FR2697227A1

FR2697227A1 - Hot air balloon lift system - uses transparent cylindrical tower with semi-spherical support structure and directed air inlets

Info

Publication number: FR2697227A1
Application number: FR9209021A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Beuret Patrice
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-07-20
Filing date: 1992-07-20
Publication date: 1994-04-29

Abstract

The hot air balloon lift system has a transparent cylindrical tower (1) inside which the balloon (2) can freely ascend and descend. The tower has an open end (3), and is supported by a semi-spherical structure (4) which is also transparent and fitted with access openings (5). Air inlets (6) direct air towards the base of the structure (7) and under the balloon. The upper portion of the balloon envelope (8) is positioned below the lower part of the tower. The balloon is guided vertically by three cables (9) each arranged in the same axis. USE/ADVANTAGE - As a tourist attraction. Allows balloon ascents to be made in safety regardless of weather conditions during the day or night.

Description

ASCENSEUR A BALLON
DESCRIPTION
La présente invention concerne un dispositif permettant l'ascension d'une montgolfière a air chaud maintenue captive, à l'intérieur d'une tour de verre ou de tout autre matériaux transparent, de forme cylindrique.BALLOON ELEVATOR
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a device allowing the ascent of a hot air balloon held captive, inside a glass tower or of any other transparent material, of cylindrical shape.

L'usage d'un ballon à air chaud permet de transporter des passagers à une altitude variable soit librement, ou captif retenu au sol à l'aide d'une ou pusieurs cordes. The use of a hot air balloon makes it possible to transport passengers at a variable altitude either freely, or captive retained on the ground using one or more ropes.

flans la situation dite "captive", ou le ballon est maintenu au sol par une corde, cette condition de vol ne peut s'effectuer que par vent nul ou faible. le vent exerce sur le ballon une force augmentant la force de traction sur la ou les cordes de retenue. Dans la situation "captive", il devient impossible, voir dangereux de voler dans des conditions de vent élevées. In the so-called "captive" situation, where the balloon is held on the ground by a rope, this flight condition can only be carried out in zero or weak wind. the wind exerts on the ball a force increasing the pulling force on the retaining cord (s). In the "captive" situation, it becomes impossible, even dangerous, to fly in high wind conditions.

Le dispositif suivant l'invention permet de remédier à cet inconvénient. The device according to the invention overcomes this drawback.

I1 comporte en effet l'utilisation d'une tour cylindrique transparente (I) permettant d'isoler le ballon des perturbations aérologiques extérieures. Cette tour transparente dont la structure reste à définir en fonction de la hauteur que l'on veut atteindre, est cylindrique. D'un diamètre légèrement supérieur au diamètre de l'enveloppe du ballon. Cette tour a pour fonction de guider et de protèger à la fois le ballon (2) dans son ascension verticale. Tout en l'isolant des conditions extérieures. I1 indeed involves the use of a transparent cylindrical tower (I) making it possible to isolate the balloon from external aerological disturbances. This transparent tower whose structure remains to be defined according to the height that we want to reach, is cylindrical. Of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the envelope of the balloon. This tower has the function of guiding and protecting both the balloon (2) in its vertical ascent. While isolating it from external conditions.

L'extrèmité supérieure de cet édafice (3) est ouvert pour permettre une situation régulère de l'évacuation de l'air. The upper end of this building (3) is open to allow a regular situation of the air evacuation.

La partie inférieure de la tour (4), est constituée de toute l'ifrastructure nécessaire au maintien d'un tel édifice dont la hauteur peut être supérieure à 10 On. The lower part of the tower (4) is made up of all the necessary infrastructure to maintain such a building, the height of which can be greater than 10 On.

La partie inférieure constituant la base de soutien, peut être demi sphèrique, également transparente, permettant l'acceuil du ballon en son centre, et abritant des conditions -extérieures les opérations de gonflage de l'enveloppe. Par ailleurs cette demi sphère permet d'abriter le matériel technique ainsi que les passagers et même un restaurant. The lower part constituting the support base, can be semi-spherical, also transparent, allowing the reception of the balloon in its center, and sheltering external conditions the operations of inflation of the envelope. In addition, this half sphere makes it possible to house technical equipment as well as passengers and even a restaurant.

Trois ouvertures sont prévues (5) l'une pour le service technique, l'autre pour l'entrée des passagers, et la troisième pour la sortie. Three openings are provided (5) one for the technical service, the other for the entry of passengers, and the third for the exit.

indépendament de l'isolement des conditions aérologiques extérieures que permet cette construction, il sera fait un usage judicieux de l'aération continuelle provoqué par la différence de température au sol et au sommet s'apparentant à l'effet de cheminée. regardless of the isolation of the external aerological conditions that this construction allows, careful use will be made of the continuous ventilation caused by the temperature difference on the ground and at the top, similar to the chimney effect.

