Portable weather balloon release device
By using a portable weather balloon release device with a rope winch and remote control, the automatic winding and precise release of the weather balloon rope is achieved, solving the problems of traditional weather balloon release devices requiring multiple people to operate and posing safety hazards, and improving work efficiency and data accuracy.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINESE ACAD OF METEOROLOGICAL SCI
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
Smart Images

Figure CN224457049U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of meteorological detection equipment, and in particular to a portable weather balloon release device. Background Technology
[0002] As one of the earliest tools for high-altitude sounding, the development of weather balloons has spanned the evolution of modern atmospheric science and aviation technology. Its core function is to accurately collect environmental parameters of near-Earth space (troposphere and stratosphere) through the combination of a lightweight carrier and payload system. It boasts advantages such as low cost, flexible deployment, and a wide detection range. By carrying a radiosonde, weather balloons can acquire meteorological elements such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction, and wind speed in the upper atmosphere.
[0003] However, traditional weather balloons have some shortcomings when being released. Firstly, the work of managing the sounding line is arduous. Before each release, tens to hundreds of meters of sounding line need to be manually managed, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to tangling. Releasing the weather balloon requires multiple people working together. Typically, two to three people are needed: one to inflate and secure the balloon, one to hold the balloon and control the release altitude, and another to attach the radiosonde and confirm the signal, increasing personnel costs during scientific expeditions. Secondly, operating in field and shipboard environments is difficult. In harsh environments such as strong winds, rain, snow, polar temperatures, and ship swaying, manually holding the balloon is prone to loss of control, causing it to slip from the hand or be damaged, posing safety hazards. Furthermore, the timing of release is poorly controlled. Relying on manual judgment and release makes it difficult to accurately control the release timing, affecting the quality of the data collected. Utility Model Content
[0004] One objective of this invention is to overcome at least one deficiency in the prior art and to provide a portable weather balloon release device.
[0005] A further objective of this invention is to automatically reel in and extend the sounding rope using a rope winch, thereby reducing the number of operators required during the release operation.
[0006] Another further objective of this invention is to use a remote control device to control the electric cutting-off device to release the weather balloon, ensuring the safety of the operator and improving the release accuracy of the weather balloon.
[0007] Specifically, this utility model provides a portable weather balloon release device, comprising: a support frame; a cable winch installed within the support frame near one side wall and configured to wind a weathering cable for connecting the weather balloon, and to release the weathering cable by controlled rotation; and a release device installed within the support frame near the opposite side wall of the cable winch, having a stop mechanism connected to a set position of the weathering cable and a remote control device, wherein the stop mechanism is signal-connected to the remote control device and configured to disconnect from the set position of the weathering cable after receiving a release signal from the remote control device, thereby releasing the weather balloon.
[0008] Optionally, the stop mechanism is an electrically operated cutting mechanism that controls the movement of its cutting edge toward the sounding rope to disconnect it from the set position of the sounding rope.
[0009] Optionally, the portable weather balloon release device further includes: a guide mechanism disposed on the outside of the releaser to constrain the direction in which the weathering rope extends beyond the support frame; wherein the weathering rope is connected to the weather balloon in sequence through the wire winch, the stop mechanism and the guide mechanism in the direction from the side wall near the wire winch to the side wall near the releaser.
[0010] Optionally, the guiding mechanism includes: a first guide wheel, a second guide wheel, and a third guide wheel arranged sequentially along the direction from the stop mechanism to away from the cable winch, with a first gap between the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel, and a second gap between the second guide wheel and the third guide wheel; wherein the geometric center of the second guide wheel is higher than the line connecting the geometric centers of the first guide wheel and the third guide wheel, and is configured such that the sounding rope extending from the release device passes through the first gap and the second gap in sequence to connect with the sounding balloon.
[0011] Optionally, the outer contours of the first guide wheel, the second guide wheel, and the third guide wheel are recessed inward to form grooves, and the first guide wheel, the second guide wheel, and the third guide wheel are made of ceramic.
[0012] Optionally, the portable weather balloon release device further includes: movable casters, located at the bottom of the side wall near the cable winch, for moving and supporting the portable weather balloon release device; and support legs, located at the bottom of the side wall near the releaser, for supporting and securing the portable weather balloon release device.
[0013] Optionally, the portable weather balloon release device also includes a handle, which extends upward from a side wall near the cable winch and is configured to cooperate with casters and outriggers to fix or move the portable weather balloon release device.
