A tethered aerostat

Abstract

This invention discloses a tethered aerostat, comprising: a tethered aerostat body, a wind power generation component, and a connecting component; the connecting component connects the capsule of the tethered aerostat body and the wind power generation component, with the wind power generation component located below the capsule. In this invention, wind energy can be converted into stable and continuous electrical energy through the cable adjustment device of the wind power generation component and the tethered aerostat body for use by various devices of the tethered aerostat; simultaneously, by placing the wind power generation component below the capsule, the connecting component adjusts the wind-driven directional balance of the tethered aerostat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of airship technology, and more particularly to a tethered airship. Background Technology

[0002] As a relatively mature product in the field of airships, tethered aerostats are currently widely used in electronic warfare, technical reconnaissance, emergency communications, and other fields, such as tethered balloons and tethered airships.

[0003] Traditional energy systems for tethered aerostats employ high-voltage AC or high-voltage DC power supply schemes. The electrical energy originates from the power grid, and after being stepped up by a transformer or a high-power converter station, the power frequency AC is increased to several thousand volts of high-voltage AC or high-voltage DC. The electrical energy is then transmitted to the tethered aerostat via a long-distance tethered cable. A step-down transformer or a high-power converter station installed on the tethered aerostat converts the high-voltage electricity into the low-voltage electricity required by the equipment, which is then distributed through the power distribution network to meet the power needs of the platform equipment and mission loads.

[0004] The aforementioned energy system solutions have the following drawbacks: Tethered aerostats are used for long-term stationary missions. In uninhabited areas, remote regions, and other areas where the power grid is difficult to access, they lack grid power supply capabilities and can only rely on diesel generators for power, which is uneconomical, environmentally unfriendly, and faces an increasingly serious energy crisis, making them unsuitable for long-term development. Tethered aerostats can operate at altitudes of hundreds to thousands of meters, with adjustable altitude and strong wind resistance. Wind energy resources are abundant, strong, and stable within this altitude range. Tethered aerostats possess favorable conditions for utilizing high-altitude wind energy, effectively solving the power supply problem for tethered aerostats in areas not covered by the power grid. However, how specifically tethered aerostats can utilize high-altitude wind energy and how to achieve wind-driven directional balance remain urgent technical problems to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problems existing in the background art, the present invention proposes a tethered aerostat that can convert wind energy into stable and continuous electrical energy using wind power generation components and cable adjustment devices of the tethered aerostat body. At the same time, a connecting component is set to adjust the wind-driven reversal balance of the tethered aerostat.

[0006] A tethered aerostat includes: a tethered aerostat body, a wind power generation component, and a connecting component;

[0007] The connecting components connect the capsule of the tethered aerostat body and the wind power generation component, with the wind power generation component located below the capsule.

[0008] Preferably, the connecting assembly includes: a pod, an electromagnetic component, and a connecting shaft. The electromagnetic component is fixedly installed inside the pod, and the wind power generation component is fixed to the armature of the electromagnetic component via the connecting shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the electromagnet, armature, and connecting shaft of the electromagnetic assembly are all arranged coaxially, and the electromagnetic assembly has a housing that partially covers the electromagnet and armature to prevent the electromagnet from axially separating from the armature.

[0010] Preferably, it further includes:

[0011] Torque measuring device, used to measure the instantaneous torque of a connecting shaft;

[0012] The tilt controller controls the connected electromagnetic components and communicates with the torque measuring device. The tilt controller is also used to control the electromagnetic components to de-energize when the instantaneous torque received from the connected shaft is greater than a first preset value.

[0013] Preferably, it further includes:

[0014] The motor is fixedly installed inside the pod, and the motor output shaft is coaxially and fixedly connected to the electromagnet. The tilt controller controls the motor.

[0015] The first attitude detection device is installed on the bow of the moored airship body and is used to detect the orientation of the moored airship body. The first attitude detection device is communicatively connected to the tilt controller.

