Freight airship lifting control system with flexible air bag and control method

Abstract

The invention provides a freight airship lifting control system with a flexible air bag and a control method. The flexible air bag is used for storing light gas. The temperature control unit controls the pressure intensity and the volume of the light gas in the flexible air bag by detecting and changing the temperature of the light gas in the flexible air bag; the gas compression device compresses gas in the flexible air bag and then stores the compressed gas into the storage device. The inflation and deflation control system controls the inflation and deflation process of the flexible air bag according to instruction information of the airship control system and detection information of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit is arranged in the flexible air bag and matched with the inflation and deflation system, when the airship is in a suspended state and needs to be loaded with loads, light gas is inflated into the flexible air bag, meanwhile, the temperature of the light gas is increased, and therefore the control efficiency of increasing the upward lifting force of the airship is improved, and when the loads need to be unloaded, the control efficiency of increasing the upward lifting force of the airship is improved. And the light gas is cooled while being compressed, so that the control efficiency of reducing the upward lifting force of the airship is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of cargo airships with flexible airbags, and in particular to a cargo airship lifting control system and a control method with a flexible airbag. Background Art

[0002] An airship is a lighter-than-air aircraft. The biggest difference between it and a hot air balloon is that an airship is a device that can propel and control the flight state. An airship consists of a huge streamlined hull, a pod located under the hull, a tail surface that plays a stabilizing and controlling role, and a propulsion device. The airbag in the hull is filled with a light gas (hydrogen or helium, generally helium because hydrogen is flammable and explosive) with a density lower than that of air to generate buoyancy to lift the airship. The pod is for passengers and cargo. The tail surface is used to control and maintain the stability of the heading and pitch. Large civil airships can also be used for traffic, transportation, entertainment, disaster relief, film and television shooting, scientific experiments, etc. The structure of the airship hull with a flexible airbag can be simplified to a balloon. Its lift is determined by the volume of the balloon. The more light gas and the larger the volume, the greater the lift.

[0003] Since airships are suspended in the air by the buoyancy of light gases, when the airship is carrying cargo, the upward lift (buoyancy) of the light gases and the downward gravity of the load are balanced. In reality, cargo airships sometimes need to load and unload in the air, such as the delivery of disaster relief materials, the laying of steel cables for construction in the mountains, and the loading of trees on the cabin, which will cause the balance to be broken. For example, when the airship unloads its load, due to the reduction of the total load, the airship needs to reduce its own lift, otherwise it will cause the airship to rise rapidly and lose control after dropping the load.

[0004] There are four existing solutions. The first is to directly discharge light gas. The disadvantage is that the light gas directly discharged causes high cost of use. The second is to use propellers and other devices to provide downward force to balance the load mass. This method also requires extremely high cost. The third is to compress the light gas. The disadvantage of this method is that the volume of light gas compressed to balance the lift released by unloading the load is too large, and the efficiency is too low. The fourth is to load ballast while unloading the load to balance the lift of the airship. Although this method is more feasible, it also has great limitations, including the choice of ballast, loading method, and space for ballast placement, which limit the widespread use of airships in cargo transportation. At present, the third method mentioned above is mainly used, which is controlled by inflation and deflation, that is, when the airship is suspended and loaded with a load, light gas is filled into the flexible airbag, and the light gas is compressed when the load is unloaded, but the efficiency is low. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems existing in the background technology, the present invention proposes a cargo airship lifting control system and a control method with a flexible airbag.

[0006] A cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag, comprising:

[0007] Flexible airbags for storing lightweight gases;

[0008] a temperature control unit configured to be connected to the inflation and deflation control system and used to control the pressure and volume of the light gas in the flexible airbag by detecting and changing the temperature of the light gas in the flexible airbag;

[0009] A storage device configured to be connected to the inflation port of the flexible airbag through an inflation and deflation control system for storing liquefied gas;

[0010] A gas compression device, configured to connect the deflation port of the flexible airbag and the storage device through an inflation and deflation control system, and used to compress the gas in the flexible airbag and then store it in the storage device;

[0011] The inflation and deflation control system is configured to connect the temperature control unit, the storage device and the gas compression device and to communicate with the airship control system, and is used to control the inflation and deflation process of the flexible airbag according to the command information of the airship control system and the detection information of the temperature control unit.

[0012] Based on the above, the inflation and deflation control system includes an MCU controller and an electric inflation valve. The MCU controller is connected to a temperature control unit, a storage device and a gas compression device. The MCU controller controls the connection to the electric inflation valve.

