Captive balloon anchoring equipment and system

Abstract

The invention provides captive balloon anchoring equipment and system. The captive balloon anchoring equipment comprises a supporting platform, and an opening is formed in the top of the supporting platform; the nose tower is arranged on the supporting platform in a swinging manner and has an unfolded state extending out of the supporting platform and approximately perpendicular to the supporting surface and a folded state stored in the supporting platform; the two limiting plates are arranged on the two sides of the opening formed by the supporting platform in an openable and closable mode and have a shielding state for closing the opening and an opening state for opening the opening; wherein the two limiting plates respond to the nose tower in the unfolded state, the nose tower is kept in the open state, and the captive balloon in the anchoring state is clamped between the two limiting plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the technical field of aerostats, and in particular to a tethered balloon anchoring device and system. Background Art

[0002] Tethered balloons are mostly filled with lighter gases such as helium to form unpowered airships suspended in the air. They are widely used in many fields such as communications, meteorological monitoring, environmental monitoring, and scientific research.

[0003] Mooring equipment is a device for anchoring, mooring and launching tethered balloons. It can be placed on the ground or on a vehicle to meet different application scenarios of tethered balloons. At present, when tethered balloons are used in marine environments, factors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, wind and wave conditions at sea will affect the stability and safety of tethered balloons.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a tethered balloon anchoring equipment and system for the marine environment to improve the safety of launching and recovering tethered balloons and minimize the intervention of operators has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve at least one of the above and other technical problems in the prior art, the present disclosure provides a tethered balloon anchoring device and system to effectively solve some of the above technical problems.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a tethered balloon anchoring device, comprising: a supporting platform, wherein an opening is arranged at the top of the supporting platform; a nose tower, which is swingably arranged on the supporting platform, and has an expanded state extending from the supporting platform and being approximately perpendicular to the supporting surface, and a folded state stored in the supporting platform; two limiting plates, which are openably arranged on both sides of the opening formed by the supporting platform, and have a shielding state in which the opening is closed, and an open state in which the opening is opened; wherein the two limiting plates are maintained in the open state in response to the nose tower being in the expanded state, and the tethered balloon in the anchored state is clamped between the two limiting plates.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a partition is arranged in the support platform to separate the interior of the support platform into a first space and a second space; wherein the first space and the second space are stacked, and the first space is located above the second space.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes a main cable mechanism, including: a main winch; a drum connected to the output end of the above-mentioned main winch; a main cable, a composite of an optical cable and an electrical cable, the above-mentioned main cable including a fixed end and a free end, the free end of the above-mentioned main cable is connected to the main node at the lower part of the above-mentioned tethered balloon, and is connected to the communication equipment and power supply equipment of the pod; a slip ring, coaxially arranged on the above-mentioned drum, configured to rotate coaxially with the above-mentioned drum, the above-mentioned slip ring is connected to the fixed end of the above-mentioned main cable, and the above-mentioned main cable is electrically connected to the control module.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes: a lifting mechanism, which can be lifted and lowered on the above-mentioned supporting platform, and has a descending state located in the above-mentioned second space, and a rising state located in the above-mentioned first space; a guiding mechanism, which is arranged on the above-mentioned lifting mechanism, is configured to descend and ascend the above-mentioned lifting mechanism, and guide the above-mentioned main cable to be released or retracted.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide mechanism comprises a guide wheel or a guide wheel group, and the main cable is located in a wheel groove formed by the guide wheel.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the nose tower is in the folded state, the nose tower is located in the first space.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes a nose tie mechanism, including: a nose winch, the nose winch is arranged in the above-mentioned second space; a nose tether, including a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end of the above-mentioned nose tether is connected to and wrapped around the above-mentioned nose winch; a nose plug, connected to the free end of the above-mentioned nose tether, and passed through the above-mentioned nose tower to be connected to the front end of the above-mentioned tethered balloon.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes a side cable mechanism, including: two side winches, which are arranged in the above-mentioned first space and are respectively located on both sides of the above-mentioned nose tie mechanism; a side tether, including a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end of the above-mentioned side tether is connected to and wrapped around the above-mentioned side winch, and the free end of the above-mentioned side tether forms two side tethers to be connected to the side of the above-mentioned tethered balloon.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned supporting platform is configured as a box-type structure.

[0015] The present disclosure also provides a tethered balloon anchoring system, comprising: a vehicle; a tethered balloon anchoring device, which is arranged on the vehicle; and a tethered balloon, which is connected to the tethered balloon anchoring device; wherein the vehicle comprises a ship.

