FR2708370A1 - Device for writing in the sky - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device making it possible to send out a series of clouds into the sky which are arranged in a matrix of parallel lines, which, seen from the ground, forms a graphical representation capable of containing words or images. It consists of a series of dispensers (of smoke, of mist, of powder or of aerosols) individually controlled by an automatic system and arranged along a boom which keeps a constant spacing between each of these dispensers. This dispenser boom is held in a straight line in the sky, the relative displacement of the surrounding air resulting in the cloudy emissions, which may be coloured or uncoloured, along parallel lines. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for writing information messages, advertising slogans, artistic creations and various signs in the sky.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for writing in the sky thanks to a series of smoke diffusers, mists, or powders arranged in a battery and individually controlled by an automaton, so as to emit in the sky a series of lines of parallel smoke of variable length. It can be implemented by aircraft or balloons, or by land or sea vehicles towing a flying wing or a parachute.

Current means for writing in the sky consist of a smoke generator attached to an aircraft which evolves so as to trace the letters of a message one by one. This process requires an aircraft capable of operating at a relatively high altitude (about 5000 m) while remaining sufficiently maneuverable, as well as an experienced pilot. In addition, the time required to write a message according to this method is relatively long and it is not uncommon for the start of the message to be unreadable before the end of the message is written.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to simplify this operation considerably.

 It indeed has, according to a first characteristic, a series of diffusers (smoke, mist, powder or aerosols) arranged along a ramp which maintains a constant spacing between each of these diffusers. This ramp of diffusers is maintained in a rectilinear manner in the sky and can be either driven by a linear movement perpendicular to the ramp, or kept fixed relative to the ground, the relative displacement relative to the air being ensured in the first case by the movement of the ramp, and in the second case by the wind. The different diffusers are individually controlled by an automatic system, in order to draw a matrix of shorter or shorter parallel lines, all of these lines forming a monochrome or polychrome graphic representation.

According to particular embodiments: - The ramp on which the diffusers are fixed is formed by a cable fixed to the ground and stretched at its upper end by the action of a balloon or a flying wing, the wind ensuring the linear flow of smoke clouds emitted by diffusers.

- The ramp on which the diffusers are fixed is suspended at its upper end from a flying wing towed by a maritime or land vehicle.

- The ramp on which the diffusers are fixed is towed by an aircraft by means of a network of shrouds allowing the ramp to maintain a rectilinear shape.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a variant of this device, suspended from a balloon or a flying wing.

FIG. 3 represents a variant of this device, suspended from a flying wing.

Figures 4, 5, 6 show the device towed by an aircraft.

Figure 7 shows one of the boxes containing the diffusers
With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a flexible link (1) along which are fixed smoke, gas, powder or aerosol diffusers (2), as well as the cables and pipes necessary for the operation of these diffusers (3).

In the embodiment according to Figure 4, - The ramp on which the diffusers are fixed is formed of a cable stretched at each of its ends by the action of fins (4).

- The ramp of diffusers can be rotated during the flight to facilitate the reading of the message from the ground, by means of flaps (5) fixed on the fins and whose action varies the angle between the writing plane and a plane horizontal.

- The device is folded up when the aircraft takes off, and can advantageously be housed in a fairing (6) allowing the aircraft to maintain sufficient aerodynamic characteristics.

- The device can be deployed in flight by means of one or more winches (7) on which it is wound.

- The device can be folded up in flight thanks to a series of intermediate shrouds (8), each fixed on the ramp between two diffusers and at equal distance from them, these shrouds being winched so that the entire ramp either folded and then rolled up when the diffusers reach their housing (9).

- The device comprises a set of knives (10), located on either side of the guide holes (11) for output of the winches. The action of these knives cuts the shrouds thus allowing the emergency release of the towed part of the device.

- The device comprises parachutes (12) incorporated in the shrouds, which are deployed as soon as the tractive effort applied to the shrouds ceases, so as to allow the soft landing of the dropped device in the event of an emergency.

- The diffusers can be housed in streamlined boxes (13) in the form of fins, so as to promote the stability and aerodynamics of the device.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for writing in the sky information messages, advertising slogans, artistic creations and various signs.

