MX2008002803A - Free fall simulator which can display a simulated visual environment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a free fall simulator comprising aerogenerator means (1) and an essentially-cylindrical wind tunnel (2) for receiving people (3) in free fall. The wall (24) of the wind tunnel is made from a film of flexible material which is stretched taut using only two frames (28, 29) which are fixed to the ends of the wind tunnel (2) and to a superstructure (5) that is used to support the wind tunnel (2). The flexible film forming the wall (24) of the wind tunnel (2) is translucent and serves as a screen on which real or simulated images can be projected from the exterior of the tunnel (2) such as to be visible inside the tunnel (2). In a particular embodiment of the invention, the aerogenerator means (1) are disposed in a transport container (74) and the superstructure (5) of the simulator can be disassembled such that the simulator can be easily transported.

Description

FREE FALL SIMULATOR SUITABLE TO PRESENT A SIMULA VISUAL ENVIRONMENT The present invention relates to a free fall simulation device as practiced by the paratroopers by means of a vertical aerodynamic tunnel, that is to say, means intended to keep substantially at least one person in a freefall position in a commercialization of ascending vertical air. More specifically, the invention relates to a free fall simulator that involves means of representing an external visual environment simulated during the simulated free fall. The drive of the paratroopers to the free fall to find out and improve the movements and attitudes that should be made during the freefall phase revealed for a long time the need for economic and safe means, regardless of the weather conditions necessary for the releases from an airplane, to allow learning and driving in all seasons. Some relatively simple means were performed in which the paratrooper hangs on the body and members on the ground by means of elastic suspension ropes. These elastic suspension ropes allow place the paratroopers in some characteristic conditions of the fall, guaranteeing the separation of the ground in an attitude close to that of the free fall and preserving the possibility of making movements, in particular, under the conduct or control of an instructor. Such means, if they are economic, are nevertheless very far from being representative of the reality of the physical phenomena encountered during the freefall and do not allow the paratrooper to experience the effects of the fall or allow him to be properly involved in the control of his position during the fall. drop. The vertical aerodynamic tunnels used in aerodynamic research centers inspired the makers of free fall simulators. In spite of their relatively high costs, these vertical aerodynamic tunnels allow, when their power is sufficient, to guarantee the stationary position of a parachutist in free fall condition in a vein of vertical aerodynamic commercialization in which the air is passed from the lower part upwards of the vein and with compatible speeds to maintain the parachutist in a stable vertical position, typically from 40 m / s to 70 m / s. Different vertical aerodynamic tunnels of this type were designed for fall simulator whose characteristics depend on the objectives of its designers. Thus, some aerodynamic tunnels are of sufficient diameter and power to authorize the simulation of the fall of two or three paratroopers simultaneously to drive the figures made in the jump aids. They have found examples of such free fall simulators in the patents US 3484953 or GB 2094162. In these embodiments, the aerodynamic tunnel infrastructures for example are made in concrete and fixed due to their dimensions and their masses. To equip parachute centers with lower costs and also to perform free fall simulators aimed at discovering the sensations of free fall by the public at fairs and other places of animation, of the lighter construction free and / or transportable fall simulators They have imagined. Some examples of such embodiments are given in patent GB 2062557, which applies an aerodynamic tunnel aerodynamic tunnel closed architecture as in the examples cited above, or patent application WO 83/01380 operating in open streamlined vein, ie , in which the air is rejected entering the vein is taken in the mass of ambient air and the exit from the vein in the ambient air to the top of the simulator. All these simulators present more or less elaborate means to access the test vein but, outside protective nets or padding of the walls of the aerodynamic vein in which the paratroopers evolve to the drive, do not intrinsically guarantee the safety of the people who perform a simulated jump. In the aforementioned application WO 83/01380, the walls of the aerodynamic vein are made of a flexible material such as a fabric or sheet of a transparent material, but the rigid structures are arranged near the flexible walls of the aerodynamic vein a which these walls are connected by candles. This arrangement of the aerodynamic vein and its maintenance does not guarantee that the person evolving in a state of free fall will not hit a rigid structure in the event of a collision with the wall of the flexible aerodynamic