Reactor for high-altitude balloons

Abstract

To enable the desired altitude control without complicating or increasing the size of the altitude control device structure. [Solution] The reactor 1 for high-altitude balloons comprises a gas flow section 11 having an internal space, a float gas source housing section 2 provided in an airtight and watertight manner on one axial end of the gas flow section 11 and housing a float gas source inside, and a reaction liquid housing section 12 provided in an airtight and watertight manner on the other axial end of the gas flow section 11 and storing a reaction liquid inside that chemically reacts with the float gas source to generate float gas, and further comprises a rotation control device 4 that integrally controls the rotation of the reactor 1 at a predetermined angle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reactor for high-altitude balloons, and more particularly to a reactor for high-altitude balloons. [Background technology]

[0002] [Traditional balloons] High-altitude balloons are a type of flying object released into the upper atmosphere of the Earth, specifically the stratosphere or the mesosphere (the upper layer of the stratosphere). This includes the free atmosphere above 1 kilometer, where the composition of the air near the ground is maintained, up to an altitude of 80 kilometers. High-altitude balloons are typically filled with buoyancy gases such as hydrogen or helium, and usually reach altitudes of approximately 18 km to 53 km above the Earth's surface. To reach higher altitudes, high-altitude balloons are primarily constructed from thin membranes. These are called thin-film high-altitude balloons. High-altitude balloons generally carry electronic equipment as payloads, including transmitters, cameras, and GPS terminals. High-altitude balloons can reach altitudes of extremely thin air, ranging from 1 / 100th to 1 / 1000th of an atmosphere, in the near-space sphere.

[0003] For example, as an example of a high-altitude balloon, a scientific observation balloon is a flying object that can stay in the upper atmosphere at an altitude higher than an airplane but lower than that of an artificial satellite for extended periods of time. It is used for observing space and the Earth and is one of the useful flying objects for scientific observation and engineering experiments.

[0004] Conventional high-altitude balloons have an exhaust port at the bottom, where the pressure of the buoyancy gas (sometimes called "balloon gas") filling the balloon is equal to the pressure of the air in which it is flying. However, in this type of high-altitude balloon, the temperature of the buoyancy gas inside the balloon drops after sunset, causing the volume of the buoyancy gas to decrease, the balloon to deflate, lose its buoyancy, and descend, making it impossible to continue flying. Therefore, after sunset, this type of high-altitude balloon prevents descent by removing and dropping the ballast (usually consisting of bagged sand) that was previously loaded onto the balloon, thereby reducing the overall weight. In other words, in order to continue flying, this type of high-altitude balloon needs to remove and drop the ballast after each sunset (i.e., every night). In other words, this type of high-altitude balloon has the problem that its flight time is limited by the amount (i.e., the weight of) of ballast that was loaded (i.e., initially loaded) when it was released from the ground. To solve this problem, high-altitude balloons have been developed that are designed to prevent the balloon from deflating even when the temperature drops due to sunset, by sealing the balloon and applying pressure in advance. These are known as "super-pressure balloons."

[0005] [Conventional balloon altitude control] To address the aforementioned altitude reduction of high-altitude balloons, altitude control devices for balloons have been developed. For example, examples of altitude control devices for balloons include the "controllable buoyancy system and method" described in Patent Document 1, and the "buoyancy gas control method for balloons and airships" described in Patent Document 2. In addition, although not an altitude control device for balloons, an example of an altitude control device for airships, which are a type of flying vehicle, is the buoyancy compensation device disclosed in the "flying vehicle" described in Patent Document 3.

[0006] The controllable buoyancy system as an altitude control device described in Patent Document 1 includes a support structure having a sealed hollow enclosure that contains a first gas and is surrounded by a second gas, wherein either the first gas or the second gas is lighter than the ambient air. Furthermore, in this controllable buoyancy system, the first gas is pre-filled into the hollow enclosure via a one-way valve that prevents leakage of the first gas, and an altitude sensor generates an altitude signal representing the altitude of the support structure. In this controllable buoyancy system, an altitude transducer coupled to the hollow enclosure changes the buoyancy of the support structure in accordance with the altitude signal. Finally, in this controllable buoyancy system, a control device is coupled to the altitude sensor and the altitude transducer, and automatically controls the altitude transducer in accordance with the altitude signal and at least one reference altitude signal to levitate the support structure at a preset altitude. (See "Abstract" of Patent Document 1 for the above.)

[0007] The controllable buoyancy system as an altitude control device described in Patent Document 1 includes an altitude transducer containing a cord inside a hollow enclosure, the first end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the hollow enclosure, and the second end of which is connected to the control device via a motor. This control device is suitable for changing the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure according to the measured altitude by adjusting the tension of the cord. Thus, when the hollow enclosure descends below a predetermined altitude, the motor reduces the tension of the cord to increase the buoyancy of the hollow enclosure by increasing the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure. When the hollow enclosure rises above a predetermined altitude, the motor retracts the cord to decrease the buoyancy of the hollow enclosure by decreasing the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure. (See paragraph

[0069] of the "Detailed Description" and Figures 9a and 9b of the "Drawings" in Patent Document 1.)

[0008] The altitude control device described in Patent Document 2 connects a buoyancy gas bag and a high-pressure gas chamber to a compressor and controls the gas pressure of the buoyancy gas bag to adjust the buoyancy of the balloon, adjust its altitude, and control its attitude. (See "Claims" in Patent Document 2 for further details.)

[0009] The altitude control device described in Patent Document 3 is equipped with a buoyancy compensation device that compensates for the reduction in buoyancy due to leakage of buoyancy gas by generating hydrogen gas through water electrolysis and supplying it to the aircraft body, which is lifted by the buoyancy of buoyancy gas. (See the "Abstract" of Patent Document 3 for the above.)

[0010] Furthermore, in the buoyancy compensation device for the altitude control device described in Patent Document 3, a thin, lightweight bladder is housed within a spherical, lightweight insulated container, and pure water is stored within this bladder. An electrolytic chamber is provided at the bottom of the insulated container, and a pump mounted on the top of the electrolytic chamber introduces the pure water from the insulated container into the electrolytic chamber. An air vent is provided at the top of the insulated container so that the external air pressure and the air pressure inside the insulated container are equal. A heater is installed inside the bladder to maintain a constant temperature of the pure water and prevent freezing. (See paragraph

[0014] of the "Detailed Description" and Figure 3 of the "Drawings" in Patent Document 3.)

[0011] Furthermore, in the buoyancy compensation device for the altitude control device described in Patent Document 3, the anode and cathode are arranged spaced apart within the electrolytic chamber, and a water temperature sensor and a water level sensor are installed to detect the temperature and water level of the pure water. In addition, a pressurizer and a heater are installed to maintain the pressure and temperature within the electrolytic chamber at the optimal pressure and temperature for the electrolysis of pure water. The upper halves of the anode and cathode are located within the gas inlet pipes. The gas inlet pipe on the anode side is open to the atmosphere and has a check valve installed in the middle that allows the flow of oxygen gas but prevents the flow in the reverse direction. On the other hand, the gas inlet pipe on the cathode side is connected to a helium gas bag and has a check valve installed in the middle that allows the flow of hydrogen gas but prevents the flow in the reverse direction. (See paragraph

[0015] of the "Detailed Description" in Patent Document 3.)