[0016] According to the technical solution provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the support platform provided by the tethered balloon anchoring equipment can shield the nose tower in the folded state and other mechanisms located in the support platform through the limiting plate in the shielding state, so as to reduce the erosion of the tethered balloon anchoring equipment by seawater, wind and waves and humid environment in the marine environment, and improve the safety of the tethered balloon anchoring equipment when it is loaded by the vehicle. In addition, the tethered balloon in the anchored state can also be clamped by the limiting plate in the open state, so as to effectively restrict the tethered balloon on the support platform, so as to resist the influence of the meteorological conditions at sea on the tethered balloon, thereby improving the stability and safety of the tethered balloon in the anchored state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a tethered balloon anchoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown, showing a tethered balloon anchoring device;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A diagram showing the use state of the tethered balloon anchoring device, in which the limit plate is in a shielded state;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A diagram showing the use state of the tethered balloon anchoring device, in which the limiting plate is in an open state;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first space and the second space of the tethered balloon anchoring device shown;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the main cable mechanism of the tethered balloon anchoring device shown;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a tethered balloon of the tethered balloon mooring system is shown.

[0023] In the drawings, the meanings of the reference numerals are as follows:

[0024] 100. Mooring equipment for tethered balloons;

[0025] 110. Support platform;

[0026] 120, nose tower;

[0027] 130, limit plate;

[0028] 140, partition;

[0029] 150. Lifting mechanism;

[0030] 160. Guiding mechanism;

[0031] 170, nasal mechanism;

[0032] 180, side cable mechanism;

[0033] 190. Main cable mechanism;

[0034] 191. Main winch;

[0035] 192. Roller;

[0036] 193. Slip ring;

[0037] 194. Control module;

[0038] 200. Tethered balloon;

[0039] 210, main airbag;

[0040] 220, auxiliary airbag;

[0041] 230, pod;

[0042] 240, exhaust valve;

[0043] 250, intake valve;

[0044] 260, tail wing;

[0045] 300. Vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, the present disclosure is further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "comprise", "include", etc. used herein indicate the existence of the features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0048] All terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0049] When using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.", it should generally be interpreted as the meaning of the expression generally understood by those skilled in the art. For example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" should include but not be limited to a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, C, etc. When using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, or C, etc.", it should generally be interpreted as the meaning of the expression generally understood by those skilled in the art. For example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" should include but not be limited to a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, C, etc.

[0050] In the marine environment, the weather conditions at sea are complex and changeable. Wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, etc. will affect the stability and safety of the tethered balloon. In particular, strong winds and storms may cause damage to the tethered balloon.

[0051] Therefore, how to provide a tethered balloon anchoring equipment and system for the marine environment to improve the safety of launching and recovering tethered balloons and minimize the intervention of operators has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a tethered balloon mooring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically, showing a tethered balloon mooring device. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the usage state of the tethered balloon anchoring device, in which the limiting plate is in a shielded state. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the use status of the tethered balloon anchoring device with the limiting plate in the open state.

[0053] The present invention provides a tethered balloon anchoring device, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes a support platform 110, a nose tower 120 and two limiting plates 130. An opening is provided at the top of the support platform 110. The nose tower 120 is swingably provided on the support platform 110, and has an unfolded state extending from the support platform 110 and being substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and a folded state stored in the support platform 110. The two limiting plates 130 are openably provided on both sides of the opening formed by the support platform 110, and have a shielding state in which the opening is closed, and an open state in which the opening is opened. Among them, the two limiting plates 130 are maintained in an open state in response to the nose tower 120 being in an unfolded state, and the tethered balloon 200 in an anchored state is clamped between the two limiting plates 130.

[0054] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the support platform 110 includes, but is not limited to, being configured as a box-type structure.

[0055] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the support platform 110 includes but is not limited to using a container as the main body, for example, a 20GP standard container can be used as the main body. In detail, the facade size of the support platform includes but is not limited to being configured as 6.058mX2.438mX2.591m, or, being configured as 5.898mX2.352mX2.385m and any other size. Further, the top of the box-type structure is correspondingly provided with an opening.