vein, and even less in case of failure of the wall flexible, for example a tear. Despite the personal protections that are used, in particular, helmets and special combinations, incidents and accidents are not exceptional in the use of all these types of fall simulators, even by people who regularly practice freefall. To improve the realism of the simulation, some means of visual representation of the environment in the jump were proposed to be associated with some of these vertical aerodynamic tunnels used as free fall simulators. Patent US 5655909 proposes to simulate the visual environment of the parachutist by means of screens over at least part of the aerodynamic vein in which the parachutist evolves when performing a simulated jump. The proposed solution consists in replacing a part of the wall of the vein by an image display device with multiple screens, a device sometimes known as the wall of images. This type of device allows to generate images on relatively large surfaces but has the disadvantages of presenting an image with lines that form a grid that corresponds to the edges of the screens, being very heavy and bulky because of a difficult installation and also placed on the wall from the aerodynamic vein rigid structures, in particular, the screens and their indispensable supports. The consequences, if the person evolving in the aerodynamic vein hits the wall of said vein, in that case they are made worse by the fact that the system of visual representation of the environment makes quilting the walls of the vein almost impossible. The present invention proposes a jump simulator which is easy to install and apply, which offers a maximum of security for users and whose architecture allows it to have a visual representation of the environment over 360 degrees during the simulated free fall. More specifically, the free fall simulator following the invention involves power wind turbine means to generate an air flow of a speed compatible with the maintenance in a state of free fall at least one person in an aerodynamic vein of substantially vertical axis consisting of a film of flexible, resistant and non-elastic material, such as a cloth having the shape of a tube only fixed in two frames placed at the ends since the tube was stretched, the film in flexible material constituting the vein in the longitudinal direction of the tube by the only means of a maintenance superstructure to which the tables are fixed. Preferably the wall of the aerodynamic vein is made in a single developable panel of the flexible film which is closed over itself by means of a line of fixings to constitute the aerodynamic vein tube. Advantageously said superstructure is of dimensions as the flexible wall of the aerodynamic vein is sufficiently far from any rigid element of the superstructure so that the person in a simulated fall can not collide a rigid structure in case of loss of control of his position in the aerodynamic vein In a particular embodiment of the invention, the wind turbine means comprise at least one motor, preferably located in a room, at least one helix and one rectifier-diffuser. Advantageously, the rectifier-diffuser is located at the top of the room containing the at least motor and the superstructure maintaining the aerodynamic vein vertically to the part and substantially on the axis of the diffuser grinding. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the air must be accelerated in the aerodynamic vein, it enters a room involving at least one motor, by at least one opening made in a wall of the room. For transport convenience and simplification of assembly and disassembly operations of the simulator, the power wind turbine means are installed advantageously in a fixed manner in whole or in part from a transport container. In a particular form of the invention, the film in flexible material constituting the aerodynamic vein wall is translucent and allows, serving as a screen, the projection on the outside of the vein of images visible from inside the vein. Advantageously, images that can simulate the visual effect of the free fall are projected by at least one projector located outside the vein or by a different projector that allows covering a 360 degree visual field in a horizontal plan. The projectors are advantageously fixed in the aerodynamic maintenance superstructure. In a particular method of application of the simulator, the projected images instantaneously incorporate the image of at least one person filmed in a free fall state in another free fall simulator. In a particular method of embodiment, the aerodynamic vein and other elements of the free fall simulator are protected from the inclemencies, and eventually from excessive light with respect to the necessary symbol for a good contrast of the projected images, by means of coverage as a awning and / or panels, which means advantageously take support on the aerodynamic maintenance superstructure maintaining it time the conditions of openings or air tightness necessary for the correct aerodynamic operation of the simulator. Some control and ordering means are provided to monitor the operation of the free fall simulator and the evolutions of the person in the free fall state as well as to act on the operation of the simulator. A