[0012] According to the buoyancy compensation device for the altitude control device described in Patent Document 3, electrolysis of pure water is performed in the electrolytic chamber, and the hydrogen gas produced at this time is supplied to the helium gas bag via the gas inlet pipe, while oxygen gas is discharged into the atmosphere through the gas inlet pipe. In this way, according to the buoyancy compensation device for the altitude control device described in Patent Document 3, the buoyancy increases due to the supply of hydrogen gas, and the total weight of the hull decreases due to the reduction of pure water by electrolysis, compensating for the decrease in buoyancy due to the leakage of buoyancy gas in the stratospheric airship, and the lost buoyancy is restored. (See paragraph

[0018] of the "Detailed Description" in Patent Document 3.)

[0013] In addition to the altitude control devices described above, there are also proposed altitude control devices that consist of a balloon composed of a first balloon section (for example, a helium balloon section filled with helium) inflated with a first gas (i.e., a lifting gas) consisting of hydrogen (H) or helium (He), and a second balloon section (i.e., an air balloon section) inflated with a second gas (i.e., the gas that makes up the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, sometimes called "atmosphere"). The balloon is raised by releasing the first gas from a first cylinder filled with the first gas and injecting it into the first balloon section, while the balloon is lowered by releasing the second gas from a second cylinder filled with the second gas and injecting it into the second balloon section. In other words, in this altitude control system, since the second gas, air, is denser than the first gas, hydrogen or helium, injecting air into the second balloon increases the weight of the balloon, causing it to descend. On the other hand, releasing air from the second balloon or injecting the first gas into the first balloon increases the overall buoyancy through the second balloon, causing the balloon to ascend. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2013-532088 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-63599 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-2550906 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] However, the altitude control device described in Patent Document 1 automatically controls an altitude transducer in response to an altitude signal and at least one reference altitude signal in order to levitate a support structure at a preset altitude, and also adjusts the tension of the cord to change the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure according to the measured altitude. Specifically, when the hollow enclosure descends below the preset altitude, the motor decreases the tension of the cord to increase the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure and thus increase its buoyancy, and when the hollow enclosure rises above the preset altitude, the motor rewinds the cord to decrease the volume of gas inside the hollow enclosure and thus decrease its buoyancy. As a result, the overall configuration is complex and large, and there is room for improvement in terms of the manufacturing cost of the altitude control device itself, as well as in terms of the increase in overall weight due to the altitude control device.

[0016] Furthermore, the altitude control device described in Patent Document 2 is configured to control the buoyancy of the balloon, adjust its altitude, and control its attitude by connecting the buoyancy gas bag and the high-pressure gas chamber to a compressor and controlling the gas pressure of the buoyancy gas bag. Therefore, there is room for improvement, particularly in terms of the overall weight increase due to the compressor, which is a considerably heavy component.

[0017] In addition, as a buoyancy compensation device as an altitude control device described in Patent Document 3, an anode and a cathode are arranged apart from each other in an electrolysis chamber, and a water temperature sensor and a water level sensor for detecting the temperature and water level of pure water are provided. Further, a pressure vessel and a heater for maintaining the inside of the electrolysis chamber at a pressure and temperature optimal for electrolysis of pure water are respectively provided. Furthermore, since the upper halves of the anode and the cathode are respectively located inside the gas introduction pipes, the structure of the electrolysis chamber itself becomes complicated and large-sized, and there is room for improvement in terms of the manufacturing cost of the altitude control device itself, and there is also room for improvement in terms of the overall weight increase due to the altitude control device.

[0018] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reactor for a high-altitude balloon that can perform desired altitude control without complicating and enlarging the structure of the altitude control device, can reduce the manufacturing cost of the altitude control device itself, can prevent an overall weight increase due to the altitude control device, and can relatively increase the weight that can be loaded with a payload by reducing the weight of the entire high-altitude balloon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0019] The reactor for a high-altitude balloon according to the present invention includes a gas flow portion having an internal space, a floating gas source housing portion provided in an airtight and watertight state at one axial end side of the gas flow portion and housing a floating gas source therein, and a reaction liquid housing portion provided in an airtight and watertight state at the other axial end side of the gas flow portion and storing a reaction liquid that chemically reacts with the floating gas source to generate a floating gas. Further, a rotation control device is provided that integrally rotates and controls the gas flow portion, the floating gas source housing portion, and the reaction liquid housing portion at a predetermined angle by applying an external force to any one of the gas flow portion, the floating gas source housing portion, and the reaction liquid housing portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] By being configured as described above, the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to the present invention enables the desired altitude control without complicating and enlarging the structure of the altitude control device, and can reduce the manufacturing cost of the altitude control device itself, and prevent the overall weight increase due to the altitude control device, and reduce the weight of the entire high-altitude balloon, thereby relatively increasing the weight that can be carried by the payload.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention together with a support frame. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the state of the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention during standby (non-reacting) together with a support frame. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the state of the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention during reaction together with a support frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view (top view) showing the overall configuration of the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention together with a support frame. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention alone. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the cage part of the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention alone. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a high-altitude balloon to which the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the state of an example of a high-altitude balloon to which the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied during ground standby. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the state of an example of a high-altitude balloon to which the reactor for high-altitude balloons according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied during stratosphere retention. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the buoyancy control during stratospheric stay of an example of a high-altitude balloon to which a high-altitude balloon reactor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a model of a high-altitude balloon to which a high-altitude balloon reactor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention. Throughout each embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same members, elements, or parts, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0023] [Embodiment 1: Reactor for high-altitude balloons] The high-altitude balloon reactor according to the present invention can be materialized as the high-altitude balloon reactor of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8. The overall configuration of this high-altitude balloon reactor will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The high-altitude balloon reactor 1 of this embodiment (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "reactor 1") is tiltably mounted on the frame F so as to allow adjustment of the tilt angle, as shown in the front view of Figure 1.

[0024] [frame] In detail, frame F is a structure having a predetermined frame shape (frame form) and having a predetermined internal space within that frame shape as a space for housing a predetermined object (typically, reactor 1), and is configured so that reactor 1 can be tiltably mounted in that internal space.

[0025] [Frame shape] In the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, frame F has a rectangular frame shape (which can also be called a skeleton structure), but it can have any shape as long as it has a space to house the reactor 1 inside and the reactor 1 can be tiltably mounted in that space. For example, it can have a shape other than a frame shape (for example, a shape that forms a closed wall structure that shields the surroundings from the external space).

[0026] [Frame materials] Furthermore, the material forming the frame F can be any material as long as it can form the predetermined frame shape, but the frame F can be formed from a rigid material such as a synthetic resin material or a metal material (for example, stainless steel).

[0027] [Specific configuration of Frame F] To give a more detailed explanation of the frame F shown in Figures 1 to 4, as described above, frame F has a rectangular frame shape (rectangular frame shape) which can also be called a skeleton structure. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, frame F has a cubic frame shape that forms a regular hexahedron with each face open. In detail, frame F has an integrated structure that forms the cubic frame shape by spatially arranging a total of 12 rod-shaped bodies FB made of a predetermined rigid material to form the cubic frame shape, and connecting these 12 rod-shaped bodies FB with a total of 8 three-way corner connecting members FJ made of a predetermined rigid material, thereby having a predetermined rigid structure. The three-way corner connecting members FJ are sometimes called "three-way joints" or "three-way corner joints," and can connect three rod-shaped bodies FB so that they extend in three directions perpendicular to each other. By placing these three-way corner connecting members FJ at the eight corners of the cubic frame shape and connecting a total of 12 rod-shaped members FB with the eight three-way corner connecting members FJ, the cubic frame shape F can be formed.

