Inflatable flying object

Abstract

Provided is an inflatable flying object that can more efficiently regulate pressure. The inflatable flying object is characterized in including: a pressure regulating device that regulates an internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; a pressure sensor that is configured to acquire information on the internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; and an altitude sensor that is configured to acquire altitude information, wherein the pressure regulating device does pressure regulation according to a difference between a setting pressure and the internal pressure acquired from the pressure sensor so as to fill a deficiency of the internal pressure, the setting pressure being set lower as an altitude is lower based on the altitude information acquired from the altitude sensor.

Description

INFLATABLE FLYING OBJECT

[0001] The present disclosure relates to inflatable flying objects.

[0002] Inflatable flying objects are the structures of hollow members that are floated in the air by filling the members with gas (air or any other gas). Among inflatable flying objects, patent literature 1 discloses an inflatable kite having a hollow main tube defining the shape of a leading edge, and hollow sub-tubes crossing the extending direction of the main tube. These tubes enclose gas such as air. Pressure regulating devices that regulate the relationship between the pressures in the two air chambers of the respective sub-tube are herein also disclosed.

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] JP 7264138 B2Summary

[0004] The pressure difference between the insides and the outsides of inflatable flying objects keeps the shapes of the objects. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the internal pressures in order to maintain the shapes in environments where outside air pressures fluctuate. In particular, when an inflatable flying object in the sky is going to be descended to the ground, it is necessary to increase the internal pressure of the object because the outside air pressure largely fluctuates. However, the pressure increasing speed here depends on the performance of the pressure regulating instrument, and therefore, the descent speed is affected by the performance of the pressure regulating instrument. Further, when a high-performance pressure regulating instrument is used to obtain the enhanced performance thereof, the weight thereof increases, which is not preferable.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an inflatable flying object that can more efficiently regulate the pressure.

[0006] The present application discloses an inflatable flying object, characterized in comprising: a pressure regulating device that regulates an internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; a pressure sensor that is configured to acquire information on the internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; and an altitude sensor that is configured to acquire altitude information, wherein the pressure regulating device does pressure regulation according to a difference between a setting pressure and the internal pressure acquired from the pressure sensor so as to fill a deficiency of the internal pressure, the setting pressure being set lower as an altitude is lower based on the altitude information acquired from the altitude sensor.

[0007] In the inflatable flying object, the pressure regulating device may include a pressure accumulator.

[0008] In the inflatable flying object, the pressure regulating device may be mechanically controlled.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, pressures corresponding to altitudes can be set when pressure regulation is performed. Thus, the regulating amount (the amount of gas for the regulation) can be reduced, and the time for the pressure regulation can be shortened. As a result, the inflatable flying object can be descended faster than conventional ones even with conventional pressure regulating devices. Further, the weights of pressure regulating devices may be reduced. This can achieve weight reduction on the inflatable flying object.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of an inflatable kite 10.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inflatable kite 10.Fig. 3 illustrates a pressure regulating device 18.Fig. 4 illustrates a controller 30.Fig. 5 illustrates setting pressures.Fig. 6 illustrates a flow of a pressure regulating control S10.Fig. 7 illustrates an inflatable flying object 50.Fig. 8 illustrates one example of another embodiment.Fig. 9 illustrates another example of the other embodiment.

[0011] Among inflatable flying objects, an inflatable kite that is floated in the air on the principle of kite is hereinafter described as one embodiment. The present disclosure can be also applied to inflatable flying objects other than the inflatable kite, such as closed-type balloons, and inflatable deployable wings.

[0012] 1. Embodiment 1 1.1. Structure Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate structure of an inflatable kite 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the inflatable kite 10, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inflatable kite 10 (viewed in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1), and Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross section of the inflatable kite 10 taken along B-B where interest is focused on structure of a pressure regulating device 18. Each drawing also shows the directions in the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. The x direction may be referred to as a width direction, the y direction may be referred to as a depth direction, and the z direction may be referred to as a thickness direction.

