Capsule device and system including the capsule device

Abstract

Provided are a capsule device that can assist in the formation of ice crystals in cumulonimbus clouds by being dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus clouds, and a system including the capsule device. 【Solution means】The capsule device 20 includes a first capsule 22 formed to be at least partially broken by a predetermined internal pressure, an expansion part 24 formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule, and a second capsule 26 formed inside the expansion part, at least a part of the second capsule being formed of a water-soluble material, the second capsule storing an ice crystal formation assisting material that assists in the formation of ice crystals therein, and a ventilation part 28 extending from the first capsule to the expansion part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule device and a system including the capsule device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there has been known a technique of launching a rain-inducing rocket, spraying fine particles of dry ice into clouds by the rain-inducing rocket, and forming raindrops with the fine particles of dry ice as nuclei to form rain clouds and induce rainfall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as shown in Patent Document 1, launching a rainfall rocket or flying an airplane to carry dry ice has a problem that the financial burden of fuel is extremely large and it is difficult to use. In addition, when trying to apply such a technique to developing or developed cumulonimbus clouds, there is a problem that the vicinity of the cumulonimbus cloud is dangerous for approach due to wind, rain, lightning, etc. On the other hand, when spraying a powdery or liquid rain-inducing material from a distant part, the powdery powder is blown away by the influence of the wind, resulting in problems such as reduced effect or decreased certainty of execution.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a capsule device that can assist the formation of ice crystals in cumulonimbus clouds by being dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus clouds and accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus clouds, and a system including the capsule device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided a capsule device that is dropped from the stratosphere above a developing cumulonimbus cloud to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud. The capsule device includes a first capsule formed so as to be broken at least partially by a predetermined internal pressure, an expansion portion formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule, and a second capsule formed inside the expansion portion. At least a part of the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble material, and the second capsule houses an ice crystal formation assisting material that assists in the formation of ice crystals. The capsule device further includes a ventilation portion extending from the first capsule to the expansion portion. According to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, there is provided a capsule device that is dropped from the stratosphere above a developing cumulonimbus cloud to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud. The capsule device includes a first capsule, an expansion portion formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule, and a second capsule formed inside the expansion portion. At least a part of the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble material, and the second capsule houses an ice crystal nucleation assisting material. The capsule device further includes a ventilation portion extending from the first capsule to the expansion portion. When the expansion portion of the capsule device dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud reaches the upper part of the cumulonimbus cloud, the expansion portion expands due to the moisture in the cumulonimbus cloud, causing the first capsule to break, and the second capsule, at least a part of which is formed of a water-soluble material, dissolves in the moisture, releasing the internal ice crystal formation assisting material into the cumulonimbus cloud. Thereby, the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud can be assisted by dropping from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud, and the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud can be advanced. Therefore, before the cumulonimbus cloud brings a disaster-level heavy rain, the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud can be advanced, and the power of the cumulonimbus cloud can be weakened.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, preferably, a flying object that reaches the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud and the capsule device are provided, and the flying object is provided with a dropping device that drops the capsule device from the stratosphere, a system. According to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, a system can be provided that includes a flying object that reaches the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud and the capsule device, and the flying object is provided with a dropping device that drops the capsule device from the stratosphere. By such a system, it is possible to assist the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud by dropping from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud and accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud. Therefore, it is possible to accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud and weaken the power of the cumulonimbus cloud before the cumulonimbus cloud brings disaster-level heavy rain.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the capsule device of the present invention and the system provided with the capsule device, it is possible to assist the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud by dropping from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a system 1 equipped with a capsule device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, changes, and substitutions can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and various modifications, changes, etc. are possible in its form and details without departing from the scope of the claims. Also, the components disclosed in the specification can be freely combined.

