Adjustment device for adjusting cabin internal pressure of flying object, system, and flying object having function to adjust cabin internal pressure

Abstract

To provide means for adjusting a pressure of gas in an airtight cabin to ensure that a pressure is maintained within an appropriate range.SOLUTION: An adjustment device 16 is arranged in an internal space S1 of a cabin of a flying object such as a gas balloon. The adjustment device 16 includes a container 161 and a partition member 162 that hermetically partitions the internal space of the container 161 into an open space S3 and a closed space S4. The open space S3 is connected to the internal space S1 and the closed space S4 is closed. As a pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 increases, the partition member 162 moves in a +X direction. When the partition member 162 moves a distance D or more from a reference position, an opening O2 provided in the container 161 is opened, the gas flows out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 via an exhaust pipe 17. Consequently, when the pressure of the air in the internal space S1 decreases, the partition member 162 moves in a -X direction, the opening O2 is closed and the outflow of the gas stops.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for adjusting the pressure inside a cabin that houses an object to be transported by a flying object. [Background technology]

[0002] When an aircraft or other flying vehicle transports people or animals, in order to sustain the lives of those objects, the air in the internal space of the container (hereinafter referred to as the "cabin") that houses those objects must contain sufficient oxygen and be maintained at a pressure within a specified range.

[0003] Therefore, various mechanisms (air conditioning systems) have been proposed to adjust the air inside the cabin so that it meets the conditions for sustaining the life of the transported object. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning system for aircraft. The air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 compresses outside air to a pressure within a predetermined range using a compressor, and sends the compressed air to the aircraft cabin so as to circulate it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-103715 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a flying object reaches a high altitude, for example, more than 10,000 meters above the ground, the air around the flying object becomes so low in pressure and temperature that humans and animals cannot sustain life in it. Therefore, the cabin that accommodates humans and animals transported into the sky by such a flying object must have an airtight structure against the outside space.

[0006] In a cabin that is airtight from the outside space, oxygen consumed by humans and animals as they breathe must be supplied from an oxygen tank, etc. When oxygen is supplied to an airtight cabin, the air pressure in the cabin increases.

[0007] If the air pressure inside the cabin deviates significantly from atmospheric pressure, people and animals inside the cabin may suffer from poor physical condition, such as headaches caused by autonomic nerve disorders. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain the gas pressure inside the cabin within a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as the "optimum range") close to atmospheric pressure.

[0008] For example, a pressure gauge could be placed inside the cabin, and an occupant in the cabin could monitor the pressure gauge's readings, and if the pressure falls outside the appropriate range, an exhaust port in the cabin could be manually opened and closed to exhaust the gas inside the cabin outside the cabin, thereby maintaining the gas pressure inside the cabin within the appropriate range.

[0009] However, the above-mentioned methods require a lot of effort from the crew and also entail the risk of an accident occurring due to human error.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a means for adjusting the gas pressure inside an airtight cabin so that the pressure is maintained within an appropriate range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides an adjusting device for adjusting the gas pressure in the internal space of an airtight cabin that accommodates an object to be transported by a flying object, the adjusting device comprising a container and a partition member that airtightly divides the internal space of the container into a first space that is open to the internal space of the cabin and a closed second space, the partition member moving within the container in response to a force generated by the difference in gas pressure between the first space and the gas pressure in the second space, and the adjusting device opens and closes the gas movement path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin as the partition member moves. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the gas pressure inside the cabin is maintained within an appropriate range. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a flying object according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing components accommodated in an interior space of a cabin according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of an adjustment device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an adjustment device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cabin to which an adjustment device according to a modified example is attached. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an adjustment device according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cabin according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [Embodiment] The following describes a flying object 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the flying object 1. The flying object 1 includes an air envelope 11, a sling 12, and a cabin 13 as main components visible from the outside.