detailed description of a method of carrying out the invention is described with reference to the corresponding figures: FIGS. 1: general view of a method of realization of a simulator following the invention and of its main constituent parts; - figure 2: view of the power wind turbine and skinning room means involving a motor; Figure 3: view of an aerodynamic vein following the invention and means of projecting images onto the aerodynamic vein wall; figure 4: view of a maintenance superstructure of the aerodynamic vein and of the external protection means; Figure 5: illustration of the means associated with the free fall simulator. The detail has an example of simulator control and monitoring means. The free fall simulator following the invention involves wind turbine means of power 1 able to guarantee the acceleration of the air in an aerodynamic stream, an aerodynamic stream 2 of dimensions adapted to the evolutions of at least one person 6 in a situation of free fall, means 3 to generate real or simulated images of an external visual environment for the person evolving in the aerodynamic vein, of the means 4 for control and control of the aerodynamic tunnel and the means of generating images, a superstructure 5 able to maintain these different means and of possible accessory means as well as to support means of protection against the external environment. These different means are assembled for a fixed installation of the free fall simulator, where they are conceived for a simplified assembly and disassembly in order to carry out a mobile installation. In the latter case, these means and said superstructure are made to guarantee the transportability of the simulator assembly for example in one or more containers whose dimensions are compatible with the traditional means of transportation on roads, railways, by sea or by air. The detailed description example given of a free fall simulator following the invention corresponds essentially to the case of a free fall simulator which has the ability to be easily transported for simplified delivery and commissioning or for ambulatory use in order to make discover the greatest free fall among people in skydiving clubs or in public demonstrations. The power wind turbine means 1 involve at least one motor 10 whose power is calculated as a function of the middle section 23 of the aerodynamic stream 2 and the desired speed of vertical marketing of the air in the vein. This motor or these motors 10, which are electric or thermal, involve, when appropriate, by means of reducers and / or angle returns, not shown, one or more propellers 11 whose characteristics are also established from the characteristics of the aerodynamic stream 2 and of the features of aerodynamic marketing sought. The determination of the total power required and the detailed characteristics or the helices ratio of the known means for the calculation of wind tunnels. For greater autonomy of the free fall simulator, they are used preferably one or more thermal motors, for example of diesel-type motors, capable of providing powers of approximately 1000 KW which are necessary to involve the propellers 11 of the aerodynamic tunnel of a simulator following the invention. The number of propellers 11 and motors 10 is retained as a function of the middle section 23 of the aerodynamic stream 2 and the power of the available engines. Economic criteria can also lead to selecting less powerful engines of larger numbers for example. The motors 10 of the power wind turbine means are installed in a room 12, which room 12 is conceived to receive its upper part 13 the aerodynamic stream 2. The propellers 11 are raised with their axes of rotation 14 substantially vertical in order to generate an air flow 15 oriented upwards. Advantageously, the air 15 thus accelerated is taken into room 12 or the motors 10, which improves the cooling of the assembly of the motors 10 and of the possible reducers.

At least one opening 17 is provided in the wall of room 12 to allow the arrival of the air 18 essential for the operation of the aerodynamic vein 2. In the case of the use of one or several thermal engines, one or more fuel tanks 70 are provided to guarantee the desired autonomy to the aerodynamic tunnel. These tanks 70 and the arrival and return pipes of the fuel are made in accordance with the standards of the art and the current safety standards. For example, if the simulator is ambulatory, the fuel reserve is split in the various tanks 70 so as not to exceed a volume of 500 liters per tank, maximum allowed by some standards for mobile facilities, and tanks 70 are preferably isolated or 10 engines to limit the risks in case of fire start. In particular fire safety and fire protection means (not represented on the figures) are installed as much as needs in room 12 or engines. A rectifier-diffuser 19 is located on the part or of the propellers 11. This rectifier-diffuser 19 is intended to stabilize the aerodynamic commercialization accelerated by the propellers 11, which is especially turbulent after passing through the propellers. In a classical manner, this rectifier-diffuser 19 is realized with a grid constituted of thin walls of a sufficient height so that the commercialization is stabilized in its crossing.

