape of a flexible airship is primarily controlled by the internal gas pressure, its shape may change during operation as the internal gas pressure fluctuates.

[0003] The ground assembly phase of a flexible airship is more complex and cumbersome than that of other types of airships, and the capsule itself is at risk of being punctured during this process. The takeoff phase of a flexible airship is often semi-finished, making it susceptible to vibrations, wind, and excessive attitude changes, all of which could cause other equipment mounted on the airship to puncture the capsule. Furthermore, during flight, flexible airships may encounter extreme cold and depressurization, further increasing the risk of equipment damaging the capsule. By employing measures to maintain the flexible airship's shape, the problem of equipment damaging the capsule can be effectively addressed.

[0004] Currently, the common practice during the landing phase of stratospheric airships is to vent air by bursting the capsule. However, this method causes the airship's shape to deform rapidly, making it difficult to precisely control the landing location and resulting in a high landing speed, which can easily lead to damage to the onboard equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and a control method to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can reliably maintain the basic shape of the stratospheric airship, reduce the possibility of equipment or structures scratching the airship during ground integration, takeoff, depressurization and landing, and improve the stability of the descent process.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0007] This invention provides a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship, comprising a capsule body, an airbag frame, a tail fin, and a fan system. The airbag frame is disposed within the capsule body and serves to provide structural support for the capsule body and maintain its shape after inflation. The tail fin is disposed at the tail of the capsule body. Both the airbag frame and the tail fin are connected to the fan system, and the airbag frame and the tail fin can be inflated and deflated via the fan system.

[0008] Preferably, the airbag frame includes a front airbag frame, a middle airbag frame, and a rear airbag frame connected in sequence. The front airbag frame includes a head mesh airbag frame and a first annular airbag group connected to the head mesh airbag frame, the first annular airbag group including a plurality of first annular airbags connected in sequence. The middle airbag frame includes a second annular airbag group, the second annular airbag group including a plurality of second annular airbags connected in sequence. The rear airbag frame includes a tail mesh airbag frame and a third annular airbag group connected to the tail mesh airbag frame, the third annular airbag group including a plurality of third annular airbags connected in sequence. The head mesh airbag frame, the first annular airbag group, the second annular airbag group, the third annular airbag group, and the tail mesh airbag frame are connected and communicate with each other from head to tail.

[0009] Preferably, the front airbag frame supports the area from the head of the airbag to 30% of the central axis of the airbag, the middle airbag frame supports the area from 30% to 70% of the central axis of the airbag, and the rear airbag frame supports the area from 70% of the central axis of the airbag to the tail end of the airbag.

[0010] Preferably, the bladder body and the airbag frame are made of the same material.

[0011] Preferably, the fan system includes a fan, a first air pipe, a second air pipe, an airbag frame valve, and a tail fin valve. The fan is installed inside the fan nacelle. The first air pipe connects the fan to the airbag frame. The second air pipe connects the fan to the tail fin. The airbag frame valve is installed on the first air pipe, and the tail fin valve is installed on the second air pipe.

[0012] Preferably, a junction ring airbag is provided at the junction of the front airbag frame and the middle airbag frame, and at the junction of the middle airbag frame and the rear airbag frame. The sectional radius of the junction ring airbag is larger than the sectional radius of the first ring airbag, the second ring airbag, and the third ring airbag.

[0013] A method for controlling the above-described shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship includes:

[0014] Airship assembly stage: First, complete the assembly of equipment and cables on the top of the airship and other locations. Start the fan system to inflate the airbag frame. During the gradual expansion of the airbag frame, control the inflation speed and monitor the status of the airbag frame at all times. Stop inflation at any time according to actual assembly needs. Use the current overall state of the airship to adjust the position and tightness of the equipment and cables around the airship until the airbag frame is fully formed. Then, integrate the equipment at the bottom of the airship.