[0016] The second attitude detection device is installed on the wind power generation component and is used to detect the orientation of the wind power generation component. The second attitude detection device is communicatively connected to the tilt controller.

[0017] When the change in the orientation of the tethered airship body is less than the second preset value, the tilt controller controls the electromagnetic components to be energized and the motor to start, so as to drive the wind power generation components to rotate until the blades of the wind power generation components are perpendicular to the wind direction.

[0018] Preferably, it also includes a converter module, an energy storage battery pack, an energy management controller, a bidirectional DC / DC module, and a power distribution network module;

[0019] The output terminal of the wind power generation component is electrically connected to the input terminal of the converter module. The energy management controller is electrically connected to the output terminal of the converter module, the input and output terminals of the energy storage battery pack, the input terminal of the power distribution network module, and the bidirectional DC / DC module, respectively.

[0020] Preferably, the ground module of the tethered aerostat body further includes a ground energy storage module, a cable adjustment device, and a wind field measurement device;

[0021] The ground-based energy storage module is electrically connected to the cable adjustment device, the wind field measurement device, and the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat body, respectively.

[0022] The two ends of the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat are connected to the bidirectional DC / DC module and the ground energy storage module, respectively.

[0023] Preferably, the energy management controller is connected to the cable adjustment device, wind farm measurement device, ground energy storage module, energy storage battery pack, wind power generation components and power distribution network module.

[0024] Preferably, the wind power generation components include a wind turbine and a generator;

[0025] The output shaft of the wind turbine is connected to the rotor of the generator, and the rotation of the wind turbine drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0026] The generator's output terminal is electrically connected to the converter module's input terminal.

[0027] Preferably, the converter module includes a rectifier and a voltage regulator. The input terminal of the rectifier is connected to the output terminal of the generator, and the output terminal of the rectifier is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator. The output terminal of the voltage regulator is electrically connected to the energy management controller.

[0028] This invention discloses a tethered aerostat, comprising: a tethered aerostat body, a wind power generation component, and a connecting component; the connecting component connects the bladder of the tethered aerostat body and the wind power generation component, with the wind power generation component located below the bladder. In this invention, wind energy can be converted into stable and continuous electrical energy through the cable adjustment device of the wind power generation component and the tethered aerostat body for use by various devices of the tethered aerostat; simultaneously, by placing the wind power generation component below the bladder, the connecting component adjusts the wind-driven directional balance of the tethered aerostat. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tethered airship proposed in this invention.

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part A in the image.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control principle of the orientation of the wind power generation component of a tethered airship proposed in this invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the energy system of a tethered airship proposed in this invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the energy system control principle of a tethered airship proposed in this invention.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of an energy system control method for a tethered airship proposed in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Reference Figure 1 The present invention proposes a tethered aerostat, comprising: a tethered aerostat body, a wind power generation component 2, and a connecting component 3;

[0036] The connecting component 3 is connected to the capsule 1 of the tethered airship body and the wind power generation component 2, with the wind power generation component 2 located below the capsule 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, wind energy can be converted into stable and continuous electrical energy through the wind power generation component and the cable adjustment device of the tethered aerostat body, so as to supply the various devices of the tethered aerostat; at the same time, the wind power generation component is located below the aerostat body, and the tethered aerostat is adjusted to adjust the wind-driven reversal balance through the connecting component.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 In the tethered airship proposed in this invention, the connecting component 3 includes: a pod 31, an electromagnetic component 32, and a connecting shaft 33. The electromagnetic component 32 is fixedly installed in the pod 31, and the wind power generation component 2 is fixed to the armature 322 of the electromagnetic component 32 through the connecting shaft 33.

[0039] Furthermore, the electromagnet 321, armature 322 and connecting shaft 33 of the electromagnetic component 32 are all arranged coaxially, and the electromagnetic component 32 has a housing 323 that partially covers the electromagnet 321 and armature 322 to prevent the electromagnet 321 from axially separating from the armature 322.