[0013] Based on the above, the temperature control unit includes a temperature sensor, a heating unit and a cooling unit respectively arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller is connected to the temperature sensor and controls the connection of the heating unit and the cooling unit respectively.

[0014] Based on the above, the storage device includes an air tank, and the air tank is connected to the inflation port of the air boat through an electric inflation valve.

[0015] Based on the above, the gas compression device includes a gas compressor, which is connected to the gas storage tank and the air outlet of the air boat respectively; the MCU controller controls the connection of the gas compressor.

[0016] Based on the above, a gas circulation device is included, the gas circulation device includes at least one fan, the fan is arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the fan.

[0017] Based on the above, the heating unit includes multiple PTC heating sheets respectively arranged on the inner wall of the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the PTC heating sheets; the cooling unit is the evaporator of the absorption refrigeration device, the evaporator is arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the absorption refrigeration device.

[0018] Based on the above, the inflation and deflation control system also includes a storage unit, which stores a load matching control table. The load matching control table is configured with associated matching control strategy information corresponding to the load change, temperature inside the flexible airbag, temperature control change information and inflation and deflation control information.

[0019] A method for controlling the lifting of a cargo airship with a flexible airbag using the aforementioned cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag, when the airship is suspended:

[0020] When loading, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each load increase through the airship control system and the temperature information in the airship through the temperature control unit, and then controls the storage device to inflate the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to heat the light gas in the flexible airbag;

[0021] When unloading the load, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each load reduction through the airship control system and the temperature information inside the airship through the temperature control unit. Then the inflation and deflation control system controls the gas compression device to compress the lightweight gas in the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to cool down the flexible airbag.

[0022] Based on the above, when the temperature in the flexible airbag is raised or lowered, the fan disposed in the flexible airbag is used to accelerate the circulation convection of the gas in the flexible airbag.

[0023] The present invention has outstanding substantial features and significant progress compared to the prior art. Specifically, the present invention sets a temperature control unit in the flexible airbag and cooperates with the inflation and deflation system. When the airship is suspended and a load needs to be loaded, the light gas is filled into the flexible airbag and the light gas in the flexible airbag is heated at the same time, thereby improving the control efficiency of increasing the upward lift of the airship. When the load needs to be unloaded, the light gas in the flexible airbag is compressed and the light gas in the flexible airbag is cooled at the same time, thereby improving the control efficiency of reducing the upward lift of the airship. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] like Figure 1As shown, a cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag includes: a flexible airbag for storing light gas; a temperature control unit configured to be connected to a gas charging and discharging control system, and used to control the pressure and volume of the light gas in the flexible airbag by detecting and changing the temperature of the light gas in the flexible airbag; a storage device configured to be connected to the inflation port of the flexible airbag through the gas charging and discharging control system, and used to store liquefied gas; a gas compression device configured to be connected to the deflation port of the flexible airbag and the storage device through the gas charging and discharging control system, and used to compress the gas in the flexible airbag and store it in the storage device; the gas charging and discharging control system is configured to be connected to the temperature control unit, the storage device and the gas compression device and to be communicatively connected to the airship control system, and used to control the inflation and deflation process of the flexible airbag according to the command information of the airship control system and the detection information of the temperature control unit.

[0027] When the airship is used in a suspended state, the control process is as follows: when loading, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each increase in load through the airship control system and obtains the temperature information in the flexible airbag through the temperature control unit. The inflation and deflation control system controls the temperature control unit to heat up the light gas in the flexible airbag and quickly increase the temperature of the light gas; at the same time, the inflation and deflation control system controls the storage device to inflate the flexible airbag, so that the lift of the airship is increased to a level sufficient to balance the newly added load in a short time, and the loading work is completed. After the loading work is completed, the heating system stops working, the temperature of the light gas begins to drop, and the inflation and deflation control system gradually replenishes the light gas to maintain the dynamic stability of the lift of the airship. Finally, when the temperature of the light gas drops to the same temperature as the outside air or reaches the preset working temperature, the inflation and deflation control system stops replenishing the light gas, thereby improving the efficiency of lift control during the loading process, thereby allowing the airship to maintain stable operation throughout the entire process. When unloading the load, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each load reduction through the airship control system and the temperature information in the airship through the temperature control unit. The inflation and deflation control system controls the temperature control unit to cool down the flexible airbag, quickly lowering the temperature of the light gas. At the same time, the inflation and deflation control system controls the gas compression device to compress the light gas in the flexible airbag, compressing the light gas into liquid and storing it, reducing the amount of light gas in the airship. The lift of the airship is reduced to a level sufficient to balance the excess lift released by unloading the load in a short time, and the unloading work is completed. After the unloading work is completed, the cooling system stops working, the temperature of the light gas begins to rise, and the gas compression device continues to work to reduce the amount of light gas, balance the excess lift generated by the gradual temperature increase of the light gas, and maintain the dynamic stability of the lift of the airship. Finally, when the temperature of the light gas rises to the same level as the outside air or reaches the preset working temperature, the gas compression device stops compressing the light gas, thereby improving the efficiency of lift control during the unloading process, and thus keeping the airship running smoothly throughout the whole process.