[0015] The air envelope 11 contains a gas (e.g., helium gas) that is lighter than air, and generates buoyancy to raise the flying object 1. The sling 12 is a rope that connects the air envelope 11 to the cabin 13. The cabin 13 is a container that contains an object to be transported in its internal space while maintaining the airtightness. The object to be transported may include, for example, a passenger (person) or an animal.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing components (including components having a portion penetrating the wall of the cabin 13 and exposed to the external space S2) housed in the internal space S1 of the cabin 13 of the flying object 1. The components of the cabin 13 include a gas cylinder 14, a constant flow valve 15, a regulator 16, an exhaust pipe 17, a manual on-off valve 18, a pressure gauge 19, an electromagnetic valve 20, an alarm device 21, a differential pressure control valve 22, a manual on-off valve 23, and a carbon dioxide absorber 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the internal space S1 also houses a crew member A, which is an example of an object to be transported.

[0017] Gas cylinder 14 is a pressure-resistant container that contains gas at a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure (for example, 5 to 8 atmospheres before constant flow valve 15 is opened). The gas contained in gas cylinder 14 contains oxygen at a concentration higher than that contained in normal air. For example, the gas contained in gas cylinder 14 is normal air, high-oxygen concentration air obtained by adding oxygen to normal air to increase the oxygen concentration, oxygen, etc.

[0018] The constant flow valve 15 is a valve attached to the supply path of the gas supplied from the gas cylinder 14 to the internal space S1, and opens while the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the gas cylinder 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, to keep the flow rate of oxygen flowing from the gas cylinder 14 to the internal space S1 substantially constant. Note that the flow rate being substantially constant means that the flow rate does not have to be strictly constant, and that the flow rate is allowed to fluctuate within a predetermined range. The type of the constant flow valve 15 may be any type, such as a rubber orifice type or a needle orifice type.

[0019] The adjustment device 16 is a device that keeps the internal space S1 airtight from the external space S2 by closing the gas flow path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 of the cabin 13 while the absolute pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 is less than the threshold value PT3 (or is equal to or less than the threshold value PT3), and that allows the gas to move from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 by opening the gas flow path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 while the absolute pressure of the internal space S1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value PT3 (or exceeds the threshold value PT3). The configuration of the adjustment device 16 will be described later.

[0020] The exhaust pipe 17 is a pipe that forms a flow path for gas from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 via the adjustment device 16. That is, one end of the exhaust pipe 17 (hereinafter referred to as the "inner end") is connected to the adjustment device 16, and the other end (hereinafter referred to as the "outer end") penetrates the wall of the cabin 13 and is exposed to the external space S2.

[0021] The manual on-off valve 18 is a valve that opens or closes the gas flow path formed by the exhaust pipe 17 in response to manual operation by, for example, the occupant A. The manual on-off valve 18 is used to stop the outflow of gas when some malfunction occurs in the regulating device 16 and the gas flows from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 through the regulating device 16 and the exhaust pipe 17 even though the absolute pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 is less than the threshold value PT3 (or is equal to or less than the threshold value PT3). For example, when an alarm device 21 described later notifies the occupant A of an abnormal drop in pressure, the occupant A closes the manual on-off valve 18 in response to the notification.

[0022] The pressure gauge 19 is an absolute pressure gauge or a gauge pressure gauge, and measures the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1. The solenoid valve 20 is arranged to penetrate the wall of the cabin 13 (or arranged to block a pipe penetrating the wall of the cabin 13), and opens when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 increases and reaches an upper threshold value PT5, and closes when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 decreases and reaches a lower threshold value PT4.

[0023] When some malfunction occurs in the regulating device 16 and the absolute pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value PT3 (or exceeds the threshold value PT3), but no gas flows from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 through the regulating device 16 and the exhaust pipe 17, the internal space S1 is kept airtight from the external space S2, and the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 reaches the threshold value PT5, the solenoid valve 20 functions to allow gas to flow from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 and reduce the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 to the threshold value PT4.

[0024] The alarm device 21 initiates an alarm action such as sounding an alarm or turning on a warning light when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 rises and reaches an upper threshold value PT7, and stops the alarm action when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 falls and reaches a lower threshold value PT6, thereby notifying the occupants in the cabin 13 of an abnormal rise in gas pressure in the internal space S1.

[0025] In addition, the alarm device 21 initiates an alarm action such as sounding an alarm or turning on a warning light when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 decreases and reaches a lower threshold value PT1, and stops the alarm action when the pressure continuously measured by the pressure gauge 19 increases and reaches an upper threshold value PT2, thereby notifying the occupants in the cabin 13 of the abnormal decrease in gas pressure in the internal space S1.