[0040] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic component 32 has two states. The first state is when the electromagnetic component 32 is energized, that is, the electromagnet 321 is energized, and an attraction is generated between the electromagnet 321 and the armature 322 so that the electromagnetic component 32 is integrated. The second state is when the electromagnetic component 32 is de-energized, that is, the electromagnet 321 is de-energized, and there is no attraction between the electromagnet 321 and the armature 322 so that the electromagnet 321 and the armature 322 form two independent parts.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 The tethered airship proposed in this invention further includes:

[0042] Torque measuring device, used to measure the instantaneous torque of connecting shaft 33;

[0043] The tilt controller controls the electromagnetic component 32 and is connected to the torque measuring device. The tilt controller is also used to control the electromagnetic component 32 to de-energize when the instantaneous torque received from the connecting shaft 33 is greater than a first preset value.

[0044] In this embodiment, the aerodynamic and performance design of the tethered airship ensures that it automatically feathers in the air, that is, the tethered airship body is always facing the wind with its bow facing the wind; in addition, in order to ensure the power generation efficiency of the wind power generation component 2, the wind power generation component 2 is oriented such that the wind turbine blades are perpendicular to the wind direction.

[0045] However, when the wind direction changes, the moored aerostat will automatically adjust its orientation so that the bow of the moored aerostat body faces the wind (i.e., automatic feathering to achieve wind-driven reversal). At this time, if the wind power generation component 2 is in a free state, the wind power generation component 2 will rotate in the opposite direction of the rotation of the moored aerostat so that the wind turbine blades are parallel to the wind direction (because the resistance of the wind turbine blades rotating in this direction is minimal).

[0046] Therefore, when the wind direction changes, if the tethered aerostat body rotates in the same direction as the wind power generation component 2 when adjusting its orientation, it will greatly increase the resistance of the rotation of the tethered aerostat body. This will not only make it difficult for the tethered aerostat body to automatically adjust its orientation with the change of wind direction, but will also lead to poor stability of the rotation of the bladder 1 of the tethered aerostat body.

[0047] Therefore, in this invention, the instantaneous torque of the connecting shaft 33 is measured by a torque measuring device. When the instantaneous torque of the connecting shaft 33 received is greater than the first preset value, the electromagnetic component 32 is de-energized to reduce the resistance brought by the wind power generation component 2 when the tethered airship body adjusts its orientation. This facilitates the tethered airship body to automatically adjust its orientation with the change of wind direction and also improves the stability of the rotation of the tethered airship body.

[0048] The tethered airship proposed in this invention further includes:

[0049] Motor 4 is fixedly installed inside the pod 31. The output shaft of motor 4 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the electromagnet. The tilt controller controls the motor 4.

[0050] The first attitude detection device is installed on the bow of the moored airship body and is used to detect the orientation of the moored airship body. The first attitude detection device is communicatively connected to the tilt controller.

[0051] The second attitude detection device is installed on the wind power generation component 2 and is used to detect the orientation of the wind power generation component 2. The second attitude detection device is communicatively connected to the tilt controller.

[0052] When the change in the orientation of the tethered aerostat body is less than the second preset value, that is, when the tethered aerostat tends to be stable, the tilt controller controls the electromagnetic component 32 to be energized and the motor 4 to start, so as to drive the wind power generation component 2 to rotate until the blades of the wind power generation component 2 are perpendicular to the wind direction. Thus, after the tethered aerostat tends to be stable, the orientation of the wind power generation component 2 is adjusted to minimize the resistance brought by the wind power generation component 2 when the tethered aerostat body adjusts its orientation. This makes it easier for the tethered aerostat body to automatically adjust its orientation with the change of wind direction, and also improves the stability of the rotation of the tethered aerostat body.

[0053] Reference Figure 4-5 The tethered aerostat proposed in this invention also includes a converter module, an energy storage battery pack, an energy management controller, a bidirectional DC / DC module, and a power distribution network module.