[0011] System 1 functions as a capsule device dropping system. Further, system 1 has a rainfall induction function of artificially inducing rainfall by the capsule device 20, and also has a function of accelerating the arrival of the decay period of cumulonimbus clouds. System 1 includes a flying object 2 and a capsule device 20 dropped from the flying object 2. In FIG. 1, the capsule device 20 dropped from the flying object 2 is largely illustrated enlarged for explanatory purposes. In FIG. 1, the positional relationship of the flying object and the developed cumulonimbus clouds at the altitude from the troposphere to the stratosphere is illustrated by way of example.

[0012] The flying object 2 is a flying object capable of reaching the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud B, and for example, it is an airship. The airship is, for example, an unmanned airship. The flying object 2 can take off from the ground under the control of the system control unit 9 or the operation of the operation unit 7, reach the stratosphere, and return to the ground after dropping the capsule device 20. The stratosphere is known to have relatively stable weather, often with relatively weak winds and relatively low humidity. The flying object 2 can fly, for example, to a height of about 20 km (a height within the stratosphere) from the ground. The flying object 2 can fly in an unmanned state under the control of the system control unit 9 or the operation of the operation unit 7. The flying object 2 may be an unmanned aircraft or a rocket device that can fly. Note that the cumulonimbus cloud B extends upward as cumulus clouds and the like occur at low altitudes and develop. The cumulonimbus cloud B may reach above the troposphere as its development progresses, and the top of the cumulonimbus cloud B may spread flat at the troposphere interface or take the form of a lenticular cloud. Generally, even when the cumulonimbus cloud is very developed, it often only reaches the troposphere interface. Such a very developed cumulonimbus cloud B is very powerful both in terms of wind and rain, increasing the possibility of causing disasters at the arrival point of the cumulonimbus cloud B. Therefore, before such a developed or developing cumulonimbus cloud B causes disasters, by assisting the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud according to this technology, inducing rainfall at an earlier timing, and accelerating the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud, the possibility of causing disasters such as heavy rain can be reduced.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flying object 2 includes a fuselage main body 3 of the flying object 2, a dropping device 4 for dropping the capsule device 20 from the stratosphere, an altitude measuring device 5, a GPS device 6, a camera 10, an operation unit 7, a monitor unit 8, and a system control unit 9. The flying object 2 also includes a communication unit (not shown) for performing wireless communication with the operation unit 7, the system control unit 9, etc.

[0014] The fuselage main body 3 has a function and structure capable of flying as an airship. The fuselage main body 3 may be composed of an aircraft or a rocket device that can fly.

[0015] The dropping device 4 is provided on the lower surface of the airframe main body 3 of the flying object 2. The dropping device 4 can drop a plurality of capsule devices 20 into the air. The dropping device 4 includes two doors 4a that open downward on the lower surface of the flying object 2. By opening the two doors 4a toward both sides with the center of the lower surface as the center, the plurality of capsule devices 20 are dropped downward all at once. In FIG. 1, the form in which the door 4a is open is illustrated by a broken line. The dropping device 4 includes a drying chamber 12 that stores the capsule device in a dry state until it is dropped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the humidity from rising during the transportation or storage of the capsule device 20 and the capsule device 20 from malfunctioning. The drying chamber 12 is formed in a box shape and can accommodate the capsule device 20 inside. The drying chamber 12 has a function of maintaining the internal humidity at a relatively low predetermined humidity (for example, a dry state). In FIG. 1, the capsule device 20 in the drying chamber 12 is shown by a broken line as an example. The capsule device 20 is accommodated, for example, in a number within the range of 1 to 15, and also, for example, in a number within the range of 10 to 15 in the drying chamber 12. The dropping device 4 may be provided with a mechanism that can drop the capsule device 20 in several batches.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the altitude measuring device 5 can measure the altitude (distance) of the flying object 2 with respect to the ground (the ground serving as a reference for altitude measurement). The altitude measuring device 5 is configured by combining a GPS altimeter and a barometric altimeter. The altitude measurement by the barometric altimeter can be combined with the altitude measurement data reception interval of the GPS altimeter. Note that the altitude measuring device 5 may be formed by either the GPS altimeter or the barometric altimeter. Further, the altitude measuring device 5 may be configured by any one of a barometric pressure sensor that can measure the flight altitude by measuring the barometric pressure, an ultrasonic sonar that can measure the distance from the flying object 2 to the ground, a laser measurement sensor that can measure the distance from the flying object 2 to the ground, or any arbitrary combination thereof. Thereby, the altitude measuring device 5 can measure the altitude (distance) from the flying object 2 to the ground. While the altitude measuring device 5 recognizes the altitude (distance) to the ground, for example, the system control unit 9 performs control to drop the capsule device 20 from a height such as an altitude of 20 km.