To facilitate transport, the room 1 containing the motors 10, the propellers 11, possibly the rectifier-diffuser 19 and, if necessary, fuel tanks 70 are advantageously installed in the case of the use of thermal motors in one or more containers to the gauge transport by road, rail, sea or air. Preferably, this or these containers are able to receive elements from other parts of the simulator, after their disassembling, to facilitate the transport of the fall simulator. In a container of traditional dimensions or about 3 meters wide, 12 meters long and 2.6 meters high, it is thus possible to make a room 1 of a length of approximately 4 meters and the width of the container, enough to contain the motors 10, the propellers 11 and the rectifier-diffuser 19. The remaining space or about 8 meters over the length of the container allow the installation or storage during transport of other means associated with the simulator. To the part or of the propellers 11 and of this rectifier-diffuser 19, in the prolongation of these, the aerodynamic vein 2 of vertical axis 20 is installed in which people 6 evolve in a situation of free fall. This vein 2 corresponds to a tube with a substantially vertical axis, having a low limb 21 and a high limb 22 and preferably substantially cylindrical or slightly conical widened upwards. In this latter preferred method of embodiment, the high end section 22 is larger than that of the lower end 21 to create in the aerodynamic stream 2 a negative velocity gradient from the bottom up, a gradient whose effect is favorable to the stability on the position in height in the vein 2 of the person 6 in free fall state. The middle section 23 is preferably substantially circular but other sections are possible, for example of the elliptical sections or the polygonal sections. For an installation in a container to the road gauge of room 12, the dimensions transverse to the aerodynamic merchandising 15 of the lower section 21 of the vein 2 are limited by approximately 3 meters. In this case, the high section 22 of the vein 2 has, for example, 3.6 meters in its transverse dimensions to aerodynamic commercialization 15 and, for example, approximately 4 meters in its useful height in the sense of aerodynamic commercialization 15 between the low extremities. 21 and high 22.

These relatively modest dimensions for a drop simulator have the advantage, on the one hand, of facilitating the performance of an aerodynamic tunnel transportable and on the other hand to participate in the safety of the person 6 in a situation of simulated fall. In fact, provided that the person 6 in a situation of simulated fall in the vein does not correctly exercise control of its position sensibly in the center of the aerodynamic vein 2, a frequent situation with persons not involved, this person 6 does not have, taking into account the distances of free flight in the aerodynamic stream 2, time of acquiring an important velocity in relation to the wall 24 of the vein 2 and the protections to its high and low extremities 25 are very low 26, even in case of major accelerations, and , therefore, the risk of injuries in a contact with the wall 24 or the protections 25,26 because of the low relative speeds in relation to the wall or these protections. Another important feature of the aerodynamic vein 2 refers to its method of realization. In the present free fall simulator, the lateral wall 24 of the aerodynamic vein performs at 2 in which people 6 evolve in a state of free fall by means of a film in flexible material. This film, for example, builds a fabric chosen for its resistance and its dimensional stability, to form a tube whose length and perimeters to the extremities correspond to those sought for the length of the aerodynamic vein 2 and the perimeters of its sections of extremities 21,22. Today, very resistant and non-elastic fabrics are found in the field of intended use suitable for making the vein as fabrics made with synthetic fibers in materials such as polyesters or aramides, for example Dacron® or Kevlar®, widely used for the applications aeronautics or for the manufacture of boat sails. Preferably the tube forming the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 is made by means of the panel, said film being made of flexible material, developable and re-closed on itself to bring the edge on board the opposite sides of the panel sensibly oriented to the long of a tube generator. The joined edges are assembled by means of a line of fasteners 27 whose resistance is at least the same level as that of the film in flexible material. Thus, when the joined edges are not assembled, the film panel in flexible material can be put back completely then circulated, for example on a mandrel, for storage or transport, without being created of crease that can damage the wall 24 or damage its appearance. Represented the fixings, no, for example they are realized by means of lightning closures or of cords that they pass in eyelets or fabrics to hooks like the Velero® or by combinations of these means. Preferably, on at least the lower part of the fixing line 27, the fixing means are chosen to allow an opening and a quick closing of the wall 24 on a sufficient height in order to authorize the passage of person 6 before or after a simulated jump.