[0013] As can be seen from these drawings, the inflatable kite 10 according to this embodiment is configured to have a main tube 12, sub-tubes 14, a sheet 16, and the pressure regulating device 18. Such an inflatable kite 10 is tied to the ground with a tether (not shown), and is held as being floated in the air on the principle of kite as known. Each structure is hereinafter described.

[0014] 1.1.1. Main Tube The main tube 12 is a hollow cylindrical member forming the main part of the skeleton of the inflatable kite 10, and is arranged so as to define a leading edge of the inflatable kite 10. The inside of the hollow is filled with gas such as air and any other gas (for example, He) and expands whereby the main tube 12 functions as the skeleton.

[0015] In this embodiment, the main tube 12 is configured to be in an arcuately curved form as a whole in a plan view (the view in Fig. 2, or the drawing where the x-y plane is viewed). That is, the shape of the main tube 12 is configured in such a manner that the further the main tube 12 extends apart from the center in the x direction, the more the main tube 12 extends towards the trailing edge in the y direction. While the main tube 12 in this embodiment is configured to be arcuate as a whole, the extending direction thereof changes like a polygonal line, and the main tube 12 extends straight to have the same y coordinate in the y direction within the range from the center thereof to a predetermine x coordinate on either side in the x direction (straight line part 12a). In this embodiment, the main tube 12 is configured taperingly, so that the cross-sectional area thereof is smaller as taken closer to either end in the extending direction thereof. The main tube 12 is not limited to the foregoing, but may curve smoothly like a curved line, and may be configured to maintain the cross-sectional area thereof even as taken closer to either end in the extending direction thereof.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the hollow shape of the main tube 12 is configured to be in a circular form, but is not limited to this, either, and may be in the form of ellipse or polygon.

[0017] The material forming the main tube 12 is not particularly limited. Preferably, a material having both strength and lightweight properties is used. In this embodiment, a fabric impregnated with resin is used. For example, carbon fibers may be used for fibers forming the fabric. Examples of resin as used herein include thermosetting resins that cure by heat; and epoxy resins and unsaturated polyester resins including amine or anhydride-based curing accelerators and rubber-based reinforcing agents.

[0018] 1.1.2. Sub-Tubes The sub-tubes 14 are subsidiary hollow cylindrical members forming part of the skeleton of the inflatable kite 10. The sub-tubes 14 may be provided if necessary, and no sub-tube may be provided if unnecessary. The insides of the hollows of the sub-tubes 14 are also filled with gas such as air and any other gas (for example, He) and expand whereby the sub-tubes 14 function as part of the skeleton.

[0019] In this embodiment, the sub-tubes 14 are formed so as to extend from the trailing edge side face of the main tube 12 toward the trailing edge. In this embodiment, the two sub-tubes 14 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the x direction, and the ends of the both sub-tubes 14 on the leading edge side are connected to the straight line part 12a. The main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 may communicate with each other via the insides thereof, or may be separated from each other. In this embodiment, the sub-tubes 14 are configured taperingly, so that the cross-sectional areas thereof are smaller as taken closer to the trailing edge side compared to the leading edge side. The sub-tubes 14 are not limited to the foregoing, but may be configured to maintain the cross-sectional areas in the extending direction thereof. In this embodiment, the number of the arranged sub-tubes 14 are two, but is not limited to this, and may be one, or may be at least three.

[0020] In this embodiment, the hollow shapes of the sub-tubes 14 are configured to be in circular forms, but are not limited to this, and may be in the form of ellipse or polygon. The material forming the sub-tubes 14 can be considered in the same manner as in the case of the main tube 12.

[0021] 1.1.3. Sheet The sheet 16 is a sheet-like member arranged so as to fill to stretch across the place surrounded by the arcuately formed main tube 12. In this embodiment, the sub-tubes 14 are arranged in this place. Thus, the sheet 16 is arranged so as to stretch across the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14. The sheet 16 receives air in the sky whereby the inflatable kite 10 floats in the sky. None of the material forming the sheet, the thickness of the sheet, etc. is particularly limited, and a known sheet can be used.

