A method for full-engine climb and glide performance testing of tropospheric manned airships

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for full-engine climb and glide performance test flights applicable to tropospheric manned airships. The method involves selecting test conditions and headings for the airship, then gradually increasing power to maximum continuous power while maintaining level flight. For climb performance test flights, the airship's elevator is adjusted to control the rate of climb until the gasbag pressure reaches the upper limit of the safe range and stabilizes, at which point the rate of climb no longer increases, and this rate of climb is maintained for a stable ascent to a certain altitude. For glide performance test flights, the airship's elevator is adjusted to control the rate of descent until the gasbag pressure reaches the lower limit of the safe range and stabilizes, at which point the rate of descent no longer increases, and this rate of descent is maintained for a stable descent to a certain altitude. The climb or descent is repeated in the opposite heading. The climb angle is then calculated, and the average of the climb rate, descent rate, and climb angle for the stable climb segments in both headings is taken. Finally, the effectiveness of the test flight maneuvers is determined. This invention fills the gap in the test flight methods for the full-engine climb and glide performance type qualification certification of tropospheric manned airships.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of airship test flight technology, and in particular relates to a test flight method for the full-engine climb and glide performance of a tropospheric manned airship. Background Technology

[0002] The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the type certification for the airship (AC-21-AA-2009-09R1), which adopted Article 2.8(a)(b) of the (FAA P-8110-2) airship design guidelines, which specifies the full-engine climb and glide performance. It clearly requires that the airship must formulate its maximum rate of climb and maximum rate of glide under various balance conditions using maximum continuous forward thrust, and the airship must have a steady rate of climb of at least 300 feet / minute and a steady climb angle of 1:12 at sea level.

[0003] Currently, China lacks flight test technologies and methods for the qualification certification of tropospheric airships. There is a need to implement repeatable and standardized flight test requirements for airships, standardizing flight test weight, center of gravity, procedures, and methods to form unified verification requirements and improve the efficiency and quality of manned airship flight tests. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention

[0005] To improve the efficiency and quality of manned airship test flights, this invention provides a method for testing the all-engine climb and glide performance of tropospheric manned airships.

[0006] Invention Technology Solutions

[0007] A method for testing the all-engine climb and glide performance of a tropospheric manned airship includes the following steps:

[0008] Step 1: Selecting the test conditions for the airship;

[0009] Step 2: Choose a course;

[0010] Step 3: The airship gradually increases its power to the maximum continuous power and maintains the throttle for level flight;

[0011] Step 4: For the climb performance test flight, adjust the airship elevator to control the airship to increase the climb rate until the gasbag pressure reaches the upper limit of the safe range and stabilizes, and the climb rate no longer increases. Maintain this climb rate to climb steadily for a certain altitude.

[0012] For glide performance test flights: Adjust the airship elevator to control the airship to increase the rate of descent until the gasbag pressure reaches the lower limit of the safe range and stabilizes, and the rate of descent no longer increases. Maintain this rate of descent to descend steadily for a certain altitude.

[0013] Step 5: For climb performance test flight: After returning to the initial altitude, select the opposite heading of step 2 and repeat steps 3 and 4; For descent performance test flight: After returning to the initial altitude, select the opposite heading of step 2 and repeat steps 3 and 4.

[0014] Step 6: For climb performance test flight: Calculate the climb angle, and take the average of the climb rate and climb angle for the two stable climb segments on the two headings; For glide performance test flight: Take the average of the descent rate for the two stable descent segments on the two headings.

[0015] Step 7: Determine if the test flight maneuvers are effective.

[0016] Preferably, in the first step, the maximum static weight and forward center of gravity of the airship are selected as the test conditions for both the climb performance test flight and the descent performance test flight.

[0017] Preferably, in the second step, the climb performance test flight and the descent performance test flight are conducted with or against the wind direction.

[0018] Preferably, the stable climbing height in the third step is not less than 50m.

[0019] Preferably, the stable descent height in the third step is not less than 50m.

[0020] Preferably, in the fourth step, the airship is controlled to increase the climb rate in increments of 0.5 m / s to 1 m / s.