[0056] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, at the opening position formed by the supporting platform 110 of the box-type structure, the limiting plates 130 are symmetrically arranged on both sides. In detail, the two limiting plates 130 can be pivotally installed at the opening position. Further, the two limiting plates 130 are also correspondingly configured with a driving mechanism, for example, a hydraulic mechanism can be used to drive the limiting plates 130 in the following manner: Figure 2 The shielding state shown and Figure 3 The tethered balloon 200 is swung between the open positions shown to close the opening or to clamp the tethered balloon 200.

[0057] In an exemplary implementation, Figure 2 As shown, the two limiting plates 130 in the shielding state are stacked, that is, one limiting plate 130 is pressed on the other limiting plate 130, so that the two limiting plates 130 partially overlap in the projection perpendicular to the supporting surface (such as the sea level or the clamping plate). Further, when the two limiting plates 130 are in the open state, the relative angle between the two limiting plates 130 can be adjusted by a driving mechanism (such as the above-mentioned hydraulic mechanism) to adapt to different diameters (or widths) of the tethered balloon 200, so as to clamp the tethered balloon between the two limiting plates 130. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0058] For example, the two limiting plates 130 may be symmetrically disposed on both sides of the opening formed by the supporting platform 110 and do not overlap each other in the shielding state.

[0059] For another example, the two limit plates 130 can be driven and controlled by a motor, a gear set and other transmission mechanisms, specifically to meet the load requirements of the limit plates 130 and to preferably keep the two limit plates 130 at any angle between 0-180°.

[0060] In an illustrative embodiment, since the limiting plate 130 will be closely attached to the surface of the tethered balloon 200, in order to prevent the limiting plate 130 from scratching the tethered balloon 200 when clamping the tethered balloon, a buffer layer should be provided on the surface where the limiting plate 130 contacts the tethered balloon 200. In detail, the buffer layer includes but is not limited to pearl cotton board (i.e., EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) foam board) and other foam boards. In this way, it is helpful to prevent the tethered balloon 200 from being scratched by the limiting plate 130 when being clamped by the limiting plate 130 or under conditions such as sea breeze and waves.

[0061] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 3 As shown, when the nose tower 120 is in the folded state, the nose tower 120 is located in the first space.

[0062] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the nose tower 120 includes a main structure formed of a rigid material and a support arm connected to a driving mechanism. In detail, the main structure of the nose tower 120 can be formed by welding beam-shaped profiles (such as steel) (such as forming a hollow truss structure), or can be formed by welding plate-shaped profiles (such as steel), and the specific method should be to meet the rigidity requirements of the nose tower 120 and reduce the weight as much as possible.

[0063] In an exemplary implementation, the main structure of the nose tower 120 includes a first section and a second end. Specifically, the first end is pivotally disposed in the support platform 110, and the second end is supported by a support arm so as to be swung upward from the support platform 110 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown). Further, the arm is supported between the first end and the second end by a driving mechanism (such as a hydraulic mechanism). It should be understood that in order to store the nose tower 120, the length of the nose tower 120 should be configured to be less than the length of the support platform 110 (which can be understood as the length of the container). On this basis, since the overall length of the nose tower 120 is limited by the length of the support platform 110, to further extend the length of the nose tower 120, a retractable auxiliary nose tower can be configured at the second end of the nose tower 120, so that after the main structure of the nose tower 120 is extended from the support platform 110, it can be further extended relative to the main structure through the auxiliary nose tower, thereby extending the overall length of the nose tower 120.

[0064] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 As shown, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes a nose tie mechanism 170. The nose tie mechanism 170 includes a nose winch, a nose tie rope and a nose plug. The nose winch is arranged in the second space. The nose tie rope includes a fixed end and a free end, and the fixed end of the nose tie rope is connected to and wound around the nose winch. The nose plug is connected to the free end of the nose tie rope and is passed through the nose tower 120 to be connected to the front end of the tethered balloon 200.

[0065] In an illustrative embodiment, the nose bolt is disposed at the top of the nose tower (i.e., the first end), and the nose winch is disposed at the middle of the nose tower (i.e., between the first end and the second end). The nose tower is driven by a hydraulic mechanism to achieve its swing (or lifting) between the folded state and the unfolded state, wherein the nose tower in the unfolded state can withstand a pulling force of 500 kg along the centerline of the nose bolt and a lateral force of more than 300 kg in a direction perpendicular to the centerline.