[0022] 1.1.4. Pressure Regulating Device The pressure regulating device 18 is a device that fills gas inside the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14, and regulates the internal pressure of the tubes. In this embodiment, the pressure regulating device 18 is arranged on part of the top face of the sheet 16 between the two sub-tubes 14 (the top side in the z direction), but is not limited to this, and may be arranged at any other position. The pressure regulating device 18 is preferably arranged somewhere around the center in the x direction (width direction ) in view of balancing the weight of the inflatable kite 10. In this embodiment, the pressure regulating device 18 has a pressure regulator 20, a pressure sensor 22, an altitude sensor 24, and a controller 30. Each structure is hereinafter described.

[0023] <Pressure Regulator> The pressure regulator 20 is an instrument that regulates the pressure inside the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 (only when any sub-tube 14 is included). Therefore, the pressure regulator 20 can include a main body 20a, and a pipe 20b extending from the main body 20a to the inside of the main tube 12, and if necessary, to the insides of the sub-tubes 14. That is, as shown by the straight arrow in Fig. 3, gas can be filled in the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 via the pipe 20b by the operation of the main body 20a in the pressure regulator 20. On the contrary, the pressure regulator 20 may be configured so that gas can be discharged from the inside of the main tube 12, and if necessary, from the insides of the sub-tubes 14 to the outside via the pipe 20b in the opposite manner of the foregoing. When the sub-tubes 14 are included, the pipe 20b may be arranged inside the main tube 12 alone in the aspect where the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 communicate with each other via the insides thereof, but other pipes 20b are also arranged preferably inside the sub-tubes 14 in the aspect where the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 do not communicate with each other via the insides thereof.

[0024] Any specific aspect of the main body 20a of the pressure regulator 20 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, a pressure pump for air is used as the main body 20a. Pressure pumps for air are devices capable of taking in air by the use of electricity, and hereinafter may be referred to as "pressure regulating pumps" for convenience.

[0025] In this embodiment, the main body 20a of the pressure regulator 20 is electrically connected to the controller 30, and the operation thereof is controlled in response to command signals from the controller 30. Specific control will be described later.

[0026] <Pressure Sensor> The pressure sensor 22 is a sensor that measures the pressure inside the main tube 12. When the sub-tubes 14 are included, the pressure sensor 22 may be arranged inside the main tube 12 alone in the aspect where the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 communicate with each other via the insides thereof, but other pressure sensors 22 are also arranged preferably inside the sub-tubes 14 in the aspect where the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 do not communicate with each other via the insides thereof. The pressure sensor 22 is electrically connected to the controller 30, which enables the pressure measurement results obtained by the pressure sensor 22 to be sent to the controller 30 as signals. Any specific aspect of the pressure sensor is not particularly limited. The pressure sensor may be of any type such as deferential presser measurement type, absolute pressure measurement type, electrical type, and mechanical type.

[0027] <Altitude Sensor> The altitude sensor 24 is a sensor that measures the altitude which the inflatable kite 10 reaches. The altitude sensor 24 measures the atmospheric pressure to obtain the altitude corresponding thereto. Thus, the altitude sensor 24 can be disposed in the outside air, that is, on the peripheral face of the main tube 12 or of either of the sub-tubes 14, on the surface of the sheet 16, or the like. The altitude sensor 24 is electrically connected to the controller 30, which enables the altitude measurement results obtained by the altitude sensor 24 to be sent to the controller 30 as signals. Any specific aspect of the altitude sensor is not particularly limited, and a sensor of an electrical type, a mechanical type, or any other type may be used. The altitude sensor may be of such a type that a measurement system such as a GPS is outside the system, or that the measurement is completed inside the system, such as a barometric altimeter.

[0028] <Controller> The controller 30 is a controller that controls the pressure regulation of the inflatable kite 10 of the present embodiment. More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 30 is a controller that acquires at least the pressure value by the pressure sensor 22 and the altitude by the altitude sensor 24 to control the operation of the pressure regulator 20. It is not necessary that the controller 30 be a dedicated controller for the foregoing, but the controller 30 may also have any other functions for controlling the inflatable kite 10. The aspect of the controller 30 is not particularly limited, but typically, the controller 30 can be configured by a computer. Fig. 4 schematically shows a configuration example of a computer 30 as the controller 30.

[0029] The computer 30 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that is a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 that operates as a work area, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 33 as a storage medium, a reception unit 34 that is an interface for the computer 30 to receive both wired and wireless information, and an output unit 35 that is an interface for the computer 30 to send both wired and wireless information to the outside. The reception unit 34 is configured in such a manner that the pressure sensor 22 and the altitude sensor 24 are electrically connected thereto and the pressure value and the altitude can be acquired as electric signals. The output unit 35 is configured in such a manner that the pressure regulator 20 is electrically connected thereto and the operation of the pressure regulator 20 can be controlled.

[0030] Computer programs for executing each step for the pressure regulating control carried out in the inflatable kite 10 of this embodiment are stored in the computer 30 as specific commands. In the computer 30, the CPU 31, the RAM 32 and the ROM 33 as hardware resources cooperate with the computer programs. Specifically, the CPU 31 allows the computer programs recorded in the ROM 33 to be executed in the RAM 32, which operates as a work area, based on the pressure information and the altitude information acquired via the reception unit 34, thereby implementing the operation. The information acquired or created by the CPU 31 is stored in the RAM 32. Based on the acquired results, commands are sent to the pressure regulator 20 via the output unit 35 if necessary. Next, specific control will be described.

[0031] 1.2. Control by Controller (Pressure Regulating Control) In the inflatable kite of the present disclosure, the pressures corresponding to altitudes are set in view of the altitude information, and regulated in addition to the internal pressure of the main tube, and, if necessary, the sub-tubes. In this embodiment, such regulation is performed based on the control by the controller 30.

[0032] 1.2.1. Setting Pressures Prior to descriptions of specific control, the relationship with the altitudes that are used for the calculations of the setting pressures for this control will be described, which is schematically shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows the relationship between altitudes and setting pressures where the horizontal axis shows altitudes (for example, 0 to 5000 m), and the vertical axis shows setting pressures for the internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes (for example, 0 to 30 kPa). Fig. 5 shows the relationships of three examples: example 1 is shown linearly, drawn by a solid line; example 2 is shown in the upward convex curved form, drawn by a dotted line; and example 3 is shown in the downward convex curved form, drawn by a long dashed short dashed line. These are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In each example, the relationship is in such a manner that the setting pressure varies according to altitudes: the lower the altitude is, the lower the setting pressure is.

[0033] For example, in the relationship as in example 1, which is shown linearly, setting pressures can be obtained by a so-called rule-of-three calculation. Specifically, setting pressures are obtained as the following equation 1. Assuming that a high altitude is defined as H, the setting pressure at this altitude is defined as PH, and the setting pressure when the altitude is 0 is defined as P0 as shown in Fig. 5, the setting pressure PN at a certain altitude N is given by the following equation (1):

[0034] The foregoing relationship between setting pressures and altitudes can be used in the control by acquiring such a relationship in advance by an experiment or the like to create the relational expression thereof or a map showing the relationship, and storing it in the ROM 33 of the controller 30 or the like as a database.

[0035] Conventionally, the internal pressure of an inflatable structure is controlled so as to be kept at a fixed value but not according to altitudes (the broken line in Fig. 5, "conventional relationship"). Therefor, pressure regulation is performed in such a manner that the internal pressure of an inflatable structure is kept at a fixed value even when the altitude is lost by a descent thereof so that it may be unnecessary for the internal pressure to be so high. Thus, filling with gas more than need is required, which requires improvement in performance of filling machines to accelerate filling. In contrast, the present disclosure solves this, and can enhance flexibility over altitudes. More septically, see the undermentioned descriptions.