[0014] Optionally, the portable weather balloon release device further includes: a wind direction and speed meter, disposed above the support frame, for measuring wind direction and speed information at the release location of the weather balloon; and a wind direction and speed meter bracket, formed by extending upward from the top of the support frame near the release device and then extending towards the wind direction and speed meter.
[0015] Optionally, the portable weather balloon release device further includes a positioning device disposed on the side of the support frame near the cable winch and below the cable winch, for recording the release position and release time of the weather balloon.
[0016] The portable sounding balloon release device provided by this utility model has a rope winch installed near one side wall within the support frame. The rotation of the rope winch enables the automatic deployment and retraction of the sounding rope. This portable sounding balloon release device can be operated by a single person to deploy and retract the sounding rope, reducing the manpower costs of sounding operations and improving the efficiency of sounding operations.
[0017] Furthermore, in the release mechanism of the portable sounding balloon release device, the electrically operated cutting mechanism is controlled by a remote control to disconnect from the set position of the sounding rope. Operators can operate from a safe location away from the sounding balloon release point, avoiding safety hazards in severe weather. The remote control of the sounding rope disconnection timing also facilitates precise control of the release time, thereby improving the accuracy of sounding data measurements.
[0018] The above and other objects, advantages and features of this utility model will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of this utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the present invention in a detailed manner by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or components. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:
[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of a portable weather balloon release device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a portable weather balloon release device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a release device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a guide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0024] This utility model provides a portable weather balloon release device 10. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the portable sounding balloon release device 10 of this embodiment generally includes a support frame 100, a cable winch 110, and a release device 120. The cable winch 110 can be installed within the support frame 100 near one side wall and configured to coil the sounding rope 111 used to connect the sounding balloon, and its controlled rotation releases the sounding rope 111. The rotation of the cable winch 110 enables rapid deployment and retrieval of the sounding balloon, improving the efficiency of sounding operations. Furthermore, since a single person can operate the portable sounding balloon release device 10 to deploy and retrieval the sounding rope 111 via the cable winch 110, the reliance on manpower for sounding operations can be greatly reduced, lowering labor costs.
[0025] In some optional embodiments, the support frame 100 can be made of carbon fiber composite material, with an overall weight not exceeding 5 kg. The support frame 100 can also be designed as a foldable structure; for example, its unfolded dimensions can be 800mm × 600mm × 1200mm, and its folded dimensions can be 400mm × 300mm × 200mm. The support frame 100 is lightweight, foldable, and easy to carry. The dimensions of the support frame 100 described above are merely illustrative examples; those skilled in the art can select different dimensions of the support frame 100 according to actual usage.
[0026] Furthermore, the winch body of the rope winch 110 can be made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy with an anodized surface treatment. The aerospace-grade aluminum alloy material gives the winch body both lightweight and high rigidity, reducing the overall weight of the portable device for easy carrying, while also withstanding the tension during the deployment and retraction of the sounding rope 111 without easily deforming. The anodized surface treatment significantly improves its corrosion resistance (resisting the effects of outdoor wind, rain, humidity, and other environmental factors) and wear resistance (reducing frictional loss during rope deployment and retraction), extending the winch's service life. It also makes the surface more wear-resistant and scratch-resistant, maintaining structural stability and ensuring smooth and reliable deployment and retraction of the sounding rope 111.
[0027] The release device 120 can be installed within the support frame 100 near the adjacent sidewall of the wire winch 110, and has a stop mechanism 121 connected to a set position of the sounding rope 111 and a remote control device 122. The stop mechanism 121 is signal-connected to the remote control device 122 and configured to disconnect from the set position of the sounding rope 111 after receiving a release signal from the remote control device 122, thereby releasing the sounding balloon. The remote control device 122 controls the stop mechanism 121 to release the sounding balloon, allowing the operator to release the sounding balloon without being at the release point, which greatly ensures the safety of the operator in some severe weather conditions.
[0028] In some optional embodiments, the remote control device 122 can employ 2.4GHz wireless communication with an effective range of not less than 500 meters, making communication more efficient and convenient and providing encryption functionality. The remote control device 122 may also be equipped with a safety lock switch and an emergency stop button to further enhance operational safety and respond to emergencies, making the sounding operation safer and more reliable.