[0066] In an illustrative embodiment, the nose winch includes but is not limited to a drive mechanism formed by a motor, a turbine and a reducer, which is used to pull the nose tower up and down through the nose tether and allow it to be smoothly inserted into the nose plug. The nose plug is fixed on the nose tower. When the nose tower is in a folded state, the nose tether can be manually inserted into the nose tower and guided to the nose winch. After the nose winch fixes the nose tether, the nose tower can be adjusted to an unfolded state, and then the nose winch is activated to release the nose tether. When the nose tower is in the unfolded state, the center line of the nose plug is 0° with the horizontal plane. Preferably, the nose plug can be made of corrosion-resistant materials or undergo reliable anti-corrosion treatment, and can adapt to the marine environment to ensure reliability of use.

[0067] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 As shown, the tethered balloon anchoring device also includes a side cable mechanism 180. The side cable mechanism 180 includes two side winches and side lanyards. The two side winches are arranged in the first space and are respectively located on both sides of the nose tie mechanism 170, that is, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the nose tie mechanism 170. The side lanyard includes a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end of the side lanyard is connected to and wound around the side winch, and the free end of the side lanyard forms two side lanyards to be connected to the side of the tethered balloon 200.

[0068] In an illustrative embodiment, a branch is formed in the middle of the side tether, that is, the free end and the fixed end of the side tether form a Y-shaped structure to connect to two points on the side of the tethered balloon. Furthermore, the side winch can also be driven by a drive mechanism formed by a motor, a turbine and a reducer, wherein the diameter of the side winch includes but is not limited to being configured as 180 mm, the effective cable width is 68 mm, and the rim diameter is 150 mm. Based on the above-mentioned size configuration, the side cable mechanism 180 can theoretically accommodate 50 meters of 5 mm diameter steel wire rope and provide a traction force greater than 200 kg. In addition, it can also provide an actuating force greater than 300 kg and achieve stepless speed regulation of the retraction and release speed of 0 to 10 m / min.

[0069] In such an embodiment, the support platform 110 provided in the tethered balloon anchoring device 100 cooperates with the limiting plate 130, and has a shielding state in which the opening is shielded, and an open state in which the opening is opened. When the limiting plate 130 is in the shielding state, the limiting plate 130 can shield the nose tower 110 in the folded state and other mechanisms located in the support platform (such as the main cable mechanism 190, the lifting mechanism 150, the guide mechanism 160, the nose mechanism 170 and the side cable mechanism 180 described below) to reduce the contact mechanism between each mechanism and the sea water and sea breeze, thereby reducing the erosion of the tethered balloon anchoring device 100 in the marine environment. In addition, by integrating each mechanism into the modular structure of the support platform 110, it is also beneficial to improve the convenience of the tethered balloon anchoring device 100 during transportation and installation, as well as the safety of tethering and retracting the tethered balloon. In addition, when the limiting plate 130 is in an open state, the limiting plate 130 not only covers a portion of the side of the tethered balloon 200, but also clamps the lower portion of the tethered balloon 200, which can effectively increase the wind resistance of the tethered balloon 200 in the marine environment.

[0070] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first space and the second space of the tethered balloon anchoring device is shown.

[0071] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a partition 140 is arranged inside the supporting platform 110 to separate the interior of the supporting platform 110 into a first space and a second space. The first space and the second space are stacked, and the first space is located above the second space.

[0072] The box-type support platform 110 is provided with a partition 140 extending in a horizontal direction (which can be regarded as a direction parallel to the horizontal plane) to divide the support platform 110 into a first space located at the upper part and a second space located at the lower part. That is, when the limit plate 130 is in an open state, the first space is connected to the external environment, while the second space is isolated from the external environment by the partition.

[0073] Among them, the first space is suitable for setting at least a part of the mechanism connected to the tethered balloon, while the second space is suitable for setting related mechanisms and other auxiliary mechanisms operated by personnel. For example, the second space can be equipped with an electrical system, a hydraulic system, an operating system and a lighting system. Furthermore, the second space should also be provided with openings on the side of the supporting platform to install doors and windows, and reserve operating space for personnel to operate. Furthermore, the first space above the partition and the second space below the partition can also be provided with manual ladder entrances and up and down ladders. In addition, the end of the supporting platform (i.e., the container body) without a door can also be designed with a gas cylinder fixed connection interface and an outer up and down ladder.

[0074] In such an embodiment, the first space and the second space are separated by a partition and are respectively provided with different mechanisms. In particular, the mechanism arranged in the second space can be convenient for personnel to operate and control, thereby isolating it from the external environment to enhance the safety of personnel operation.

[0075] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the main cable mechanism of the tethered balloon mooring equipment shown.