[0026] In this embodiment, the magnitude relationship between the above-mentioned threshold values ​​PT1 to PT7 and the atmospheric pressure AP is as follows: PT1 <PT2<AP<PT3<PT4<PT5<PT6<PT7である。

[0027] The differential pressure control valve 22 is arranged to penetrate the wall of the cabin 13, and closes while the pressure difference between the gas in the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is less than a predetermined threshold QT (or equal to or less than the threshold QT), thereby keeping the internal space S1 airtight from the external space S2, and opens while the pressure difference between the gas in the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold QT (or exceeds the threshold QT), thereby allowing gas to move from the internal space S1 to the external space S2.

[0028] The threshold value QT, which is the pressure at which the differential pressure control valve 22 opens and closes, is the difference between the pressure of the gas in the external space S2 at the maximum altitude assumed for the flight of the flying object 1 and the maximum assumed pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 (e.g., 1.5 times atmospheric pressure).

[0029] The differential pressure control valve 22 opens when the air pressure in the internal space S1 rises abnormally due to malfunctions in the regulating device 16 and the pressure gauge 19, or malfunctions in all of the regulating device 16, the solenoid valve 20, and the alarm device 21, and serves to reduce the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 by allowing gas to flow from the internal space S1 to the external space S2.

[0030] The manual on-off valve 23 is disposed so as to penetrate the wall of the cabin 13 (or disposed so as to block a pipe penetrating the wall of the cabin 13), and is a valve that opens or closes the gas flow path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 in response to manual operation by, for example, the occupant A. For example, when the alarm device 21 notifies the occupant A of an abnormal increase in pressure, the occupant A opens the manual on-off valve 18 in response to the notification.

[0031] The carbon dioxide absorber 24 is a liquid or solid substance that absorbs carbon dioxide from a gas by chemically reacting with carbon dioxide contained in the gas at room temperature. Examples of the carbon dioxide absorber 24 include, but are not limited to, calcium hydroxide and sodium dioxide. The carbon dioxide absorber 24 is contained in a container having an air vent through which the surrounding gas can enter and exit so that the occupant A and the like cannot unintentionally touch it. In addition, the carbon dioxide absorber 24 is contained in a container such as a bag or the air vent of the container is blocked with a sheet so as not to come into contact with the outside air until the flying object 1 starts flying, that is, when it is not in use. Then, just before or after the flying object 1 starts flying, the container is opened or the sheet blocking the air vent is peeled off, and the carbon dioxide absorption starts.

[0032] The carbon dioxide absorber 24 absorbs the carbon dioxide that increases due to breathing by occupant A, etc. in the internal space S1, which is airtight with respect to the external space S2, and thereby plays a role in bringing the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the gas in the internal space S1 closer to the carbon dioxide concentration in normal air.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the adjustment device 16 will be described.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the adjustment device 16, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the adjustment device 16. The adjustment device 16 includes a container 161, a partition member 162, a relief valve 163, a cap 164, and a stopper 165.

[0035] The container 161 is a container having a cylindrical shape as a whole, and has an opening O1, an opening O2, and an opening O3.

[0036] The internal space of the container 161 is divided by a partition member 162 into an open space S3 (an example of a first space) which is the space on the left side of FIG. 4, and a closed space S4 (an example of a second space) which is the space on the right side of FIG.

[0037] The opening O1 is an opening provided on the open space S3 side, and is provided to allow gas to move between the internal space S1 of the cabin 13 and the open space S3 of the container 161.

[0038] The opening O2 is provided to allow gas to move between the open space S3 of the container 161 and the external space S2 of the cabin 13 via the exhaust pipe 17. The container 161 includes a plug 1611 that surrounds the periphery of the opening O2 and protrudes outward. The plug 1611 is airtightly connected to a socket 171 provided at the inner end of the exhaust pipe 17.

[0039] As a result of the movement of the partition member 162, the opening O2 may be blocked by the partition member 162 as shown in Fig. 4(A) or may not be blocked by the partition member 162 as shown in Fig. 4(B). Hereinafter, the state in which the opening O2 is blocked by the partition member 162 will be referred to as the "closed state," and the state in which the opening O2 is not blocked by the partition member 162 will be referred to as the "open state."