[0017] The GPS device 6 is capable of identifying the current position of the flying object 2 by using satellites.

[0018] The camera 10 can photograph and visually recognize the surrounding situation from the flying object 2. With the camera 10, the surrounding situation of the flying object 2 can be confirmed from a remote location. The camera 10 is provided so as to be able to confirm the situation of the cumulonimbus cloud B at the descending destination of the capsule device 20 and the surrounding situation of itself.

[0019] The operation unit 7 (see FIG. 2) can issue operation commands for flight operations of the flying object 2, dropping start of the capsule device 20, etc. The operation unit 7 is provided at a location separated from the airframe main body 3 of the flying object 2 and is electrically connected to a system control unit 9 described later by wireless communication. The operation unit 7 can be remotely operated by a user, for example. By operating the operation unit 7 by the user, the flight of the flying object 2 can also be controlled. Also, the dropping start position, timing, etc. of the capsule device 20 may be controlled by the system control unit 9 described later, but the dropping start position, timing, etc. of the capsule device 20 may be instructed and controlled by operating the operation unit 7 by the user. The operation unit 7 can also operate only an arbitrary part of flight, dropping operation of the capsule device 20, etc. For example, only the dropping start position may be operated by the operation unit 7, and other operations may be automatically controlled by the system control unit 9. Note that the operation unit 7 may be displayed within a monitor unit 8 that displays images from the camera. Thus, the operation unit 7 may be an information terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, for example. As another example, it may be an operation device such as a dedicated controller like a radio controller.

[0020] The monitor unit 8 has a screen capable of confirming images from the camera and the content of the control unit.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the system control unit 9 is provided in the airframe main body 3 of the flying object 2. The system control unit 9 may be provided in an information terminal device or the like on the operation unit 7 side. The system control unit 9 controls the system 1 and the flight of the flying object 2. More specifically, the system control unit 9 can control the dropping device 4 and control the dropping start position (coordinates, altitude), timing, etc. of the capsule device 20. In addition, the system control unit 9 can control the flight altitude, flight route, etc. of the flying object 2. The system control unit 9 can realize control to make the flying object 2 reach a target predetermined altitude and freely drop the capsule device 20 toward the cumulonimbus cloud B. The system control unit 9 incorporates a CPU 17 and a storage device 19 such as a memory, etc., and controls devices connected so as to execute predetermined control based on a predetermined control program recorded in the memory, etc. The system control unit 9 is electrically connected to the dropping device 4, the camera 10, the altitude measuring device 5, the GPS device 6, the operation unit 7, the monitor unit 8, etc. These electrical connections may be made by wireless communication or the like.

[0022] The capsule device 20 is a (self-destructing type) capsule device that is dropped above the cumulonimbus cloud B (see FIG. 1) to assist in the formation of ice crystals C and accelerate the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud (artificial rainfall). The capsule device 20 is a self-destructing type capsule device that destroys its outer shell according to a predetermined humidity by its own mechanical structure. The capsule device 20 can have a function of increasing the ice crystal nuclei in the cloud and causing artificial rainfall. The capsule device 20 is a dropping type capsule device whose structure changes based on physical phenomena in the free-falling state after being dropped.

[0023] The capsule device 20 includes a first capsule 22, an expansion part 24, a second capsule 26, and a ventilation part 28.