[0076] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 5 As shown, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment also includes a main cable mechanism 190. The main cable mechanism 190 includes a main winch 191, a drum 192, a main cable and a slip ring 193. The drum 192 is connected to the output end of the main winch 191. The main cable is a composite of an optical cable and an electrical cable. The main cable includes a fixed end and a free end. The free end of the main cable is connected to the main node at the bottom of the tethered balloon 200, and is connected to the communication equipment and power supply equipment in the cabin. The slip ring 193 is coaxially arranged on the drum 192 and is configured to rotate coaxially with the drum 192. The slip ring 193 is connected to the fixed end of the main cable and electrically connects the main cable to the control module 194.

[0077] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the main winch 191, the drum 192 and the slip ring 193 are coaxially connected and can rotate relative to the control module 194. The main cable can be wound around the drum 192 for storage and release. The fixed end of the main cable (not shown in the figure) compounded with the optical cable is mechanically connected and electrically connected to the slip ring 19. The slip ring 193 indirectly connects the main cable to the control module 194 (such as power supply equipment and optical terminal, etc.). In this way, it can ensure that the main cable can be retracted and released when the drum 192 rotates, and it can also ensure that the main cable is always electrically connected to the control module 194 to realize the power supply and communication connection of the control module 194 to the pod. Further, the main winch 191, the drum 192 and the slip ring 193 are connected to an external driving mechanism (such as a motor, a transmission component, etc.) to output torque to it, thereby completing the retraction and release of the main cable. When the tethered balloon 200 is placed in the anchored state, the tethered balloon 200 is fixed to the tethered balloon anchoring device by three points, including but not limited to, to protect the tethered balloon 200 from being damaged by severe weather.

[0078] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 As shown, the tethered balloon anchoring equipment further includes a lifting mechanism 150 and a guiding mechanism 160. The lifting mechanism 150 can be lifted and lowered on the supporting platform 110, and has a descending state in the second space and a rising state in the first space. The guiding mechanism 160 is arranged on the lifting mechanism 150, and is configured to lower and raise the lifting mechanism 150, and guide the main cable to be released or retracted.

[0079] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 As shown, the guide mechanism 160 includes a guide wheel or a guide wheel group, and the main cable is located in a wheel groove formed by the guide wheel.

[0080] In an illustrative embodiment, the guide mechanism 160 includes but is not limited to having two guide wheels. In detail, the two guide wheels are integrally mounted on the lifting mechanism 150. Further, the two guide wheels are configured to have a certain degree of freedom relative to the lifting mechanism 150, so that the guide wheels can be translated relative to the lifting mechanism in a horizontal direction (such as an axial direction). Furthermore, the main cable released by the main cable mechanism 190 (i.e., released by the main winch 191 and the drum 192) is sequentially wound around the two guide wheels and then connected to the tethered balloon.

[0081] In an illustrative embodiment, the diameter of the guide wheel configured for the guide mechanism 160 includes but is not limited to being configured as 320 mm, and the corresponding lifting height of the lifting mechanism 150 includes but is not limited to being 600 mm. Specifically, it should be satisfied that the lifting mechanism 150 can lift the guide mechanism 160 to the first space, and that the lifting mechanism 150 can lower the guide mechanism to the second space, thereby meeting the guidance and retraction requirements of the main cable.

[0082] Based on the same inventive concept, Figure 1 As shown, the present disclosure also provides a tethered balloon anchoring system. The tethered balloon anchoring system includes a vehicle 300, a tethered balloon anchoring device 100 and a tethered balloon 200. The tethered balloon anchoring device 100 is arranged on the vehicle 300. The tethered balloon 200 is connected to the tethered balloon anchoring device. Among them, the vehicle 300 includes a ship. In this anchoring system, the tethered balloon anchoring device is arranged on the ship. For this reason, a separate rotating mechanism may not be provided. By giving full play to the maneuverability of the mother ship, the bow is anchored in the windward direction, which is equivalent to the hull serving as the anchoring rotating platform of the tethered balloon system. The sphere enters the windward anchoring state with minimal wind resistance, so that maintenance work can be carried out and the mother ship space occupied by the tethered balloon anchoring device can be saved.