[0040] The opening O3 is an opening provided on the closed space S4 side, and is provided to allow gas to freely flow in and out of the closed space S4 of the container 161. The container 161 has a plug 1612 formed to surround the periphery of the opening O3 and protrude outward. The plug 1612 is connected to a socket provided at the end of an intake and exhaust pipe of an intake and exhaust device (not shown) in the preparation stage of the adjustment device 16. When the partition member 162 is in the position shown in FIG. 4(A) (hereinafter referred to as the "reference position"), the pressure of the gas in the closed space S4 is adjusted to a pressure PS4(0) which is a preset pressure (absolute pressure) by the intake and exhaust of gas into the closed space S4 by the intake and exhaust device. This preset pressure PS4(0) will be described later.

[0041] When the adjustment of the gas pressure in the closed space S4 by the air intake and exhaust device is completed, the socket of the air intake and exhaust device is removed from the plug 1612. At that time, a relief valve 163 is arranged to close the opening O3 so that the gas in the closed space S4 does not leak to the outside through the opening O3. The relief valve 163 opens when the air pressure from the inside to the outside of the closed space S4, or the air pressure from the outside to the inside of the closed space S4, reaches a threshold value sufficiently higher than the pressure PS4(0), and closes when it falls below the threshold value.

[0042] After the socket of the intake and exhaust device is removed, a cap 164 is attached to the plug 1612. The cap 164 serves to close the opening O3 in order to prevent gas from leaking to the outside through the opening O3 from the closed space S4 after the gas pressure adjustment has been completed. Note that if the relief valve 163 reliably prevents gas leakage, the cap 164 may not be necessary.

[0043] The partition member 162 is a member that airtightly divides the internal space of the container 161 into an open space S3 that is open to the internal space S1 of the cabin 13, and a closed space S4 that is closed. The partition member 162 moves in the X direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 4) within the container 161 by receiving a force generated by the difference between the gas pressure in the open space S3 and the gas pressure in the closed space S4 (internal and external pressure difference).

[0044] 3 and 4 includes a disk member 1621, a cylindrical member 1622 provided so as to cover the entire circumference of the outer edge of the disk member 1621, and one or more O-rings 1623 fitted in a groove provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical member 1622. The outer diameter of the cylindrical member 1622 is smaller by an amount of play than the inner diameter of the portion of the container 161 where the cylindrical member 1622 contacts the inside, and the O-ring 1623 can move in the X direction while contacting the inner surface of the container 161. Note that lubricant may be applied to the O-ring 1623 and the region of the inner surface of the container 161 where the O-ring 1623 contacts, in order to enable smooth sliding of the partition member 162 (O-ring 1623) relative to the container 161 while maintaining a state in which the O-ring 1623 airtightly separates the open space S3 and the closed space S4.

[0045] The stopper 165 is a member attached to the inner surface of the container 161 on the open space S3 side so as to protrude inward. The stopper 165 restricts the movement of the partition member 162 so that the partition member 162 does not move toward the open space S3 side (-X direction, i.e., leftward in FIG. 4) beyond the reference position shown in FIG. 4(A). Note that, although the stopper 165 is a plurality of column-shaped protrusions in the example of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the stopper 165 may be changed as desired as long as the movement of the partition member 162 is restricted.

[0046] Normally, the partition member 162 does not move significantly from the reference position in the -X direction (leftward in FIG. 4). Therefore, the stopper 165 is not essential. However, for example, if an accident occurs such as a hole being made in the cabin 13 and the air pressure in the internal space S1 drops significantly temporarily, the partition member 162 moves significantly from the reference position in the -X direction, and there is a risk that the partition member 162 is pushed out of the container 161 and becomes detached. If the partition member 162 becomes detached from the container 161 in this way, the opening O2 is opened, and the internal space S1 and the external space S2 of the cabin 13 communicate with each other via the exhaust pipe 17, and the gas in the internal space S1 leaks out to the external space S2. The stopper 165 serves to prevent such inconvenience from occurring.

[0047] This concludes the description of the configuration of the adjustment device 16. Next, the operation of the adjustment device 16 will be described below. In the following description, the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 will be referred to as "pressure PS1," and the pressure of the gas in the external space S2 will be referred to as "pressure PS2."