[0015] Airship ascent phase: Before takeoff, the gasbag frame is inflated. Based on buoyancy balance and surplus buoyancy, the appropriate amount of helium is filled into the gasbag, without filling the entire gasbag. The buoyancy is made greater than the weight to meet the launch conditions. During ascent, the valves of the gasbag itself and the gasbag frame are continuously opened / closed to control the pressure difference. The gasbag frame is gradually deflated. During the ascent, it and the gasbag maintain the shape of the airship together until the gasbag can maintain its shape. Then the gasbag valves are closed and the airship ascends slowly. The gasbag frame valves remain open until the gas in the gasbag frame is completely deflated.

[0016] Airship depressurization in ultra-cold environment: When it is judged that the airship may encounter an ultra-cold environment, start the fan system in advance, open the gasbag frame valve, and fill the gasbag frame with gas. The gasbag frame gradually expands until it can maintain the shape of the airship. After the inflation is completed, close the gasbag frame valve and stop filling the gasbag frame with gas.

[0017] Airship descent phase: Before landing, preparations should be made to maintain the shape of the airship. Inflate the airbag frame continuously, so that the airbag frame gradually expands until it can undertake the task of maintaining the shape. At the same time, open the valves of the airbag itself to gradually release helium, so that the airship maintains a certain shape during descent and ensures that the airship has a certain degree of control in order to predict the landing position of the airship.

[0018] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0019] This invention provides a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and its control method. By setting an inflatable and deflated airbag frame inside the airbag and an inflatable and deflated tail fin at the tail of the airbag, and connecting both the airbag frame and the tail fin to a fan system for inflation and deflation control, the stratospheric airship can reliably maintain its basic shape. It can also reduce the possibility of equipment or structures scratching the airbag during ground integration, takeoff, depressurization, and landing, while improving the stability of the descent process. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible stratospheric airship provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the airbag skeleton in this invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wind turbine system in this invention;

[0024] In the diagram: 1-Airbag body, 2-Tail fin, 3-Front airbag frame, 4-Middle airbag frame, 5-Rear airbag frame, 6-First ring airbag, 7-Second ring airbag, 8-Third ring airbag, 9-First air tube, 10-Second air tube, 11-Airbag frame valve, 12-Tail fin valve, 13-Wind turbine nacelle, 14-Boundary ring airbag. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship and a control method to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can reliably enable the stratospheric airship to maintain its basic shape and reduce the possibility of equipment or structures scratching the airship during ground integration, takeoff, depressurization and landing phases, while also improving the stability of the descent process.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship, including a capsule 1, an airbag frame, a tail fin 2, and a fan system. The airbag frame is disposed inside the capsule 1 and is used to form structural support for the capsule 1 and maintain the shape of the capsule 1 after inflation. The tail fin 2 is disposed at the tail of the capsule 1. Both the airbag frame and the tail fin 2 are connected to the fan system, and the airbag frame and the tail fin 2 can be inflated and deflated by the fan system.

[0029] In this embodiment, the airbag frame includes a front airbag frame 3, a middle airbag frame 4, and a rear airbag frame 5 connected in sequence. The front airbag frame 3 includes a head mesh airbag frame and a first annular airbag group connected to the head mesh airbag frame. The first annular airbag group includes multiple first annular airbags 6 connected in sequence. The middle airbag frame 4 includes a second annular airbag group, which includes multiple second annular airbags 7 connected in sequence. The rear airbag frame 5 includes a tail mesh airbag frame and a third annular airbag group connected to the tail mesh airbag frame. The third annular airbag group includes multiple third annular airbags 8 connected in sequence. The head mesh airbag frame, the first annular airbag group, the second annular airbag group, the third annular airbag group, and the tail mesh airbag frame are connected and interconnected from head to tail. All airbags are connected in four directions: top, bottom, left, and right, to ensure free flow of gas throughout the entire airbag frame.