[0029] In some alternative embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the stop mechanism 121 can be an electrically operated cutting mechanism 123, which controls the movement of its cutting edge 124 toward the sounding rope 111 to disconnect it from the set position of the sounding rope 111. The electrically operated cutting mechanism 123 can quickly respond to the release signal issued by the remote control device 122 and quickly and accurately cut the sounding rope 111, thereby improving the accuracy of the sounding operation.
[0030] In some optional embodiments, the stop mechanism 121 can also be a pin mechanism. The end of the probe rope 111 is fixed to the stop pin via a special connecting ring. After receiving a release signal, the stop mechanism 121 automatically releases, completing the ball release action. The body of the pin mechanism can be made of stainless steel, with a length of 80 to 100 mm and a diameter of 8 to 10 mm. The release device 120 can also include a locking mechanism and a quick-release mechanism that cooperate with the pin mechanism. The locking mechanism adopts an electromagnet-driven claw structure with a locking force of not less than 50 N. The response time of the quick-release mechanism is less than 100 ms. The stainless steel pin mechanism combines durability and portability, and can firmly fix the probe rope 111. The electromagnet and the claw-type locking mechanism can sensitively control the locking pin, preventing the probe rope 111 from loosening prematurely or being accidentally released. The rapid release mechanism has a response time of less than 100ms, which can complete the release action instantly, reduce the drift interference of the weather balloon caused by delay, ensure accurate release timing, and improve the overall stability, reliability and accuracy of the sounding operation and the detection data.
[0031] The portable sounding balloon release device 10 may further include a guide mechanism 130, disposed outside the releaser 120, to constrain the direction in which the sounding rope 111 extends beyond the support frame 100. The sounding rope 111 connects to the sounding balloon, passing sequentially through the rope winch 110, the stop mechanism 121, and the guide mechanism 130, from the sidewall near the rope winch 110 to the sidewall near the releaser 120. The guide mechanism 130 can adjust the direction of the sounding rope 111 after it extends beyond the support frame 100, preventing the sounding rope 111 from tangling due to misalignment. Operators do not need to manually adjust the direction of the sounding rope 111, saving time during sounding operations. Furthermore, since the sounding rope 111 extends and connects to the sounding balloon along a preset direction, friction between the sounding rope 111 and structures such as the support frame 100 or the releaser 120 can be avoided, preventing the risk of malfunction due to wear of the sounding rope 111.
[0032] In some alternative embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the guiding mechanism 130 may include a first guide wheel 131, a second guide wheel 132, and a third guide wheel 133 arranged sequentially along the direction from the stop mechanism 121 away from the cable winch 110. A first gap 134 is formed between the first guide wheel 131 and the second guide wheel 132, and a second gap 135 is formed between the second guide wheel 132 and the third guide wheel 133. By using the rotation of the first guide wheel 131, the second guide wheel 132, and the third guide wheel 133 to replace the sliding of the sounding rope 111, the frictional loss of the sounding rope 111 can be effectively reduced.
[0033] Furthermore, the geometric center of the second guide wheel 132 is higher than the line connecting the geometric centers of the first guide wheel 131 and the third guide wheel 133, and is configured such that the sounding rope 111 extending from the release device 120 passes sequentially through the first gap 134 and the second gap 135 to connect with the sounding balloon. Using the first gap 134 and the second gap 135 to constrain the direction of the sounding rope 111 helps stabilize its trajectory. The appropriate elevation of the second guide wheel 132 ensures smooth sliding of the rope during the rise and fall of the sounding balloon, thereby reducing wear on the sounding rope 111.
[0034] In some alternative embodiments, the outer contours of the first guide wheel 131, the second guide wheel 132, and the third guide wheel 133 are recessed inward to form a groove 136. The groove 136 can restrict the sounding rope 111, preventing the sounding rope 111 from deviating from the guide mechanism 130 due to left and right sliding, and avoiding the sounding rope 111 from getting tangled due to left and right sliding, thereby making the operation of the wire winch 110 to take in and release the sounding rope 111 smoother and more efficient.
[0035] Furthermore, the first guide wheel 131, the second guide wheel 132, and the third guide wheel 133 are made of ceramic. Ceramic has the advantages of high hardness and strong wear resistance, which can reduce the friction between the outer contour surfaces of the first guide wheel 131, the second guide wheel 132, and the third guide wheel 133 and the sounding rope 111 during the sounding operation, thus extending the service life of the guiding mechanism 130 and the sounding rope 111.
