Aerostat hiding pod and method

Abstract

The invention discloses an aerostat stealth pod and an aerostat stealth method, solves the problems that a pod structure of an aerostat in the prior art has a corner reflection effect under irradiation of radar waves and has obvious radiation characteristics in the aspect of infrared stealth, and has the beneficial effects of enhancing the inverted cabin radar stealth capability and the infrared stealth capability. According to the specific scheme, the invisible nacelle of the aerostat comprises a connecting component connected with the aerostat and a nacelle support, the nacelle support is connected with the connecting component, the nacelle support has a set height, and the length of the side, connected with the connecting component, of the nacelle support is larger than that of the other side of the nacelle support, so that the nacelle support is of an inclined structure in appearance; a pod shell is arranged on the outer side of the pod support, two adjacent side edges of the outer surface of the pod shell are in fillet transition, a wave absorbing layer is arranged on the outer surface of the pod shell so as to enhance the absorbing capacity of electromagnetic waves, and a low-emissivity layer is further arranged on the outer surface of the pod shell so as to reduce the infrared radiation characteristic.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of aerostat, in particular to an aerostat stealth pod and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute the prior art.

[0003] An aerostat is a platform that can stay in the air for a long time and perform various tasks by relying on a gas lighter than air (such as helium, hydrogen, etc.) to generate lift, and is widely used in communication relay, air surveillance, border patrol, environmental monitoring and military reconnaissance fields. In order to meet different task requirements, the aerostat is usually equipped with task loads with different functions, and these loads are usually installed in specially designed pods.

[0004] The functional pod carried by the aerostat is a structural connecting device between the task load and the aerostat platform, which plays a role of bearing, protecting and function integration. It is installed below the aerostat, which is directly exposed to the external reconnaissance field of view, and is usually a rectangular cuboid metal material (such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, etc.), with a simple structure, a straight side structure, poor stealth performance, and becomes one of the most prominent exposed sources of the platform. Under the irradiation of radar waves, the straight structure has an angle reflection effect, so that the overall structure is easy to produce strong echo, and becomes a significant locking target of the enemy radar, thereby seriously threatening the survival ability of the aerostat platform.

[0005] In summary, the existing pod structure has the problems of strong structure reflection, inability to perform wave absorption treatment, and obvious radiation characteristics in the infrared stealth aspect due to the equipment inside the pod structure. Because there are devices inside the pod structure, the devices will generate a certain amount of heat, so that the pod structure has the problem of obvious radiation characteristics in the infrared stealth aspect.

[0006] The existing technology considers the stealth function for unmanned aerial vehicle equipment, but the object it aims at is unmanned aerial vehicle, and the structure of unmanned aerial vehicle is different from that of the pod structure, so that the existing means is not applicable to the pod structure, and cannot solve the problem of obvious radiation characteristics of the pod. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide an aerostat stealth pod, which aims to solve the problems of weak infrared stealth capability, obvious radar reflection characteristics, lack of stealth structure, etc. of the existing pod.

[0008] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application is realized by the following technical scheme: A stealth pod for an airship includes a connecting member and a pod support connected to the airship. The pod support is connected to the connecting member and has a set height. The length of the side of the pod support connected to the connecting member is greater than the length of the other side of the pod support. The two sides of the pod support in the longitudinal direction are inclined structures. A pod shell is provided on the outer side of the pod support. The adjacent two sides of the outer surface of the pod shell are rounded. A wave-absorbing layer is provided on the outer surface of the pod shell to enhance the absorption of electromagnetic waves. A low emissivity layer is also provided on the outer surface of the pod shell to reduce infrared radiation characteristics.

[0009] As described above, the stealth pod for an airship employs a multi-layered structure, including, from the inside out, an internal support layer, a structural support layer, the aforementioned radar-absorbing layer, and the aforementioned low-emissivity layer. The internal support layer is fixed to each side of the pod's support frame. Adjacent sides of the structural support layer are rounded. The radar-absorbing layer is coated on the surface of the structural support layer. The low-emissivity layer exhibits high emissivity in the 5-8 μm band and low emissivity in the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm (infrared atmospheric windows). To balance thermal control, the low emissivity suppresses heat dissipation. Since the infrared spectrum primarily focuses on the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm atmospheric windows, other bands can utilize higher emissivity to enhance heat dissipation for thermal control.