[0054] The output terminal of the wind power generation component 2 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the converter module. The energy management controller is electrically connected to the output terminal of the converter module, the input and output terminals of the energy storage battery pack, the input terminal of the power distribution network module, and the bidirectional DC / DC module, respectively.

[0055] The low-voltage bus at the output of the energy management controller is electrically connected to the bidirectional DC / DC module.

[0056] Wind power generation component 2 is used to convert wind energy into electrical energy.

[0057] The converter module is used to rectify and regulate the voltage of AC power.

[0058] Energy storage battery packs are used to store excess electrical energy and power distribution network modules when wind power is insufficient.

[0059] Bidirectional DC / DC modules are used to achieve bidirectional transmission of power and signals.

[0060] The energy storage battery pack is a high-energy-density, high-cycle-capacity, rechargeable battery; the energy storage battery pack has an online charging function.

[0061] In the tethered aerostat proposed in this invention, the ground module of the tethered aerostat body further includes a ground energy storage module, a cable adjustment device, and a wind field measurement device.

[0062] The ground-based energy storage module is electrically connected to the cable adjustment device, the wind field measurement device, and the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat body, respectively.

[0063] The energy management controller is connected to the cable adjustment device, wind farm measurement device, ground energy storage module, energy storage battery pack, wind power generation components and power distribution network module.

[0064] The two ends of the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat body are connected to the bidirectional DC / DC module and the ground energy storage module, respectively.

[0065] The ground-based energy storage module is a battery; on the one hand, it can supply power to the power distribution network module through "high-voltage tether cable - bidirectional DC / DC module - low-voltage bus at the output of energy management controller", and on the other hand, it can be charged online through "wind power generation component - converter module - energy management controller - bidirectional DC / DC module - high-voltage tether cable"; the direction of power transmission can be switched freely.

[0066] Among them, the ground-based energy storage module is used to store excess electrical energy and power the ground module; and to power the distribution network module when wind energy is insufficient.

[0067] The wind field measurement device is used to collect wind field environmental parameters within the height range of the high-voltage mooring cable.

[0068] The cable adjustment device is used to adjust the altitude of the tethered airship.

[0069] In the tethered aerostat proposed in this invention, the wind power generation component 2 includes a wind turbine and a generator;

[0070] The output shaft of the wind turbine is connected to the rotor of the generator, and the rotation of the wind turbine drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0071] The generator's output terminal is electrically connected to the converter module's input terminal.

[0072] In this embodiment, the wind turbine collects wind energy and converts it into mechanical energy; the generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy for output.

[0073] The wind power generation module 2 can be one or more sets. Multiple sets of wind power generation modules 2 can operate independently, and the number can be flexibly configured according to the altitude, wind speed, energy demand, etc.

[0074] In the tethered airship proposed in this invention, the converter module includes an AC / DC rectifier and a DC / DC voltage regulator. The input terminal of the AC / DC rectifier is connected to the output terminal of the generator, and the output terminal of the AC / DC rectifier is connected to the input terminal of the DC / DC voltage regulator. The output terminal of the DC / DC voltage regulator is connected to the energy management controller.

[0075] In this embodiment, the AC / DC rectifier is used to convert the alternating current output by the wind power generation component 2 into direct current, and the DC / DC voltage regulator is used to convert the input DC voltage into a stable DC voltage required by the power distribution network module. In other words, the converter module is used to complete the power conversion.

[0076] Reference Figure 6The present invention proposes a tethered aerostat, the energy system control method of which includes the following steps (wherein, the energy system includes wind power generation components, converter modules, energy storage battery packs, energy management controllers, bidirectional DC / DC modules, power distribution network modules, high-voltage tethering cables for the tethered aerostat body, and ground modules):

[0077] Step S1: The energy management controller acquires the wind field environmental parameters at the current altitude of the tethered aerostat, the remaining capacity SOC of the energy storage battery pack, and the instantaneous power P0 of the total load of the tethered aerostat, and presets the first threshold X1% and the second threshold X2%.