Finally / finally this film in flexible material is stretched between two end frames 28,29 which give the aforementioned film in flexible material the expected shape for the ends, respectively 21,22, of the aerodynamic stream 2. These frames 28 , 29 are made to the means of tubes or sections made of metal or composite materials by examples, whose shape and section are sufficient to guarantee the stiffness and resistance necessary to resume stresses in the film in flexible material, even during the operation of the simulator. II it is essential that there is no rigid structure next to the wall 24, and even less to the interior of the aerodynamic vein 2. The tensioning and maintenance of the fabric constituting the wall 24 of the aerodynamic vein 2 between its two frames of end 28,29 is performed by connecting said frames 28,29 to the superstructure 5 of which the rigid elements are distant from the wall 24 of the aerodynamic vein 2 and that guarantees the maintenance in the correct position of the end frames 28,29. The lower frame 28 is fixed on the part or around the outlet of the diffuser 19 and to force the commercialization of air 15 accelerated by the propellers 11 to penetrate the aerodynamic vein 2. The uppermost control 29 is fixed on the upper part of the superstructure. Preferably, at least one of the two frames 28, 29 is fixed by means of tensioners, not shown, for example, of the screw tensioners or hydraulic tensioners, which make it easier to assemble the aerodynamic vein 2 and apply the film in material Flexible the stress efforts desired. In a particular embodiment of the elastic means, not shown, are interspersed in series with the fixations of at least one of the two frames to give audits tables in question the possibility of slight displacements in order to limit the efforts in the film in flexible material in the event of a crash in the aerodynamic stream 2 during use. This architecture of the aerodynamic vein 2 allows, in addition to its assembly and its relatively easy disassembly, to limit the risks of serious injury of the person 6 that evolves in a state of freefall in case of collisions with the wall 24 avoiding any possibility of contact with a rigid structure. In the choice of the resistance of the film in material The flexibility used is taken into account the stresses induced in said film because of the risks of collisions in addition to the tension efforts of the assembly and the efforts linked to aerodynamic sales. In one embodiment of the invention, another important characteristic of the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 is its ability to serve as an image projection screen. In this case, the film in flexible material, in addition to its indispensable mechanical characteristics, is translucent so that images projected from the outside of the aerodynamic vein 2 on the outer face 35 of said vein are satisfactorily visible on the inside face 36 from the wall 24 of the vein by the person 6 in a state of free fall. Some films in flexible materials made from fibers in synthesis materials already mentioned have sufficient translucency characteristics, without transparency or excessive opacity, to guarantee this screen function. In order to project on the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 a representation of the visual environment during the simulated fall, at least one projector 31 is arranged outside the aerodynamic stream. Environment simulated is according to the desired effect more or less elaborated. In order to project on the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 a representation of the visual environment during the simulated fall, at least one projector 31 is arranged outside the aerodynamic stream. The simulated environment is according to the desired effect more or less elaborated. For example, the projected image represents: - a fixed image of the horizon, or; an image that vertically entangles fixed shapes, for example in the middle of a disc or a drum that carries the motives that should be projected and coming back to a projector lens, or; - the images of a film that may correspond to those of a real or imaginary free fall, or; - synthetic images calculated instantaneously according to the evolution of the person in a state of free fall, or; - a combination of these images. In the hypothesis of a use as an attraction for the public, it is preferable to present attractive images and consequently quite different from those actually perceived in a real jump of free fall at high altitude. For example it is possible to present images that correspond to a sensibly horizontal displacement near the ground to give the person the impression of moving like a bird. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least three projectors are arranged around the aerodynamic vein in order to ensure a correct representation of the external environment on 360 ° in the horizontal plan. In order to improve the quality of the projected image, depending on the number of projectors 31 and the distance between the projectors 31 and the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 serving as a screen, the projectors 31 have, if necessary, correction means of the geometry of the images, as targets to 32 anarnorphoseurs or images formed before the projection by electronic means 33 associated with the projectors 31 in case of use of video projectors, to take into account the fact that the screen constituted by the wall 24 of the aerodynamic vein 2 is curved. This arrangement of the image projection means 3, by placing said means 5 externally to the aerodynamic vein 2 and away from the wall 24 of the vein, avoids any risk of contact with hard objects in the evolutions of the person 6 in the state of free fall.