[0010] As described above, in a stealth airship pod, a heat insulation layer is provided on the inner side of the internal support layer, and the heat insulation layer is provided on the surface of the internal support layer; The surface of the internal support layer is provided with recesses so that the insulation layer can be inserted into the recesses, which facilitates the fixation of the insulation layer.

[0011] As described above, in the stealth pod for an airship, the heat insulation layer is made of alumina ceramic fiber material.

[0012] As described above, in a stealth pod for an airship, the low emissivity layer has an emissivity of less than or equal to 0.4 in the 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm bands of the mid- and far-infrared radiation atmospheric window, and an emissivity of greater than or equal to 0.8 in the 5-8 μm band.

[0013] As described above, in a stealth airship pod, the material of the radar-absorbing layer is a carbon-based composite material or a ferrite material. The reflectivity of the absorbing layer in the X-band is less than or equal to -10 dB.

[0014] In the aforementioned stealth airship pod, the low emissivity layer is made of a non-metallic material.

[0015] As described above, in a stealth airship pod, the structural support layer covers each side of the pod bracket, the structural support layer and the inner support layer are spaced apart or in contact, and the structural support layer and the pod bracket are detachably connected. The material of the structural support layer is an aluminum alloy material.

[0016] The internal support layer is detachably connected with the pod shell. The internal support layer is made of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy or carbon fiber material.

[0017] In a second aspect, the application further provides a manufacturing method of the stealth pod of the airship, comprising the following contents. The pod support is manufactured, one side of the pod support has a length greater than that of the other side of the pod support, the two sides of the pod support in the longitudinal direction are inclined structures, and the side with the greater length of the pod support is connected with the connecting member. The internal support layer is fixed to each side of the pod support. The structural support layer is detachably installed on the outer side of the pod support and the internal support layer, the adjacent two side surfaces of the structural support layer are connected through a rounded corner, the wave-absorbing layer is coated on the outer surface of the structural support layer, and the low-emissivity layer is arranged on the surface of the wave-absorbing layer to form the pod shell.

[0018] The application has the following beneficial effects. The pod support has an inclined structure, so that the two sides of the whole pod are inclined structures, the adjacent two side surfaces of the outer surface of the pod shell are connected through a rounded corner, the incident radar wave is deflected, the straight-angle structure is avoided, the angular reflection effect of the radar wave is reduced, the wave-absorbing layer is arranged on the pod shell, the arrangement of the wave-absorbing layer enhances the absorption capacity of the pod to the electromagnetic wave, so that the reflection characteristics of the pod to the radar are reduced, the radar stealth capability is enhanced, and the inclined structure is beneficial to improving the stability of the pod while avoiding the straight-angle structure to reduce the edge diffraction.

[0019] The low-emissivity layer is arranged on the outer surface of the pod shell, the arrangement of the low-emissivity layer reduces the infrared radiation of the pod, and reduces the infrared radiation characteristics of the pod; the heat insulation layer is arranged in the pod, the heat insulation layer isolates the heat generated by the equipment from the temperature outside the pod, and cooperates with the low-emissivity layer to sufficiently improve the infrared stealth capability of the pod.

[0020] In the application, the wave-absorbing layer is coated on the surface of the structural support layer, the structural support layer is made of detachable aluminum alloy, acts as a metal substrate of the wave-absorbing layer, has a bearing capacity, and makes the wave-absorbing effect better, the wave-absorbing layer is coated on the outer surface of the structural support layer, is beneficial to the stealth of the whole structure, and further reduces the radar detectability.

[0021] The pod provided by the present application comprehensively considers the radar stealth, infrared stealth and structural function integration requirements, adopts a stealth optimized shape structure, eliminates the dihedral angle, and simultaneously combines the settings of the wave absorbing layer, the heat insulation layer and the low emissivity layer, so as to effectively reduce the detectability of the pod in the electromagnetic wave and infrared wave bands, and improve the overall concealment and combat survivability of the aerostat platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings constituting a part of the present application are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and the schematic embodiments of the present application and the description thereof are used to explain the present application, and do not constitute improper limitation on the present application.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the upper internal support layer and the lower internal support layer arranged on the pod support in the stealth pod of the aerostat according to one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the internal support layer of the stealth pod of the aerostat according to one or more embodiments of the present application after the arrangement is completed.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the external structure of the stealth pod of the aerostat according to one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the structure of the pod shell in the stealth pod of the aerostat according to one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0027] Figure 5 is the RCS value of the stealth pod of the aerostat after RCS simulation calculation according to one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0028] In the drawings, the mutual distance or size is exaggerated for showing the position of each part, and the schematic view is only schematic.