[0028] As a result, frame F has a corresponding cubic internal space as its containment space. Furthermore, all six sides of frame F are corresponding square openings, and through each opening, the internal and external spaces of frame F are connected, allowing access to the internal space of frame F from the outside.

[0029] [Method for forming Frame F] The rectangular frame shape of frame F can be formed, for example, as shown in the front view of Figure 1, by arranging four straight rod-shaped bodies FB in a square shape, connecting adjacent ends of the four rod-shaped bodies FB arranged in a square shape (i.e., four corner portions) with four three-way corner connecting members FJ to form a rectangular structure that forms a corresponding square rectangular frame shape, and by preparing two sets of these rectangular structures and arranging these two sets of rectangular structures parallel to each other and connecting the four rod-shaped bodies FB to the four connecting portions (where the rod-shaped bodies are not yet connected) of the four pairs of three-way corner connecting members FJ on the two sets of rectangular structures, the rectangular frame shape (i.e., a cubic frame shape that forms a regular hexahedron with each face open) of frame F can be formed.

[0030] [Rod-shaped body and 3-way corner connecting material] The rod-shaped body FB can be a cylindrical rod-shaped body of a predetermined diameter and length, or a cylindrical rod-shaped body of a predetermined diameter and length. Alternatively, the rod-shaped body FB can be a rectangular tubular rod-shaped body of a predetermined diameter and length, or a rectangular prism-shaped rod-shaped body of a predetermined diameter and length. The shape of the connecting holes in each connecting part of the three-way corner connecting member FJ is such that the ends of each rod-shaped body FB can be inserted and fitted (tightly fitted) into the holes, with the same hole dimensions as the outer dimensions of the ends of the rod-shaped bodies FB and the same hole shape as the outer diameter of the ends of the rod-shaped bodies.

[0031] [Internal space of the frame (accommodation space)] The internal space of frame F can be any shape and any size, as long as it functions as a housing space that allows for the smooth housing and tilting of reactor 1. Therefore, frame F can be any shape and any size, as long as it can form a housing space that allows for the smooth housing and tilting of reactor 1.

[0032] [Another example of a frame] Furthermore, the frame F to which the high-altitude balloon reactor 1 is attached can be materialized into any frame configuration other than the frame F shown in Figures 1 to 4, as long as it is configured to allow the high-altitude balloon reactor 1 to be tilted. For example, although the frame F in Figures 1 to 4 is a rectangular frame, it can also be materialized into a frame with a different frame configuration.

[0033] [Support structure] The reactor 1 is housed in the internal space of the frame F, which is the housing space, so as to be able to tilt within a predetermined tilt range, and is mounted to be tiltable. As a support structure for the reactor 1 for this purpose, the frame F is integrally provided with a support structure (by fitting or other attachment, or by fixing or other fastening) for mounting and fixing the reactor 1 to tiltable within the housing space of the frame F. In detail, the support structure for the reactor 1 is arranged in the center of the frame F in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, as a rectangular frame-shaped support structure made up of a total of six straight rod-shaped support rods S1 to S6.

[0034] [Two pairs of support rods extending in the front-to-back direction from the top and bottom of the frame] Specifically, as shown in the plan view (top view) of Figure 4, between the upper rod-shaped body FB of the rectangular structure that forms the front surface of frame F (the rod-shaped body FB that extends horizontally in the left-right direction on the upper side of frame F in the front view of Figure 1, and the rod-shaped body FB that extends vertically in the up-down direction on the right side of frame F in the plan view of Figure 4) and the upper rod-shaped body FB of the rectangular structure that forms the back surface of frame F (the rod-shaped body FB that extends vertically in the up-down direction on the left side of frame F in the plan view of Figure 4), the central part of these rod-shaped bodies FB At both ends of a predetermined range (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "support structure range," which can be, for example, the central one-third of the range obtained by dividing the rod-shaped body FB into three equal parts), straight rod-shaped support rods S1 (the left support rod S1 in Figure 4) and S2 (the right support rod S1 in Figure 4) are arranged parallel to each other with a predetermined gap (a gap corresponding to the predetermined range) between them, by a fixing method such as fitting (for example, a fixing method using a detachable snap-fit). In the front view of Figure 1, only the fixed portions (the front ends, or the fitting portions in the case of fixing by fitting) of the ends (the front ends) of the support structure range (the left and right ends of the support structure range in the left-right direction in Figure 1) of the rod-shaped body FB extending horizontally in the left-right direction on the upper front side of the frame F are exposed and visible.

[0035] Similarly, although not shown in the plan view (top view) of Figure 4, between the lower rod-shaped body FB of the rectangular structure forming the back surface of frame F (the rod-shaped body FB extending horizontally in the left-right direction on the underside of frame F in the front view of Figure 1) and the lower rod-shaped body FB of the rectangular structure forming the back surface of frame F, straight rod-shaped support rods S3 and S4 are arranged parallel to each other, with a predetermined gap (a gap of the same size as the gap between support rods S1 and S2) at both ends of the support structure range corresponding to the support structure range of the front rod-shaped body FB, by a fixing method such as fitting (for example, a fixing method using a detachable snap-fit). Furthermore, in the front view of Figure 1, these support rods S3 and S4 are rod-shaped bodies FB that extend horizontally in the left-right direction from the lower front side of the frame F, and only their ends (the ends on the front side), which are the fixed portions (or, in the case of fixing by fitting, the fitting portions), are exposed and visible at both ends of the support structure range (the left and right ends of the support structure range in the left-right direction of Figure 1).

[0036] In other words, the support structure includes a pair of left and right support rods S1 and S2 extending in the front-to-back direction from the front to the back, which open the upper opening of the frame F, and a pair of left and right support rods S3 and S4 extending in the front-to-back direction from the front to the back, which open the lower opening of the frame F. In the plan view of Figure 4, the pair of left and right support rods S3 and S4 extending in the front-to-back direction from the lower opening of the frame F completely overlap with the pair of left and right support rods S1 and S2 extending in the front-to-back direction from the upper opening of the frame F, and therefore are completely hidden by the support rods S1 and S2 and cannot be seen in the plan view of Figure 4.

[0037] [A pair of support rods extending vertically between the upper and lower support rods of the frame] Between the pair of left and right support rods S1 and S2 on the upper side of frame F and the pair of left and right support rods S3 and S4 on the lower side of frame F, support rods S5 and S6 are arranged to extend vertically between them. These vertically extending support rods S5 and S6 constitute a pair of support rods S5 and S6 and are arranged to be parallel to each other with a predetermined gap (the same gap as the gap between support rod S1 and support rod S2 (i.e., the gap between support rod S3 and support rod S4)). Here, as is clear from the front view in Figure 1 and the plan view in Figure 4, support rod S5 extends vertically in the vertical direction between the upper support rod S1 and the lower support rod S3 (i.e., between the upper and lower pair of support rods S1 and S3). Furthermore, the support rod S6 extends vertically in the vertical direction between the upper support rod S2 and the lower support rod S4 (i.e., between the pair of upper and lower support rods S2 and S4).

[0038] [Reactor rotation mechanism using rotating members] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the reactor 1 is attached to the support structure between a pair of vertically extending support rods S5 and S6 by a predetermined rotating member so that it can tilt or rotate in the front-rear direction at a predetermined rotation angle. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the pair of support rods S5 and S6 have rotating members 4 and 5 fixed to them at a predetermined position slightly above the midpoint in the vertical direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "rotation axis position"). Specifically, of the pair of support rods S5 and S6, a servo motor 4 is fixed to the right support rod S4 in Figure 1, and a rotation axis 5 is fixed to the left support rod S3 in Figure 1. The servo motor 4 and the rotation axis 5 are positioned and fixed at the rotation axis position at the vertical position (i.e., height position) of the pair of support rods S5 and S6.