[0024] The first capsule 22 forms a spherical outer shell and is formed in a hollow shape with a cavity inside. The first capsule 22 has a thickness within the range of 1 mm to 3 mm and is formed relatively thinly. The first capsule 22 has, for example, a diameter with a value within the range of 20 cm to 25 cm. The first capsule 22 is formed to have a strength that can withstand the external force F received from the outside air A without breaking during the fall at the terminal velocity in a state where the capsule device 20 has reached the terminal velocity during free fall. Thereby, the risk that the first capsule 22 is broken by the external force received from the air during free fall and the internal ice crystal formation auxiliary agent cannot be delivered to the altocumulus cloud can be reduced. The first capsule 22 is formed of a ceramic material that has relatively high strength even though it is relatively thin.

[0025] On the other hand, the first capsule 22 is formed so that at least a part of it is broken mainly by a predetermined internal pressure F1 received from the expansion part 24. The internal pressure is the pressure acting from the inside to the outside of the first capsule 22. In FIG. 3, for example, the internal pressure F1 is exemplarily shown by arrows at four locations. The internal pressure F1 is not limited to the illustrated positions and is generated on the inner surface of the first capsule 22 in contact with the expansion part 24 due to the expansion of the expansion part 24. Also, even in a part that is not in direct contact with the expansion part 24, the internal pressure received by the first capsule 22 increases due to the increase in air pressure accompanying the expansion of the expansion part 24.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the first capsule 22 may be provided with a fragile portion 23 that is easily broken when receiving an inward force. Thereby, when the expansion portion 24 expands and the pressure of the expansion portion 24 (internal pressure F1) acts on the inner surface of the first capsule 22 from the inside to the outside, the fragile portion 23 of the first capsule 22 is likely to break, and the first capsule can be easily broken. Therefore, the risk of the first capsule not breaking is reduced, and the second capsule can more surely spread the internal ice crystal formation assisting material into the cumulonimbus cloud. Thereby, it is possible to more surely assist the formation of ice crystals C at the upper part of the cumulonimbus cloud and accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud. Therefore, it is possible to more surely decay and weaken the cumulonimbus cloud before the cumulonimbus cloud brings about disaster-level heavy rain. The fragile portion 23 is composed of artificially formed groove portions, cuts, cracks, etc., and is formed on the outer surface of the first capsule 22. For example. The fragile portion 23 is a groove formed in a large number in the vicinity of the vent hole (vent hole) forming the ventilation portion 28. A large number of groove portions having a depth of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm are formed from the outer surface of the first capsule 22. The cuts and cracks of the fragile portion 23 are not limited to one, and a plurality of cuts and cracks may be formed along the outer periphery of the first capsule 22. By arranging a plurality of cuts and cracks in combination, a part of the region of the first capsule 22 can be easily formed so as to break or come off. The fragile portion 23 may be provided concentratedly in a specific region. The fragile portion 23 may be provided on the inner surface side of the first capsule 22. Further, the fragile portion 23 may be formed so as to extend from the ventilation portion 28 so that cracks spread from the ventilation portion 28.

[0027] The expansion part 24 has a generally spherical outer shape and forms a spherical layer. The expansion part 24 is formed in a hollow shape with a cavity inside. The expansion part 24 is formed inside the first capsule 22. The outer surface of the expansion part 24 is in contact with the inner surface of the first capsule 22 over substantially the entire surface. A part of the outer surface of the expansion part 24 may not be in contact with the inner surface of the first capsule 22. Thus, the expansion part 24 is arranged so that at least a part thereof is in contact with the inner surface of the first capsule 22. Thereby, the expansion part 24 can easily apply an internal pressure F1 to the inner surface of the first capsule 22. The expansion part 24 is formed to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule 22.