[0029] In the drawings, 1 is the pod support, 2 is the connecting member, 3 is the upper rectangular frame, 4 is the lower rectangular frame, 5 is the oblique support rod, 6 is the vertical support rod, 7 is the connecting frame, 8 is the short connecting pipe, 9 is the heat insulation layer, 10 is the internal support layer, 11 is the structural support layer, 12 is the wave absorbing layer, 13 is the low emissivity layer, 14 is the pod shell, and 15 is the lifting lug. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] It should be noted that the following detailed description is exemplary and is intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in the present application have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0031] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, unless otherwise expressly indicated by the invention, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof. As described in the background section, the existing airship pod structure suffers from angular reflection under radar wave illumination and exhibits significant radiation characteristics in terms of infrared stealth. To address these technical issues, this invention proposes an airship stealth pod.

[0032] Example 1 In a typical embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 1 As shown, a stealth pod for an airship includes a connecting member 2 connected to the airship and a pod support 1. The pod support 1 is connected to the connecting member 2 and has a set height. The length of the side of the pod support 1 connected to the connecting member 2 is greater than the length of the other side of the pod support 1, so that the pod support 1 has an inclined structure. A pod shell 14 is provided on the outside of the pod support 1. The adjacent two sides of the outer surface of the pod shell 14 (i.e., on the outside of the pod support) are rounded to deflect incident radar waves.

[0033] In this embodiment, the longitudinal section of the pod support 1 is an inverted trapezoid, which can be an isosceles trapezoid. The upper side of the pod support 1 is longer than the lower side. The upper side of the pod support 1 is rectangular, and the lower side of the pod support 1 is also rectangular. That is, the pod support 1 includes an upper rectangular frame 3 and a lower rectangular frame 4, with the upper rectangular frame 3 on top. The length of the upper rectangular frame 3 is greater than the length of the lower rectangular frame 4. The upper rectangular frame 3 and the lower rectangular frame 4 are connected by multiple inclined support rods 5. The inclination angle between the inclined support rods 5 and the upper rectangular frame 3 is... The angle is 45°-80°. A vertical support rod 6 is also set between the upper rectangular frame 3 and the lower rectangular frame 4. The vertical support rod 6 is connected to the rod body of the upper rectangular frame 3 and the lower rectangular frame 4 through pipe connectors. Similarly, the diagonal support rod 5 is connected to the upper rectangular frame 3 and the lower rectangular frame 4 through pipe connectors. The setting of the diagonal support rod 5 can effectively deflect the incident radar wave, avoid the right angle structure, reduce the angular reflection effect of the radar wave, and the outward tilt of the diagonal support rod 5 is also conducive to optimizing the structure and taking into account the overall stability.

[0034] Along the width direction of the pod support 1, the two rods of the lower rectangular frame 4 extend beyond the pod shell 14.

[0035] It is easy to understand that the connecting member 2 comprises a connecting frame 7 and a short connecting pipe 8 arranged on the top of the upper rectangular frame 3, the connecting frame comprises four connecting rods, and a lifting lug 15 is arranged at a part of the connecting rod, the lifting lug 15 is connected with the connecting lug to realize the connection between the connecting member 2 and the pod support 1.

[0036] The pod shell 14 adopts a multi-layer structure, and comprises, from inside to outside, an internal support layer 10, a structural support layer 11, a wave-absorbing layer 12 and a low-emissivity layer 13, the wave-absorbing layer 12 is coated on the surface of the structural support layer 11, and the emissivity of the low-emissivity layer 13 is greater at a wavelength of 5-8 μm than at other wavelengths.

[0037] As to the internal support layer, the internal support layer 10 is provided at six positions on each side of the pod support 1, and comprises an internal support plate which is fastened and connected to the rod body of the upper rectangular frame 3 and the lower rectangular frame 4, the oblique support rod 5 or the vertical support rod 6 of the pod support 1 by means of bolts or other connecting means.

[0038] It should be noted that the internal support layer 10 is made of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy or carbon fiber material, has certain strength and bearing capacity, can be installed with various equipment loads, avoids the generation of echoes caused by radar irradiation, and reduces the radar detectable probability.