[0030] In this embodiment, the front airbag frame 3 supports the area from the head of the airbag 1 to 30% of the central axis of the airbag 1, the middle airbag frame 4 supports the area from 30% to 70% of the central axis of the airbag 1, and the rear airbag frame 5 supports the area from 70% of the central axis of the airbag 1 to the tail end of the airbag 1.

[0031] In this embodiment, the bladder body 1 and the airbag frame are made of the same material. The airbag frame is fixed to the inner surface of the bladder body 1 by edge welding.

[0032] In this embodiment, the fan system includes a fan, a first air pipe 9, a second air pipe 10, an airbag frame valve 11, and a tail fin valve 12. The fan is housed within the fan nacelle 13. The first air pipe 9 connects the fan to the airbag frame, and the second air pipe 10 connects the fan to the tail fin 2. The airbag frame valve 11 is located on the first air pipe 9, and the tail fin valve 12 is located on the second air pipe 10. The airbag frame valve 11 controls the flow of gas between the fan and the internal airbag frame to inflate and deflate the internal airbag frame. The tail fin valve 12 controls the flow of gas between the fan and the tail fin 2 to inflate and deflate the tail fin 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, a junction annular airbag 14 is provided at the junction of the front airbag frame 3 and the middle airbag frame 4, and at the junction of the middle airbag frame 4 and the rear airbag frame 5. The sectional radius of the junction annular airbag 14 is larger than the sectional radii of the first annular airbag 6, the second annular airbag 7, and the third annular airbag 8. The junction annular airbag 14 is located at an important position for the airship's shape maintenance, and increasing the sectional radius of the annular airbag improves the shape maintenance reliability of the airbag frame at this location.

[0034] The built-in inflatable and deflated airbag frame is the core component of this invention, enabling shape control and structural support for the airship. The fan system mainly includes components such as fans, air pipes, and valves, which work together to inflate and deflate the gas within the airbag frame and regulate its pressure. The airbag body 1, as the main body of the airship structure, serves as the platform for stationary flight; the tail fin 2, as a supplement to the airbag body 1, has the function of adjusting balance and controlling direction, and requires sufficiently excellent material properties.

[0035] When the airbag frame is not needed to maintain the overall shape of the airship, there are two operating conditions: ① The airbag frame is fully inflated: Ensure the fan is off, open the airbag frame valve 11 to release the internal gas. At this time, the gas in the front airbag frame 3, the middle airbag frame 4, and the rear airbag frame 5 is gradually discharged, and the airbag frame gradually shrinks. After this is completed, close the airbag frame valve 11 and keep it closed. ② The airbag frame is not inflated: When not inflated, the front airbag frame 3, the middle airbag frame 4, and the rear airbag frame 5 remain deflated. Ensure the fan is off and keep the airbag frame valve 11 closed. When the tail fin 2 needs to be inflated, open the tail fin valve 12, start the fan to inflate the tail fin 2, and after this is completed, turn off the fan and close the tail fin valve 12. When the pressure difference of the tail fin 2 is too high and needs to be deflated, ensure the fan is off, open the tail fin valve 12, and close the tail fin valve 12 after the specified pressure difference is reached.

[0036] The control methods for the above-described shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship in different application scenarios are as follows:

[0037] ① Assembly stage of soft airship

[0038] During the assembly of the soft airship, the airship is in an uninflated state and placed on the launch field, with the capsule 1 unfilled with helium. Due to the large size of the airship, it is difficult for assembly personnel to install equipment in the bottom pods. Simultaneously, most of the electrical system equipment is located at the bottom of the airship, making cable integration a challenge. Using an inflatable and deflated gasbag frame can effectively solve these problems. First, the equipment and cables at the top and other locations of the airship are assembled. Then, the capsule section of the gasbag frame, namely the first air pipe 9 and the gasbag frame valve 11, is lifted and connected to a blower. The gasbag frame valve 11 is opened, and the blower is started to begin inflation. The front gasbag frame 3, the middle gasbag frame 4, and the rear gasbag frame 5 gradually expand, and the airship capsule 1 gradually enlarges and takes shape. During the gradual expansion of the airbag frame, the inflation speed can be controlled, and the status of the front airbag frame 3, the middle airbag frame 4, and the rear airbag frame 5 can be monitored at all times. Inflation can be paused at any time according to actual assembly needs, and the position and tightness of the equipment and cables around the airship can be adjusted based on the current overall state of the airship. Once the airbag frame is fully formed, the equipment at the bottom of the airship can be integrated. Using an inflatable airbag frame reduces the risk of damage to the airbag 1 due to personnel stepping on it and reduces the risk of suffocation caused by the airbag 1 covering personnel.

[0039] ② Airship ascent phase

[0040] The inflatable gasbag frame is inflated during the assembly phase. Before takeoff, based on buoyancy balance and surplus buoyancy, the appropriate amount of helium is added to the gasbag 1. It is not necessary to completely fill the gasbag 1; its buoyancy is greater than its weight, sufficient to meet the launch conditions. Without the gasbag frame support, the entire airship is in an unformed state and can only be launched in this unformed form. Therefore, the gasbag frame should be inflated before launch. During ascent, due to the high ascent speed of the airship and the significant changes in external air pressure, it is necessary to open the valves of the gasbag 1 itself and the gasbag frame valve 11 to release the gas inside the gasbag 1 and the gasbag frame, preventing rupture of the gasbag / gasbag frame due to excessive ascent speed. During ascent, the valves need to be continuously opened and closed to control the pressure difference. As the pressure difference gradually increases, the gas inside the capsule 1 gradually expands, slowly acquiring the task of supporting its shape. In conjunction with the gasbag frame, the gasbag frame gradually deflates, ensuring that it can maintain the shape of the airship together with the capsule 1 during the ascent. Once the capsule 1 can maintain its shape on its own, the capsule valve is closed, and the airship slowly ascends. The gasbag frame valve 11 remains open until the gas inside the gasbag frame is completely deflated, at which point the gasbag frame is in a deflated state.

[0041] ③ The airship lost pressure when encountering an extremely cold environment.

[0042] During flight, airships may encounter extreme environments. For example, in extremely cold conditions, the helium gas inside capsule 1 may depressurize, causing buoyancy to fall below gravity and potentially leading to a sudden drop in altitude. When the airship experiences a sudden drop in altitude, the depressurized capsule 1 may cause it to lose its shape, potentially resulting in damage to equipment and structures. Therefore, when an extremely cold environment is anticipated, the blower should be activated in advance, the capsule frame valve 11 opened, and gas should be introduced into the capsule frame. The capsule frame should gradually inflate until it can maintain the shape of the airship. After inflation is complete, the capsule frame valve 11 should be closed, and the blower turned off. This reduces the risk of damage to capsule 1 due to a sudden drop in altitude.

[0043] ④ Airship landing phase

[0044] During airship descent, it is typically achieved by either cutting the gasbag 1 with an explosive device or by opening the gasbag's own helium valve. However, such operations cause the airship to lose its overall shape, resulting in a loss of control and making it difficult to accurately predict the landing location. Therefore, before descent, shape-maintaining preparations should be made by continuously inflating the gasbag frame, gradually expanding the front gasbag frame 3, the middle gasbag frame 4, and the rear gasbag frame 5 until they can support the shape-maintaining task. Simultaneously, the helium valve of the gasbag 1 should be opened to gradually release helium, allowing the airship to maintain a certain shape during descent and ensuring a degree of control to predict the landing location.