[0021] Preferably, in the fourth step, the airship is controlled to increase the descent rate by pushing the stick in increments of 0.5 m / s to 1 m / s.

[0022] Preferably, in the sixth step, the eastward and northward displacements are first calculated based on GPS, then the horizontal displacement is obtained based on the eastward and northward displacements, and finally the climb angle is obtained by linear fitting of the horizontal displacement and the climb height.

[0023] Preferably, in step seven, if the airbag pressure is within the normal range, the climb rate or descent rate is stable, the climb angle reaches 1:12, and the climb rate reaches 300 feet / minute, then the test flight is valid.

[0024] Advantages of this invention: This invention fills the gap in the test flight method for the full-engine climb and glide performance of tropospheric manned airships, realizes a repeatable and standardized test flight scheme, forms unified verification requirements, and improves the test flight efficiency and test flight quality of the full-engine climb and glide performance of tropospheric manned airships. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a test flight method for the full-engine climb and glide performance of a tropospheric manned airship, according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0027] A method for full-engine climb and glide performance testing of a tropospheric manned airship, comprising the following steps:

[0028] 5.1 Full-power climb

[0029] Step 1: Select the airship's maximum static weight and front center of gravity as the experimental conditions;

[0030] Step 2: Choose either a heading with or against the wind for climbing;

[0031] Step 3: The airship gradually increases its power to the maximum continuous power and maintains the throttle for level flight;

[0032] Step 4: Adjust the airship elevator to slowly increase the rate of climb until the airbag pressure reaches the upper limit of the safe range and stabilizes, at which point the rate of climb no longer increases. Maintain this rate of climb and climb steadily to a certain altitude (not less than 50m).

[0033] Step 5: Return to the initial altitude and choose the opposite course to step 2 to repeat the climb (steps 3 and 4);

[0034] Step 6: Calculate the eastward and northward displacements based on the GPS eastward and northward velocity integrations, calculate the horizontal displacement based on the eastward and northward displacements, and calculate the climb angle by linear fitting based on the climb height and horizontal displacement.

[0035] Step 7: Take the average of the rate of climb and angle of climb for the two stabilization phases;

[0036] Step 8: According to the qualification criteria, if the airbag pressure is within the normal range, the vertical climb rate is stable, the climb angle can reach 1:12, and the climb rate can reach 300 feet / minute during the test flight, then the test flight is valid.

[0037] 5.2 Total decline

[0038] Step 1: Select the airship's maximum static weight and front center of gravity as the experimental conditions;

[0039] Step 2: Choose either a heading with or against the wind for descent;

[0040] Step 3: The airship gradually increases its power to the maximum continuous power and maintains the throttle for level flight;

[0041] Step 4: Adjust the airship's elevator to slowly increase the descent rate until the gasbag pressure reaches the lower limit of the safe range and stabilizes, at which point the descent rate stops increasing. Maintain this descent rate to descend steadily to a certain altitude (not less than 50m).

[0042] Step 5: Return to the initial altitude and choose the opposite course to step 2 to repeat the descent (steps 3 and 4);

[0043] Step 6: Take the average descent rate for the two headings;

[0044] Step 7: According to the qualification criteria, if the airbag pressure is within the normal range and the descent rate is stable during the test flight, then the test flight is valid.

[0045] Based on the above flight test methods, the flight test process for the type qualification certification of a certain manned airship's all-engine climb and glide performance is as follows:

[0046] 1) Before the test, set the weight, center of gravity position, etc. according to the test requirements;

[0047] 2) The airship took off normally and climbed to an altitude of 200m;

[0048] 3) Keep the airship at an altitude of 200m, move upward with the wind, adjust the throttle of both engines to the maximum continuous power, and slowly pull back the stick to make the airship climb rate 2m / s. After the airship is in a normal state and can be stable for 10s, continue to slowly increase the climb rate by pulling back the stick in increments of 0.5m / s until the airship gasbag pressure is close to the normal range and remains normal. Maintain this climb rate to a stable climb altitude of 200m.