[0039] [Reactor rotation control] On the other hand, at the axial midpoint of the reactor 1, at both ends in the diametrical direction, a pair of support shafts (not shown) are fixed, each serving as the axis around which the reactor 1 tilts and rotates with respect to its own central axis. Of this pair of support shafts of the reactor 1, one is fixed to the drive shaft of the servo motor 4, and the other is fixed to the rotation shaft 5. As a result, the reactor 1 is supported between the servo motor 4 and the rotation shaft 5 via the pair of support shafts, allowing it to tilt (and rotate) freely in the direction of tilting with respect to its own central axis. By controlling the rotation of the servo motor 4 in either the forward or reverse direction, the reactor 1 tilts or rotates by a predetermined angle corresponding to the rotation angle of the servo motor 4 in either the forward or reverse direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise around the support shafts).

[0040] [Fixing position of the vertical support rod] Here, in the support structure of reactor 1, support rods S5 and S6 are fixed between the upper and lower pairs of support rods S1 and S3, and between the upper and lower pairs of support rods S2 and S4, respectively, at the center position in the front-to-rear direction of both the front (right side in Figure 4) and rear (left side in Figure 4) surfaces of frame F, as shown in the left side view of Figure 2 and the left side view of Figure 3. Alternatively, in the support structure of reactor 1, support rods S5 and S6 can also be fixed between the upper and lower pairs of support rods S1 and S3, and between the upper and lower pairs of support rods S2 and S4, respectively, at a position slightly rearward from the center position in the front-to-rear direction of both the front (right side in Figure 4) and rear (left side in Figure 4) surfaces of frame F, as shown in the plan view of Figure 4.

[0041] [Reactor] Next, the configuration of the reactor 1 itself will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6. For the sake of clarity, the pair of support shafts (supported by the servo motor 4 and the pivot shaft 5) are not shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the reactor 1 comprises a gas flow section 11 that constitutes the axial center of the reactor 1, a first housing section 12 that constitutes one axial end of the reactor 1, and a cage section 2 that serves as a second housing section and constitutes the other axial end of the reactor 1. The reactor 1 is capable of storing a reaction liquid (such as reaction water) consisting of predetermined components in the internal space of the first housing section 12. The reactor 1 is also capable of housing or storing a floating gas source consisting of predetermined components in the internal space of the cage section 2 that serves as the second housing section. Furthermore, the reactor 1 is capable of flowing and filling a predetermined gas (consisting of floating gas or inert gas) in the internal space of the gas flow section 11 that constitutes the axial center of the reactor 1.

[0043] [Reactor shape] In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the reactor 1 has a cylindrical capsule shape in which a central part is cylindrical with a predetermined diameter, and a first hemispherical housing section 12 and a cage section 2 of a corresponding diameter are integrally attached, mounted, or connected and fixed at both ends. However, the reactor 1 can have any shape as long as it has a housing space or storage space for the reaction water inside the first housing section 12, allowing the reaction liquid to be housed or stored in that housing space or storage space, and a housing space or storage space for the floating gas source inside the cage section 2, allowing the floating gas source to be housed or stored in that housing space or storage space. For example, it can have a shape other than a cylindrical capsule (for example, a rectangular capsule shape).

[0044] [Reactor materials] Furthermore, the material forming the reactor 1 can be any material as long as it can form the predetermined capsule shape, but the reactor 1 can be formed from rigid materials such as synthetic resin, metal (e.g., stainless steel), or glass.

[0045] [Reactor gas flow section] To give a more detailed explanation of the reactor 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, the reactor 1 has a gas flow section 11 as its axial center, which is formed in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter and predetermined axial length. Both axial ends of the cylindrical gas flow section 11 are circular openings with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the gas flow section 11 (i.e., the same diameter as its inner diameter). In the example shown in Figure 5, the gas flow section 11 of the reactor 1 is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the internal state can be visually inspected.

[0046] [The first housing of the reactor] Furthermore, the reactor 1 has a first housing portion 12 that forms one end in the axial direction, which is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. This substantially hemispherical first housing portion 12 has a circular open end at one end in the axial direction (the left end in Figure 5). The circular open end of the first housing portion 12 has a circular contour with the same diameter as the corresponding open end of the gas flow portion 11. In detail, the first housing portion 12 has a short cylindrical shape of a predetermined width at one end in the axial direction (the left end in Figure 5), which is attached to one end in the axial direction (the right end in Figure 5) of the gas flow portion 11 by connecting means such as fitting or screws, so that it is tightly connected (i.e., watertight and airtight), and is also a mounting portion 12a that can be removed from the gas flow portion 12 via the connecting means. The first housing portion 12 is detachable from one end in the axial direction of the gas flow portion 11 via the connecting means.

[0047] Furthermore, the first housing portion 12 has a plurality of spoke portions 12b integrally formed with the mounting portion 12a, which extend from the mounting portion 12a in a curved direction along the hemispherical axial direction of the first housing portion 12 (i.e., extending along the axially curved shape of the first housing portion 12). A predetermined number of spoke portions 12b are provided at predetermined angular intervals. The plurality of spoke portions 12b are integrally joined at their ends. For example, eight spoke portions 12b are provided at 45-degree angular intervals, curving outwards from the mounting portion 12a. In addition, an annular portion (corresponding to the mounting portion 12a) is integrally provided along the entire circumference of the first housing portion 12, connecting and reinforcing the spoke portions 12b to each other.

[0048] In the first housing section 12, a curved plate-shaped shielding section 12c, extending along the hemispherical curved shape of the first housing section 12, completely shields the gap between adjacent spoke sections 12b, thereby maintaining watertightness and airtightness of the internal space of the first housing section 12. In the example shown in Figure 5, the shielding section 12c of the first housing section 12 of the reactor 1 is made of a transparent or translucent material, allowing the internal state of the first housing section 12 to be visually inspected.

[0049] [Lid of the first storage compartment] Furthermore, in the first housing section 12, a circular wheel-shaped cover portion 12d, having the same shape and dimensions (i.e., the same diameter) as the inner circumferential surface of the mounting portion 12a, is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the mounting portion 12a in such a way that it can be detachably attached by means of attachment or detachment, such as fitting. The circular wheel-shaped cover portion 12d has a similar structure to that of a bicycle wheel or an automobile tire wheel, and is composed of, for example, a large-diameter annular rim portion, a small-diameter cylindrical hub portion concentrically arranged at the center of the rim portion, and a plurality of spoke portions extending from the hub portion to the rim portion. The cover portion 12d of the first housing section 12 forms a predetermined gap (i.e., a fan-shaped opening) between the hub portion, the rim portion, and the spoke portion. Furthermore, the lid portion 12d of the first storage portion 12 may be provided with a mesh portion having a predetermined mesh size that covers one or the entire other side of the lid portion 12d, thereby covering the fan-shaped opening with the mesh portion, but it is not necessary to provide such a mesh portion.

[0050] The lid portion 12d is designed to allow the reaction water in the internal space of the first housing portion 12 to flow out of the first housing portion 12 (i.e., into the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11, and through the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11 to the internal space of the cage portion 2) through the gap between the hub portion, the rim portion, and the spoke portion (i.e., a fan-shaped opening), and to allow the reaction water that has flowed out of the first housing portion 12 (i.e., into the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11, and through the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11 to the internal space of the cage portion 2) to flow back into the internal space of the first housing portion 12.

