Balloon Sheltering via Detachable Ring Guideway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sheltering tethered balloons, blimps, and airships from high-speed winds, rainy weather, and ultraviolet radiation are expensive and time-consuming due to the large size of typical balloons, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

Innovation Solution

A method involving detachable rings attached to the outer surface of the balloon, through which a rope is passed to guide a blanket over the balloon, with the rings detaching as the blanket moves, allowing for efficient and rapid coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a piece of blanket or shelter is applied over a balloon envelope to protect it from environmental factors, then the balloon's lifespan is increased, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming due to the large size of typical balloons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballoon lifespanVSAvoidsheltering time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon surface is segmented into multiple attachment points distributed across its envelope. These discrete points allow the guideway to be constructed in modular sections, enabling the sheltering process to proceed systematically across different regions of the balloon rather than requiring simultaneous handling of the entire large surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guideway system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the blanket and the balloon envelope. The guideway, comprising ropes and detachable rings, facilitates controlled movement of the blanket over the balloon surface, transforming the difficult direct operation of covering a large balloon into a manageable guided process that reduces time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballoon lifespanVSAvoidsheltering cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into multiple discrete detachable rings positioned at various points on the balloon. This segmentation allows for standardized, mass-producible components rather than custom-built systems, reducing manufacturing costs while effectively covering the large balloon surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simple, low-cost materials such as ropes and basic detachable ring mechanisms instead of complex expensive equipment. By changing the parameters of the sheltering system to use readily available, inexpensive components, the overall cost of implementing balloon protection is significantly reduced while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If detachable rings are attached to the balloon surface and a rope is passed through them to guide a blanket, then the blanket can be rapidly pulled over the balloon, but the system requires multiple components and attachment steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheltering speedVSAvoidguideway structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guideway is segmented into multiple independent rope-and-ring units distributed around the balloon. Each unit functions as an independent module that can be attached and detached separately, simplifying the overall system while enabling rapid blanket deployment through coordinated action across multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attaching the blanket directly to the balloon and pulling it into place, the system inverts the approach by attaching detachable rings to the balloon and passing ropes through them, then using the ropes to guide and pull the blanket through the ring-guided path. This inverted methodology simplifies the attachment process and increases deployment speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11338897B2Sheltering a balloon

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 MAHMOUDI MOHAMMAD MAHDI

AI summary

A method for sheltering a balloon, a blimp, or airship. The method includes obtaining a first guideway by detachably attaching a first plurality of detachable rings to a first side of an outer surface of the balloon, placing a first rope into the first guideway by passing the first rope through the first plurality of detachable rings, attaching a first end of the first rope to a first point of a blanket, and pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction.