Flying device

Abstract

The present invention provides a flying object device that makes it easier for radar detection results to display the object as part of a cumulonimbus cloud. [Solution] The balloon 4 of the present invention is a flying object device 1 that flies in the air, comprising a cluster-shaped balloon 2 having a gas inside that generates buoyancy and a collection of spherical parts, and a powdery scatterer 10 that is arranged inside the cluster-shaped balloon 2 and causes irregular scattering of radar waves.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a flying object device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a method of detecting a flying object using a radar has been proposed. For example, for detection using a radar, a stealth-type flying object with extremely low radio wave reflectivity has been proposed.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the method of reducing the reflection of radar waves by the stealth-type flying object method and making it appear as if it does not exist has a problem that there is a limit to making it appear non-existent. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive research. Different from the method of reducing the radio wave reflectivity by the conventional stealth-type flying object, they have studied whether it is possible to make the flying object device be misrecognized as another object, for example, mimic it, in the result display of radar waves.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a flying object device that can easily display a display that appears as part of cumulonimbus clouds in radar detection results.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present invention, the flying object device makes it easier to display the object as part of a cumulonimbus cloud in the radar detection result display. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a flying vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing a flying vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a flying vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the structure of the exterior component of a flying vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a flying vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes a flying vehicle device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described herein are illustrative and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, changes, and substitutions are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, and various modifications, changes, etc., are possible in its form and details without departing from the claims. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the specification can be freely combined.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the flying object device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention forms a flying object device that flies in the sky. The flying object device 1 has the function of mimicking a cloud in radar detection results. The flying object device 1 comprises a tufted balloon 2 which is a tufted body, an inner balloon 6 formed inside the tufted balloon 2, and a powdery scatterer 10. The inventors of this invention have conducted extensive research and discovered that cumulonimbus clouds develop vertically in the atmosphere to an altitude of 10 to 16 km, with ice crystals, supercooled water droplets, and hail present in the upper layer. They also found that cumulonimbus clouds exhibit strong scattering properties for radar waves, resulting in highly noisy reflection characteristics that vary spatially and temporally. Focusing on these characteristics, the inventors discovered that by constructing a flying object device with radio wave reflection behavior similar to that of a cumulonimbus cloud, it is possible to display an object in a way that causes it to be mistakenly identified as part of a cumulonimbus cloud in radar results. Therefore, this invention is based on the inventors' newly discovered findings and their discovery of a technique to actively mimic the noisiness of a cumulonimbus cloud in radar results, causing the flying object device 1 to be mistakenly identified as part of a cumulonimbus cloud, for example, by mimicking a cumulonimbus cloud.

[0011] The tufted balloon 2 contains a gas that generates buoyancy and forms a balloon-like shape when inflated. The tufted balloon 2 flies in the air above the ground G (see Figure 1). The tufted balloon 2 can fly at an altitude H, for example, at the same height as a cumulonimbus cloud or above a cumulonimbus cloud. The tufted balloon 2 may be configured to fly in the troposphere, tropopause, or stratosphere. The altitude H at which the tufted balloon 2 flies is, for example, in the range of 10 km to 20 km, or in the range of 13 km to 16 km, or in the range of 10 km to 12 km.

[0012] The cluster balloon 2 is formed by a collection of spherical parts. In other words, the cluster balloon 2 is formed by the combination of spherical parts. The cluster balloon 2 is inflated, for example, with helium gas. The cluster balloon 2 comprises a spherical base 3 and a dome-shaped part 4 that protrudes from the spherical base. The cluster balloon 2 has a dome-shaped part 4 that extends outward from the spherical base 3, and the cluster balloon 2 forms a shape resembling a bunch of grapes.

[0013] The spherical base 3 forms a balloon larger than the dome-shaped portion 4. The spherical base 3 is mainly formed in a spherical shape and is configured to generate the greatest buoyancy within the cluster balloon 2. The spherical base 3 has a diameter, for example, in the range of 1m to 20m, or in the range of 1m to 10m. The spherical base 3 is connected to the dome-shaped portion 4, and as shown in Figure 3, the internal space of the spherical base 3 is in communication with the internal space of the dome-shaped portion 4.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the dome-shaped portion 4 forms a spherical portion when combined with the spherical base portion 3. The spherical portions come together to form a cluster-like balloon 2. This spherical portion includes not only a perfect sphere but also hemispherical, partially spherical, and dome shapes. The dome-shaped portion 4 forms a dome-shaped portion that protrudes from a part of the outer surface of the spherical base portion 3. The dome-shaped portion 4 is provided to protrude at multiple locations on the outer surface of the spherical base portion 3. The height of the protrusion of the dome-shaped portion 4 varies. For example, one dome-shaped portion 4 forms a dome-shaped portion where approximately half of the sphere protrudes. Another dome-shaped portion forms a dome-shaped portion where approximately two-thirds of the sphere protrudes. Yet another dome-shaped portion forms a dome-shaped portion where approximately one-third of the sphere protrudes. The varying sizes and shapes of the dome-shaped portions make it easier for radar reflections to become irregular.

[0015] The dome-shaped portion 4 forms a spherical part of the spherical portion. The average diameter of the dome-shaped portion 4 is in the range of 0.3m to 1.0m. The dome-shaped portion 4 forms randomly protruding parts relative to the spherical base portion 3. The tufted balloon 2 is formed asymmetrically with respect to the center and central axis. Therefore, the tufted balloon 2 is prone to irregular movement in terms of radar wave reflection and rotation direction due to wind, making radar reflection more likely.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, the exterior member 30 of the spherical base 3 and the dome-shaped portion 4 comprises a dielectric foam layer 32, a reflection modulation layer 34, a radio wave scattering enhancement layer 36, and a gas bag material layer 37. For example, the exterior member 30 has the dielectric foam layer 32, the reflection modulation layer 34, the radio wave scattering enhancement layer 36, and the gas bag material layer 37 formed in that order from the outside, but the order can be changed arbitrarily. Note that in Figure 4, only a part of the exterior member 30 is shown in an enlarged view for illustrative purposes.

[0017] The dielectric foam layer 32 is formed of, for example, a polyimide-based foam material. Therefore, the dielectric foam layer 32 has a function of promoting multiple reflections of radar waves inside. The dielectric foam layer 32 is formed so that the relative permittivity becomes a value within the range of 1.2 to 1.5. The dielectric foam layer 32 is formed so that the foam pore diameter becomes a value within the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0018] The reflection modulation layer 34 forms a layer that causes spatial reflection modulation for radio waves in the C band to X band mainly with Mie scattering. The reflection modulation layer 34 has a function of facilitating the generation of spatial reflection modulation. Therefore, when a radar wave hits the reflection modulation layer 34, the reflection modulation layer 34 has a function of changing the reflection characteristics (reflectivity, phase, polarization, etc.). The reflection modulation layer 34 forms, for example, a layer containing aluminum oxide particles. The reflection modulation layer 34 may form, for example, a layer containing hollow silica particles. The particle diameter of the aluminum oxide particles and the hollow silica particles can be a value within the range of 100 μm to 500 μm.

[0019] The radio wave scattering enhancement layer 36 is formed to contain a material containing conductive particles, for example, carbon black. The material containing conductive particles may be formed to contain a magnetic oxide. By containing the material containing conductive particles, the radio wave scattering enhancement layer 36 can exhibit the functions of phase modulation of radio waves of radar waves and weak absorption.

[0020] All or at least a part, a partial combination of the dielectric foam layer 32, the reflection modulation layer 34, and the radio wave scattering enhancement layer 36 of the exterior member 30 causes the reflection from the exterior member 30 not to be a complete reflection, but rather to cause a noisy reflection and a reflection as a pattern with temporal fluctuations, and has scattering characteristics similar to cumulus clouds.

[0021] The gas bladder layer 37 is a layer that constitutes the gas bladder for forming the tufted balloon 2. The gas bladder layer 37 is formed from, for example, a composite material such as polyester film and polyurethane. The gas bladder layer 37 is, for example, a polyethylene composite film. The gas bladder layer 37 can be changed to any material that can form the gas bladder of a balloon or airship. The gas bladder layer 37 has a function, for example, to prevent the internal helium gas from leaking and to maintain the structure of the tufted balloon 2 against wind and rain.

[0022] As described above, the flying device 1 is equipped with an inner balloon 6 inside the cluster balloon 2. The inner balloon 6 forms a balloon that is inflated into a spherical shape. The inner balloon 6 forms a spherical balloon. The powdery scatterer 10 is placed in the space inside the inner balloon 6.

[0023] The powdery scattering material 10 exists within the inner balloon 6 of the tufted balloon 2 in a state where the powdery material is floating in the air. In other words, the powdery scattering material 10 is in a state where the powdery material is diffused within the inner balloon 6. If the inner balloon 6 of the tufted balloon 2 were not moving at all, the powdery scattering material 10 would not be diffused in the air and would be placed at the bottom of the inner balloon 6 by gravity. On the other hand, since the tufted balloon 2 and the inner balloon 6 rotate, move, and sway due to the influence of wind, the powdery scattering material 10 is also easily lifted into the air within the inner balloon 6.

[0024] The powdery scatterer 10 contains ice crystal-like material. The ice crystal-like material is a substance that mimics the natural shape of ice crystals, and mainly contains material with a shape close to the natural shape of ice crystals, for example in the range of 50% to 100%. The powdery scatterer 10 is formed in a polyhedral shape. For example, the polyhedral shape is formed in a hexagonal prism shape. In terms of the structure of the material, the powdery scatterer 10 may form a hexagonal crystal structure. The ice crystal-like material can produce irregular scattering when irradiated with radar waves and has a reflection function that is relatively close to the reflection behavior of radar waves by ice crystals inside cumulonimbus clouds. As a result, when irradiated with radar waves, there is a higher possibility of obtaining a scattering signal that has pseudo-particle motion, unlike static and homogeneous reflection. By forming the powdery scatterer 10 in a polyhedral shape, it is possible to easily produce irregular scattering when irradiated with radar waves. Furthermore, for example, by forming the powdery scatterer 10 in a hexagonal prism shape, it becomes easier to cause more irregular scattering when radar waves are irradiated onto it.

[0025] The ice crystal material is formed in a hexagonal prism shape and comprises a core and a shell. The core is formed, for example, from porous hydrophilic silica or alumina gel (specific gravity 0.1 to 0.3) containing micropores. The shell, on the other hand, is coated with, for example, a thin layer of hygroscopic polymer (e.g., sodium polyacrylate or polyvinyl alcohol) to absorb moisture and achieve an ice-like dielectric constant (approximately 2.5 to 3.5). The dielectric constant and scattering properties of the ice crystal material are designed to be close to those of ice crystals when water is absorbed. Furthermore, the ice crystal material is designed to produce Mie scattering in random directions in the X-band. In addition, the particle shape and internal structure of the ice crystal material are designed to generate a pseudo-random motion signal (a pseudo-Brownian motion signal) as a reflected signal in response to radio wave irradiation.

[0026] The powdery scatterer 10 may be formed to include hollow polymer granules. The hollow polymer granules can cause irregular scattering when irradiated with radar waves and have a reflection function relatively similar to the reflection behavior of radar waves by ice crystals inside cumulonimbus clouds. As a result, when irradiated with radar waves, there is a higher possibility of obtaining a scattering signal that has pseudo-particle motion, unlike static and homogeneous reflection. Because the hollow polymer granules have a hollow shape, they can easily cause irregular scattering when irradiated with radar waves. Furthermore, by forming the hollow polymer granules with a low-density polymer or the like, it is possible to make it even easier to cause irregular scattering when irradiated with radar waves.

