Stratospheric lift system with partial ballonet

Abstract

To provide a stratosphere lift system including a partial ballonet.SOLUTION: A variable lift force device (1) includes a pressured air tight housing (2) which accommodates air, and a first air tight ballonet (3) which is disposed within the air tight housing (2), accommodates compressed gas having a density lower than that of air, and includes puncture means for puncturing the first air tight ballonet (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of variable lift devices that use gases lighter than air to provide levitation in the atmosphere. More specifically, the present invention deals with the lift and ascent flight phase strategy of a variable lift device with one tank storing pressurized air and another tank storing pressurized gases lighter than air, such as helium, neon, methane, ethane, and hydrogen. Hereinafter, the gases with a density less than that of air are referred to as levitation gases. [Background technology]

[0002] A variable lift device can be understood as a stratospheric maneuverable platform having a pressurized flexible jacket, known as a "blimp."

[0003] Conventionally, during the takeoff phase, the variable lift device is mostly filled with air and the lift gas is separated from the air and occupies less than 20% of the volume. During the ascent phase, the air is released and the lift gas expands to fill the entire volume of the variable lift device.

[0004] Currently, this ascent phase can be discussed in three ways: - Retracted lift system, which provides a variable lift system containing only lift gas at take-off. The absence of air tanks significantly reduces the total weight of the variable lift system. This method is particularly valued in the field of meteorology. However, the retracted lift system is not suitable for variable lift systems that include jacketed equipment such as engines or solar generators, which require relatively rigid support means to secure the system. - an air ballonet system, providing a variable lift device with a main jacket intended to contain a lifting gas and an airtight ballonet housed inside the main jacket, intended to contain air. During the ascent phase, the air contained in the airtight ballonet is discharged to the outside environment, and the lifting gas expands, thus filling the volume vacated by the airtight ballonet. However, the air ballonet system is a relatively heavy method, since the variable lift device must contain two tanks. In addition, this method creates several risks, for example, of air mixing with the lifting gas in case of a leak in the airtight ballonet, or even of maneuverability being hindered by the presence of an empty airtight ballonet that is not fixed to the main jacket. - A buoyant gas ballonet system, which provides a variable lift device with a main jacket intended to contain air and an airtight ballonet housed inside the main jacket intended to contain the buoyant gas. Nevertheless, problems arise with the layout of the variable lift device, and some risks can be cited, such as the risk of leakage associated with possible damage to the airtight ballonet. This method is valued in the aviation field, but it remains a relatively heavy method, similar to the air ballonet system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to alleviate all or some of the above problems by proposing a variable lift device comprising a main jacket intended to contain air and one or two airtight ballonets housed within the main jacket intended to contain a buoyancy gas. When two airtight ballonets are used, they are in fluid communication with each other to allow the exchange of buoyancy gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To that end, the subject of the present invention is a pressurized airtight enclosure containing air; a first airtight ballonet arranged inside the airtight housing and containing a pressurized gas having a density lower than that of air, the first airtight ballonet including puncturing means for puncturing the first airtight ballonet; A variable lift device comprising:

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a variable lift device includes a second airtight ballonet disposed within the airtight housing and fluidly connected to the first airtight ballonet.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the airtight housing includes a bow section and the first airtight ballonet is positioned to abut an inner surface of the bow section of the airtight housing.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the airtight housing includes a top surface and the second airtight ballonet is positioned to abut the top surface of the airtight housing.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the airtight housing includes an aft portion, and the at least one discharge valve is positioned to abut the aft portion of the airtight housing.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first airtight ballonet is made from a plastic material.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the airtight housing includes a retraction device for a first airtight ballonet, the retraction device for the first airtight ballonet includes a winder in direct contact with an inner surface of a bow section of the airtight housing, and the retraction device for the first airtight ballonet includes a wire link having one end e1 thereof in contact with the winder and a second end e2 in contact with the first airtight ballonet.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the variable lift device extends along a first longitudinal axis A1 and includes an additional tilting device positioned to abut the variable lift device.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the additional tilt device is transversely movable along the longitudinal axis A1 from an equilibrium position P1 to a retracted position P2.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the puncturing means for puncturing the first airtight ballonet is activated using a controller.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the first airtight ballonet is replaceable.

[0017] The invention will be better understood and other advantages will become apparent on reading the detailed description of embodiments given as examples, this description being illustrated by the attached drawings, such as: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a variable lift device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a variable lift device according to the invention at the start of the ascent phase; [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a variable lift device according to the invention during an advanced ascent phase. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a variable lift device according to a variant of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a retraction device for a first airtight ballonet inside a variable lift device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] For purposes of clarity, the same elements are provided with the same reference numbers in different figures.