[0036] In some optional embodiments, the portable sounding balloon release device 10 may further include a reduction mechanism and an encoder. The reduction mechanism can be a worm gear reduction mechanism, a belt drive reduction mechanism, or a planetary gear reduction mechanism. Taking a planetary gear reduction mechanism as an example, using a two-stage planetary gear with a reduction ratio of 1:20 to 1:50 can effectively control the deceleration of the sounding rope 111 and ensure a transmission efficiency of over 90%, preventing the sounding rope 111 from releasing too quickly and causing inaccurate sounding data.
[0037] The encoder can be used to accurately measure the length and speed of the released sounding rope 111. For example, an incremental photoelectric encoder with a resolution of 1000 pulses / revolution can be used. The high resolution of 1000 pulses / revolution can accurately capture the minute displacement and speed changes of the released sounding rope 111, avoiding estimation errors and ensuring the accuracy of data such as rope length and release speed. Moreover, the photoelectric encoder is small in size and easy to integrate, without adding extra burden to the portable device, thus balancing the needs of accurate measurement and portability.
[0038] The portable radiosonde balloon release device 10 may also include casters 140 and support legs 150. The casters 140 are located at the bottom of the side wall near the cable winch 110 and are used to move and support the portable radiosonde balloon release device 10. The casters 140 not only provide support for the portable radiosonde balloon release device 10 but also allow operators to easily move it without lifting it, making it suitable for field environments and multi-observation-point environments, thus improving the flexibility of radiosonde operations.
[0039] Furthermore, the support leg 150 is disposed at the bottom of the side wall near the release device 120, for supporting and fixing the portable weather balloon release device 10. The support leg 150 not only supports the portable weather balloon release device 10, but also serves to position the portable weather balloon release device 10 when it does not need to be moved.
[0040] In addition, the support leg 150 can also be configured as an adjustable support leg 150. When the portable weather balloon release device 10 is in the field environment, the height of the support leg 150 can be adjusted to assist in leveling and enhance the adaptability of the portable weather balloon release device 10 in various sites.
[0041] The portable weather balloon release device 10 may also include a handle 160. The handle 160 extends upward from a side wall near the cable winch 110 and is configured to engage with the casters 140 and the outriggers 150 to fix or move the portable weather balloon release device 10. For example, an operator can operate the handle 160 to lift the outriggers 150 off the ground. Then, the operator can push the handle 160 to move the entire device via the casters 140. The operator does not need to move the portable weather balloon release device 10; a single person can move the device, saving labor costs.
[0042] The portable weather balloon release device 10 may also include a drive motor 170. The drive motor 170 is located on the support frame 100 near and below the wire winch 110, and provides power to rotate the wire winch 110 via belt drive. The drive motor 170 outputs uniform power, which, combined with the belt drive, smoothly drives the wire winch 110 to rotate. This allows for precise adjustment of the release and take-up speed of the weather rope 111, avoiding uneven force on the weather rope 111 caused by sudden speed changes during manual operation, thus preventing instability in the balloon's attitude. The drive motor 170 can be a brushless DC motor, which can efficiently output kinetic energy and generates relatively low noise during operation.
[0043] The portable weather balloon release device 10 may also include an anemometer 180 and an anemometer bracket 181. The anemometer 180 is positioned above the support frame 100 and is used to measure wind direction and speed information at the release location of the weather balloon. Integrating the anemometer 180 into the portable weather balloon release device 10 allows for the acquisition of real-time wind conditions at the release location, assisting operators in accurately determining the release timing, reducing the risk of balloon damage, and thus improving the efficiency of weather sounding operations.
[0044] The anemometer bracket 181 extends upward from the top of the support frame 100 near the release device 120 and then towards the anemometer 180. The anemometer bracket 181 supports the anemometer 180 directly above the portable weather balloon release device 10, bringing it closer to the actual release position of the weather balloon. The data measured by the anemometer 180 closely matches the weather balloon's launch environment, and accurate wind direction and speed data assist operators in better completing weather balloon operations.
[0045] The portable sounding balloon release device 10 may also include a positioning device 190. The positioning device 190 is located on the side of the support frame 100 near and below the cable winch 110, and is used to record the release location and time of the sounding balloon. The release location and time recorded by the positioning device 190 are crucial data for sounding operations. Only by clearly identifying the specific release location and time corresponding to the data can the vertical atmospheric structure of the area be accurately analyzed, avoiding data invalidation due to ambiguity in location or time, and improving the accuracy of sounding operations.