[0028] The expansion part 24 is formed of a humidity-responsive polymer mainly composed of a humidity-responsive polymer. The expansion part 24 is formed such that the humidity-responsive polymer has a layered thickness. The humidity-responsive polymer is a material that rapidly absorbs moisture and expands under specific humidity conditions, for example, under high humidity conditions within a range of about 80% to about 100% relative humidity (RH), or within a range of about 90% to about 100% relative humidity, such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer (PAA) or a poly N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM). Since the expansion part 24 is formed of a humidity-responsive polymer, as the humidity of the external environment increases, it can absorb moisture in the air, rapidly expand, and break the first capsule 22 from the inside. For example, the humidity-responsive polymer maintains a contracted state in an environment with a relatively low humidity (relative humidity) (RH < 10%) in the stratosphere and does not apply force to the inner surface of the first capsule 22. However, when it enters an environment with a relatively high humidity (RH > 80%) such as the upper part of cumulonimbus clouds, it rapidly absorbs the moisture in the external environment through the vent hole, rapidly expands, and causes a relatively strong compression on the inner surface of the first capsule 22 from the inside, increasing the internal pressure. Note that the humidity-responsive polymer may be other materials that rapidly absorb moisture and expand under specific humidity conditions, such as other polymer polymers.

[0029] When the expansion part 24 absorbs moisture, the expansion part 24 expands rapidly and is increased to apply pressure to the inner surface of the first capsule 22. Therefore, the first capsule 22 cannot withstand the internal pressure and reaches destruction. If a part of the first capsule 22 breaks even before complete destruction, as a result of the force F received from the air A acting on the broken part against the high-speed movement at the terminal velocity, the broken part of the first capsule 22 increases, and it is highly likely to break as a whole. Therefore, even the destruction of a part of the first capsule 22 by the expansion part 24 is effective for the scattering of the ice crystal forming aid.

[0030] As a modification, the expansion part 24 may be formed only in a part, and the increase of the expansion part 24 may be configured to break a part of the first capsule 22. For example, the expansion part 24 is not limited to the entire circumference of the longitudinal section, but may be formed only in a part, and the increase of the expansion part 24 may be configured to break a part or the vulnerable part 23 of the first capsule 22.

[0031] The second capsule 26 is formed inside the expansion part 24. The second capsule 26 is formed in a spherical shape with a smaller diameter than the first capsule 22 and the expansion part 24. The second capsule 26 is formed in a hollow shape with a hollow inside. The second capsule 26 has a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm and is formed relatively thinly. The second capsule 26 is formed of, for example, a water-soluble film member or a film-like member. At least a part of the second capsule 26 is formed of a water-soluble material. When the second capsule 26 is formed of a water-soluble member, in an environment with high humidity, the second capsule 26 is automatically broken by the moisture in the air, and the internal ice crystal forming aid 27 can be released. Note that the second capsule 26 forms a storage part for storing a crystal formation assisting material (crystal formation assisting agent) 27 that assists in the formation of ice crystals, for example, a silver iodide material (powder of silver iodide). The crystal formation assisting material 27 may be a crystal nucleus forming material that not only assists in the formation of ice crystals but also has an auxiliary function of forming ice crystal nuclei. The second capsule 26 is mainly formed to contain a water-soluble polymer. As the water-soluble polymer, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone with very strong water solubility and hygroscopicity can be used. When the second capsule 26 melts and breaks, the powder of silver iodide scatters, functions as a nucleus of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud, and assists in the formation of ice crystals. In a developing cumulonimbus cloud, if the crystal formation assisting material 27 acts on the upper part of the cumulonimbus cloud earlier, it can promote the creation of ice crystals, advance the rainfall start timing of the cumulonimbus cloud, and accelerate the progress of the cumulonimbus cloud into the decay stage.

[0032] The second capsule 26 is mainly formed to melt by the highly humid air introduced from the ventilation part 28. The second capsule 26 maintains its capsule shape under an environment with relatively low humidity (RH < 10%), such as the stratosphere. On the other hand, when the second capsule 26 enters an environment with relatively high humidity (RH > 80%), such as in the troposphere below the tropopause interface or in the upper part of the cumulonimbus cloud, it absorbs moisture and partially or completely melts out, so it can no longer maintain its original capsule shape and breaks. Therefore, the crystal formation assisting material (crystal formation assisting agent) inside the second capsule 26 can be released and scattered outside the capsule device 20. Each second capsule 26 stores a crystal formation assisting material with a weight in the range of about 40 mg to 50 mg. Although the second capsule 26 is assumed to absorb moisture and melt or break, it may also break under the pressure from the expansion part 24 as the expansion part 24 expands. Since the timing of the first capsule 22 breaking due to the moisture absorption of the expansion part 24 and the timing of the second capsule 26 breaking due to moisture absorption are relatively close, even if the expansion of the expansion part 24 affects the destruction of the second capsule 26, it can still have a certain effect of scattering the crystal formation assisting material into the cumulonimbus cloud B.