[0020] In this description, the term "buoyancy gas" refers to any gas with a density less than that of air. For example, it can be helium, neon, methane, ethane, or hydrogen.

[0021] In this description, the term "bow" can be interpreted as the nose or front of the variable lift device. Conversely, the term "stern" refers to the tail or rear of the variable lift device.

[0022] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a variable lift device 1 according to the invention. In aviation, weight, which is directly related to the overall mass of the variable lift device, is one of the forces that an aviator must counter, especially during the ascent phase of the device.

[0023] The variable lift device 1 according to the invention is composed of an airtight jacket 2. This airtight housing 2 is entirely filled with air. The airtight housing 2 further comprises a first airtight ballonet 3 and a second airtight ballonet 4, which is arranged inside the airtight housing 2 and contains a pressurized buoyancy gas. The first airtight ballonet 3 is arranged to abut against the inner surface 52 of the bow section 5 of the airtight housing 2. In fact, the variable lift device 1 comprises a bow section 5, which is defined as the forward section in the direction of flow of the air stream, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the variable lift device, and a stern section 6, which can be defined as the section opposite to the towing direction, or in other words, defined as the aft section considered in the direction of flow of the air stream parallel to the longitudinal axis A1. The first airtight ballonet 3 is therefore arranged inside the airtight housing 2 to abut against the inner surface 52 of the bow section 5. The second airtight ballonet 4 is arranged to abut against the upper surface 22 of the airtight housing 2.

[0024] The second airtight ballonet 4 is placed inside the airtight housing 2 and is fluidly connected to the first airtight ballonet 3. In fact, a joint 32 ensures a fluid connection between the first airtight ballonet 3 and the second airtight ballonet 4. In this way, the levitation gas contained in the second airtight ballonet 4 can pass to the first airtight ballonet 3 by means of this joint 32.

[0025] The first and second airtight ballonet 3, 4 each contain a volume of compressed levitation gas, which allows them to fill a volume slightly larger than the volume of the airtight enclosure 2 under stratospheric pressure and temperature conditions.

[0026] Furthermore, at least one discharge valve 62 is arranged in the stern part 6. This discharge valve 62 allows the air contained inside the airtight housing 2 to be discharged to the environment outside the variable lift device 1.

[0027] Finally, in an advantageous embodiment, the variable lift device 1 can include an additional tilting device 7 arranged in abutment with the variable lift device 1. More specifically, the additional tilting device 7 is installed outside the variable lift device 1 in abutment with the bottom surface 24 of the airtight housing 2. This additional tilting device 7 includes a displacement rail 72 fixed in abutment with the bottom surface 24 of the airtight housing 2 and extending along a longitudinal axis A1, and a tilting mass 74 that can be displaced along the displacement rail 72. The tilting mass 74 thus has a degree of freedom of movement along the longitudinal axis A1. This degree of freedom of movement along the longitudinal axis A1 therefore allows the additional tilting device 7 to control the trim angle of the variable lift device 1, i.e. the angle between the horizontal plane and the longitudinal axis A1 of the variable lift device 1.

[0028] Therefore, when there is no need to affect the trim angle of the variable lift device 1, the additional tilting device 7 is in an equilibrium position P1 as shown in Figure 1. In this equilibrium position P1, the overall centre of mass of the variable lift device 1 is in the middle, keeping it in a horizontal plane.

[0029] During the pre-take-off phase of the variable lift device 1, only the second airtight ballonet 4 is filled with a volume of compressed lifting gas, the first airtight ballonet 3 is therefore partially empty, which in fact allows the variable lift device 1 to be stabilized horizontally on the ground.

[0030] Once the take-off has been performed and the ascent has begun, the variable lift device 1 is placed vertically as shown in Figure 2. By tilting the centre of mass of the variable lift device 1 towards a more retracted position with respect to the centre of volume of the variable lift device 1, thus causing a downward load of the variable lift device 1 by switching from the so-called horizontal position shown in Figure 1 to the vertical position shown in Figure 2. In the vertical position, the bow section 5 then faces the ascent direction, which is the lifting direction of the variable lift device 1, and the stern section 6 faces in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the ground. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis A1 also rotates clockwise to become parallel and oriented in the same direction as the ascent direction.