[0083] In such an embodiment, the supporting platform 110 formed by modifying the container body has a high degree of integration and versatility, which is conducive to transportation and fixing with the carrier. In addition, since the tethered balloon anchoring system eliminates the need for an independent slewing mechanism, the space occupied by the deck can be greatly reduced. In theory, only half the volume of the tethered balloon anchoring equipment equipped with a slewing mechanism is required. On this basis, the tethered balloon anchoring system can adjust the direction of the ship to adjust the bow to face the wind when anchoring to perform tethered balloon maintenance operations, saving the cost of the slewing structure.

[0084] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a tethered balloon of the tethered balloon mooring system is shown.

[0085] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the tethered balloon 200 includes a main airbag 210, a secondary airbag 220 and a pod 230. In detail, the main airbag 210 is suitable for filling with helium, and the secondary airbag 220 is suitable for filling with air. Further, the main airbag 210 is provided with an air inlet valve 250, and the secondary airbag 220 is provided with an exhaust valve 240.

[0086] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the tethered balloon 200 includes but is not limited to adopting a Classic IV shape and is provided with a tail 260. In detail, the tail 260 includes but is not limited to being configured in a Y-shaped layout, wherein the angle between the upper tail and the lower tail includes but is not limited to being configured as 125°, and the angle between the two lower tails includes but is not limited to being configured as 90°. The tethered balloon 200 configured in this way has good starting characteristics and stability, and its sealing characteristics are obvious.

[0087] It should also be noted that the directional terms mentioned in the embodiments, such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", etc., are only for reference to the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same elements are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. Conventional structures or configurations will be omitted when they may cause confusion in the understanding of the present disclosure.

[0088] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above. However, these embodiments are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although the embodiments are described above separately, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used in combination to advantage. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art may make a variety of substitutions and modifications, which should all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A tethered balloon anchoring device, characterized in that: include: A supporting platform (110), wherein the top of the supporting platform (110) is provided with an opening; A nose tower (120) is swingably disposed on the support platform (110), and has an unfolded state in which it extends from the support platform (110) and is substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and a folded state in which it is stored in the support platform (110); Two limiting plates (130), the two limiting plates (130) being arranged on both sides of an opening formed by the supporting platform (110) in an openable and closable manner, and having a shielding state in which the opening is closed, and an opening state in which the opening is opened; The two limiting plates (130) are maintained in the open state in response to the nose tower (120) being in the deployed state, and the tethered balloon (200) in the anchored state is clamped between the two limiting plates (130).

2. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A partition (140) is provided inside the support platform (110) to separate the interior of the support platform (110) into a first space and a second space; The first space and the second space are stacked, and the first space is located above the second space.

3. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also included is a main cable mechanism (190), including: Main capstan (191); A drum (192) connected to an output end of the main capstan (191); A main cable, which is a composite of an optical cable and an electrical cable, the main cable comprising a fixed end and a free end, the free end of the main cable being connected to a main node at the bottom of the tethered balloon (200), and connected to a pod optical terminal and a power supply device; A slip ring (193) is coaxially arranged on the roller (192) and is configured to rotate coaxially with the roller (192); the slip ring (193) is connected to a fixed end of the main cable and electrically connects the main cable to a control module (194).

4. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Also includes: A lifting mechanism (150) is liftably disposed on the support platform (110), and has a lowered state in the second space and a raised state in the first space; The guide mechanism (160) is disposed on the lifting mechanism (150) and is configured to cause the lifting mechanism (150) to descend and ascend, and to guide the main cable to be released or retracted.

5. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide mechanism (160) comprises a guide wheel or a guide wheel group, and the main cable is located in a wheel groove formed by the guide wheel.

6. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the nose tower (120) is in the folded state, the nose tower (120) is located in the first space.

7. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also included is a nose tie mechanism (170), comprising: a nose winch, disposed in the second space; a nose lanyard, comprising a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end of the nose lanyard being connected to and wound around the nose capstan; A nose plug is connected to the free end of the nose tether and is passed through the nose tower (120) to be connected to the front end of the tethered balloon (200).

8. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also included is a side cable mechanism (180), comprising: Two side winches, arranged in the first space and respectively located on both sides of the nose tie mechanism (170); The side tether comprises a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end of the side tether is connected to and wound around the side winch, and the free end of the side tether forms two side tethers to be connected to the side of the tethered balloon (200).

9. The tethered balloon anchoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The supporting platform is configured as a box-type structure.

10. A tethered balloon anchoring system, characterized in that: include: Vehicles (300); The tethered balloon anchoring device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, arranged on the vehicle (300); and A tethered balloon (200) connected to the tethered balloon anchoring equipment; Wherein, the vehicle (300) comprises a ship.

Images