[0051] [Reactor cage] Furthermore, the reactor 1 has a cage portion 2, which is a second housing portion forming the other end in the axial direction, and is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. This substantially hemispherical cage portion 2 has a circular open end at one end in the axial direction (the right end in Figure 5). The circular open end of the cage portion 2 has a circular contour with the same diameter as the corresponding open end of the gas flow section. In detail, as shown in Figure 6, the cage portion 2 has a short cylindrical shape of a predetermined width at one end in the axial direction (the right end in Figure 5), and is attached to the other end in the axial direction of the gas flow section 11 (the left end in Figure 5) by connecting means such as fitting or screws, so that it is tightly connected (i.e., watertight and airtight), and is also attached as an attachment portion 21 that can be removed from the gas flow section 12 via the connecting means. The cage portion 2 is detachable from the other end in the axial direction of the gas flow section 11 via the connecting means.

[0052] Furthermore, the cage portion 2 has a plurality of spoke portions 22 that are integrally formed with the mounting portion 21, extending in a curved direction along the hemispherical axial direction of the cage portion 2 (i.e., extending along the axial curved shape of the cage portion 2). The spoke portions 22 are provided in a predetermined number of pieces at predetermined angular intervals. The plurality of spoke portions 22 are integrally joined at their ends. For example, eight spoke portions 22 are provided so as to extend in a curved direction from the mounting portion 21 at 45-degree angular intervals. In addition, an annular portion (corresponding to the mounting portion 21) is integrally provided along the entire circumference of the cage portion 2, connecting and reinforcing the spoke portions 22 to each other.

[0053] In the cage section 2, a curved plate-shaped shielding section 23, extending along the hemispherical curved shape of the cage section 2, completely shields the gaps between adjacent spoke sections 22, thereby maintaining watertightness and airtightness of the internal space of the cage section 2. In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, the shielding section 23 of the cage section 2 of the reactor 1 is made of a transparent or translucent material, allowing the internal state of the cage section 2 to be visually inspected. Furthermore, the cage section 2 has a hemispherical mesh section 25 that forms a mesh (net-like) with a predetermined mesh size along the entire inner surface of the shielding section 23, completely covering the entire inner circumferential surface of the cage section 2. The cage section 2 can also be configured without the mesh section 25 along the entire inner surface of the shielding section 23.

[0054] [Lid of the basket] Furthermore, in the cage portion 2, a circular wheel-shaped lid portion 24, identical in shape and dimensions (i.e., same diameter) to the inner circumferential surface of the mounting portion 21, is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cage portion 2 in such a way that it can be detachably attached by means of attachment or detachment, such as fitting. The circular wheel-shaped lid portion 24 has a similar structure to that of a bicycle wheel or an automobile tire wheel, and is composed of, for example, a large-diameter annular rim portion, a small-diameter cylindrical hub portion concentrically arranged at the center of the rim portion, and a plurality of spoke portions extending from the hub portion to the rim portion. The lid portion 24 of the cage portion 2 forms predetermined gaps (i.e., fan-shaped openings) between the hub portion, rim portion, and spoke portion. It is desirable that the cage portion 2 be provided with a mesh portion of a predetermined mesh size that covers one or the entire other side of the lid portion 24, and that the fan-shaped openings be covered with such mesh portion, in order to prevent the outflow of the floating gas source from the cage portion 2. For example, if the floating gas source is composed of granular bodies of a predetermined diameter or outer diameter, such as small spherical or pellet-shaped bodies, it is essential to provide a mesh section with a mesh size smaller than the granular bodies of the predetermined diameter or outer diameter in order to prevent leakage from the cage section 2 of the floating gas source. However, if the floating gas source has dimensions and a shape that prevents leakage from the fan-shaped opening, such a mesh section may not be necessary.

[0055] The lid portion 24 is configured to allow the reaction water that has flowed from the internal space of the first housing portion 12 through the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11 into the internal space of the cage portion 2 via the gap between the hub portion, rim portion and spoke portion (i.e., a fan-shaped opening). As a result, the reaction water that has flowed into the internal space of the cage portion 2 chemically reacts with the buoyancy gas source housed in the internal space of the cage portion 2, causing the buoyancy gas source to generate a predetermined buoyancy gas (for example, hydrogen gas). The lid portion 24 is configured to release the buoyancy gas generated from the buoyancy gas source into the internal space of the gas circulation portion 11 via the gap between the hub portion, rim portion and spoke portion (i.e., a fan-shaped opening). Furthermore, the lid portion 24 allows the reaction water that has flowed into the internal space of the cage portion 2 to flow out to the external space of the cage portion 2 (i.e., the internal space of the gas flow portion 11) through the gap between the hub portion, rim portion and spoke portion (i.e., the fan-shaped opening), and then returns the reaction water to the internal space of the first housing portion 12 by flowing back in through the lid portion 12d of the first housing portion 12.

[0056] [Other components of the reactor] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the reactor 1 further includes a first connection portion 13, a first communication cylinder portion 13a, a second connection portion 14, a second communication cylinder portion 14a, a first ventilation cylinder portion 15, and a second ventilation cylinder portion 16.

[0057] [First connection point] The first connecting portion 13 has a joint shape that extends from the center of the axial outer end of the first housing portion 12 (i.e., the portion where the spoke portion 12b converges at a single point) in the same direction as the axial direction of the first housing portion 12 (i.e., the axial direction of the reactor 1 itself) and in a direction away from the first housing portion 12.

[0058] [First connecting cylinder section] The first communicating cylinder portion 13a is cylindrical in shape with a predetermined diameter, extending coaxially from the inner end of the first connecting portion 13 through the internal space of the first housing portion 12 (along the central axis of the first housing portion 12). The first communicating cylinder portion 13a extends from the inner end of the first connecting portion 13 over the entire axial length of the first housing portion 12.

[0059] [First ventilation cylinder section] The first ventilation pipe section 15 is cylindrical in shape with a predetermined diameter, extending coaxially from the inner end of the first communication pipe section 13a along one axial end (the right half in Figure 5) of the internal space of the gas flow section 11 (along the central axis of the gas flow section 11). In the example in Figure 5, the first ventilation pipe section 15 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the first communication pipe section 13a, but it can also have the same diameter as the first communication pipe section 13a. The first ventilation pipe section 15 extends from the inner end of the first connection section 13 along the entire axial length of the first housing section 12. The first communication pipe section 13 and the first ventilation pipe section 13a are connected or joined to each other so that their joint ends are watertight and airtight. Furthermore, the boundary position between the first communication cylinder portion 13 and the first ventilation cylinder portion 13a is at the position of the lid portion 12d, and the boundary portion between the first communication cylinder portion 13 and the first ventilation cylinder portion 13a penetrates the lid portion 12d, so that the first ventilation cylinder portion 13a extends into the internal space of the gas flow portion 11.

[0060] [Second connection point] The second connecting portion 14 has a joint shape that extends from the center of the axial outer end of the cage portion 2 (i.e., the part where the spoke portion 22 converges at a single point) in the same direction as the axial direction of the cage portion 2 (i.e., the axial direction of the reactor 1 itself) and away from the cage portion 2. The first connecting portion 13 and the second connecting portion 14 can have the same configuration.

[0061] [Second connecting pipe section] The second connecting cylinder portion 14a is a cylindrical shape of a predetermined diameter that extends coaxially from the inner end of the second connecting portion 43 through the internal space of the cage portion 2 (along the central axis of the cage portion 2). The second connecting cylinder portion 14a extends from the inner end of the second connecting portion 14 over the entire axial length of the cage portion 2.