[0031] Moreover, to facilitate the procedure for bringing the variable lift device 1 into a vertical position, the additional tilting device 7 then switches from the equilibrium position to the retracted position. In fact, the additional tilting device 7 can move transversely along the longitudinal axis A1, as mentioned above. The tilting mass 74 therefore slides on the displacement rail 72, allowing the additional tilting device 7 to switch from the equilibrium position P1 to the retracted position P2 shown in FIG. 2. This retracted position P2 affects the overall center of mass of the variable lift device 1 by changing its position. In fact, the center of mass moves rearward along the axis A1, towards the stern 6, thereby facilitating the bringing of the variable lift device 1 into a vertical position. In fact, the buoyancy gas contained in the second airtight ballonet 4 passes through the joint 32 into the first airtight ballonet 3. From the takeoff of the variable lift device 1, the buoyancy gas contained in the second airtight ballonet 4 is increasingly reduced due to the first airtight ballonet 3. In addition, when the lifting gas is contained in the first airtight ballonet 3, it expands due to the increase in altitude of the lifting device 1, and the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 increases. The first airtight ballonet 3 is made of a deformable material, such as some kind of plastic or other elastomer. More specifically, the walls of the first airtight ballonet 3 are made of a plastic material.

[0032] The increase in the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 means that the volume of air contained inside the airtight housing 2 decreases. Now, the discharge valve 62 discharges the air in order to maintain a controlled pressurization level inside the variable lift device 1. Moreover, this discharge of the air contained in the airtight housing 2 induces a reduction in the weight of the air inside the airtight housing 2, whereby the variable lift device 1 floats due to buoyancy.

[0033] This is then reflected in an advanced ascent phase of the variable lift device 1 .

[0034] Therefore, when the variable lift device 1 rises, the lifting gas contained in the first airtight ballonet 3 expands, thereby inducing an increase in the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3. Now, in order to maintain a constant volume of the airtight housing 2, the volume of air contained in the airtight housing 2 must therefore be reduced. Therefore, the discharge valve 62 continuously discharges the air contained in the airtight housing 2 continuously throughout the ascent phase of the variable lift device 1.

[0035] In this way, the volume of air contained in the airtight enclosure 2 is reduced due to the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 .

[0036] The reduction of the volume of air contained in the airtight housing 2 in parallel with the increase in the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 continues until the first airtight ballonet 3 opens, as shown in figure 3. The size of the first airtight ballonet 3 is selected so that it opens after the most turbulent ascent phase. The opening of the first airtight ballonet 3 can therefore occur, for example, at half-way up, or even when the external pressure is one-third with respect to the ground pressure, or even when the variable lift device 1 has passed most of the turbulence. Advantageously, the first airtight ballonet 3 is a replaceable ballonet when the variable lift device 1 is on the ground, i.e. the first airtight ballonet 3 can be replaced when it is opened by another airtight ballonet. This does not apply to the second airtight ballonet 4, which is a permanent airtight ballonet.

[0037] In fact, the first airtight ballonet 3 comprises a puncturing means 34 for puncturing the first airtight ballonet 3 so that it opens and the levitation gas can be released into the airtight housing 2. Preferably, the puncturing means 34 for puncturing the first airtight ballonet 3 can be the internal pressure caused by the expansion of the levitation gas contained in the first airtight ballonet 3. As the internal pressure caused by the expansion of the levitation gas continues to rise, the elastic limit of the first airtight ballonet 3 is reached and an opening 36 of the first airtight ballonet 3 can be observed. The puncturing means 34 for puncturing the first airtight ballonet 3 can be a mechanical device operated by a controller, for example a device including a needle or a sharp blade.

[0038] The volume contained in the airtight housing 2 is then no longer filled with air, but is divided into three volumes. The first volume V1 is still the volume of air contained in the airtight housing 2. Since the density of air is higher than the density of the buoyancy gas, this first volume V1 is located at the stern 6 of the airtight housing 2, which is the lowest point along the longitudinal axis A1. Advantageously, the discharge valve 62 is arranged against the stern 6 of the airtight housing 2, so that the first volume V1 of air can be discharged when the variable lift device 1 rises. The second volume V2 is the volume of buoyancy gas released from the first airtight ballonet 3 by the opening 34. In fact, the second airtight ballonet 3 is open, but the contained buoyancy gas continues to expand. The second volume V2 therefore acts on the first volume V1 of air, which increases when the variable lift device 1 rises and therefore must be discharged by the discharge valve 62. Since the density of the buoyancy gas is lower than that of air, the second volume V2 is necessarily located in the bow section 5, where the second airtight ballonet 3 initially contained the buoyancy gas. Finally, a third volume V3 is inserted between the first volume of air V1 and the second volume of buoyancy gas V2. This third volume is a mixture of the buoyancy gas released from the first airtight ballonet 3 and the air initially contained in the airtight enclosure 2.