L'air pénètrant par les bouches à air (6) situées dans la partie inférieure de la demi sphère, sous le sol, montant dans la tour, pourra etre à l'origine de courants ascensionnels très puissant facilitant l'ascension du ballon. Ce courant
ascensionnel canalisé vers et sous le centre du dispositif (7) pourra être régulé par des vannes de régulations d'air pouvant ouvrir ou interrompre totalement le flux de l'air.The air entering through the air vents (6) located in the lower part of the hemisphere, under the ground, rising in the tower, could be the source of very powerful updrafts facilitating the ascent of the balloon. This current
upward channeled to and under the center of the device (7) can be regulated by air regulation valves which can fully open or interrupt the flow of air.

Dans le cas d'une utilisation rationnelle de cette particularité inhérente à la dimension de l'édifice, l'ascension du ballon peut être entreprise avec un minimum de combustible. In the case of rational use of this peculiarity inherent in the size of the building, the ascent of the balloon can be undertaken with a minimum of fuel.

Dès que le ballon chauffé par l'intervention du pilote est à son poids O (zéro) par le principe des différences de température ext / int, provoquant une différence de masse volumique, il suffit de provoquer un lèger appel d'air pour que le ballon soit porté et soulevé par ce simple courant d'air et entreprenne son ascension avec un minimum de consommation d'énergie.As soon as the balloon heated by the pilot's intervention is at its weight O (zero) by the principle of temperature differences outside / inside, causing a difference in density, it suffices to cause a slight call for air for the balloon is carried and lifted by this simple draft and begins its ascent with a minimum of energy consumption.

A l'intérieur de la tour, 3 cables tendu du sol au sommet de la tour (9) espacés de I20 degrés sur une circonférence égale à l'équateur de l'enveloppe du ballon le guideront dans son ascension. 3 anneaux à cliquet fixés sur la toile coulissent le long des cables et annulent toute giration du ballon sur lui même en le maintenant constament dans le même axe. Inside the tower, 3 cables stretched from the ground to the top of the tower (9) spaced 120 degrees on a circumference equal to the equator of the balloon envelope will guide it in its ascent. 3 ratchet rings fixed on the canvas slide along the cables and cancel any gyration of the balloon on itself by keeping it constantly in the same axis.

La tranparence de la construction de l'édifice est impérative pour permettre aux passagers à bord de la nacelle de voir le panorama dans les meilleures conditions.The transparency of the construction of the building is imperative to allow passengers on board the nacelle to see the panorama in the best conditions.

Le diamètre de la tour cylindrique peut varier en dimension suivant le type de ballon utilisé, dont la capacité de transport de passager peut varier de 4 - 8 - I2 et plus. Ce point est important car il définit le diamètre de la construction de la partie cylindrique. Plus le transport de passagers est important, plus le ballon est gros, et la tour doit être construite en conséquence. The diameter of the cylindrical tower can vary in size depending on the type of balloon used, whose passenger carrying capacity can vary from 4 - 8 - I2 and more. This point is important because it defines the diameter of the construction of the cylindrical part. The larger the passenger transport, the larger the balloon, and the tower must be built accordingly.

La circonférence intérieure de la tour doit être lisse et sans aspérité. Le centre de la base circulaire de l'édifice permet de situer l'endroit précis ou sera effectué le décollage et l'atterrissage du ballon, dont le sommet de l'enveloppe (8) sera présenté dans la partie inférieure de la tour avant son ascension grace au système de guidage par cable. The inner circumference of the tower should be smooth and without roughness. The center of the circular base of the building makes it possible to locate the precise place where the takeoff and landing of the balloon will be carried out, the top of the envelope (8) of which will be presented in the lower part of the tower before its ascent thanks to the cable guidance system.

Ce dispositif a également l'avantage de permettre des ascensions la nuit avec un éclairage approprié. Sa décoration et sa conception architecturale, ainsi que son fonctionnement peuvent contribuer à le rendre particulièrement attractif. This device also has the advantage of allowing ascents at night with appropriate lighting. Its decoration and architectural design, as well as its functioning, can help make it particularly attractive.

Ce dispositif fait appel pour sa construction à des ingénieurs et des architectes de haut niveau. La forme et la structure générale sera en fonction des matériaux utilisés et des techniques de montage employée ainsi que de la hauteur déterminée. This device calls for high-level engineers and architects for its construction. The shape and general structure will depend on the materials used and the mounting techniques used as well as the height determined.