[0062] [Second ventilation pipe section] The second ventilation pipe section 16 is cylindrical in shape with a predetermined diameter, extending coaxially from the inner end of the second connecting pipe section 14a along the other axial end (the left half in Figure 5) of the internal space of the gas flow section 11 (along the central axis of the gas flow section 11). In the example of Figure 5, the second ventilation pipe section 16 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the second connecting pipe section 14a, but it can also have the same diameter as the second connecting pipe section 14a. The second ventilation pipe section 16 extends from the inner end of the second connecting section 14 along the entire axial length of the cage section 2. The second connecting pipe section 14 and the second ventilation pipe section 14a are connected or joined to each other so that their joint ends are watertight and airtight. Furthermore, the boundary position between the second communication cylinder portion 14 and the second ventilation cylinder portion 14a is the position of the lid portion 24, and the boundary portion between the second communication cylinder portion 14 and the second ventilation cylinder portion 14a penetrates the lid portion 24, so that the second ventilation cylinder portion 14a extends into the internal space of the gas flow portion 11.

[0063] [The distance between the tip of the first ventilation pipe and the tip of the second ventilation pipe] The axial lengths of the first ventilation pipe section 13a and the second ventilation pipe section 14a are set such that the tip of the first ventilation pipe section 13a and the tip of the second ventilation pipe section 14a are separated by a predetermined distance from each other. For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, the axial lengths of the first ventilation pipe section 13a and the second ventilation pipe section 14a are the same, the axial length of the first ventilation pipe section 13a is set to be a predetermined distance shorter than the axial length of the right half of the gas flow section 11, and the axial length of the second ventilation pipe section 14a is set to be a predetermined distance shorter than the axial length of the left half of the gas flow section 11. As a result, the tip of the first ventilation pipe section 13a and the tip of the second ventilation pipe section 14a are separated by a predetermined distance from each other.

[0064] [Gas flow through the first connection section, the first connecting pipe section, and the first ventilation pipe section] As described above, reaction water from the first containment section 12 flows into the internal space of the cage section 2, generating buoyancy gas from the buoyancy gas source in the internal space of the cage section 2. This buoyancy gas then flows into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 via the lid section 24 of the cage section 2. The buoyancy gas then flows into the first ventilation section 15 through the tip opening of the first ventilation section 15, flows into the first connection section 13 via the first connecting section 13a, and flows out to the outside through the tip opening of the first connection section 13.

[0065] [Gas flow through the second connection section, the second communication cylinder section, and the second ventilation cylinder section] On the other hand, when a predetermined gas (for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen) is injected into the second connection part 14 from its tip, the gas flows into the second ventilation pipe 16 via the second communication pipe 14a, and then flows into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 from the tip opening of the second ventilation pipe 16.

[0066] [First connecting hose] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, one end (base end) of a first communication hose 31 of a predetermined length is connected to the tip opening of the first connection part 13 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. The diameter of the first communication hose 31 is such that it corresponds to the diameter of the first connection part 13, so that one end of the first communication hose 31 can be airtightly connected to the tip opening of the first connection part 13.

[0067] [Second connecting hose] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, one end (base end) of a second communication hose 32 of a predetermined length is connected to the tip opening of the second connection part 14 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. The diameter of the second communication hose 32 is such that it corresponds to the diameter of the second connection part 14, so that one end of the second communication hose 32 can be airtightly connected to the tip opening of the second connection part 14.

[0068] [Check valve for the first connecting hose] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, one end of a check valve 3 is connected to the other end (tip) of the first connecting hose 31 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. The check valve 3 is fixed to a predetermined position on the frame F (in the example of Figures 1 to 4, as shown in Figure 4, near the right end of the upper rod-shaped body FB on the front side of the frame F) via a support part 3a. One end (base end) of the first flow hose 41 is connected to the other end of the check valve 3 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. This check valve 3 constitutes a first check valve that allows gas flow in one direction between the first connecting hose 31 and the first flow hose 41, while preventing gas flow in the opposite direction. In other words, the first check valve 3 allows gas to flow from the first connecting hose 31 to the first distribution hose 41, while blocking gas flow in the reverse direction, i.e., from the first distribution hose 41 to the first connecting hose 31.

[0069] [Operation of the first check valve] The operation of the first check valve 3 is as follows: The floating gas generated in the internal space of the cage 2 as described above flows into the internal space of the gas flow section 11, and flows into the first connecting hose 31 via the first ventilation pipe section 15, the first communication pipe section 13a, and the first connection section 13. The floating gas can then flow out into the first flow hose 41 via the check valve 3, and the floating gas that has flowed into the first flow hose 41 is allowed to flow out to the outside from the other end (tip) of the first flow hose 41 (i.e., released to the outside). On the other hand, the floating gas that has flowed into the first flow hose 41 is prevented from flowing back into the first connecting hose 31 by the first check valve 3, and does not flow back into the internal space of the reactor 1 via the first connecting hose 31.

[0070] [Check valve for the second connecting hose] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, one end of a check valve 3 is connected to the other end (tip) of the second connecting hose 32 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. The check valve 3 is fixed to a predetermined position on the frame F (in the example of Figures 1 to 4, as shown in Figure 4, near the right end of the upper rod-shaped body FB on the back side of the frame F) via a support part 3a. One end (base end) of the second flow hose 42 is connected to the other end of the check valve 3 by a connecting means such as a fitting, in order to maintain airtightness. This check valve 3 constitutes a second check valve that allows gas flow in one direction between the second connecting hose 32 and the second flow hose 42, while preventing gas flow in the opposite direction. In other words, the second check valve 3 allows gas to flow from the second flow hose 42 to the second connecting hose 32, while blocking gas flow in the reverse direction, i.e., from the second connecting hose 32 to the second flow hose 42.

[0071] [Operation of the second check valve] The operation of the second check valve 3 is as follows: When the floating gas generated in the internal space of the cage 2 as described above flows into the internal space of the gas flow section 11, the floating gas flows into the first connecting hose 31 via the first vent pipe 15, the first connecting pipe 13a, and the first connection part 13, and can flow out into the first flow hose 41 via the first check valve 3. However, even if the floating gas that has flowed into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 tries to flow into the second connecting hose 32 via the second vent pipe 16, the second connecting pipe 14a, and the second connection part 14, the flow from the second connecting hose 32 to the second flow hose 42 is blocked by the second check valve 3. As a result, the floating gas that has flowed into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 does not flow out from the second connecting hose 32 to the second flow hose 42 due to the second check valve 3.

[0072] On the other hand, when inert gas is injected into the second flow hose 42 from its tip, the second check valve 3 allows the inert gas to flow from the second flow hose 42 to the second communication hose 32, and from the second communication hose 32, it can flow into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 via the second connection section 14, the second communication cylinder section 14a, and the second ventilation cylinder section 16. This allows the inert gas injected into the second flow hose 42 to fill the internal space of the gas flow section 11.

[0073] [How to use] The high-altitude balloon reactor 1 of this embodiment uses granular magnesium hydride (MgH2), such as pellets or small spheres, as the source of the buoyancy gas stored inside the basket section 2. Furthermore, the high-altitude balloon reactor 1 of this embodiment uses citric acid solution (C6H8O7·H2O) as the reaction water stored in the first containment section 12.

