Stratospheric balloon having improved compressive strength

Abstract

A three-dimensional structural framework having inflatable rings and a T-shaped cross-section along a plane passing through an axis of revolution of the inflatable rings in an inflated state. Shape-stabilizing elements are provided to stabilize the shape of the structural framework in space. Two inflatable rings are connected by at least one shape-stabilizing element. The structural framework is preferably used to produce stratospheric balloons.

Claims

1. A stratospheric balloon, comprising: a three-dimensional structural framework, comprising a plurality of inflatable circular rings, each inflatable circular ring having a T-shaped cross section in an inflated state; a skin on the structural framework, the skin being taut in the inflated state of the inflatable circular rings of the structural framework; a plurality of shape-stabilizing elements to stabilize a shape of the structural framework in space; and wherein two inflatable circular rings are connected by at least one shape-stabilizing element.

2. The stratospheric balloon as claimed in claim 1, wherein one shape-stabilizing element is a rigid element.

3. The stratospheric balloon as claimed in claim 1, wherein one shape-stabilizing element is an inflatable circular ring having a T-shaped cross section in the inflated state.

4. The stratospheric balloon as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of inflatable circular rings are adjacent and each of the adjacent inflatable circular rings have an internal volume and the internal volumes communicate with each other.

5. The stratospheric balloon as claimed in claim 4, wherein each inflatable circular ring has an internal volume and all the internal volumes communicate with each other.

6. The stratospheric balloon as claimed in claim 1, wherein one inflatable circular ring has an internal volume divided into two independent chambers which are inflated or deflated selectively with respect to one another.

7. A stratospheric balloon, comprising: a structural framework comprising a plurality of inflatable rings, each inflatable ring having a T-shaped cross section in an inflated state; a plurality of shape-stabilizing elements to stabilize a shape of the structural framework in space; a skin on the structural framework, the skin being taut in the inflated state of the inflatable rings of the structural framework; and wherein two inflatable rings are connected by at least one shape-stabilizing element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described more precisely within the context of entirely non-limiting preferred embodiments, represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of part of an example of a stratospheric balloon represented in the form of a torus, created from a plurality of inflatable rings, in a first exemplary arrangement, and an enlargement of a transverse section of the torus,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of part of an example of a stratospheric balloon represented in the form of a torus, created from a plurality of inflatable rings, in another exemplary arrangement, and an enlargement of a transverse section of the torus,

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of part of an example of a stratospheric balloon represented in a lenticular form, created from a plurality of inflatable rings, in another exemplary arrangement,

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a transverse section through a ring in the inflated state, illustrating its T-shaped cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) The invention will now be described in the non-limiting case of a stratospheric balloon 1.

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 describe two examples of a toroidal stratospheric balloon. FIG. 3 describes an example of a lenticular stratospheric balloon.

(8) The stratospheric balloon 1 comprises: a structural framework 10 in a three-dimensional space, comprising: a plurality of inflatable rings 100, a plurality of means 150 for stabilizing the shape of the structural framework 10 in space, a skin 20 stretched over the structural framework 10.

(9) In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, for the sake of clarity, a half-torus is represented. In FIG. 1, only eleven inflatable rings 100, in an inflated state, and four shape-stabilizing means are illustrated. In FIG. 2, twenty-eight inflatable rings 100, in an inflated state, and four shape-stabilizing means are illustrated.

(10) An inflatable ring 100 is preferably circular and has an internal volume 110.

(11) The inflatable ring 100 is inflated by the introduction of a fluid into its internal volume 110. Preferably, the inflatable ring 100 is inflated using air, the density of this being low (1.204 kg/m.sup.3 at 20 C.), but it is also conceivable to fill it with another fluid such as helium, of substantially lower density, hydrogen or even methane.

(12) In one embodiment of the inflatable ring 100, the inflatable ring 100 is created from a structure of criss-crossed threads, of the woven grid type, whose mesh is chosen so as to withstand the internal pressure forces. The structure is covered with a coating which acts as a barrier to the internal inflation fluid.

(13) In another embodiment of the inflatable ring 100, said inflatable ring 100 has a structure of criss-crossed threads, of the woven grid type, into which are injected polymer vapors which deposit on the structure and polymerize in the form of a very thin film so as to seal open portions of the structure of criss-crossed threads.

(14) In the two preceding embodiments, the structure of criss-crossed threads comprises for example aramid threads, such as Kevlar.

(15) In an inflated state, the inflatable ring 100 has, in a plane passing through an axis of revolution of the inflatable ring 100, a T-shaped cross section, with a head 101 and a foot 102, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

(16) In order to obtain a T-shaped cross section, the inflatable ring 100, initially generally of circular or oval cross section 103, as illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 4, is deformed into a T shape by sewing or stitching with threads, for example made of Kevlar.

(17) Advantageously, such a cross section of an inflatable ring 100 permits, with respect to a conventional circular or oval cross section of an inflatable ring, a better compressive strength for a smaller inflated internal volume and thus a smaller mass.

(18) The foot 102 of the T is preferably as long as possible. The length of the foot 102 depends on the external pressure exerted on the inflatable ring 100, it being known that, generally, the longer the foot of the T, the stronger it is with respect to the exerted external pressure.

(19) The head 101 advantageously permits an increased contact surface between the inflatable ring 100 and the skin 20. In one dimensioning example, the width of the head is substantially equal to a thickness of the foot 102 of the T.

(20) The present invention is not limited to the example of an inflatable ring 100 having a T-shaped cross section, as has been described and illustrated. A person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the invention to cross sections of the inflatable ring 100 which have not been described and which make it possible to withstand the pressure in a minimum volume, that is to say a fluid mass in the internal volume 110 at least equivalent to that of the inflatable ring 100 of T-shaped cross section.

