A floating body stealth pod structure

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of airship stealth pod structures, belong to airship technical field.Mainly applicable in the pod structure of airship and captive balloon, the structure includes gasbag and pod, pod is built-in gasbag inside, is arranged on the gasbag wall of gasbag bottom float center corresponding position;Pod includes outer frame, inner frame, support leg and universal wheel, outer frame is arranged in conformity with gasbag inner wall, and is fastened connection with gasbag wall by pipe sleeve;Electric screw is assembled between the upper frame and the lower frame of outer frame, and the inner frame is formed sliding transmission pair with electric screw by sliding block, can be extended outside gasbag or be withdrawn to inside gasbag;Gasbag bottom is provided with hatch, and the five lateral surfaces of outer frame towards gasbag are provided with sealing cover, and sealing cover is sealed with gasbag inner wall heat sealing, to isolate pod cavity and gasbag space.The application can effectively reduce the flight resistance and radar reflection area of airship, improve stealth performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of airship technology, specifically relating to an airship stealth pod structure. Background Technology

[0002] Airships and tethered balloons are aircraft that rely on buoyancy to take off, often used for reconnaissance, communications relay, and environmental monitoring missions. When performing missions, airships need to carry various onboard equipment (such as batteries, avionics, and payloads), which are typically housed in pods. Traditional airship pods often employ an external design, fixed to the underside of the airbag via suspension or support structures. While external pods facilitate installation and maintenance, they significantly increase drag, disrupt the airship's aerodynamic shape, and the exposed metal or composite material structures create a large radar cross-section, compromising stealth requirements.

[0003] To reduce drag and improve stealth performance, some designs embed the pod within the airbag. However, due to the airbag's flexible structure, equipment installation and deployment are difficult. Furthermore, issues such as pressure balance and sealing between the airbag and the outside environment limit the application of internal pods. Therefore, a pod structure is needed that can ensure normal equipment operation while effectively reducing drag and radar cross-section. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a stealth pod structure for an airship. By embedding the pod inside the airbag and making it retractable, the pod can be completely stored inside the airbag during flight, reducing drag and radar cross-section, while ensuring that the equipment can extend outside the airbag for operation or maintenance when needed.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A stealth pod structure for an airship includes an airbag and a pod. The pod is housed within the airbag and positioned on the airbag wall at a location corresponding to the buoyancy center at the bottom of the airbag. The pod comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, outriggers, and casters. The airbag wall is heat-sealed with a sleeve. The outer frame is fitted against the inner wall of the airbag, and a frame tube on the bottom surface of the outer frame passes through the sleeve and is securely connected to the airbag wall. An electric screw is mounted between the upper and lower frames of the outer frame. The inner frame forms a sliding transmission pair with the electric screw via a slider. The inner frame is used to carry onboard equipment and can extend out of the airbag or retract into the airbag, driven by the electric screw. A hatch is provided at the bottom of the airbag to match the extension and retraction trajectory of the inner frame, allowing the inner frame to extend outward. Sealing covers are provided on the five sides of the outer frame facing the airbag. The sealing covers are rectangular pentahedrons with downward-facing openings, and their circumferential edges are heat-sealed with the inner wall of the airbag, isolating the pod cavity from the airbag space.

[0006] Furthermore, the internal space of the sealing cover is larger than the overall outer contour of the outer frame, and the sealing cover can completely enclose and accommodate the outer frame.

[0007] Furthermore, the high-strength lightweight pipe is made of carbon fiber composite material or aluminum alloy.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a power unit, which is mounted on the left and right sides of the airbag.

[0009] Furthermore, an I-shaped through-tube sleeve is heat-sealed on both sides of the airbag, and the tube is inserted into the I-shaped through-tube sleeve to form an I-shaped load-bearing structure; the power spindle of the power unit is fixedly installed at the center of the I-shaped load-bearing structure; diagonal bracing is installed between the power spindle and the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure, and the diagonal bracing is radially connected to the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the airborne equipment includes batteries, avionics, and payload.