[0078] Among them, the wind field environmental parameters include wind energy E1 and wind instantaneous power P1;

[0079] Step S2: The energy management controller determines the wind energy E1 at the current altitude of the tethered aerostat. If the wind energy E1 at the current altitude of the tethered aerostat is greater than 0, then proceed to step S3. If E1 is less than or equal to 0, then proceed to step S4.

[0080] Step S3: The energy management controller determines the relationship between the instantaneous wind power P1 at the current altitude of the tethered aerostat and the instantaneous total load power P0 of the tethered aerostat. If P1-P0≥0, that is, the wind power generation component 2 can supply the power demand of the platform equipment and the mission load and has a surplus, then step S5 is executed. If P1-P0<0, then step S6 is executed.

[0081] Step S4: Execute working mode 3, that is, the energy management controller controls the energy storage battery pack to provide power to the power distribution network module;

[0082] Among them, the energy storage battery pack provides power to the power distribution network module through the line "energy storage battery pack - low-voltage bus at the output end of energy management controller - power distribution network module";

[0083] Furthermore, the energy management controller uses the wind field measurement device to determine in real time whether the wind energy E1 at the current height of the tethered aerostat is at its maximum within the height range of the high-voltage tethered cable. If so, step S11 is executed; otherwise, step S9 is executed.

[0084] Step S5: Execute working mode 1, that is, the energy management controller controls the wind power generation component 2 to provide power to the power distribution network module; at the same time, the energy management controller controls the wind power generation component 2 to charge the energy storage battery pack and the ground energy storage module.

[0085] Among them, the wind power generation component 2 provides power to the distribution network module through the line "wind power generation component 2 - converter module - low voltage bus at the output end of energy management controller - distribution network module";

[0086] The wind power generation module 2 charges the energy storage battery pack through the line "wind power generation module 2 - converter module - low voltage bus at the output of energy management controller - energy storage battery pack";

[0087] Wind power generation module 2 charges the ground energy storage module through the line "Wind power generation module 2 - converter module - low-voltage bus at the output of energy management controller - bidirectional DC / DC module - high-voltage mooring cable - ground energy storage module";

[0088] Step S6: Execute working mode 2, that is, the energy management controller controls the wind power generation component 2 and the energy storage battery pack to simultaneously provide power to the power distribution network module;

[0089] The energy management controller determines the relationship between the remaining capacity SOC of the energy storage battery pack and the first threshold X1% in real time. If SOC < X1%, step S7 is executed. To avoid repeated height adjustments of the high-voltage mooring cable in a short period of time, X1% is generally not preset to 100%.

[0090] Step S7: The energy management controller uses the wind field measurement device to determine whether the wind energy E1 at the current height of the tethered aerostat is at its maximum within the height range of the high-voltage tethered cable. If yes, proceed to step S8; otherwise, proceed to step S9.

[0091] Step S8: The energy management controller determines the relationship between the remaining capacity SOC of the energy storage battery pack and the second threshold X2%. If SOC ≥ X2%, then proceed to step S6; if SOC < X2%, then proceed to step S10.

[0092] Step S9: The energy management controller adjusts the height of the high-voltage mooring cable through the cable adjustment device so that the mooring aerostat is located at the position with the greatest wind energy within the height range of the high-voltage mooring cable, and then executes step S3.

[0093] Step S10: Execute working mode 4, that is, the energy management controller switches the ground energy storage module to supply power to the power distribution network module;

[0094] Among them, the ground energy storage module supplies power to the power distribution network module through the line "ground energy storage module - high voltage tether cable - bidirectional DC / DC module - low voltage bus at the output of energy management controller - power distribution network module";

[0095] The energy management controller uses a wind field measurement device to determine in real time whether the wind energy E1 at the current height of the tethered aerostat is at its maximum within the height range of the high-voltage tethered cable. If not, step S9 is executed.