[0048] As described above, the partition member 162 moves in the X direction due to the internal / external pressure difference. The pressure of the gas in the closed space S4 when the partition member 162 is in the reference position is adjusted to be pressure PS4(0). Hereinafter, the pressure of the gas in the closed space S4 when the partition member 162 has moved a distance d in the +X direction from the reference position will be referred to as pressure PS4(d).

[0049] The pressure PS4(0) is the pressure of the gas in the closed space S4 when the partition member 162 has moved a distance D from the reference position to the state shown in Fig. 4(B), that is, the pressure PS4(D) is a predetermined value (for example, 0.5 atmospheres, etc.) that is higher than atmospheric pressure, such as 1.5 atmospheres, and within a range where the passengers in the cabin 13 can be comfortable). Note that the pressure PS4(0) varies depending on the capacity of the container 161, the length of the cylindrical member 1622 of the partition member 162 in the X direction, etc.

[0050] First, on the ground, the occupant A or the like gets into the cabin 13, and the hatch (not shown) is closed, etc., so that the internal space S1 of the cabin 13 is kept airtight from the external space S2. In this state, the partition member 162 is in the reference position (FIG. 4(A)).

[0051] In this state, for example, when occupant A opens constant flow valve 15, continuous oxygen supply to internal space S1 begins from gas cylinder 14. As oxygen is supplied, the pressure of the gas in internal space S1, i.e., pressure PS1, increases. Then, when pressure PS1 exceeds the pressure of the gas in closed space S4, i.e., pressure PS4(0), partition member 162 begins to move in the +X direction.

[0052] After that, when the pressure PS1 reaches the pressure PS4(D) and the partition member 162 moves a distance D in the +X direction from the reference position, a part of the opening O2 blocked by the partition member 162 is opened. As a result, the internal space S1 communicates with the external space S2 through the exhaust pipe 17. The pressure of the gas (air) in the external space S2 is approximately atmospheric pressure (1 atm) on the ground, and decreases when the flying object 1 rises from the ground. That is, the pressure of the gas in the external space S2 is equal to or lower than atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, when the adjustment device 16 is in the state of FIG. 4(B), the pressure PS1 of the gas in the internal space S1 is equal to the pressure PS4(D). Therefore, gas flows out from the internal space S1, which has a high pressure, to the external space S2, which has a low pressure.

[0053] As described above, when gas flows out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2, the pressure PS1 of the gas in the internal space S1 decreases, the partition member 162 moves in the -X direction, the opening O2 is blocked, and the flow of gas from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 stops.

[0054] As described above, as the gas pressure PS1 in the internal space S1 changes, the partition member 162 moves in the X direction to open and close the opening O2, thereby maintaining the gas pressure PS1 in the internal space S1 at or below the pressure PS4(D) (or less than the pressure PS4(D)).

[0055] [Variations] The above-described flying object 1 and adjustment device 16 can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Examples of such modifications are shown below. Note that two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0056] (1) The shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the components constituting the adjustment device 16 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are merely examples and may be changed in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, the container 161 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, but it may have a square tube shape.

[0057] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the adjustment device 16 is disposed within the internal space S1, but as long as there is a flow path between the open space S3 and the internal space S1 through which gas can move freely, and as long as there is a flow path between the opening O2 and the external space S2 through which gas can move freely, the adjustment device 16 may be disposed anywhere.

[0058] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the adjustment device 16 may be disposed in the external space S2, the inner end of the exhaust pipe 17 may be disposed in the internal space S1, and the outer end of the exhaust pipe 17 may be connected to the opening O1 instead of the opening O2. Note that in Fig. 5, the pressure gauge 19, the solenoid valve 20, the alarm device 21, the differential pressure control valve 22, the manual opening / closing valve 23, and the carbon dioxide absorber 24 are omitted (the same applies to Figs. 6, 10, and 12).

[0059] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, without using an exhaust pipe 17, the adjustment device 16 may be arranged to penetrate the wall of the cabin 13 so that the opening O1 is located within the interior space S1 and the opening O2 is located within the exterior space S2.

[0060] (3) The flying object 1 may include a plurality of gas cylinders 14 and constant flow valves 15. The flying object 1 may also include a plurality of regulators 16, exhaust pipes 17, and manual on-off valves 18. The flying object 1 may also include a plurality of carbon dioxide absorbers 24.

