Captive Balloon Support Net Assembly for Crane-Free Large-Area Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support structure assemblies for roofing or shading are labor-intensive to assemble and disassemble, often requiring cranes or working at great heights, especially when covering large areas.
Innovation Solution
A captive balloon support structure assembly using a helium-filled balloon with a lower density than ambient air, supported by a coarse-meshed net and mooring lines, which can be easily assembled and disassembled by a few people, allowing coverage of heights up to 10 m without cranes, with additional features like condensation water collection, photovoltaic cells, and hydrogen generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional support structure assemblies made of tubes, steel girders or wooden rods are used, then structural strength and stability are achieved, but assembly and disassembly become very labor-intensive requiring many helping persons and often cranes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a captive balloon filled with lifting gas to provide buoyancy that counteracts the weight of the support structure assembly. This allows the structure to be lifted and positioned without cranes, and the buoyant force enables easy disassembly by simply releasing the balloon's anchoring connections, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and assembly ease.
2Length of stationary object
If support structure assemblies are designed to cover great heights with respect to the ground, then coverage area is increased, but assembly and disassembly require cranes or roping down of helping persons associated with relatively high effort
Solution Approach 1:
The captive balloon's buoyancy force lifts the entire support structure assembly to the desired height without requiring cranes. The structure can be easily lowered by controlling the balloon's ascent and descent through gas injection or extraction, eliminating the need for complex rigging operations at height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical crane system with a pneumatic/hydrostatic system using the captive balloon. The balloon's gas pressure and buoyancy replace the mechanical lifting force of cranes, enabling height adjustment without complex mechanical equipment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a coarse-meshed support net is used instead of solid tarpaulin or support net, then wind resistance is reduced and permeability is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coarse-meshed support net that allows wind to pass through, significantly reducing wind load and pressure on the structure. The mesh design maintains sufficient structural strength by distributing loads across the net and support elements, resolving the contradiction between wind resistance and structural strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly provides a versatile, structurally simple, and efficient means to cover large areas with reduced labor and equipment needs, offering stability, wind resistance, and potential for energy generation and irrigation.
Implementation Method 1
a captive balloon filled with a lifting gas, which has a lower density than ambient air, and held floating above a ground with a defined rising height
Data Source
AI summary
A captive balloon support structure assembly comprising a captive balloon which is filled with a lifting gas having a lower density than the ambient air and is kept floating at a specific altitude above the ground. A three-dimensional wide-meshed supporting net that is tethered to the ground is placed over the captive balloon.