[0027] The flying vehicle device 1 further comprises an equipment mounting section 40, a discharge valve 50, and a control unit 60. The equipment mounting section 40 may include, for example, a camera 23, an altitude measuring device 24, a GPS device 27, an operation unit 25, a monitor unit 28, etc. The equipment mounting section 40 may also include, for example, a communication antenna or device. The device mounting section 40 forms a flat substrate. The device mounting section 40 is formed, for example, from a flat plate measuring 5 cm in length and 5 cm in width. The device mounting section 40 can mount the devices described later. The device mounting section 40 may also be configured to electrically connect the devices described later. A small battery is also mounted in the device mounting section 40. The device mounting section 40 is attached to the outer surface of the inner balloon 6, but it may be attached to any other part, such as the inside of the inner balloon 6 or other parts of the tufted balloon. Any device can be mounted in the device mounting section 40. The discharge valve 50 is provided on the spherical base 3 and is capable of releasing gas, such as helium gas, from inside the spherical base 3 to the outside. The discharge valve 50 is composed of a solenoid valve and is electrically connected to the control unit 60. The discharge valve 50 is opened and closed by commands from the control unit 60 and / or the operating unit 25. The discharge valve 50 is generally closed while the flying vehicle device 1 is ascending. When the discharge valve 50 is opened from the closed state, the gas inside is released as needed, reducing buoyancy and allowing the flying vehicle device 1 to return to the ground.

[0028] For example, camera 23 can photograph and observe the surrounding situation from the flying vehicle device 1. Camera 23 allows the surrounding situation to be checked from a remote location. Also, for example, altitude measuring device 24 can measure the altitude H (distance) of the flying vehicle device 1 relative to the ground G, as shown in Figure 1. For example, altitude measuring device 24 is configured by combining, for example, a GPS altimeter and a barometric altimeter. Altitude measurement by the barometric altimeter can be combined with the altitude measurement data reception interval of the GPS altimeter. Furthermore, altitude measuring device 24 may be configured by any combination of a barometric pressure sensor that can measure flight altitude by measuring atmospheric pressure, an ultrasonic sonar that can measure the distance from the flying vehicle device 1 to the ground G, or a laser measurement sensor that can measure the distance from the flying vehicle device 1 to the ground G. In this way, altitude measuring device 24 can measure the altitude H (distance) from the flying vehicle device 1 to the ground G. Also, for example, GPS device 27 is configured to determine the current position of the flying vehicle device 1 using satellites. Furthermore, the control unit 25 is located separately from the main body of the flying vehicle device 1 and is electrically connected to the control unit 60, which will be described later, via wireless communication. The control unit 25 can be remotely operated, for example, by a user. The monitor unit 28 is located on the control unit 25 and displays images and videos acquired by the camera 23, allowing the user to check the images, etc. The monitor unit 28 is electrically connected to the control unit 60 via wireless communication.

[0029] The control unit 60 is located on the equipment mounting section 40. The control unit 60 controls the flight of the flying vehicle 1 and the equipment mounted on the flying vehicle 1. The control unit 60 incorporates a CPU 63 and memory 65, and controls the connected equipment to execute predetermined controls based on predetermined control programs recorded in the memory 65, etc. The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the camera 23, altitude measuring device 24, GPS device 27, etc. These electrical connections may be made by wireless communication or the like.

[0030] According to the embodiment of the present invention configured in this way, the cluster balloon makes it easier for various reflections and scattering to occur when radar waves are irradiated onto the flying object device 1, and the powdery scatterer placed inside the cluster balloon makes it easier for irregular scattering of radar waves to occur. As a result, it is easier for the display to appear as part of a cumulonimbus cloud in the radar detection result display. For example, in the radar detection result display, a pseudo-reflection echo pattern that is very close to the reflection echo pattern of a cumulonimbus cloud can be displayed in radio wave bands such as the C band and X band. In addition, when the flying object device 1 is located close to a cumulonimbus cloud, the physical continuity with the cumulonimbus cloud can improve the false recognition effect in radar using radar waves. Furthermore, it becomes more difficult for aircraft-mounted radar to extract and detect it as a target.