[0033] The ventilation part 28 forms a ventilation flow path extending from the first capsule 22 to the expansion part 24. The ventilation part 28 can pass the air outside the first capsule 22 to the inside of the expansion part 24. The ventilation part 28 includes, for example, a vent hole (vent aperture) 28a extending from the outer peripheral surface of the first capsule 22 to the inside of the expansion part 24, and a ventilation layer flow path 28b with a predetermined width formed between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26. The vent hole 28a forms a tubular passage. The pore diameter of the vent hole 28a is a value within the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. A plurality of vent holes 28a may be formed from the outer surface toward the ventilation layer flow path 28b. Also, the vent hole 28a can be changed to an arbitrary position such as the lower part or the upper part of the first capsule 22.

[0034] The ventilation layer flow path 28b is formed by a generally spherical gap space between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26. The ventilation layer flow path 28b constitutes a ventilation flow path through which air can communicate between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26. The ventilation layer flow path 28b communicates with the vent hole 28a. By forming the vent hole 28a and the ventilation layer flow path 28b, air having humidity can easily act on the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26, and it can lead to an improvement in the operation speed of expansion and stable operation. Note that between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26, a support part 28c formed of the same material as the water-soluble material of the second capsule 26 is provided. By the support part 28c, the space of the ventilation layer flow path 28b can be maintained relatively stably and the second capsule 26 can be maintained relatively stably. The support part 28c is formed to extend from the outer surface of the second capsule 26 to the inner surface of the expansion part 24 at a part of the entire circumference. The support part 28c may be formed by a string-like member being wound around a part of the outer surface of the second capsule 26 to form a gap space. In this way, the support part 28c forms a ventilation flow path between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26. Note that the support part 28c may be omitted and the second capsule 26 may be simply arranged inside with a space sandwiched between it and the inside of the expansion part 24. Also, the shape and size of the support part 28c can be changed in such a manner that a gap space can be formed between the expansion part 24 and the second capsule 26.

[0035] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention are not limited to the above, and further other modifications can be applied. Based on the disclosed technology, various alternative embodiments and examples are apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition to the disclosed configuration, the capsule device 20 in one embodiment may, as a modification, include fins 40 as shown in FIG. 4. The fins 40 extend outward from the outer surface of the first capsule 22. FIG. 4 shows a state where the capsule device 20 including the fins 40 is falling downward. In a top view, the fins 40 are arranged to extend in a cross shape and are formed by four blade-like fins extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction among the horizontal directions. By providing the capsule device 20 with the fins 40 in this way, when the capsule device 20 freely falls, the straight-ahead property of the capsule device 20 downward in the vertical direction is easily ensured. Further, it is possible to suppress the capsule device 20 from flowing laterally due to a lateral wind. For example, the fins 40 may be formed of a water-soluble material, a paper-like material, a naturally decomposable material, or the like. After the capsule device 20 is dropped, it takes approximately several seconds to several tens of seconds for the capsule device 20 to fall. Even with a relatively simple structure, if the fin shape is maintained until the capsule device 20 breaks, a certain degree of function can be achieved.

[0036] Examples of one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in each aspect as described below.