[0046] In some optional embodiments, the portable sounding balloon release device 10 may also include a tension sensor for real-time monitoring of the tension of the sounding rope 111. When the tension exceeds a set threshold, the release speed is automatically adjusted or the release is stopped to prevent the rope from breaking, thus ensuring the safety of the equipment and the operator.
[0047] In some optional embodiments, the operation procedure of the portable sounding balloon release device 10 is as follows: The support frame 100 is unfolded, and the position of the portable sounding balloon release device 10 is fixed. A pre-wound sounding rope 111 is installed onto the cable winch 110, and an inflated sounding balloon is connected to one end of the sounding rope 111. Then, the cable winch 110 is activated to automatically release the sounding rope 111. Once the sounding rope 111 is fully released, the stop mechanism 121 automatically locks. After confirming that the sounding operation is proceeding normally, the sounding balloon is released via the remote control device 122.
[0048] The portable weather balloon release device 10 can also be equipped with a touch screen display. During the weather balloon operation, the operator can use the touch screen display to display parameters such as rope length, speed, and tension in real time, providing visualized and accurate data for the weather balloon operation. The operator can also remotely control the portable weather balloon release device 10, obtain weather balloon release records, and obtain abnormal status of the weather balloon through a mobile APP.
[0049] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although many exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all such other variations or modifications.
[0050] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0051] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0052] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in the description of this disclosure (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.
[0053] In the description of this disclosure, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0054] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A portable sounding balloon release device, characterized by include: Supporting framework; A wire rope winch is installed within the support frame near one side wall and configured to wind the sounding rope for connecting the sounding balloon, and its controlled rotation enables the release of the sounding rope. The release device is installed within the support frame near the opposite sidewall of the rope winch, and has a stop mechanism connected to a set position of the sounding rope and a remote control device. The stop mechanism is signal-connected to the remote control device and configured to disconnect from the set position of the sounding rope after receiving a release signal from the remote control device, so as to release the sounding balloon.
2. The portable weather balloon release device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stop mechanism is an electrically operated cutting mechanism that controls the movement of its cutting edge toward the sounding rope to disconnect it from a predetermined position.
3. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 2, wherein, Also includes: A guiding mechanism, located outside the release device, constrains the sounding rope from extending beyond the support frame; wherein, The sounding rope passes sequentially through the wire winch, the stop mechanism, and the guide mechanism to connect with the sounding balloon, moving from the side wall near the wire winch to the side wall near the release device.
4. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 3, wherein, The guiding mechanism includes: A first guide wheel, a second guide wheel, and a third guide wheel are sequentially arranged along a direction from the stop mechanism away from the cable winch. A first gap is formed between the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel, and a second gap is formed between the second guide wheel and the third guide wheel. The geometric center of the second guide wheel is higher than the line connecting the geometric centers of the first guide wheel and the third guide wheel, and is configured such that the sounding rope extending from the release device passes through the first gap and the second gap in sequence to connect with the sounding balloon.
5. The portable weather balloon release device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer contours of the first guide wheel, the second guide wheel, and the third guide wheel are recessed inward to form grooves, and the first guide wheel, the second guide wheel, and the third guide wheel are made of ceramic.
6. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: Movable casters are located at the bottom of the side wall near the cable winch, for moving and supporting the portable weather balloon release device; The support legs are located at the bottom of the side wall near the release device and are used to support and secure the portable weather balloon release device.
7. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 6, wherein, Also includes: A handle, which extends upward from a sidewall near the cable winch, is configured to cooperate with the casters and the outriggers to fix or move the portable weather balloon release device.
8. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: A drive motor is located on the side of the support frame near the cable winch and below the cable winch, and provides power for the rotation of the cable winch by means of belt transmission.
9. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: An anemometer, located above the support frame, is used to measure the wind direction and wind speed at the release point of the weather balloon. The support frame of the wind direction and speed instrument is formed by extending upward from the top of the side of the support frame close to the release device and then extending toward the direction close to the wind direction and speed instrument.
10. The portable sounding balloon release device of claim 1, wherein, Also included are: A positioning device is arranged on the side of the support frame close to the wire rope winch and below the wire rope winch, which is used to record the release position and release time of the sounding balloon.