[0031] An example of one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in the following embodiments.

[0032] (1) A flying device for flight, comprising a cluster of balloons having a gas inside that generates buoyancy and a collection of spherical parts, and a powdery scatterer disposed inside the cluster of balloons that causes irregular scattering of radar waves.

[0033] (2) The flying device according to (1), wherein the powdery scattering material contains ice crystal material.

[0034] (3) The flying object device according to (2), wherein the powdery scattering material is formed in a polyhedral shape.

[0035] (4) The flying device according to (3), wherein the polyhedral shape of the powdery scattering material is formed in the shape of a hexagonal prism.

[0036] (5) The flying device according to (1), wherein the powdery scattering material includes hollow polymer granules.

[0037] (6) The flying device according to (1), wherein the average diameter of the spherical portion of the spherical part is within the range of 0.3 m to 1.0 m.

[0038] (7) The flying device according to (1), wherein the cluster of balloons is formed asymmetrically with respect to the center.

[0039] (8) The flying object device according to (1), wherein an inner balloon is provided inside the tufted balloon, and the powdery scattering material is arranged inside the inner balloon.

[0040] (9) The flying device according to (1), wherein the outer casing member of the tufted balloon comprises a dielectric foam layer, the dielectric foam layer is formed such that the relative permittivity is in the range of 1.2 to 1.5 and the foam pore diameter is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0041] (10) The flying device according to (1), wherein the outer casing member of the tufted balloon comprises a material layer containing conductive particles, and the material layer containing conductive particles forms a layer containing aluminum particles.

[0042] (11) The flying object device according to (1), wherein the outer casing member of the tufted balloon comprises a radio wave scattering enhancement layer formed to include a material containing conductive particles.

[0043] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention are not limited to those described above, and further variations can be applied. Various alternative embodiments and examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosed technology. In this embodiment, the powdery scattering material 10 is placed in the space inside the inner balloon 6. However, as a modification, the powdery scattering material 10 may be placed in the space between the tufted balloon 2 and the inner balloon 6. As yet another modification, the powdery scattering material 10 may be placed in both the space inside the inner balloon 6 and the space between the tufted balloon 2 and the inner balloon 6. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1: Flying object device 2: Tassel balloon 4: Dome-shaped section 6: Inner balloon 10: Powder scatterer 30: Exterior components

Claims

1. A flying device that flies through the air, A cluster of balloons, each containing a gas that generates buoyancy, and a spherical section, A flying object device comprising a powdery scattering material disposed within the tufted balloon and causing irregular scattering of radar waves, wherein the outer casing of the tufted balloon comprises a radio wave scattering enhancement layer formed to include a material containing conductive particles.

2. The flying object device according to claim 1, wherein the powdery scattering material includes an ice crystal-like substance.

3. The flying object device according to claim 2, wherein the powdery scattering material is formed in a polyhedral shape.

4. The flying object device according to claim 3, wherein the polyhedral shape of the powdery scattering material is formed in the shape of a hexagonal prism.

5. The flying object device according to claim 1, wherein the powdery scattering material includes hollow polymer granules.

6. The flying object device according to claim 1, wherein the average diameter of the spherical portion of the spherical part is within the range of 0.3 m to 1.0 m.

7. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein the cluster of balloons is formed asymmetrically with respect to the center.

8. The flying object device according to claim 1, wherein an inner balloon is provided inside the tuft-shaped balloon, and the powdery scattering material is arranged inside the inner balloon.

9. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing member of the tufted balloon comprises a dielectric foam layer, the dielectric foam layer is formed such that the relative permittivity is in the range of 1.2 to 1.5, and the foam pore diameter is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

10. The flying object device according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing member of the tufted balloon comprises a material layer containing conductive particles, and the material layer containing conductive particles forms a layer containing aluminum particles.

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