(21) In one example of a cross section, an I-shaped cross section may be envisaged.

(22) In one embodiment of the inflatable ring 100, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the internal volume 110 of the inflatable ring 100 is divided into two independent chambers 115. The two independent chambers 115 are inflated and/or are deflated selectively with respect to one another, for example by means of a valve 116. In the example of FIG. 3, the volume is divided into two chambers, one upper chamber 115a and one lower chamber 115b. Thus, when the stratospheric balloon 1 is to be slowly brought back down, one solution would consist in deflating the lower chamber 115b of several inflatable rings 100, allowing the balloon to descend in the manner of a parachute.

(23) In one embodiment of the structural framework 10, two adjacent inflatable rings 100 are connected by at least one shape-stabilizing means 150, each shape-stabilizing means 150 being connected, at two opposite ends 201, to two inflatable rings 100.

(24) The shape-stabilizing means 150 are arranged so as to prevent any deformation of the shape of the structural framework 10 in space, under the effect of external pressure forces exerted on said structural framework 10.

(25) The shape-stabilizing means 150 also ensure the mechanical stability of the structural framework 10.

(26) Choosing the number of shape-stabilizing means and positioning them between the plurality of inflatable rings 100, so as to prevent, in the plane, any deformation of the shape of the structural framework 10 under the effect of exerted external pressure forces, is within the capabilities of one skilled in the art.

(27) In a first embodiment of shape-stabilizing means 150, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, said shape-stabilizing means is an inextensible element.

(28) An inextensible element is understood as an element which exhibits zero or near-zero deformation for the forces which the structural framework 10 will have to withstand.

(29) In one exemplary embodiment, an inextensible element is an inextensible thread, by means of which it is possible not to weigh down the structural framework 10.

(30) This inextensible thread is made, for example, from materials such as aramid, for example a Kevlar thread having very good mechanical properties in tension (breaking strength of the order of 3100 MPa and Young's modulus between 70 and 125 GPa) and fatigue properties, or a composite, for example a carbon thread having a tensile strength of the order of 7000 MPa and a Young's modulus of the order of 520 GPa.

(31) In another exemplary embodiment, the inextensible element is a rigid element, that is to say an element whose shape and dimensions experience no substantial changes while the structural framework 10 is in use. This rigid element forms a spacer, that is to say it makes it possible to maintain a constant separation between the inflatable rings 100 to which it is connected.

(32) In the example of FIG. 1, two inflatable rings 100 are connected by two inextensible elements.

(33) In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, a means 150 for stabilizing the shape of the structural framework 10 in space is an inflatable ring 100, or a portion of an inflatable ring, of T-shaped cross section in the inflated state.

(34) The inflatable rings 100 are connected such that the internal volumes of at least two adjacent inflatable rings 100 communicate with one another and such that the same fluid circulates in the internal volumes and inflates them.

(35) Preferably, the inflatable rings 100 are configured such that the internal volumes of all the inflatable rings 100 communicate with one another such that the same fluid circulates in all the internal volumes and inflates them. Thus, only a single inlet is required to inflate the structural framework 10.

(36) The skin 20 is chosen so as to be strong enough not to rupture under the external pressure forces.

(37) The skin is configured so as to be taut when all the inflatable rings 100 which constitute the structural framework 10 are in the inflated state.

(38) In one example of the skin 20, the skin 20 comprises an air-tight membrane and a structure of criss-crossed threads, of the grid type, whose mesh is chosen so as to withstand the external pressure forces.

(39) Preferably, the membrane is made of a material such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE).

(40) Preferably, the membrane is made of a transparent material.

(41) A transparent material is understood as a material through which solar and infrared radiation can pass, with minimum absorption. This material may in particular consist of polyethylene or polyester, which are the materials generally used to make stratospheric balloons.

(42) Preferably, the structure of criss-crossed threads comprises for example at least one thread made of a material chosen from among the following: metal, aramid such as Kevlar, carbon, etc.

(43) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the skin 20 is stretched over an external peripheral contour of each inflatable ring 100.

(44) A contour of an inflatable ring 100 is formed by an external surface of the head of the T.

(45) In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the skin 20 is stretched over only part of the external surface 104 of the head 101 of the T.

(46) In the embodiment of the torus of FIGS. 1 and 2, said torus further comprises a rim 120.

(47) In one exemplary embodiment of the rim 120, said rim being loaded in compression, the rim 120 consists of a chain connecting a plurality of successive inflatable rings 100 to each other, preferably, but in a non-limiting manner, of T-shaped cross section.

(48) The components of the structural framework 10 (that is to say the inflatable rings 100 and the means 150 for stabilizing the shape of the structural framework 10 in space), possibly the rim if present, by virtue of their natures and their shapes, are chosen such that the stratospheric balloon withstands external pressure forces of the order of at least 50 hPa, the individual load depending on the shape of the stratospheric balloon and on the number of inflatable rings 100 placed to create it while keeping to an acceptable mass.

(49) In the case of the application to the stratospheric balloon 1, it may advantageously be envisaged to fill the internal volume of the stratospheric balloon, between the inflatable rings 100, with a vacuum. The total weight of the stratospheric balloon is thus considerably reduced.

(50) The present invention is not limited to toroidal or lenticular stratospheric balloons. A person skilled in the art will be capable of adapting the invention to shapes which have not been described, for example a spherical shape, or a non-axisymmetric toroidal shape.

(51) The above description clearly illustrates that, by virtue of its various features and their advantages, the present invention achieves the objects set. In particular, it proposes a closed structure having a shape, by way of a structural framework, which withstands the compressive forces acting on it, without implying a penalty for the weight of the structure.