[0096] Step S11: The energy management controller determines the relationship between the remaining capacity SOC of the energy storage battery pack and the second threshold X2%. If SOC ≥ X2%, proceed to step S4; if SOC < X2%, proceed to step S10.

[0097] The present invention proposes an energy system control method for tethered aerostats, which can meet the energy needs of tethered aerostats under various wind speed conditions by optimizing the power supply control logic.

[0098] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tethered aerostat, characterized in that, include: The tethered airship body, wind power generation components (2) and connecting components (3); The connecting component (3) is connected to the capsule (1) of the tethered airship body and the wind power generation component (2) respectively, with the wind power generation component (2) located below the capsule (1); The connecting assembly (3) includes: a pod (31), an electromagnetic assembly (32), and a connecting shaft (33). The electromagnetic assembly (32) is fixedly installed inside the pod (31), and the wind power generation assembly (2) is fixed to the armature (322) of the electromagnetic assembly (32) via the connecting shaft (33). The electromagnet (321), armature (322) and connecting shaft (33) of the electromagnetic assembly (32) are all arranged coaxially. The electromagnetic assembly (32) has a housing (323) that partially covers the electromagnet (321) and armature (322) to prevent the electromagnet (321) from axially separating from the armature (322). Also includes: A torque measuring device is used to measure the instantaneous torque of the connecting shaft (33); The tilt controller controls the electromagnetic component (32), and the tilt controller is connected to the torque measuring device. The tilt controller is also used to control the electromagnetic component (32) to de-energize when the instantaneous torque received from the connecting shaft (33) is greater than a first preset value. Also includes: Motor (4), motor (4) is fixedly installed in the pod (31), the output shaft of motor (4) is coaxially fixedly connected to the electromagnet, and the tilt controller controls the motor (4). The first attitude detection device is installed on the bow of the moored airship body and is used to detect the orientation of the moored airship body. The first attitude detection device is communicatively connected to the tilt controller. The second attitude detection device is installed on the wind power generation component (2) and is used to detect the orientation of the wind power generation component (2). The second attitude detection device is connected in communication with the tilt controller. When the change in the orientation of the tethered airship body is less than the second preset value, the tilt controller controls the electromagnetic component (32) to be energized and the motor (4) to start, so as to drive the wind power generation component (2) to rotate until the blades of the wind power generation component (2) are perpendicular to the wind direction.

2. A tethered aerostat according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes converter modules, energy storage battery packs, energy management controllers, bidirectional DC / DC modules, and power distribution network modules; The output end of the wind power generation component (2) is electrically connected to the input end of the converter module. The energy management controller is electrically connected to the output end of the converter module, the input and output ends of the energy storage battery pack, the input end of the power distribution network module, and the bidirectional DC / DC module, respectively.

3. A tethered aerostat according to claim 2, wherein, The ground module of the tethered aerostat also includes a ground energy storage module, a cable adjustment device, and a wind field measurement device. The ground-based energy storage module is electrically connected to the cable adjustment device, the wind field measurement device, and the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat body, respectively. The two ends of the high-voltage tether cable of the tethered aerostat are connected to the bidirectional DC / DC module and the ground energy storage module, respectively.

4. A tethered aerostat according to claim 3, wherein, The energy management controller is connected to the cable adjustment device, wind farm measurement device, ground energy storage module, energy storage battery pack, wind power generation components and power distribution network module.

5. A tethered aerostat according to claim 3, wherein, Wind power generation components (2) include wind turbines and generators; The output shaft of the wind turbine is connected to the rotor of the generator, and the rotation of the wind turbine drives the generator to generate electricity. The generator's output terminal is electrically connected to the converter module's input terminal.

6. The tethered aerostat of claim 3 wherein, The converter module includes a rectifier and a voltage regulator. The input of the rectifier is connected to the output of the generator, and the output of the rectifier is connected to the input of the voltage regulator. The output of the voltage regulator is connected to the energy management controller.

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