The device comprises a series of diffusers (smoke, mist, powders or aerosols) arranged along a support; one or more cables form a ramp maintaining a spacing between the diffusers; the diffusers are actuated individually for a variable duration; this duration is calculated by an automaton as a function of the graph to be created and the movements of the ambient air with respect to the ramp; the diffusers make scroll in the sky a series of clouds generating a matrix of more or less long lines, whose organization forms a graphic, polychrome or monochrome representation, composed of images or texts readable from the ground.

The ramp is suspended vertically from a balloon or a flying wing, fixed relative to the ground; the scrolling of the message is ensured by the movement of air.

The ramp is suspended from a balloon or a flying wing towed by a land or sea vehicle.

The reserve of products necessary for the diffusers is suspended at the lower end of the ramp; It thus acts as ballast promoting the tension and stability of the ramp.

The ramp is towed by an aircraft and is stretched at each of its ends by the action of fins (4).

The diffusers ramp can be swiveled during the flight to facilitate the reading of the message from the ground, by means of flaps (5) fixed on the fins; the action of the fins varies the angle between the writing plane and a horizontal plane.

The device can be deployed in flight by means of one or more winches (7); it is wound when the aircraft takes off; it can advantageously be housed in a faired support (6) fixed to the aircraft allowing the aircraft to retain the aerodynamic characteristics necessary for its operation.

The device can be folded up in flight; this thanks to a series of intermediate shrouds (8), each fixed on the ramp between two diffusers and equidistant from them; the shrouds are winched so that the entire ramp is folded and then wound up when the diffusers reach their housing (9).

The device comprises a set of knives (10); they are located on either side of the guide holes (11) for output of the winches. The action of these knives cuts the shrouds thus allowing the emergency release of the towed part of the device; The device comprises parachutes (12) incorporated into the shrouds; they are deployed as soon as the traction force applied to the shrouds ceases, so as to allow the soft landing of the dropped device.

Each diffuser (or group of diffusers) is housed in a streamlined housing (13); this acts as a fin, so as to improve the stability and aerodynamics of the ramp.

Claims (10)

1) Device for writing in the sky characterized in that it comprises a series of diffusers controlled so as to make scroll in the sky a series of clouds generating a matrix of more or less long lines, the organization of which forms a graphic representation , polychrome or monochrome, composed of images or texts readable from the ground. 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the ramp is suspended vertically from a balloon or a flying wing, fixed relative to the ground, the scrolling of the message being provided by the movement of air. 3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the ramp is suspended from a balloon or a flying wing towed by a land or sea vehicle. 4) Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 characterized in that the reserve of products necessary for the diffusers is suspended at the lower end of the ramp, thus acting as ballast promoting the tension and the stability of the ramp. 5) Device according to claim i characterized in that the ramp is towed by an aircraft and is formed of a cable, stretched at each of its ends by the action of fins (4). 6) Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the ramp of diffusers is adjustable during the flight to promote reading of the message from the ground, by means of flaps (5) fixed on the fins and whose action varies the angle between the writing plane and a horizontal plane. 7) - Device according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that the device can be deployed in flight by means of one or more winches m on which it is wound when the aircraft takes off, and can advantageously be housed in a faired support (6) fixed to the aircraft allowing the aircraft to maintain the aerodynamic characteristics necessary for its operation. 8) Device according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that the device can be folded in flight thanks to a series of intermediate shrouds (8), each fixed on the ramp between two diffusers and at equal distance from these, these shrouds being winched so that the entire ramp is folded and then rolled up when the diffusers reach their housing (9). 9) Device according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that The device comprises a set of knives (10), located on either side of the guide holes (11) for output of the winches. The action of these knives cuts the shrouds thus allowing the emergency release of the towed part of the device, and that the device comprises parachutes (12) incorporated in the shrouds, which are deployed as soon as the traction force applied ceases. to the shrouds, so as to allow the soft landing of the dropped device in an emergency. 10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each diffuser (or group of diffusers) is housed in a streamlined housing (13) acting as a fin, so as to improve the stability and the aerodynamics of the ramp.