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Dynamics and control of a high-altitude balloon with slung load

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2024

L. Chen Open the ORCID record for L. Chen [Opens in a new window] ,
Z. Song  and
J. Lin
L. Chen*
Affiliation:
School of Air Transportation, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Z. Song
Affiliation:
School of Air Transportation, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
J. Lin
Affiliation:
School of Air Transportation, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
*
Corresponding author: L. Chen; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The high-altitude balloon proposed in this paper is a long-life balloon carrying a payload through a cable that flies at 20km altitude in near space. A dynamic model of the system, including the thermodynamics of the buoyancy body coupled with a hanging model of the pod, is developed using the Newton–Euler method. The buoyancy body consists of a helium balloon and a ballonet. A differential pressure difference-based altitude adjustment is achieved by tracking the pressure difference at the target altitude. A dynamic simulation of the buoyancy body with a slung pod in autonomous vertical takeoff and altitude regulation processes is presented. The internal thermodynamic variations and pressure differential of the buoyancy body are given. The air mass exchange and blower flow control of the ballonet are validated. The altitude holding error is analysed. The maximum pull force that the cable can withstand is calculated, and the maximum attitude angles of the pod during the ascending and descending processes are depicted. Simulation results provide basic knowledge for the structural design and payload installation of pods.

Keywords

high-altitude balloonslung-load dynamicsaltitude regulationcable force
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 128 , Issue 1330 , December 2024 , pp. 2856 - 2878
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal Aeronautical Society

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