[0028] Specifically, the inflation and deflation control system includes an MCU controller and an electric inflation valve. The MCU controller is connected to a temperature control unit, a storage device and a gas compression device. The MCU controller controls the connection of the electric inflation valve. In practice, the MCU controller is also connected to the airship's own control system, communicates and interacts with the airship's own control system and is controlled by the airship's own control system. When loading / unloading, the airship's control system sends load change information to the MCU controller. In practice, the inflation and deflation control system also includes a storage unit, which stores a load matching control table. The load matching control table is respectively configured with associated matching control strategy information corresponding to the load change, the temperature in the flexible airbag, the temperature control change information and the inflation and deflation control information (in reality, it also includes some meteorological information outside the airship, such as wind speed, wind direction, outside temperature, etc.). The load change records the change information of the increase and decrease of all loads within the maximum load range of the airship. The temperature in the flexible airbag records the temperature of the light gas in the current flexible airbag. The corresponding load change information and the temperature information in the flexible airbag are respectively configured with the control strategy of temperature increase / reduction and inflation / deflation in the flexible airbag. The inflation and deflation control system can perform temperature control and inflation and deflation control according to the received load change information and the detected current temperature information in the flexible airbag by looking up the table.

[0029] In this embodiment, the storage device includes a gas storage tank, which is connected to the inflation port of the airboat through an electric inflation valve, and the inflation control is realized by controlling the opening and closing of the electric inflation valve. The gas compression device includes a gas compressor, which is connected to the gas storage tank and the deflation port of the airboat respectively; the MCU controller controls the connection of the gas compressor, and realizes the deflation and compression control of the lightweight gas in the flexible airbag by controlling the start and stop of the gas compressor.

[0030] The temperature control unit includes a temperature sensor, a heating unit and a cooling unit respectively arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller is connected to the temperature sensor and controls the connection of the heating unit and the cooling unit respectively. The temperature sensor, the heating unit and the cooling unit are respectively distributed in the flexible airbag. In reality, although the hull is a flexible airbag, a frame supporting the hull is generally arranged in the hull, and the frame is arranged in the flexible airbag. In this embodiment, the heating unit includes a plurality of PTC heating sheets respectively arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the PTC heating sheets; the cooling unit is an evaporator of an absorption refrigeration device, and the evaporator is arranged in the flexible airbag. The MCU controller controls the connection of the absorption refrigeration device. The absorption refrigeration device uses existing equipment and refrigerants, and cools down through the circulation of refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen. For a specific lift reduction mission, the amount of light gas in the airship airbag at the beginning of the mission is certain. For the gas compressor, the volume of gas that can be compressed per unit time is fixed, and for the light gas in the flexible airbag, since the volume of the flexible airbag is variable, the volume of the light gas is variable. According to the gas state equation pV = nRT (p is pressure (Pa), V is gas volume (m 3 ), T is the temperature (K), n is the amount of gas (mol), and R is the molar gas constant (also called the universal gas constant) (J / (mol.K))). It can be seen that after changing the temperature of the light gas, the external air pressure at a certain height remains basically unchanged in reality, and the airbag is flexible, so the volume will change (the airship has the most gas and the largest volume in the airbag when it is at the maximum load or maximum suspension height, and the maximum height is the flight limit height, and the loading and unloading height is much lower than the maximum height). The volume of the light gas in the flexible airbag changes, and the change in volume directly leads to a change in lift. The inflation and deflation system cooperates with the temperature control unit to greatly improve the control efficiency of inflation and deflation. At the same time, there is no need to directly discharge the gas, nor is there any need to add additional large-load auxiliary equipment, which greatly reduces costs and saves load space. In addition, in the process of reducing lift, the density of the light gas in the airbag increases due to cooling and volume reduction, which further improves the efficiency of gas compression.