[0049] 4) Adjust the airship's status, move it upwards against the wind, adjust both engines to maximum continuous power, and slowly push the stick to make the airship descend at a rate of 2m / s. After the airship is in a normal and stable state for 10 seconds, continue to push the stick in increments of 0.5m / s to slowly increase the descent rate until the airship's airbag pressure is close to the normal range and remains normal. Maintain this descent rate to descend to a stable altitude of 150m.

[0050] 5) Keep the airship at an altitude of 200m, head upwards against the wind, adjust both engines to maximum continuous power, slowly pull back on the stick to make the airship climb rate 2m / s. After the airship is in a normal state and can be stable for 10s, continue to slowly increase the climb rate by pulling back on the stick in increments of 0.5m / s until the airship gasbag pressure is close to the normal range and remains normal. Maintain this climb rate to a stable climb altitude of 200m.

[0051] 6) Adjust the airship's status, move it up with the wind, adjust both engines to maximum continuous power, and slowly push the stick to make the airship descend at a rate of 2m / s. After the airship is in a normal and stable state for 10 seconds, continue to push the stick in increments of 0.5m / s to slowly increase the descent rate until the airship's airbag pressure is close to the normal range and remains normal. Maintain this descent rate to descend to a stable altitude of 150m.

[0052] 7) Calculate the eastward and northward displacements by integrating the eastward and northward speeds from the GPS data, and calculate the horizontal displacement by taking the square root of the square root. Calculate the climb angle by linear fitting the GPS altitude and horizontal displacement.

[0053] 8) Calculate the average climb / descent rate of the stable segment based on the climb / descent rate of the stable segment;

[0054] 9) After the airship touches down, ground personnel control the airship and the crew evacuates safely. During the test, the climb rate, climb angle, and airbag pressure all meet the qualification criteria, and the test is valid.

[0055] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent transformations or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. The technologies, shapes, and structures not described in detail in this invention are all well-known technologies.

Claims

1. A method for full-engine climb and glide performance test flight of a tropospheric manned airship, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Selecting the test conditions for the airship; Step 2: Choose a course; Step 3: The airship gradually increases its power to the maximum continuous power and maintains the throttle for level flight; Step 4: For the climb performance test flight, adjust the airship elevator to control the airship to increase the climb rate until the gasbag pressure reaches the upper limit of the safe range and stabilizes, and the climb rate no longer increases. Maintain this climb rate to climb steadily for a certain altitude; the stable climb altitude should not be less than 50m. For glide performance test flights: Adjust the airship elevator to control the airship to increase the descent rate until the gasbag pressure reaches the lower limit of the safe range and stabilizes, and the descent rate no longer increases. Maintain this descent rate to descend steadily for a certain altitude; the stable descent altitude should not be less than 50m. Step 5: For climb performance test flight: After returning to the initial altitude, select the opposite heading of step 2 and repeat steps 3 and 4; For descent performance test flight: After returning to the initial altitude, select the opposite heading of step 2 and repeat steps 3 and 4. Step 6: For climb performance test flight: Calculate the climb angle, and take the average of the climb rate and climb angle for the two stable climb segments on the two headings; For glide performance test flight: Take the average of the descent rate for the two stable descent segments on the two headings. Step 7: Determine if the test flight maneuvers are effective.

2. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the first step, the maximum static weight and forward center of gravity of the airship were selected as the test conditions for both the climb performance test and the descent performance test.

3. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the second step, climb performance test flights and descent performance test flights should be conducted with or against the wind direction.

4. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the fourth step, the airship is controlled to increase the rate of climb in increments of 0.5 m / s to 1 m / s.

5. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the fourth step, the airship is controlled to increase the descent rate by pushing the stick in increments of 0.5 m / s to 1 m / s.

6. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the sixth step, the eastward and northward displacements are first calculated based on GPS, then the horizontal displacement is obtained based on the eastward and northward displacements, and finally the climb angle is obtained by linear fitting of the horizontal displacement and the climb height.

7. The method for full-engine climb and glide performance test of a tropospheric manned airship as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If, in step seven, the airbag pressure remains within the normal range, the climb rate or descent rate remains stable, the climb angle reaches 1:12, and the climb rate reaches 300 feet per minute during the test flight, then the test flight is valid.

Images