In order to guarantee the tension of the film in flexible material constituting the aerodynamic vein 2 and the correct position of said vein, a superstructure 5 is disposed on the room 12 containing the power wind turbine means 1. This superstructure guarantees the location and maintaining the frames 28 and 29 located at the extremities of the aerodynamic vein 2. Performed for example with tubes or sections 51 in metal or composite materials is calculated to resist longitudinal stresses in the film in flexible material of the vein aerodynamic 2. All parts of the superstructure 5 are sufficiently distant from the flexible wall 24 of the aerodynamic vein 2 so that under no circumstances a person 6 evolving in the vein 2 and percussing the flexible wall 24 can not come into contact with rigid parts of the superstructure 5 despite the deformations, inevitable but admissible in these circumstances of the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2. Due to its dimensions this superstructure 5 takes into account the extreme case of a failure of the flexible wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 and on the other hand some mattresses 52, for example with a filling of foam, when appropriate, are arranged to protect particular areas against which the person 6 in a state of freefall could be forced to have contacts.

In practice, it is recommended that the distance between the wall 24 of the aerodynamic stream 2 and the vertical amounts of the superstructure 5 or substantially at least equal to the average diameter of the aerodynamic stream 2, or about 3 meters in the embodiment example Detailed description of the invention. Advantageously, this superstructure 5 supports means 53 for protecting the aerodynamic stream 2 and its associated means 1,3,4 from the environment, wind and rain in particular, when the free fall simulator is not installed in a protected site such as inside a building. . On the other hand, these protective means 53 or other dedicated means are able to create around the aerodynamic stream 2 a rather dark environment to guarantee a sufficient contrast of the projected images on the translucent walls 24 of the vein 2 when the simulator Free fall is equipped with means 3 of representation of the external visual environment. These means of protection 53 consist, for example, of the more or less opaque panels fixed on the superstructure or on an awning of the type used for the realization of tents intended for the reception of the public and that take support on the superstructure 5 or on structures secondary (not represented).