[0061] (4) In a state where the partition member 162 opens the gas transfer path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the partition member 162 may be biased in a direction toward a state where the gas transfer path is closed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an adjustment device 16 according to one example of this modification. The adjustment device 16 according to this modification includes a spring 27 (biasing member) in addition to the configuration of the adjustment device 16 (see FIG. 4) according to the above-mentioned embodiment. Although the number of springs 27 shown in FIG. 7 is one, the number of springs 27 may be two or more.

[0062] The length of spring 27 in a state where no external force is applied is, for example, longer than the distance between the +X side surface of partition member 162 in a state where partition member 162 is in a reference position (FIG. 7(A)) and the -X side surface of container 161 facing the +X side surface of partition member 162. Therefore, spring 27 arranged in closed space S4 so that its longitudinal direction is along the X direction applies a force to partition member 162 in the -X direction.

[0063] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of an adjusting device 16 according to another example of this modified example. The adjusting device 16 according to this modified example is different from the adjusting device 16 according to the above-mentioned embodiment (see Fig. 4) in that the container 161 includes a flange-shaped part 1613 extending radially inward from the end part on the opening part O1 side, and includes a spring 28 (biasing member). Note that, although the number of springs 28 shown in Fig. 8 is two, the number of springs 28 may be one or three or more.

[0064] The length of spring 28 in a state where no external force is applied is, for example, shorter than the distance between the +X side surface of flange portion 1613 and the -X side surface of partition member 162 facing the +X side surface of flange portion 1613 when partition member 162 is in the reference position (FIG. 8(A)). Therefore, spring 27 attached between flange portion 1613 and partition member 162 so that its longitudinal direction is along the X direction applies a force to partition member 162 in the -X direction.

[0065] Although the biasing member provided in the adjustment device 16 shown in Fig. 7 or 8 is a spring, a biasing member other than a spring may be used. For example, an elastic body other than a spring (such as rubber) may be used instead of the spring 27 or 28. Furthermore, a pair of magnets arranged to repel each other in the X direction may be used instead of the spring 27. Furthermore, a pair of magnets arranged to attract each other in the X direction may be used instead of the spring 28.

[0066] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an adjustment device 16 according to yet another example of this modified example. The adjustment device 16 according to this modified example has a common configuration with the adjustment device 16 according to the above-described embodiment (see Fig. 4), but differs in that it is arranged so that the -X direction is the vertically downward direction. The adjustment device 16 in Fig. 9 does not have a biasing member independent of other members like the adjustment device 16 in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8, but the partition member 162 is biased in the -X direction by its own weight.

[0067] When the partition member 162, which has moved in the +X direction with an increase in the gas pressure in the internal space S1, should move in the -X direction with a subsequent decrease in the gas pressure in the internal space S1, the movement may not occur smoothly due to, for example, frictional force generated between the O-ring 1623 and the inner surface of the container 161. In such a case, the amount of gas flowing out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 through the opening O2 becomes excessive, and the pressure of the gas in the internal space S1 decreases too much. In the adjustment device 16 according to this modification, the partition member 162 is biased in the -X direction, so that such a problem is unlikely to occur.

[0068] (5) The adjusting device 16 according to the embodiment described above constitutes an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the gas transfer path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 by opening and closing the opening O2 with the partition member 162 that moves due to the internal and external pressure difference between the open space S3 and the closed space S4. As long as the gas transfer path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is opened and closed with the movement of the partition member, opening and closing mechanisms of various other configurations may be employed.

[0069] For example, instead of the partition member directly opening and closing the gas movement path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, a configuration may be adopted in which the force applied to the partition member due to the internal and external pressure difference is transmitted via a power transmission mechanism to an opening and closing member that opens and closes the gas movement path between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, thereby opening and closing the movement path.

[0070] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an adjustment device 26 according to one example of this modified example is attached to the cabin 13. Also, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the adjustment device 26.

[0071] The adjustment device 26 first includes a container 261 corresponding to the container 161 included in the adjustment device 16, and a partition member 262 corresponding to the partition member 162 included in the adjustment device 16. The partition member 262 moves in the X direction shown in FIG. 11 due to a force generated by the internal / external pressure difference.