[0037] (1) A capsule device that is dropped from the stratosphere above a developing cumulonimbus cloud to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud, comprising a first capsule formed to break at least partially under a predetermined internal pressure, an expansion part formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule, and a second capsule formed inside the expansion part, wherein at least a part of the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble material, and the second capsule houses an ice crystal formation assisting material for assisting the formation of ice crystals, and a ventilation part extending from the first capsule to the expansion part. According to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, there is provided a capsule device 20 that is dropped from the stratosphere above a developing cumulonimbus cloud to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud, comprising a first capsule 22, an expansion part 24 formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand by moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule, and a second capsule 26 formed inside the expansion part, wherein at least a part of the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble material, and the second capsule houses an ice crystal nucleation assisting material, and a ventilation part 28 extending from the first capsule to the expansion part. Thus, when the expansion part of the capsule device dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud reaches the upper part of the cumulonimbus cloud, the expansion part expands due to the moisture in the cumulonimbus cloud, the first capsule 22 breaks, and the second capsule 26, at least a part of which is formed of a water-soluble material, dissolves in the moisture and releases the internal ice crystal formation assisting material into the cumulonimbus cloud. Thereby, it is possible to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud by dropping from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud and accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud. Therefore, it is possible to accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud and weaken the power of the cumulonimbus cloud before the cumulonimbus cloud brings a disaster-level heavy rain.

[0038] (2) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the first capsule is formed to have a strength to withstand an external force received from the air at the terminal velocity during free fall.

[0039] (3) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the expansion part is arranged so that at least a part thereof is in contact with the inner surface of the first capsule.

[0040] (4) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the expansion part is formed in a hollow spherical shape while at least a part thereof is in contact with the inner surface of the first capsule.

[0041] (5) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the expansion part is formed of a humidity-responsive polymer.

[0042] (6) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the first capsule has a fragile part that is easily broken when receiving a force from the inside.

[0043] (7) The capsule device according to (1), wherein the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble membrane member.

[0044] (8) Further, the capsule device according to (1), comprising fins extending from the first capsule.

[0045] (9) A system comprising a flying object that reaches the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud, and the capsule device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the flying object is provided with a dropping device that drops the capsule device from the stratosphere. According to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, a system 1 can be provided that includes a flying object 2 that reaches the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud and the capsule device 20, and the flying object 2 is provided with a dropping device 4 that drops the capsule device from the stratosphere. With such a system 1, by being dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud, it is possible to assist in the formation of ice crystals in the cumulonimbus cloud and accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud. Therefore, it is possible to accelerate the arrival of the decay period of the cumulonimbus cloud and weaken the power of the cumulonimbus cloud before the cumulonimbus cloud brings disaster-level heavy rain.

[0046] (10) The system according to (9), wherein the dropping device includes a drying chamber that stores the capsule device in a dry state until dropping.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1: System 2: Flying object 4: Dropping device 12: Drying chamber 20: Capsule device 22: First capsule 23: Weak part 24: Expansion part 26: Second capsule 27: Ice crystal formation auxiliary material 28: Ventilation part 40: Fin

Claims

1. A capsule device that assists in the formation of ice crystals in a developing cumulonimbus cloud by being dropped from the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus cloud, A first capsule formed so that at least a part of the first capsule is broken by a predetermined internal pressure; an expansion part formed inside the first capsule and configured to expand due to moisture and break at least a part of the first capsule; A second capsule formed inside the expansion portion, at least a part of the second capsule being made of a water-soluble material, and the second capsule containing an ice crystal formation assistant material that assists in the formation of ice crystals; a vent portion extending from the first capsule to the expansion portion.

2. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the first capsule is formed to have a strength sufficient to withstand an external force received from air at a terminal velocity during free fall.

3. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion portion is disposed so that at least a portion of the expansion portion is in contact with an inner surface of the first capsule.

4. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion portion is at least partially in contact with an inner surface of the first capsule and is formed in a hollow spherical shape.

5. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the expansion portion is formed of a humidity responsive polymer.

6. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the first capsule has a fragile portion that is easily broken when subjected to an internal force.

7. The capsule device according to claim 1 , wherein the second capsule is formed of a water-soluble film member.

8. The capsule device of claim 1 , further comprising a fin extending from the first capsule.

9. A flying object that reaches the stratosphere above the cumulonimbus clouds, The capsule device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The system, wherein the air vehicle includes a dropping device that drops the capsule device from the stratosphere.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the dropping device includes a drying chamber for storing the capsule device in a dry state until dropping.

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