[0031] Preferably, the cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag further includes a gas circulation device, which includes at least one fan, which is arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the fan. There is one or more fans, which can be arranged on a frame in the middle of the flexible airbag, and the fan accelerates the convection of the light gas in the flexible airbag, so that the light gas is heated / cooled more evenly and quickly.

[0032] The present embodiment also provides a method for controlling the lifting of a cargo airship with a flexible airbag, using the aforementioned lifting control system for a cargo airship with a flexible airbag, when the airship is in a suspended state: when loading a load, the inflation and deflation control system obtains information about each increase in the load through the airship control system and obtains information about the temperature inside the airship through the temperature control unit, and then the inflation and deflation control system controls the storage device to inflate the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to heat up the light gas in the flexible airbag; when unloading the load, the inflation and deflation control system obtains information about each decrease in the load through the airship control system and obtains information about the temperature inside the airship through the temperature control unit, and then the inflation and deflation control system controls the gas compression device to compress the light gas in the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to cool down the inside of the flexible airbag.

[0033] Preferably, when the temperature in the flexible airbag is raised or lowered, the gas in the flexible airbag is accelerated to circulate and convection by a fan arranged in the flexible airbag.

[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the invention. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be considered as limiting the claim to which it relates.

Claims

1. A cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag, characterized in that: include: Flexible airbags for storing lightweight gases; a temperature control unit configured to be connected to the inflation and deflation control system and used to control the pressure and volume of the light gas in the flexible airbag by detecting and changing the temperature of the light gas in the flexible airbag; A storage device configured to be connected to the inflation port of the flexible airbag through an inflation and deflation control system for storing liquefied gas; A gas compression device, configured to connect the deflation port of the flexible airbag and the storage device through an inflation and deflation control system, and used to compress the gas in the flexible airbag and then store it in the storage device; The inflation and deflation control system is configured to connect the temperature control unit, the storage device and the gas compression device and to communicate with the airship control system, and is used to control the inflation and deflation process of the flexible airbag according to the command information of the airship control system and the detection information of the temperature control unit.

2. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The inflation and deflation control system includes an MCU controller and an electric inflation valve. The MCU controller is connected to a temperature control unit, a storage device and a gas compression device. The MCU controller controls the connection to the electric inflation valve.

3. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The temperature control unit includes a temperature sensor, a heating unit and a cooling unit which are respectively arranged in the flexible airbag. The MCU controller is connected to the temperature sensor and controls the heating unit and the cooling unit respectively.

4. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The storage device comprises an air storage tank, and the air storage tank is connected to the inflation port of the air boat through an electric inflation valve.

5. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The gas compression device comprises a gas compressor, which is respectively connected to the gas storage tank and the air outlet of the air boat; the MCU controller controls the connection of the gas compressor.

6. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas circulation device comprises a gas circulation device, which comprises at least one fan, the fan is arranged in the flexible air bag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the fan.

7. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The heating unit includes a plurality of PTC heating sheets respectively arranged in the flexible airbags, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the PTC heating sheets; the cooling unit is an evaporator of an absorption refrigeration device, the evaporator is arranged in the flexible airbag, and the MCU controller controls the connection of the absorption refrigeration device.

8. The cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflation and deflation control system also includes a storage unit, which stores a load matching control table. The load matching control table is configured with associated matching control strategy information corresponding to the load change, the temperature inside the flexible airbag, the temperature control change information and the inflation and deflation control information.

9. A method for controlling the lifting of a cargo airship with a flexible airbag using the cargo airship lifting control system with a flexible airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: When the airship is suspended: When loading, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each load increase through the airship control system and the temperature information in the airship through the temperature control unit, and then controls the storage device to inflate the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to heat the light gas in the flexible airbag; When unloading the load, the inflation and deflation control system obtains the information of each load reduction through the airship control system and the temperature information inside the airship through the temperature control unit. Then the inflation and deflation control system controls the gas compression device to compress the lightweight gas in the flexible airbag and controls the temperature control unit to cool down the flexible airbag.

10. The method for controlling the lifting of a cargo airship with a flexible airbag according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the temperature in the flexible airbag is raised or lowered, the fan arranged in the flexible airbag accelerates the circulation convection of the gas in the flexible airbag.

Images