[0072] A rack 263 is attached to the -X direction side (upper side in FIG. 11) of the partition member 262. The partition member 262 and the rack 263 may be molded integrally. The rack 263 moves in the +X direction together with the partition member 262 when the gas pressure in the internal space S1 increases, and moves in the -X direction together with the partition member 262 when the gas pressure in the internal space S1 decreases.

[0073] In addition, the adjustment device 26 includes a power transmission mechanism 264 that transmits the force that the partition member 262 receives due to the internal and external pressure difference to the on-off valve 265. In the example of Fig. 11, the power transmission mechanism 264 includes three pinions that mesh with each other, that is, a pinion 2641, a pinion 2642, and a pinion 2643.

[0074] In this case, when the gas pressure in internal space S1 increases and rack 263 moves in the +X direction, pinion 2641 meshing with rack 263 rotates in the +D1 direction, pinion 2642 meshing with pinion 2641 rotates in the +D2 direction, and pinion 2643 meshing with pinion 2642 rotates in the +D3 direction.

[0075] Furthermore, when the gas pressure in internal space S1 decreases and rack 263 moves in the -X direction, pinion 2641 meshing with rack 263 rotates in the -D1 direction, pinion 2642 meshing with pinion 2641 rotates in the -D2 direction, and pinion 2643 meshing with pinion 2642 rotates in the -D3 direction.

[0076] The configuration of the power transmission mechanism 264 is not limited to the above, and various configurations may be adopted. For example, the power transmission mechanism 264 may include a number of pinions other than three, and a configuration in which power is transmitted by a transmission belt may be adopted.

[0077] The adjustment device 26 also includes an on-off valve 265 that opens and closes in accordance with the rotation of the pinion 2643. The on-off valve 265 (an example of an on-off member) is disposed so as to penetrate the wall of the cabin 13 (or disposed so as to block a pipe penetrating the wall of the cabin 13), and is closed while the gas pressure in the internal space S1 is less than pressure PS4(D), and opens when the gas pressure in the internal space S1 reaches pressure PS4(D), which is a threshold value.

[0078] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the internal space S1 from the gas cylinder 14. Instead of the gas cylinder 14, a storage space for storing the oxygen-containing gas may be formed in the wall of the cabin, and the oxygen-containing gas may be supplied to the internal space S1 from the storage space.

[0079] 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cabin 33 according to this modified example. The cabin 33 has a double-wall structure, that is, an inner wall body 331 and an outer wall body 332.

[0080] The inner wall body 331 and the outer wall body 332 are connected by a plurality of connecting members 333. The connecting members 333 play a role in maintaining the positional relationship between the inner wall body 331 and the outer wall body 332, and in securing an inter-wall space S5 between the inner wall body 331 and the outer wall body 332.

[0081] In addition, in FIG. 12, the inter-wall space S5 appears to be divided into multiple spaces by the connecting members 333, but the connecting members 333 do not extend so as to divide the inter-wall space S5, and the inter-wall space S5 forms a single continuous space.

[0082] The inter-wall space S5 is filled with a gas containing oxygen at high pressure. That is, the double-wall structure consisting of the inner wall body 331, the outer wall body 332, and the connecting member 333 plays the role of a pressure-resistant container that stores the gas containing oxygen at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The gas containing oxygen is supplied from the inter-wall space S5 to the internal space S1 through the constant flow valve 15 arranged to penetrate the inner wall body 331 (or arranged to close the tube penetrating the inner wall body 331). According to this modification, there is no need to install a gas cylinder in the cabin, and the internal space S1 can be effectively utilized and the weight of the flying object 1 can be reduced.

[0083] (7) The type of flying object 1 is not limited to a gas balloon. For example, the flying object 1 may be another type of flying object that rises by buoyancy generated by an air envelope, such as a hot air balloon or an airship, or may be a flying object that flies by lift, such as an airplane.