Le dispositif suivant l'invention est particulièrement destiné au domaine touristique, son implantation est prévue aux abords des grandes métropoles ou à proximité de sites natures ou construits par l'homme, qui présentent des aspects spectaculaires et caractérisés par leur gigantisme. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the tourist sector, its implantation is provided on the outskirts of large metropolises or near natural or man-made sites, which have spectacular aspects and are characterized by their gigantic size.

Les dessins annexés illustrent l'invention:
La figure I représente en coupe le dispositif suivant l'invention de manière schématique, comportant les éléments suivants:
-I- Tour cylindrique transparente
-2- Montgolfière à air chaud
-3- Ouverture au sommet
-4- Structure de l'édifice
-5- Ouverture d'accès
-6- Conduit d'air
-7- Chambre de régulation d'air
-8- Sommet de l'enveloppe et partie inférieure de
la tour
-9- Cable de guidage.The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure I shows in section the device according to the invention in a schematic manner, comprising the following elements:
-I- Transparent cylindrical tower
-2- Hot air balloon
-3- Opening at the top
-4- Structure of the building
-5- Access opening
-6- Air duct
-7- Air regulation chamber
-8- Top of the envelope and lower part of
tower
-9- Guide cable.

La figure 2 représente en vue de dessus le même dispositif avec la particularité de mieux présenter les bouches et conduits d'air (6) et la chambre de régulation (7) sans la présence du ballon. Figure 2 shows a top view of the same device with the particularity of better presenting the vents and air ducts (6) and the regulation chamber (7) without the presence of the balloon.

Claims

I) Device for transporting passengers in a hot air balloon while being totally isolated from the aerological conditions characterized by the construction and the use of a transparent cylindrical tower (I) inside which, the balloon evolves freely vertically going up and down (2) this tower is provided at its upper end with an opening (3) supported by a transparent semi-spherical infrastructure (4) also consisting of access openings (5) provided with air vents (6) whose air sucked in by the chimney effect is channeled below to converge at the center and at the base of the building (7) under the balloon whose top of the envelope (8) is located at the start from the lower part of the tower. The vertical balloon is guided by three cables (9) keeping it in the same axis.

2) Device according to claim I characterized in that it completely isolates the upward movements of the balloon, from external aerological conditions.

3) Device according to claim I characterized by a diameter of the transparent cylindrical tower (I) slightly greater than the diameter of the envelope of the balloon used.

4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it allows the balloon (2) to be guided in its vertical ascent or descent.

5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by an opening (3) to cause a draft of air similar to the chimney effect.

6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the construction of a ~ ç ---- support infrastructure (4) having a semi-spherical or frustoconical shape, also constructed with transparent materials, allowing the reception of passengers and protecting technical installations ensuring operation in the best conditions.

7) Device according to the preceding claims characterized by three openings (5) allowing access to the interior.

8) Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized by three air vents outside the building (6) necessary to cause a call for air.

9) Device according to claim 8 characterized in that the air arriving in the air vents (6) is channeled underground to converge towards the center of the reception base (7), under the balloon resting on a wire rack.

I0) Device according to claim 8 and claim (9) characterized by the possibility of promoting the ascent of the balloon by thermal regulation of the ascending current from the center (7) using pneumatically or electrically adjustable valves.

II) Device according to claim 8 and claim 9 characterized in that it helps to assist the ascent of the balloon (2) with minimum gas consumption.

I2) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the transparency of the building (I) using plastics or any other resistant and transparent material for its construction.

I3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the building vary according to the type of balloon used (2), its transport capacity, and the height to be reached.

I43 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal circumference of the tower is smooth and without roughness.

I5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it makes it possible to locate the ball in its center by concentric marks on the ground (7) and makes it possible to locate the upper part of the envelope (8) of the ball , starting from the tower in its lower part using guide cables (9) preventing it from turning on itself and rubbing the walls during its ascent or descent.

I6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it makes it possible to fly at night, with lighting of the appropriate building.

I7) Device according to all of the preceding claims from I to I6, characterized by the ultimate principle consisting in raising an object freed from its own weight by an autonomous system (in this case the rise in air temperature contained inside a balloon envelope) to the point that its weight becomes zero.

therefore, all the features and previous claims help to promote its vertical displacement by using the fact of the power of air, transformed in this principle into rising current pushing the balloon up the tower.

The descent is ensured by a reheating of the air contained in the envelope, carried out by the pilot, and a joint reduction in the air flow controlled by a technician on the ground intervening on the air regulation valves.