[0039] The internal support layer 10 is provided with a heat insulation layer 9 on the inner side, the heat insulation layer 9 is arranged along each side of the pod shell 14, and the heat insulation layers 9 on adjacent sides are arranged in contact with each other, the heat insulation layer 9 is arranged on the surface of the internal support layer 10, and the heat insulation layer 9 is arranged in contact with or at a distance from the internal support layer 10, the surface of the internal support layer 10 is provided with a recess so that the heat insulation layer 9 on the adjacent side of the internal support layer is clamped into the recess, thereby facilitating the fixation of the heat insulation layer 9, the installation of the heat insulation layer 9 is performed after the installation of part of the internal support plate, and the installation of the last internal support plate is performed after the installation of all the heat insulation layers 9, the heat insulation layer 9 is close to the equipment side, is made of ceramic material or phase change material, has good heat insulation capacity, plays a heat preservation and insulation role, has low thermal conductivity, and also has certain sound absorption capacity, thereby assisting in reducing the infrared detectability, the heat insulation layer 9 plays a role of isolating the heat generated by the equipment from the temperature outside the pod, and cooperates with the low-emissivity layer to fully improve the infrared stealth capability of the pod. In this embodiment, the material of the structural support layer 11 is an aluminum alloy material, effectively covering the overall structure, and the structural support layer 11 is transitioned between two adjacent sides with a rounded corner. The structural support layer 11 forms a closed shell, and is detachably connected with the nacelle support 1, facilitating the maintenance of the internal equipment. The aluminum alloy material has certain support capacity and can prevent electromagnetic interference and internal equipment interference. The wave-absorbing layer 12 is backed by the metal material of the structural support layer 11, and the performance is better. The aluminum alloy structural support layer 11 acts as a metal substrate of the wave-absorbing layer, and has load capacity while making the wave-absorbing effect better.

[0040] In addition, the material of the low-emissivity layer 13 is a non-metallic material, and the low-emissivity layer 13 has an emissivity less than or equal to 0.4 at the middle and far infrared atmospheric window 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm wave band, and an emissivity greater than or equal to 0.8 at the 5-8 μm wave band, effectively reducing the infrared detectability.

[0041] The material of the wave-absorbing layer 12 is a carbon-based composite material or a ferrite material (non-metallic magnetic material), and the wave-absorbing layer 12 is coated on the surface of the aluminum alloy. The reflectivity of the wave-absorbing layer 12 in the X wave band is less than or equal to -10 db. The surface of the structural support layer 11 is cleaned before coating to ensure that the surface is clean and dry.

[0042] Specifically, the material of the wave-absorbing layer 12 can be selected from silicon carbide wave-absorbing material, carbon fiber wave-absorbing material, or other materials. The low-emissivity material can be selected from photonic crystal (ZnS / Ge), semiconductor material (ITO indium tin oxide, ZAO zinc oxide doped with aluminum oxide), or other materials.

[0043] In this embodiment, the overall shape of the nacelle is designed as a four-prism inclined covering, and the corners are designed with a rounded corner transition, which can effectively deflect the incident radar wave and avoid right-angle structures to reduce the angular reflection effect of the radar wave. At the same time, in combination with the setting of the wave-absorbing layer, the radar stealth capability is further improved. Through the setting of the heat insulation layer and the low-emissivity layer, the overall temperature and surface emissivity are reduced, thereby effectively reducing the infrared radiation characteristics of the nacelle and reducing the contrast.

[0044] For the stealth nacelle of the aerostat according to the present embodiment, CST software (electromagnetic simulation software) is used to calculate the RCS simulation (radar cross section modeling simulation) of the traditional nacelle, the nacelle with structural optimization (inclined side design), and the stealth nacelle with material structure integration design. The plane wave incident angle theta=90, phi=0, and the electric field polarization direction is the x-axis direction. The calculation is performed in the X wave band commonly used by radars. Figure 5 As can be seen from the above table, the RCS of the nacelle after stealth design is significantly reduced, and has good radar stealth effect.

[0045] Infrared stealth effect: general infrared detection technology by identifying the target emitted infrared radiation energy, and then compared with the environment background emitted infrared radiation energy, the target itself energy E0and background energy E B contrast, the definition of contrast C is:

[0046] Wherein, the energy , ε is emissivity, σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature of the object (K), E0According to the emissivity of the target ε0, the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and the absolute temperature of the target T0Obtained, E B According to the emissivity of the target ε B , Stefan-Boltzmann constant and the absolute temperature of the background T B Obtained. Under the condition of other conditions unchanged, in the middle and far infrared radiation atmospheric window 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm wave band, the contrast C=1.3135 without low emissivity layer, the contrast C=0.0282 after adding low emissivity layer 13, the infrared detectability is reduced.