[0011] Furthermore, a hatch sealing cover is affixed to the downward-facing surface of the inner frame; the hatch sealing cover is used to seal the hatch, prevent external airflow from entering, and reduce flight wind resistance; the pod as a whole is a non-airtight, pressureless structure.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The pod is completely built into the airbag, with no exposed protrusions during flight, maintaining the original streamlined shape of the airbag and greatly reducing flight drag; 2. The pod structure is encased in airbags and a sealed cover, preventing the metal structure from being directly exposed to radar waves, significantly reducing the radar cross-section and improving stealth performance; 3. The inner frame can extend outside the airbag, facilitating equipment installation, debugging, and maintenance. When extended, it can also perform tasks that require direct exposure to the outside world (such as optical detection, communication antenna deployment, etc.). 4. The sealing cover isolates the pod cavity from the buoyancy gas of the airbag, ensuring the airtightness of the airbag. At the same time, the pod cavity is a non-airtight, pressureless structure, which simplifies the design. 5. The extension and retraction of the inner frame is achieved by electric screw drive, which is simple and reliable to operate and can be automated by using a motor.

[0013] Attached image description.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall shape of the complete flight configuration airship according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the indentation state of the inner frame in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a rendering of the airbag extending from the inner frame in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a front view of the pod in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows: 1-Airbag; 2-Wheel caster; 3-Outer frame; 4-Inner frame; 5-Electric screw; 6-Slider; 7-Sleeve; 8-High-strength lightweight pipe; 9-Hatch; 10-Sealing cover; 11-Hatch sealing cover; 12-Power unit; 13-I-shaped through-pipe sleeve; 14-Outrigger; 15-Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0020] Example like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a stealth pod structure for an airship, including an airbag 1 and a pod. The pod is built into the airbag 1, specifically arranged on the airbag wall at the position corresponding to the bottom buoyancy center of the airbag 1, to ensure the overall stability of the airship's center of gravity.

[0021] The pod comprises an outer frame 3, an inner frame 4, outriggers 14, and casters 2. The outer frame 3 is made of high-strength, lightweight tubing 8, which can be made of carbon fiber composite material or aluminum alloy to reduce weight while ensuring strength. The outer frame 3 has a rectangular frame structure and is fitted to the inner wall of the airbag 1. Tube sleeves 7 are heat-sealed onto the wall of the airbag 1 at corresponding positions. The bottom frame tubes of the outer frame 3 pass through the tube sleeves 7, achieving a secure connection with the airbag wall, thereby fixing the entire pod inside the airbag.

[0022] An electric lead screw 5 is assembled between the upper and lower frames of the outer frame 3. A motor 15 is mounted on the end of the lead screw or drives the lead screw to rotate via a transmission mechanism. The inner frame 4 forms a sliding transmission pair with the electric lead screw 5 through a slider 6. The slider 6 is fixed on the lead screw nut, and the inner frame 4 is connected to the slider 6. When the motor 15 drives the electric lead screw 5 to rotate, the slider 6 moves up and down along the lead screw, causing the inner frame 4 to extend or retract.

[0023] The inner frame 4 is used to carry airborne equipment, including batteries, avionics, and payloads. The bottom of the inner frame 4 is equipped with outriggers 14 and casters 2. The outriggers 14 support the weight of the inner frame 4 and the equipment, while the casters 2 facilitate movement of the inner frame 4 on the ground or platform after it extends.

[0024] The airbag 1 has a hatch 9 at its bottom. The position and size of the hatch 9 match the extension and retraction trajectory of the inner frame 4. When the inner frame 4 extends downwards, it can pass through the hatch 9 to the outside of the airbag; when the inner frame 4 retracts, it completely enters the airbag and seals the hatch 9. Figure 2 As shown, the inner frame 4 is in the retracted state, at which point the pod is completely retracted inside the airbag 1; as Figure 3 As shown, the inner frame 4 extends outside the airbag.

[0025] Sealing covers 10 are provided on five sides (excluding the bottom) of the outer frame 3 facing the airbag 1. The sealing covers 10 are rectangular pentahedral in shape, open downwards, and their circumferential edges are heat-sealed with the inner wall of the airbag 1, thereby isolating the pod cavity from the buoyancy gas space of the airbag 1. The internal accommodating space of the sealing covers 10 is larger than the overall outer contour dimension of the outer frame 3, and can completely enclose and accommodate the outer frame 3, avoiding interference between the outer frame 3 and the sealing covers 10.