[0036] 1.2.2. Control Example Next, a control example to which the foregoing relationship between altitudes and setting pressures is applied will be described. Fig. 6 shows a flow of a pressure regulating control S10. Hereinafter each step included in the pressure regulating control S10 is described. As described above, these steps are each executed by, by the controller 30, collecting information from each device based on the programs stored in the controller 30, doing calculations, and controlling each device based on the results of the calculations.

[0037] <Acquiring Altitude Information> In step S11 of acquiring altitude information, the altitude (N in Fig. 5) is measured by the altitude sensor 24, and the information thereof is acquired by the controller 30.

[0038] <Calculating Setting Pressure> In step S12 of calculating the setting pressure, the controller 30 calculates the setting pressure (PN in Fig. 5) from the altitude (N) acquired in step S11 of acquiring altitude information based on the aforementioned relationship between setting pressures and altitudes. By this, the internal pressure of the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 of the inflatable kite 10 that should be set at this altitude is obtained.

[0039] <Acquiring Internal Pressure> In step S13 of acquiring the internal pressure, the internal pressure PI of the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 of the inflatable kite 10 is measured by the pressure sensor 22, and the information thereof is acquired by the controller 30.

[0040] <Determination> In determination step S14, the relationship between the magnitudes of the setting pressure (PN) and the internal pressure (PI) is calculated by the controller 30. More specifically, the controller 30 calculates whether the setting pressure (PN) is higher than the internal pressure (PI) (PN > PI), and if the determination is Yes, the process goes to step S15 of increasing the pressure with a pressure regulator. In contrast, if the determination is No, the present situation is maintained (maintaining step S16), the process returns to step S11 of acquiring altitude information, and the pressure regulating control S10 is repeated.

[0041] <Increasing Pressure with Pressure Regulator> In step S15 of increasing the pressure with a pressure regulator, the controller 30 operates the pressure regulator 20 to feed gas to the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 of the inflatable kite 10, and increases the internal pressure of the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 so as to supplement an insufficiency pressure. For increasing the internal pressure, the gas feeding amount may be determined from the relationship between increases in the internal pressure, and the feeding gas amounts obtained in advance based on the subtraction of the internal pressure from the setting pressure acquired in the determination step S14. In this case, the relationship between the gas feeding amounts, and increases in the internal pressure that is stored in the controller 30 as a database in the form of relational expression or map is used. Other than the above, increases in the internal pressure may be controlled by measuring the internal pressure by the pressure sensor 22 while feeding gas to the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 with the pressure regulator 20, and feeding the gas with the pressure regulator 20 until the measurement result thereof is equal to or more than the setting pressure.

[0042] Thereafter, the process returns to step S11 of acquiring altitude information, and each step is carried out again.

[0043] 2. Embodiment 2 Fig. 7 illustrates embodiment 2. The viewpoint in Fig. 7 is the same as that in Fig. 5. The basic idea and control about an inflatable kite 50 according to embodiment 2 are also the same as those about the inflatable kite 10. The inflatable kite 50 of embodiment 2 is different in including a pressure regulator 60 instead of the pressure regulator 20 of the inflatable kite 10. Thus, here, the pressure regulator 60 will be described. The same reference sings as in the inflatable kite 10 are added to the corresponding other members, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0044] The pressure regulator 60 is also an instrument that regulates the pressure inside the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 (only when any sub-tube 14 is included). In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 60 can include an accumulating member 61, a solenoid valve 62, and the pipe 20b extending from the solenoid valve 62 to the inside of the main tube 12, and, if necessary, to the insides of the sub-tubes 14.

[0045] The accumulating member 61 can be configured by a so-called high pressure tank. Enclosed here under a high pressure condition is gas to be fed to the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14. The solenoid valve 62 is arranged at the gas outlet of the accumulating member 61. The solenoid valve 62 permits or regulates the outflow of the gas from the accumulating member 61. The solenoid valve 62 is electrically connected to, for example, the output unit 35 of the controller 30, and opens or closes according to commands from the controller 30. That is, as shown by the straight arrows in Fig. 7, opening the solenoid valve 62 in the pressure regulator 60 allows the gas of a high pressure to fill the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 via the pipe 20b from the accumulating member 61. The opening and the closing of the solenoid valve 62 correspond to the operation of the pressure regulator 20, and enable the pressure regulating control to be performed.

[0046] According to this embodiment, pressure can be applied in response to rapid descents caused by downbursts etc. in addition to exertion of the undermentioned effects of the present disclosure.

[0047] 3. Anther Embodiment As another embodiment, the control can be performed using mechanical sensors. As one example, the tension of the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 is detected. The tension of the surfaces of the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14 reflects the pressure inside the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14. Thus, this tension is detected to acquire the condition of the pressure inside the main tube 12 and the sub-tubes 14. For this, for example, as schematically shown in Fig. 8, a plate 80 is situated in a state where one end thereof is energized by a spring 81 so as to press the surface of the main tube 12. When the pressure inside the main tube 12 is higher than the outside air, as in Fig. 8, the rear end of the plate 80 is not in contact with a switch 82. However, when the pressure inside the main tube 12 is lower than the outside air, as shown by the arrows C in Fig. 8, the end of the plate 80 moves so as to press the main tube 12, the rear end thereof moves in the opposite direction to come into contact with the switch 82, and the switch 82 is operated. This switch 82 is a switch for operating the controller, the pressure regulating pump, the pressure regulating valve, etc., which allows pressure regulation to be performed.

[0048] As another example, as schematically shown in Fig. 9, a cylinder 84 including a piston 85 that moves by pressure difference is configured in such a manner that a space D on one side thereof is filled with fluid or contains an elastic member so as to be capable of having and keeping the pressure on the ground, and a space E on the other side thereof communicates with the inside of the main tube 12 to reflect the pressure inside the main tube 12. When the pressure inside the main tube 12 is higher than the outside air, as in Fig. 9, the piston 85 is kept at a predetermined position, and a terminal 86 is not in contact with a switch 87. However, when the pressure inside the main tube 12 is lower than the outside air, as shown by the arrow F in Fig. 9, the piston moves, the terminal 86 comes into contact with the switch 87, and the switch 87 is operated. This switch 87 is a switch for operating the controller, the pressure regulating pump, the pressure regulating valve, etc., which allows pressure regulation to be performed.

[0049] According to this embodiment, electrical controls that may cause performance to deteriorate at low temperatures can be reduced, and a stable control can be performed in addition to exertion of the undermentioned effects of the present disclosure.

[0050] 4. Effects etc. Because the internal pressure of the inflatable flying object of the present disclosure is regulated in view of the relationship between altitudes and the internal pressures thereof, the inflatable flying object can keep the shape thereof appropriately by being filled with a relatively small amount of gas due to the appropriate internal pressure thereof corresponding to the altitude thereof particularly even when the inflatable flying object descends and thus the altitude thereof largely changes. When the altitude largely changes, for example, when a flying object descends, it is required to fill a large amount of gas or it takes much time until gas filling is completed for maintaining the shape of the object with the internal pressure fixed as conventional ones, which makes it impossible to perform efficient pressure regulation for efficient flights. In contrast, the inflatable flying object of the present disclosure can descend at a speed to the same degree as conventional ones even with a lighter pressure regulating pump (pressure regulating pump that has low performance on gas feeding) than conventional ones, or allows the descending time to shorten with a pressure regulating pump that is the same as conventional ones. The internal pressures of inflatable flying objects decrease when altitudes thereof are lost. Thus, the regulating amount is reduced whereby the pressure regulating time can be shortened, and inflatable flying objects can be descended faster. Further, because the pressure regulating device can be light-weighted, the weight reduction of the inflatable flying object can be achieved (responsibility to the control, and the limit altitude can be enhanced).