For operation in a closed vein wind tunnel, these protective means 53 taking support on the superstructure 5 also cover the room 12 in which the motors 10 or at least the openings 17 of the room 12 are installed by which the air 18 which accelerates in the aerodynamic vein 2. In that case the space 54 between the aerodynamic vein wall 24 2 and the wall of these protective means 53 serves as a circulation zone for the return of air between the outlet 22 of the vein and the openings 17 of the engine room. This space is also calculated dimensions so as to have a sufficient section so that the production of air circulating in the aerodynamic tunnel is there without loss of excessive loads. A receiver apt for its structure and for its shapes that the air leaving the aerodynamic vein should direct towards the sides and down around the aerodynamic vein 2 is arranged near the exit 22 of the vein, to its top. For operation in an aerodynamic tunnel with an open aerodynamic vein, these protection means 53 guarantee the protection of the aerodynamic vein 2 and its Annex elements 1,3,4. In all cases these protective means 53 are made so as not to obstruct the arrival of the outside air towards the openings 17 of the room 12 of the motors. On an aerodynamic vein 2, on the party above the protective means 53, one or more openings are provided to allow the air leaving the aerodynamic stream 2 to pass into the ambient air. This or these openings are preferably exceeded by a receiver 56 to prevent rain or foreign bodies, and eventually light, from entering the protected area of the aerodynamic vein 2 but without impeding the flow of air that must pass into the open air . In a particular embodiment of the invention, the superstructure 5 is made with sufficient dimensions for the projectors to be fixed to 31 associated with the visual environment representation system 3 during free fall in a safe and stable manner with respect to the vein aerodynamic 2. The dimensions of the superstructure 5 are compatible with the location or of the projectors 31 at a sufficient distance from the wall 21 of the aerodynamic stream 2 which serves as a projection screen for this or these projectors 31 to function satisfactorily. The accuracy and stability of these projectors 31 are necessary for the projected images to be sufficiently stable and for the quality of the turn of the scene as a whole, in particular in the connection areas of the scene. the images projected by the different projectors 31, when several projectors 31 are used. In one embodiment, the superstructure is constituted by a set of beam 51 equipped with removable connections 57, by buttoning end covers (not shown) for example, in order to guarantee the assembly and, eventually, the dismantling for transport of the free fall simulator. Other necessary or useful means are associated with the operation, monitoring and control of the fall simulator to the simulator. The simulator involves, at least in particular, a control and order station 4 which allows simulator parameters and equipment to be monitored from a control station 41 of the simulator. Among the important parameters to be monitored preferably, without this list being exhaustive, the following are indicated: - the temperatures: air of the aerodynamic tunnel; c cooling water; c greases on motors and gears; - the powers and speeds of rotation in output of or engines or on the axes or propellers; - speeds of marketing in an aerodynamic stream. The requested part implies at least the means of controlling the power of the aerodynamic tune 1 to act in particular on the speed of air marketing in the aerodynamic vein, a speed that differs, in particular, according to the weight of the person 6 that must be maintained in a state of simulated free fall, and also involves the ordering bodies of devices linked to security, such as urgent stop orders or those linked to security means to burn down. A part of these order and control means can be automated. Preferably the free fall simulator also includes at least one surveillance camera 42 which allows the person 6 to be observed in the aerodynamic stream 2 by means of less than the video monitor 43 near the control and order station. Such a chamber 42 places outside the part of the vein 2 or the person 60 can evolve in a state of free fall, for example on top, on a protective net 25 which limits the useful upper position of the aerodynamic vein, or in part low, below a network 26 that limits the useful lower position.

This chamber 42 and or of other cameras, associated or not, also serves if necessary to record the evolutions of the person 6 in a free fall state. The paratrooper in impulse thus has the possibility of revising his simulated jump and analyzing his defects and corrections of attitudes that he must work on. In ludic applications, people who perform a free fall simulation have the possibility of keeping a record in agreement of their experience of free fall. In a method of use in which two or more free fall simulators work in a coordinated manner, on the same place or in distant centers, the images of the person 6 in a free fall state in a simulator can be sent instantaneously to the means 3 of representation of the simulated visual environment or of the other simulators that function in a coordinated manner so that said images are inserted in the images projected in this or these other simulators. By this means, jump impressions are simulated for several people without the need for a large drop simulator and avoiding the inherent risks of jumping to several people in the same wind tunnel tunnel. In a particular method of realization, other means 7 are associated with the free fall simulator, for example of the means 71 for the access to the aerodynamic stream 2, an area 72 for the preparation of the people to the simulated fall, of the means 73 to make the public wait for a simulated fall.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1- Free fall simulator, to create a simulated free fall state for at least one person (6), involving power wind turbine means (1), an aerodynamic vein (2) of vertical axis sensibly cylindrical or slightly conical in which the at least one person evolves in a state of free fall and a rigid aerodynamic maintenance structure. (2) characterized in that the aerodynamic vein (2) is delimited laterally by a wall (24) in flexible non-elastic material held in tension between a rigid lower frame (28) and a rigid upper frame (29), in which the rigid maintenance structure is a superstructure (5) involving rigid elements (51), said rigid elements being distant horizontally from the wall (24) of a distance at least of the order of magnitude of the diameter of the aerodynamic stream (2) so that the person in a state of free fall can not be projected, in the operation of the simulator, in contact with said rigid elements to root of a deformation of the wall (24) in flexible material or a passage through said wall of said person and in which the lower frame and the uppermost control is maintain in relative positions by means of said superstructure.