[0039] During the ascent of the variable lift device 1, the second volume V2 of buoyancy gas increases as the buoyancy gas expands, while the first volume V1 decreases as the air accommodated in the first volume V1 by the discharge valve 62 expands.

[0040] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the airtight housing 2 comprises a retraction device 26 for the first airtight ballonet 3, shown in Fig. 5. The retraction device 26 allows the open first airtight ballonet 3 to be attached to the inner surface 52 of the bow 5 of the airtight housing 2. In this way, the first airtight ballonet 3 is fixed against the inner surface 52 of the bow 5 and is not displaced in the airtight housing 2, which displacement may create a risk to the maneuverability of the variable lift device 1. Furthermore, by drawing the first airtight ballonet 3 towards the inner surface 52 of the bow 5, all of the buoyancy gas initially contained in the first airtight ballonet 3 can be released into the airtight housing 2.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the vertical ascent continues until the first volume V1 and the third volume V3 are completely evacuated, i.e. until the gas-tight enclosure 2 contains only the expanded buoyancy gas. When the gas-tight enclosure 2 contains only the second volume V2 of buoyancy gas, the centre of mass of the variable lift device 1 is re-centreed and the variable lift device 1 then switches from the vertical position shown in Figure 3 to the horizontal position shown in Figure 1.

[0042] To facilitate this counterclockwise rotation of the variable lift device 1, the additional tilting device 7 switches from the retracted position P2 shown in Figure 3 to the equilibrium position P1 shown in Figure 1. In this way, the overall centre of mass of the variable lift device 1 returns to its equilibrium position and the variable lift device 1 returns again to the horizontal plane.

[0043] The use of the additional tilting device 7 is not essential for the variable lift device 1 to return from the vertical position shown in Figure 3 to the horizontal position shown in Figure 1. In fact, the variable lift device 1 is filled with buoyancy gas only and will inevitably return to an equilibrium position on the horizontal plane. However, the additional tilting device 7 can be considered as a safety measure to ensure the correct positioning of the variable lift device 1 on the horizontal plane.

[0044] 4 shows a schematic diagram of a variable lift device 1 according to a variant of the invention. The variable lift device 1 according to a variant of the invention comprises a pressurized airtight housing 2 containing air and a first airtight ballonet 3 arranged in the airtight housing 2 and containing a pressurized gas, or buoyancy gas, having a density lower than that of air. As mentioned above, the first airtight ballonet 3 is obtained from an elastic material, such as some kind of plastic or other elastomer, and comprises a piercing means 34 for piercing the first airtight ballonet 3.

[0045] As described above, the variable lift device 1 includes a discharge valve 62 installed in the stern section 6 to enable the air contained inside the airtight housing 2 to be discharged to the environment outside the variable lift device 1, and an additional tilting device 7 installed outside the variable lift device 1 in contact with the inner surface 24 of the airtight housing 2.

[0046] 2, during the pre-take-off phase of the variable lift device 1, the airtight ballonet 3 is initially filled with buoyancy gas. Therefore, when take-off takes place and the ascent begins, the buoyancy gas is already contained in the first airtight ballonet 3 and the variable lift device 1 is brought into a vertical position more quickly.

[0047] However, the switching of the variable lift device 1 from a horizontal position to a vertical position during takeoff must be controlled to prevent the stern unit 11 of the variable lift device 1 from hitting the ground and being damaged or even destroyed.

[0048] When take-off has taken place and the ascent has begun, the variable lift device 1 is placed vertically, the lift gas then expands and the volume of the first airtight balloon 3 increases.

[0049] As mentioned above, an increase in the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 means that the volume of air contained inside the airtight housing 2 decreases, which is reflected in the discharge of air to the outside environment by the exhaust valve 62.

[0050] When the vessel assumes a vertical position, the bow section 5 faces an upward direction, which is the lifting direction of the variable lift device 1, while the stern section 6 faces in the opposite direction, i.e., toward the ground.

[0051] The reduction in the volume of air contained in the airtight housing 2 in parallel with the increase in the volume of the first airtight ballonet 3 continues until the first airtight ballonet 3 opens. The opening of the first airtight ballonet 3 of the airtight housing 2 takes place when the variable lift device 1 reaches an altitude that is considered to be higher than the final altitude of the variable lift device 1.