[0051] 4.1. Test Example 1 In test example 1, the air intake amounts of inflatable kites of three examples were measured when the kites were descended from 5000 m to 0 m in altitude. Test example 1-1: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 25 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 1-2: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 15 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 1-3: the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was regulated according to the pressure regulating control S10 in view of altitudes and internal pressures. The setting pressure when the altitude was 5000 m (H in Fig. 5) was set in 25 kPa (PH in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure, and the setting pressure when the altitude was 0 m was set in 15 kPa (P0 in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure to establish the relationship of connecting these pressures by a linear line (example 1 in Fig. 5).

[0052] The results are shown in table 1.

[0053] Table 1

[0054] Here, the "appropriate amount of substance" is the amount of air that should have been held inside every inflatable kite in order to maintain the shape of the kite that had been designed on the ground. It was difficult to define the pressure and the temperature of air according to certain standards because these pressure and temperature fluctuated according to altitudes. Thus, the condition appropriate for maintaining the shape was defined for every altitude according to the amount of substance of air that had been held inside the kite. According to this, pressure regulation as in the present disclosure (test example 1-3) allowed the difference in appropriate amount of substance to be suppressed to a low degree. This means that the amount of air that had fed to the inflatable kite could be suppressed to a low degree.

[0055] 4.2. Test Example 2 In test example 2, the times required for descending inflatable kites from 5000 m to 0 m in altitude were compared. A pressure regulating pump A with a weight of 70 g was used in test example 2-1, and a pressure regulating pump B with a weight of 90 g was used in test example 2-2. Pressure regulation was controlled for each pressure regulating pump as follows.

[0056] <Test Example 2-1> Test example 2-1A: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 25 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 2-1B: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 15 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 2-1C: the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was regulated according to the pressure regulating control S10 in view of altitudes and internal pressures. The setting pressure when the altitude was 5000 m (H in Fig. 5) was set in 25 kPa (PH in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure, and the setting pressure when the altitude was 0 m was set in 15 kPa (P0 in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure to establish the relationship of connecting these pressures by a linear line (example 1 in Fig. 5).

[0057] <Test Example 2-2> Test example 2-2A: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 25 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 2-2B: pressure regulation was performed, so that the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was kept at 15 kPa in gauge pressure. Test example 2-2C: the setting internal pressure of the main tube and the sub-tubes was regulated according to the pressure regulating control S10 in view of altitudes and internal pressures. The setting pressure when the altitude was 5000 m (H in Fig. 5) was set in 25 kPa (PH in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure, and the setting pressure when the altitude was 0 m was set in 15 kPa (P0 in Fig. 5) in gauge pressure to establish the relationship of connecting these pressures by a linear line (example 1 in Fig. 5).

[0058] The results are shown in table 2.

[0059] Table 2

[0060] As can be seen from the results, the time until the descent was completed could be shortened by the pressure regulating control of the present disclosure (test examples 2-1C and 2-2C) with either of the pressure regulating pumps. Further, as can be understood from test example 2-1C, and the comparison between test examples 2-1C and 2-2C, the pressure regulating control of the present disclosure allowed light pressure regulating pumps to be applied.

[0061] 4.3. Others The inflatable flying object of the present disclosure can be used as a high-altitude platform in the air for, for example, wind power generation, photovoltaic power generation, communication relaying, meteorological observation, and experimental sites.

[0062] 10 Inflatable kite 12 Main tube 14 Sub-tube 16 Sheet 18 Pressure regulating device 20 Pressure regulator 22 Pressure sensor 24 Altitude sensor 30 Controller

Claims

1. An inflatable flying object, characterized in comprising: a pressure regulating device that regulates an internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; a pressure sensor that is configured to acquire information on the internal pressure of the inflatable flying object; and an altitude sensor that is configured to acquire altitude information, wherein the pressure regulating device does pressure regulation according to a difference between a setting pressure and the internal pressure acquired from the pressure sensor so as to fill a deficiency of the internal pressure, the setting pressure being set lower as an altitude is lower based on the altitude information acquired from the altitude sensor.

2. The inflatable flying object according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating device includes a pressure accumulator.

3. The inflatable flying object according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating device is mechanically controlled.

Images