2. 2- simulator of free fall following the pretension lcuya wall (24) of the aerodynamic vein (2) is made in a single developable panel of the film in flexible non-elastic material resealed on itself by means of a line of fixations (27) on two opposite edges said of the panel to constitute the aerodynamic vein (2)
3. 3- Free fall simulator following the pretension 1 or the pretension 2 in which the lower rigid frame (28) and / or the upper rigid frame ( 29) are fixed in rigid elements (51) of the superstructure (5) by means of elastic tensioning devices.
4. 4- Free fall simulator following one of the previous pretensions in which the power wind turbine means (1) involve at least one motor (10) in a room (12), at least one propeller (11) and a grinding diffuser ( 19) to the top of the room (12).
5. 5- Simulator next the pretension 4 in which the superstructure (5) is placed in relation to the room (12) containing the at least motor (10) to maintain the aerodynamic vein (2) to the part and substantially on the axis of the rectifier-diffuser (19).
6. 6- Simulator next the pretension 4 or the pretension 5 in which the room (12) involves at least one opening (17) able to let in the air (18) necessary for the operation of the aerodynamic stream (2) in the room (12) containing the at least motor (10);
7. 7- Simulator following one of the pretensions 4,5 or 6 in which the room (12), the at least motor (10), the at least propeller (11) and the grinding diffuser (19) are assembled in whole or in part of a container (74) suitable to be transported.
8. 8- Free fall simulator following one of the previous claims involving projection means (3) to project images on the wall (24) of the aerodynamic vein (2), said means (3) involving projectors (31) located outside said aerodynamic vein (2) between the rigid structure for maintaining the aerodynamic vein (2) and the wall (24) of said vein, and in which the film in flexible material constituting the wall (24) of the aerodynamic vein (2) is translucent so that images projected on the outer face (35) of the wall (24) on the outside of the vein (2) are visible from inside the vein (2) on the inner face (36) of the wall (24) of said vein (2).
9. 9- Free fall simulator following the pretension 8 in which the projectors (31) are fixed in rigid elements (51) of the superstructure (5) for maintaining the aerodynamic stream (2).
10. 10- Freefall simulator following the pretension 8 or the pretension 9 in which the projection means (3) simulate a visual environment in the aerodynamic vein (2) over 360 degrees in a horizontal plan.
11. 11- Free fall simulator following one of the pretensions 8, 9 or 10 in which the projection means (3) receive the images corresponding to at least one other person in a simulated free fall state in at least one other free fall simulator, since said images were instantaneously inserted in the projected images .
12. 12- Free fall simulator following one of the previous pretensions in which the superstructure (5) maintains around the aerodynamic vein (2) of the protection means (53) against the environment outside the fall simulator.
13. 13- Free fall simulator following the pretension 12 in which the protection means (53) create around the aerodynamic stream (2), in the enclosure of said protection means (53), the reduced brightness conditions compatible with the luminosity of the images projected on the wall (24) of the aerodynamic vein (2).
14. 14- Freefall simulator following the pretension 12 or the pretension 13 in which the protection means (53) protect at least one area (4) isolated from the aerodynamic stream (2) for a control and order station (41) of the fall simulator.
15. 15- Fall simulator according to one of the claims 12 to 14 in which the protection means (53) consist at least part of a substantially opaque fabric lying on the superstructure (5).