[0052] The volume contained in the airtight housing 2 is then not filled with air only, but is divided into three volumes. As mentioned above, the airtight housing 2 then contains a first volume V1 representing the volume of air still remaining in the airtight housing 2, a second volume V2 representing the volume of levitation gas released from the first airtight ballonet 3, and a third volume V3 inserted between the first volume V1 of air and the second volume V2 of levitation gas, representing a mixture of the levitation gas released from the first airtight ballonet 3 and the air originally contained in the airtight housing 2. The second volume V2 then increases as the variable lift device 1 rises, and therefore acts on the first volume V1 of air that must be discharged by the discharge valve 62.

[0053] The airtight housing 2 also includes a retraction device 26 for the first airtight ballonet 3. The retraction device 26 allows the open first airtight ballonet 3 to be attached to the inner surface 52 of the bow part 5 of the airtight housing 2. In that way, the first airtight ballonet 3 is fixed in abutment against the inner surface 52 of the bow part 5 and is not displaced within the airtight housing 2.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the retraction device 26 for the first airtight ballonette 3 inside the variable lift device 1 according to the invention. The retraction device 26 for the first airtight ballonette 3 comprises a winder 262 in direct contact with the inner surface 52 of the bow section 5 of the airtight housing 2, a wire link 264 with its first end e1 in contact with the winder 262, and a stopper device 268 installed at its second end e2. Threading means 266 are installed against the first airtight ballonette 3 and are arranged along the horizontal axis A1, whereby the wire link 264 is threaded through each of the threading means 266. When the first airtight ballonette 3 opens and the buoyancy gas escapes therefrom, the winder 262 is actuated to wind up the wire link 264. The wire link 264 is thus pulled towards the winder 262, as well as the stopper device 268. The stopper device 268 has a larger dimension than the hole of the through-hole means 266. In other words, the through-hole means 266 is configured such that the wire link 264 can slide therethrough, but the stopper device 268 blocks it. The through-hole means 266 that do not allow the stopper device 268 to pass through are then pulled one by one towards the winder 262 after the action of the stopper device 268, which itself is pulled by the winder 262. When the stopper device 268 comes into contact with the winder 262, the winder 262 stops pulling the wire link 264 and the first airtight ballonette 3 is retracted against the inner surface 52 of the bow section 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Variable lift device 2. Airtight housing 3. First Airtight Baronet 4. Second Airtight Ballonet 5 Fore part 6 Stern 7 Additional tilting device 11 Stern unit 22 Top side 24 Bottom 26 Retraction device 32 Joint 34 Puncture means 36 Aperture 52 Inside of bow 62 Discharge valve 72 Displacement Rail 74 Inclined Mass 262 Winding Machine 264 Wire Link 266 Through hole means 268 Stopper device

Claims

1. a pressurized airtight enclosure (2) containing air, a first airtight ballonet (3) arranged inside said airtight housing (2) and containing a pressurized gas having a density less than that of air, said first airtight ballonet (3) including puncturing means (34) adapted to puncture said first airtight ballonet (3) and to release said gas having a density less than that of air into said airtight housing (2); Including, the airtight housing (2) includes a bow portion (5), the first airtight ballonette (3) is disposed against an inner surface (52) of the bow portion (5) of the airtight housing (2); said gas-tight housing (2) comprises a retraction device (26) for said first gas-tight ballonet (3), said retraction device (26) for said first gas-tight ballonet (3) comprising a winder (262) in direct contact with said inner surface (52) of said bow part (5) of said gas-tight housing (2), said retraction device (26) for said first gas-tight ballonet (3) comprising a wire link (264) whose first end e1 is in contact with said winder (262) and whose second end e2 is in contact with said first gas-tight ballonet (3), Variable lift device (1).

2. 2. The variable lift device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a second airtight ballonet (4) arranged inside the airtight housing (2) and fluidly connected to the first airtight ballonet (3).

3. 3. A variable lift device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the airtight housing (2) comprises an upper surface (22) and the second airtight ballonette (4) is arranged in abutment against the upper surface (22) of the airtight housing (2).

4. The variable lift device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airtight housing (2) includes a stern portion (6), and at least one discharge valve (62) is arranged in abutment against the stern portion (6) of the airtight housing (2).

5. The variable lift device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first airtight ballonette (3) is made from a plastic material.

6. A variable lift device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional tilting device (7) extending along a first longitudinal axis A1 and arranged in abutment against the variable lift device (1).

7. 7. A variable lift device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the additional tilting device (7) is transversely movable along the longitudinal axis A1 from an equilibrium position P1 to a retracted position P2.

8. A variable lift device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing means (34) for piercing the first airtight ballonette (3) is actuated by means of a controller.

9. A variable lift device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first airtight ballonette (3) is replaceable.

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