[0074] In this embodiment, the high-altitude balloon reactor 1 has a servo motor 4 electrically connected to a computer device such as a microcontroller, allowing the computer device to transmit control signals for rotational control to the servo motor 4. The servo motor 4 is also electrically connected to a power supply device, allowing the power supply device to supply a predetermined amount of power to the servo motor 4. The servo motor 4 rotates the reactor 1 by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction in response to the control signals from the computer device, changing the angular position of the reactor 1 and holding the reactor 1 in that angular position. The power supply to the servo motor 4 can also be supplied from the computer device.

[0075] [Standby (when hydrogen generation stops)] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, when the reactor 1 is in standby mode or in standby state (i.e., when the generation of hydrogen gas, which is the floating gas, is stopped or in a state where generation has stopped), the reactor 1 is rotated and held by the servo motor 4 to a first state with a predetermined first tilt angle, such that the cage section 2 (containing the floating gas source) is positioned on the upper side and the first housing section 12 (containing citric acid solution) is positioned on the lower side.

[0076] At this time, in order to ensure safety before generating floating gas (i.e., hydrogen gas in this case) from the floating gas source by chemically reacting a floating gas source made of magnesium hydride with a reaction solution made of citric acid water in the internal space of the reactor 1, an inert gas (in this case, nitrogen gas) is injected and filled into the internal space of the reactor 1. Specifically, the inert gas is injected from the second flow hose 42 through the second check valve 3 into the second communication hose 32, and the inert gas is injected into the internal space of the gas flow section 12 through the second connection section 14, the second communication cylinder section 14a, and the second ventilation cylinder section 16, thereby filling the entire internal space of the reactor 1 with inert gas. In this standby state, since check valves 3 are provided at two locations on the frame F (i.e., a first check valve 3 and a second check valve 3 are provided), even when nitrogen gas, an inert gas, is present in the internal space of reactor 1, and hydrogen gas, a buoyancy gas, is also present in the internal space of reactor 1, these nitrogen and hydrogen gases flow only in one direction (i.e., from In to Out in Figures 1 and 2) and do not flow in the reverse direction (i.e., from Out to In in Figures 1 and 2).

[0077] [During reaction (hydrogen generation)] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, during the reaction or reaction state of the reactor 1 (i.e., during the generation or generation state of hydrogen gas, which is the floating gas), the reactor 1 is rotated and held by the servo motor 4 to a second state with a predetermined second tilt angle, such that the cage section 2 (containing the floating gas source) is positioned on the lower side and the first housing section 12 (containing citric acid solution) is positioned on the upper side.

[0078] In this second state (i.e., the hydrogen gas generation state), the citric acid solution stored in the first containment section 12 flows downward from the first containment section through the gas flow section 12 into the internal space of the cage section 2 of the reactor 1, and flows into the internal space of the cage section 2 via the lid section 24. As a result, the internal space of the cage section 2 is immersed in the citric acid solution. Then, the magnesium hydride, which serves as the flotation gas source contained in the internal space of the cage section 2, and the citric acid solution undergo a chemical reaction, and hydrogen gas is generated as the flotation gas from the flotation gas source. The hydrogen gas generated in the internal space of the cage section 2 then flows into the internal space of the gas flow section 11 and flows into the first connecting hose 31 via the first vent pipe section 15, the first connecting pipe section 13a, and the first connection section 13. Then, the buoyant gas flows out into the first flow hose 41 via the check valve 3, and the buoyant gas that has flowed out into the first flow hose 41 flows out to the outside from the other end (tip) of the first flow hose 41. On the other hand, at this time, the buoyant gas that has flowed out into the first flow hose 41 is prevented from flowing back into the first connecting hose 31 by the first check valve 3, and does not flow back into the internal space of the reactor 1 via the first connecting hose 31.

[0079] [Return to standby mode (when hydrogen generation stops)] When the reactor 1 is set to the hydrogen generation state shown in Figure 3 and a desired amount of hydrogen gas has been generated, and it is time to stop the generation of hydrogen gas, the reactor 1 is rotated again by the servo motor 4 as shown in Figure 2, so that the cage section 2 (containing the floating gas source) is positioned on the upper side and the first storage section 12 (containing the citric acid solution) is positioned on the lower side, and the reactor 1 is rotated and held in the first state with the first tilt angle. As a result, the citric acid solution in the internal space of the cage section 2 flows from the internal space of the cage section 2 through the lid section 24 to the gas flow section 11, and then returns to the internal space of the first storage section 12 through the lid section 12d. That is, the return operation from the hydrogen generation state shown in Figure 3 to the standby state shown in Figure 2 completely removes the citric acid solution from the internal space of the cage section 2, so the chemical reaction between the magnesium hydride of the floating gas source in the internal space of the cage section 2 and the citric acid solution is completely stopped, and no hydrogen is generated from the floating gas source.

[0080] [Effects and Effects] According to the high-altitude balloon reactor of the present invention, including the above embodiment, the servo motor 4 controls the rotation of the reactor 1 between the first state and the second state, thereby enabling smooth and reliable operation of the reactor between a hydrogen generation mode in which hydrogen gas is generated from the reactor 1 and a hydrogen generation stop mode in which the generation of hydrogen gas from the reactor 1 is stopped. As a result, the high-altitude balloon reactor according to Embodiment 1 makes it possible to perform the desired altitude control without complicating or increasing the size of the altitude control device, reduces the manufacturing cost of the altitude control device itself, and prevents an increase in overall weight due to the altitude control device, thereby reducing the overall weight of the high-altitude balloon and relatively increasing the payload capacity.

[0081] [Expected range] In addition to the configuration described for the high-altitude balloon reactor of the above embodiment, the high-altitude balloon reactor of the present invention can also be implemented by changing the configuration of each part.

[0082] [Embodiment 2: Embodiment in which a reactor is applied to a predetermined balloon] The high-altitude balloon reactor of the present invention can be applied to the balloons shown in Figures 7 to 9.

[0083] As shown in Figure 7, this balloon is a high-altitude balloon B, in which the upper and lower ends of a predetermined number of balloons (i.e., balloons) are connected to each other by corresponding knotting devices (e.g., knotting ropes), so that these multiple balloons operate as a single unit (i.e., ascend and descend as a single unit). The multiple knotting devices are arranged in a cross shape to connect the multiple balloons, and at the intersection of these knotting devices, there are connectors that join the knotting devices to each other at their midpoint along their length.

[0084] For example, in the example shown in Figure 7, the high-altitude balloon B consists of four balloons: the first balloon B1, the second balloon B2, the third balloon B3, and the fourth balloon B4. The lower ends of these balloons are connected to each other by a number of corresponding knots R1 and R2 (in this case, two knots necessary to connect the four balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 so that they function as a single unit). The upper ends of the four balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 are also connected to each other by a number of corresponding knots R3 and R3 (in this case, two knots necessary to connect the four balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 so that they function as a single unit). These four balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 then operate as a single unit via the knots R1, R2, and R3 (i.e., they ascend and descend as a single unit). In this case, the two connecting devices R1 and R2 are arranged in a crossing state (i.e., orthogonal in this case) to connect the four balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4. At the intersection of the connecting devices R1 and R2, there is a connector H that connects the connecting devices R1 and R2 to each other at their midpoint along their length.

[0085] The balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 that make up high-altitude balloon B are each equipped with intake and exhaust ports P1, P2, P3, and P4 at their lower ends, allowing for the supply of lifting gas and other gases to the inside of balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4, and the discharge of gas from the inside of balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4.

[0086] Furthermore, the number of balloons constituting High Altitude Balloon B can be any other number (2, 3, 5 or more, etc.) besides 4, or High Altitude Balloon B can be composed of just one balloon. In this case, intake and exhaust ports are provided on any of these multiple balloons or on a single balloon.