[0026] A hatch sealing cover 11 is attached to the downward-facing surface of the inner frame 4. The hatch sealing cover 11 is used to seal the hatch 9 when the pod is retracted, preventing external airflow from entering and reducing flight drag. The pod as a whole is a non-airtight, pressureless structure, meaning that the pod cavity maintains pressure balance with the external environment through the tiny gaps in the hatch sealing cover 11 or specially designed vents, and does not need to bear pressure differential loads.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, the front view of the pod shows the relative positions of the outer frame 3, inner frame 4, outriggers 14, and casters 2. The outer frame 3 is connected to the wall of the airbag 1 via a sleeve 7. The electric lead screw 5 is arranged on the left and right sides or in the middle of the outer frame 3, and the slider 6 is connected to the inner frame 4.

[0028] In addition, power units 12 are mounted on both sides of the airbag 1 to provide propulsion for the airship. Specifically, I-shaped through-tube sleeves 13 are heat-sealed on both sides of the airbag 1, and the tubes (not shown separately in the figure) are inserted into the I-shaped through-tube sleeves 13 to form an I-shaped load-bearing structure. The power spindle of the power unit 12 is fixedly installed at the center of the I-shaped load-bearing structure, and diagonal bracing (not shown in the figure) is installed between the power spindle and the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure. The diagonal bracing is radially connected to the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure to improve the structural rigidity and stability.

[0029] During operation, in flight mode, the inner frame 4 retracts into the airbag 1, and the hatch sealing cover 11 seals the hatch 9, concealing the entire pod inside the airbag. The airship maintains its streamlined shape, reducing flight drag and radar cross-section. When equipment maintenance or specific tasks are required, motor 15 is activated, and the electric lead screw 5 drives the slider 6 downward, causing the inner frame 4 to extend from the hatch 9 outside the airbag. At this time, the casters 2 and outriggers 14 can be used for support and movement. After the task is completed, the lead screw is reversed to retract the inner frame 4.

[0030] In this invention, the sealing heat sealing method between the sealing cover 10 and the inner wall of the airbag 1 can adopt conventional processes such as high-frequency heat sealing and hot air welding. The material can be a flexible composite material compatible with the airbag 1 to ensure sealing performance and durability.

[0031] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stealth pod structure for an airship, comprising an airbag and a pod, wherein the pod is internally housed within the airbag, characterized in that: The pod is positioned on the airbag wall at the bottom buoyancy center of the airbag. The pod includes an outer frame, an inner frame, outriggers, and casters. The airbag wall is heat-sealed with a sleeve. The outer frame is fitted against the inner wall of the airbag, and the bottom frame tube of the outer frame passes through the sleeve and is securely connected to the airbag wall. An electric screw is mounted between the upper and lower frames of the outer frame. The inner frame forms a sliding transmission pair with the electric screw via a slider. The inner frame carries onboard equipment and can extend out of the airbag or retract into it, driven by the electric screw. A hatch is opened at the bottom of the airbag to match the extension and retraction trajectory of the inner frame, allowing the inner frame to extend outwards. Sealing covers are provided on the five sides of the outer frame facing the airbag. These sealing covers are rectangular pentahedrons with downward-facing openings, and their circumferential edges are heat-sealed with the inner wall of the airbag, isolating the pod cavity from the airbag space.

2. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The internal space of the sealing cover is larger than the overall outer contour of the outer frame, and the sealing cover can completely enclose and accommodate the outer frame.

3. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-strength, lightweight pipe is made of carbon fiber composite material or aluminum alloy.

4. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a power unit, which is mounted on the left and right sides of the airbag.

5. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 4, characterized in that: The airbag is heat-sealed on both sides with I-shaped through-tube sleeves, and the tubes are inserted into the I-shaped through-tube sleeves to form an I-shaped load-bearing structure; the power spindle of the power unit is fixedly installed at the center of the I-shaped load-bearing structure; diagonal bracing is installed between the power spindle and the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure, and the diagonal bracing is radially connected to the two ends of the I-shaped load-bearing structure.

6. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airborne equipment includes batteries, avionics, and payload.

7. The stealth pod structure for an airship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hatch sealing cover is affixed to the downward-facing surface of the inner frame; the hatch sealing cover is used to seal the hatch, prevent external airflow from entering, and reduce flight drag; the pod as a whole is a non-airtight, pressureless structure.

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