[0045] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A shape-stable, soft-bodied stratospheric airship, characterized in that: The airship includes a body, an airbag frame, a tail fin, and a fan system. The airbag frame is located inside the airbag and is used to provide structural support for the airbag after inflation and to maintain the shape of the airbag during airship ascent, depressurization when the airship encounters an ultra-cold environment, and descent. The tail fin is located at the tail of the airbag. Both the airbag frame and the tail fin are connected to the fan system, and the airbag frame and the tail fin can be inflated and deflated through the fan system. The airbag frame includes a front airbag frame, a middle airbag frame, and a rear airbag frame connected in sequence. The front airbag frame includes a head mesh airbag frame and a first annular airbag group connected to the head mesh airbag frame, the first annular airbag group including a plurality of first annular airbags connected in sequence. The middle airbag frame includes a second annular airbag group, the second annular airbag group including a plurality of second annular airbags connected in sequence. The rear airbag frame includes a tail mesh airbag frame and a third annular airbag frame connected to the tail mesh airbag frame. The airbag assembly includes a third annular airbag assembly comprising multiple third annular airbags connected in sequence; the head mesh airbag skeleton, the first annular airbag assembly, the second annular airbag assembly, the third annular airbag assembly, and the tail mesh airbag skeleton are connected and communicate with each other from head to tail; the front airbag skeleton supports the area from the head of the airbag to 30% of the central axis of the airbag, the middle airbag skeleton supports the area from 30% to 70% of the central axis of the airbag, and the rear airbag skeleton supports the area from 70% of the central axis of the airbag to the tail end of the airbag; A junction ring airbag is provided at the junction of the front airbag frame and the middle airbag frame, and at the junction of the middle airbag frame and the rear airbag frame. The sectional radius of the junction ring airbag is larger than the sectional radius of the first ring airbag, the second ring airbag and the third ring airbag.

2. The shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bladder body and the airbag frame are made of the same material.

3. The shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fan system includes a fan, a first air pipe, a second air pipe, an airbag frame valve, and a tail fin valve. The fan is installed inside the fan nacelle. The first air pipe connects the fan to the airbag frame, and the second air pipe connects the fan to the tail fin. The airbag frame valve is installed on the first air pipe, and the tail fin valve is installed on the second air pipe.

4. A method for controlling a shape-maintaining soft stratospheric airship as described in claim 3, characterized in that, include: Airship assembly stage: First, complete the assembly of equipment and cables on the top of the airship and other locations. Start the fan system to inflate the airbag frame. During the gradual expansion of the airbag frame, control the inflation speed and monitor the status of the airbag frame at all times. Stop inflation at any time according to actual assembly needs. Use the current overall state of the airship to adjust the position and tightness of the equipment and cables around the airship until the airbag frame is fully formed. Then, integrate the equipment at the bottom of the airship. Airship ascent phase: Before takeoff, the gasbag frame is inflated. Based on buoyancy balance and surplus buoyancy, the appropriate amount of helium is filled into the gasbag, without filling the entire gasbag. The buoyancy is made greater than the weight to meet the launch conditions. During ascent, the valves of the gasbag itself and the gasbag frame are continuously opened / closed to control the pressure difference. The gasbag frame is gradually deflated. During the ascent, it and the gasbag maintain the shape of the airship together until the gasbag can maintain its shape. Then the gasbag valves are closed and the airship ascends slowly. The gasbag frame valves remain open until the gas in the gasbag frame is completely deflated. Airship depressurization in ultra-cold environment: When it is judged that the airship may encounter an ultra-cold environment, start the fan system in advance, open the gasbag frame valve, and fill the gasbag frame with gas. The gasbag frame gradually expands until it can maintain the shape of the airship. After the inflation is completed, close the gasbag frame valve and stop filling the gasbag frame with gas. Airship descent phase: Before landing, preparations should be made to maintain the shape of the airship. Inflate the airbag frame continuously, so that the airbag frame gradually expands until it can undertake the task of maintaining the shape. At the same time, open the valves of the airbag itself to gradually release helium, so that the airship maintains a certain shape during descent and ensures that the airship has a certain degree of control in order to predict the landing position of the airship.

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