[0087] When the reactor 1 of the embodiment described above is used as the buoyancy control device (i.e., altitude control device) for the high-altitude balloon B, the reactor 1 is housed in the payload C of the high-altitude balloon B, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Hydrogen gas from the reactor 1 is then supplied to each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 by hydrogen gas supply means such as the first distribution hose 41.

[0088] As shown in Figure 8, when the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 are stationary on the ground, no lifting gas is supplied to their interiors, and the high-altitude balloon B remains stationary on the ground. To ascend the high-altitude balloon B from this stationary state, a predetermined amount of lifting gas is supplied to the interior of each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4. For example, in this case, in order to achieve a rapid ascent of the high-altitude balloon B, the required amount of lifting gas is quickly supplied from gas cylinders to the interior of each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4. Then, the high-altitude balloon B begins to ascend at a predetermined rate due to the buoyancy provided by the lifting gas filled inside each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4, and eventually rises to the desired altitude (i.e., the altitude at which it reaches the stratosphere) and remains in the stratosphere. During this stratospheric stay, as shown in Figure 9, high-altitude balloon B continues to fly while maintaining a predetermined altitude due to the buoyancy provided by the lifting gases filled inside each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4.

[0089] [Advanced control using reactors] On the other hand, as the temperature decreases in the stratosphere depending on the altitude and time of day (for example, after sunset), the buoyancy provided by the lifting gas inside each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 decreases along with the decrease in temperature. At this time, by generating hydrogen gas with the reactor 1 and injecting it into each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4 to fill them, the high-altitude balloon B has its buoyancy compensated by the lifting gas inside each of the balloons B1, B2, B3, and B4, and can continue flying at a predetermined altitude.

[0090] [Specific example] The high-altitude balloon reactor of the present invention can be applied to the development of experimental platforms using zero-pressure balloons with magnesium hydride. That is, a high-altitude balloon to which reactor 1 is applied can be used to develop balloons and experimental platforms with the aim of advancing atmospheric biological research in the stratosphere.

[0091] In particular, to evaluate the effects of microbial exposure in the stratosphere, a low-cost experimental platform capable of long-duration flights is essential. To address this, a cylindrical zero-pressure balloon can be used in tandem with a rubber balloon using commercially available 0.02 mm thick polyethylene polyduct tubing. Furthermore, to suppress the decrease in buoyancy at night, a reactor device (i.e., reactor 1 in the above embodiment) that generates a lifting gas by reacting magnesium hydride (MgH2) with a citric acid solution can be applied to a high-altitude balloon.

[0092] Magnesium hydride can be used to generate and supply high-purity hydrogen by utilizing a hydrolysis reaction (MgH2 + 2H2O → 2H2 + Mg(OH)2 - 276 kJ / mol) up to the material's temperature limit. While stainless steel is typically used when handling hydrogen, such as in reactor devices, the reactor device in this study extracts the necessary amount of hydrogen from MgH2 at atmospheric pressure and supplies it to a zero-pressure balloon, making lightweight, gas-pressure-resistant PET material suitable for this purpose. The reactor device is envisioned to be equipped with a GPS as a separable payload after hydrogen generation, allowing it to be detached in a recoverable area, recovered, and reused.

[0093] By installing PET material for the reactor inside the float to maintain temperature and designing it so that the GPS module antenna acquires a signal to the sky through the shift in the center of gravity, it is possible to enclose a GPS weighing approximately 100g and have a range of 4m 3To generate hydrogen, 2.4 kg of MgH2 and about three times that amount of citric acid solution are needed, allowing the total weight to be kept down to around 11 kg. Since the GPS battery lasts for about two weeks, the route is basically designed assuming detachment at a recovery location, but recovery by floating on the sea is also considered. The PET material used in the reactor device has a typical operating temperature range of -60°C to 130°C, which is sufficient to withstand the reaction heat. Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) used in the balloon also has an operating temperature range of around -60°C to 80°C, which is sufficient for use in the stratosphere to a certain extent.

[0094] For stratospheric flights targeting UV-C irradiation with 200 times the energy, the duration is expected to exceed 20 days, so flights to Antarctica and other locations could be considered. However, as an initial step, we will assume the operation of a medium-sized balloon within Japanese airspace, setting the target altitude to 25,000m and the flight time to 24 hours. In summer, the flight path would likely be from the Izu Islands to southern Kyushu. Therefore, it is desirable to first assess the impact of a combined environment other than UV-C with a flight time of about 1 / 10 of the expected duration.

[0095] The density of polyethylene used in zero-pressure balloons is 925 kg / m³. 3 In this case, a balloon made using 0.02 mm thick polyduct tubing would weigh approximately 14.56 kg and have a helium filling capacity of 30 m³. 3 The resulting cylindrical structure has a diameter of 6m and a length of 38.8m, and is towed to the target altitude by a rubber balloon. The zero-pressure balloon's materials are bundled together to accommodate the suspension weight, and reinforcement is applied as needed from the towing ring at the top to the lower ring using load tape, etc. The gross lift is 30.79kg, and with a balloon weight of 14.56kg and a total payload weight of approximately 13kg, the free lift is approximately 3.23kg, and the volume of the zero-pressure balloon when the rubber balloon is released at an altitude of 25,000m is 1095.6m³. 3 It expands to that extent. When assuming the drag coefficient of the average air resistance is 0.8CD, a tandem towing is used to fill a 3000g rubber balloon with 14m 3 of helium, and it is estimated that it can rise at approximately an average of 5.8m / sec and reach the target altitude of 25000m in about 70 minutes.

[0096] At this time, it is simply calculated by the model shown in Figure 11. The meanings of each symbol in the model of Figure 12 are as follows. (A: Ascent Rate (m / sec), a: Gas Density(Kg / m 3 ), b:Balloon CD, c: air Density at 0do 101kPa, g=acceleration due to gravity (m / s 2 ), v: helium volume (m 3 ), b: Balloon Weight, p: Payload Weight)

[0097] Also, in the model shown in Figure 11, a = 0.1786, b = 0.8, c = 1.293, g = 9.81, v = 14, b = 3000 p = 0.

[0098] Assuming that the temperature difference of the floating gas between day and night is approximately 50°C (maximum 0°C, minimum -50°C), the amount of hydrogen generated by MgH2 required for a flight of one day and night is estimated to be about 4m 3 in terms of standard atmospheric pressure conversion, and it takes about 20 minutes until the filling is completed, and it can also cope with the rapid descent after sunset. As a result, it is possible to construct an experimental platform for atmospheric biological research that can expose relatively inexpensive and lightweight samples to the stratospheric environment for a long time in the future.

Explanation of Symbols

[0099] 1: Reactor 2: Cage part (floating gas generation source accommodation part) 4: Servo motor (rotation control device) 11: Gas flow part 12: First accommodation part (reaction liquid accommodation part)

Claims

[Claim 1] A gas circulation section having an internal space, A floating gas source housing is provided in an airtight and watertight manner on one axial end of the gas flow section, and houses a floating gas source inside, The gas flow section is provided in an airtight and watertight manner on the other axial end, and includes a reaction liquid storage section which stores a reaction liquid that chemically reacts with the float gas source to generate float gas. Furthermore, A reactor for high-altitude balloons, characterized by comprising a rotation control device that controls the rotation of the gas flow section, the float gas source storage section, and the reaction liquid storage section by integrally rotating them at a predetermined angle by applying an external force to any of the gas flow section, the float gas source storage section, and the reaction liquid storage section.

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