[0047] Example two The embodiment discloses a manufacturing method of a floating vehicle stealth pod, comprising the following contents: Manufacture the pod support 1, the length of one side of the pod support 1 is greater than the length of the other side of the pod support 1, the two sides of the pod support 1 in the longitudinal direction are inclined structures, and the side with the longer length of the pod support 1 is connected with the connecting member 2; Fix the internal support layer 10 to each side of the pod support 1, and the internal support layer is provided with a heat insulation layer inside; The structural support layer 11 is detachably installed outside the pod support 1 and the internal support layer 10, the adjacent two side faces of the structural support layer 11 adopt a round corner transition, the wave absorbing layer 12 is brushed on the outer side face of the structural support layer 11, and the low emissivity layer 13 is arranged on the surface of the wave absorbing layer 12 to form the pod shell 14.

[0048] In this way, the pod shell 14 is composed of the structural support layer and the wave absorbing layer, the absorption capacity of electromagnetic waves is enhanced through the synergistic effect of the multiple functional materials, meanwhile, the heat insulation layer is arranged inside the pod shell 14, and the low emissivity layer is arranged outside, so that the infrared radiation characteristics of the pod are reduced.

[0049] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A stealth gondola for an aerostat, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of airship connecting member and gondola support (1) connected with airship, gondola support (1) is connected with connecting member (2), gondola support (1) has set height, the length of gondola support (1) one side connected with connecting member (2) is greater than the length of gondola support other side, the two sides of gondola support (1) in longitudinal direction are inclined structure, gondola support (1) outside is provided with gondola shell (14), adjacent two sides of gondola shell (14) outer surface are transitioned using round angle, gondola shell (14) outer surface is provided with wave-absorbing layer (12) to enhance the absorption capacity to electromagnetic wave, gondola shell (14) outer surface is also provided with low emissivity layer (13) to reduce infrared radiation characteristic.

2. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The gondola shell (14) adopts a multi-layer structure, including an internal support layer (10), a structural support layer (11), the wave-absorbing layer (12), and the low emissivity layer (13) arranged from inside to outside. The internal support layer (10) is fixed to each side of the gondola support (1). The structural support layer (11) is transitioned using a round angle between adjacent two sides. The wave-absorbing layer (12) is coated on the surface of the structural support layer (11). The emissivity of the low emissivity layer (13) is high at 5-8 μm, low at 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm.

3. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The inner side of the internal support layer (10) is provided with a heat insulation layer (9) arranged on the surface of the internal support layer (10). The surface of the internal support layer (10) is provided with a recess to allow the heat insulation layer (9) to be clamped into the recess.

4. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The heat insulation layer (9) is made of an alumina ceramic fiber material.

5. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The emissivity of the low emissivity layer (13) is less than or equal to 0.4 at 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm, and greater than or equal to 0.8 at 5-8 μm.

6. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The material of the wave-absorbing layer (12) is a carbon-based composite material or a ferrite material. The reflectivity of the wave-absorbing layer (12) is less than or equal to -10 db at X band.

7. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The material of the low emissivity layer (13) is a non-metallic material.

8. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The structural support layer (11) covers each side of the gondola support (1). The structural support layer (11) is arranged at a distance or in contact with the internal support layer (10). The structural support layer (11) is detachably connected with the gondola support (1). The material of the structural support layer (11) is an aluminum alloy material.

9. A stealth gondola for an aerostat as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The internal support layer (10) is detachably connected with the gondola shell (14). The internal support layer (10) is made of a titanium alloy, an aluminum alloy, or a carbon fiber material.

10. A method of manufacturing a stealth gondola for an aerostat according to any one of claims 2-9, characterized in that, The utility model includes the following contents: Manufacture a gondola support (1). The length of one side of the gondola support (1) is greater than the length of the other side. The two sides of the gondola support (1) in the longitudinal direction are inclined structures. The side with a longer length is connected with a connecting member (2). Fix the internal support layer (10) to each side of the gondola support (1). The structural support layer (11) is detachably installed on the outside of the gondola support (1) and the internal support layer (10), the adjacent two side faces of the structural support layer (11) are transitioned by a round corner, a wave-absorbing layer (12) is brushed on the outer side face of the structural support layer (11), and a low-emissivity layer (13) is arranged on the surface of the wave-absorbing layer (12) to form a gondola shell (14).

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