[0084] (8) The present invention provides an adjustment device exemplified by the above-mentioned adjustment device 16 (or adjustment device 26), a system including the adjustment device, a pressure-resistant container exemplified by the gas cylinder 14, and a constant flow valve exemplified by the constant flow valve 15, and a flying object including the system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...flying object, 11...air envelope, 12...hanging rope, 13...cabin, 14...gas cylinder, 15...constant flow valve, 16...regulating device, 17...exhaust pipe, 18...manual opening and closing valve, 19...pressure gauge, 20...solenoid valve, 21...alarm device, 22...differential pressure control valve, 23...manual opening and closing valve, 24...carbon dioxide absorber, 26...regulating device, 27...spring, 28...spring, 33...cabin, 161...container, 162...partition member, 163...relief valve, 164...cap cap, 165...stopper, 171...socket, 261...container, 262...partition member, 263...rack, 264...power transmission mechanism, 265...opening / closing valve, 331...inner wall body, 332...outer wall body, 333...connecting member, 1611...plug, 1612...plug, 1613...flange-shaped portion, 1621...disc member, 1622...cylindrical member, 1623...O-ring, 2641...pinion, 2642...pinion, 2643...pinion.

Claims

1. An adjusting device for adjusting a gas pressure in an internal space of an airtight cabin that accommodates an object to be transported by a flying object, comprising: A container; a partition member that airtightly divides the internal space of the container into a first space that is open to the internal space of the cabin and a second space that is closed, the partition member moving within the container under a force generated by a difference between a gas pressure in the first space and a gas pressure in the second space; Equipped with The partition member opens and closes a gas passage between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin in accordance with the movement of the partition member. Adjustment device.

2. The container has an opening provided on a gas transfer path between the first space and an exterior space of the cabin, The partition member opens and closes the opening as it moves, thereby opening and closing a gas transfer path between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin. The adjustment device according to claim 1 .

3. a power transmission mechanism that transmits a force applied to the partition member as the partition member moves; an opening / closing member that is provided on a gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin, and opens and closes the gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin by a force transmitted by the power transmission mechanism; The adjustment device according to claim 1 .

4. In a state where the partition member opens a gas transfer path between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin, the partition member is biased in a direction toward a state where the gas transfer path is closed. The adjustment device according to claim 1 .

5. a regulator for regulating the gas pressure in the internal space of the airtight cabin that accommodates the object to be transported by the flying object; A pressure vessel for storing an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a constant flow valve installed on a gas flow path supplied from the pressure-resistant container to the interior space of the cabin; Equipped with The adjustment device is A container; a partition member that airtightly divides the internal space of the container into a first space that is open to the internal space of the cabin and a second space that is closed, the partition member moving within the container under a force generated by a difference between a gas pressure in the first space and a gas pressure in the second space; Equipped with The partition member opens and closes a gas passage between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin in accordance with the movement of the partition member. system.

6. a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the interior space of the cabin; a solenoid valve that is provided on a gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin, and opens and closes the gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin based on the pressure measured by the pressure gauge; The system of claim 5 .

7. a differential pressure control valve that is provided on a gas transfer path between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin and that opens and closes based on the difference in gas pressure between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin The system of claim 5 .

8. A carbon dioxide absorber disposed in the interior space of the cabin The system of claim 5 .

9. At least a portion of the wall of the cabin is composed of an inner wall body and an outer wall body arranged on the outer side of the inner wall body, The pressure vessel is composed of the inner wall body and the outer wall body, and stores a gas containing oxygen at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in a space formed between the inner wall body and the outer wall body. The system of claim 5.

10. an airtight cabin for housing the object to be transported; a regulator for regulating the gas pressure in the interior space of the cabin; A pressure vessel for storing an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a constant flow valve installed on a gas flow path supplied from the pressure-resistant container to the interior space of the cabin; Equipped with The adjustment device is A container; a partition member that airtightly divides the internal space of the container into a first space that is open to the internal space of the cabin and a second space that is closed, the partition member moving within the container under a force generated by a difference between a gas pressure in the first space and a gas pressure in the second space; Equipped with The partition member opens and closes a gas passage between the interior space of the cabin and the exterior space of the cabin in accordance with the movement of the partition member. Flying object.

11. A system for adjusting a gas pressure in an internal space of an airtight cabin that accommodates an object to be transported by a flying object, comprising: a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the interior space of the cabin; a solenoid valve that is provided on a gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin, and opens and closes the gas transfer path between the internal space of the cabin and the external space of the cabin based on the pressure measured by the pressure gauge; A system comprising:

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