Structural stabilization by a pressurized fluid is very common in nature, however hardly found in technology. Car tires, hot air balloons, airships and airhouses are among the few technical exceptions, which are stab...Structural stabilization by a pressurized fluid is very common in nature, however hardly found in technology. Car tires, hot air balloons, airships and airhouses are among the few technical exceptions, which are stabilized by a compressed medium, typically air. Restricted by simple geometries and a very limited load bearing capacity these pneumatic structures could succeed only in very specialized applications. Nevertheless, prospective concepts ag has systematically investigated pneumatic structures during the last few years. As a major result, it was demonstrated that almost any shape can be made with pneumatic structures and that astonishing structures such as the pneumatic airplane Stingray can be realized even with low air pressure. On top of that, Airlight Ltd. in close collaboration with prospective concepts ag has recently developed the fundamental new structural concept Tensairity. The synergetic combination of an inflated structure with conventional structural elements such as cables and struts yields pneumatic light-weight structures with the load bearing capacity of steel girders. Thus, complex forms and high strength open up many new opportunities for pressure induced stability in technology. An overview of these recent developments is presented and the close relationship of pneumatic structures with biology is outlined.展开更多
In recent years,the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)has undergone rapid development in field of agricultural plant protection;however,the payload and max-endurance are bottlenecks that limit its further development.Tensai...In recent years,the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)has undergone rapid development in field of agricultural plant protection;however,the payload and max-endurance are bottlenecks that limit its further development.Tensairity is a new structure consisting of a bag filled with low-pressure gas,an upper rigid rod and a lower flexible cable.It puts tension pressure on the whole structure through internal gas pressure,provides continuous support to the upper rigid rod,and that is to say,the tensairity improves the stability of the structure in some way.And also,tensairity is a self-supporting and self-balancing system,which means it is a simple,lightweight structure with small storage volume,strong bearing capacity,and low engineering cost.It also has the advantages of gasbag and BSS(beam string structure).The main objective of this research was to introduce the theoretical basis of tensairity and then discussed its development and applications.Moreover,the advantages and disadvantages of tensairity were summarized,and development prospects of tensairity in agricultural aviation were presented.At last,it can be concluded that tensairity has potentials in agricultural aviation.If tensairity is applied in agricultural UAVs,it will solve the two major problems of payload and max-endurance better,and help promoting the development of agricultural aviation technology in agricultural aviation administration and application.Also,it will help with meeting the aerial application requirements of high efficiency and maximal environmental protection.This research will provide a reference for improving working efficiency and economic benefits of UAVs in agricultural plant protection.展开更多
Plants possess many structural and functional properties that have a high potential to serve as concept generators for the production of biomimetic technical materials and structures. We present data on two features...Plants possess many structural and functional properties that have a high potential to serve as concept generators for the production of biomimetic technical materials and structures. We present data on two features of plants (variable stiffness due to pressure changes in cellular structures and rapid self-repair functions) that may be used as models for biomimetic projects.展开更多
文摘Structural stabilization by a pressurized fluid is very common in nature, however hardly found in technology. Car tires, hot air balloons, airships and airhouses are among the few technical exceptions, which are stabilized by a compressed medium, typically air. Restricted by simple geometries and a very limited load bearing capacity these pneumatic structures could succeed only in very specialized applications. Nevertheless, prospective concepts ag has systematically investigated pneumatic structures during the last few years. As a major result, it was demonstrated that almost any shape can be made with pneumatic structures and that astonishing structures such as the pneumatic airplane Stingray can be realized even with low air pressure. On top of that, Airlight Ltd. in close collaboration with prospective concepts ag has recently developed the fundamental new structural concept Tensairity. The synergetic combination of an inflated structure with conventional structural elements such as cables and struts yields pneumatic light-weight structures with the load bearing capacity of steel girders. Thus, complex forms and high strength open up many new opportunities for pressure induced stability in technology. An overview of these recent developments is presented and the close relationship of pneumatic structures with biology is outlined.
基金the Science and Technology Plan of Guangdong Province of China(Project No.:2015B020206003,2014A020208103,2014B090904073)the:“863”high-tech Projects of China(Project No.:2013AA102303)。
文摘In recent years,the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)has undergone rapid development in field of agricultural plant protection;however,the payload and max-endurance are bottlenecks that limit its further development.Tensairity is a new structure consisting of a bag filled with low-pressure gas,an upper rigid rod and a lower flexible cable.It puts tension pressure on the whole structure through internal gas pressure,provides continuous support to the upper rigid rod,and that is to say,the tensairity improves the stability of the structure in some way.And also,tensairity is a self-supporting and self-balancing system,which means it is a simple,lightweight structure with small storage volume,strong bearing capacity,and low engineering cost.It also has the advantages of gasbag and BSS(beam string structure).The main objective of this research was to introduce the theoretical basis of tensairity and then discussed its development and applications.Moreover,the advantages and disadvantages of tensairity were summarized,and development prospects of tensairity in agricultural aviation were presented.At last,it can be concluded that tensairity has potentials in agricultural aviation.If tensairity is applied in agricultural UAVs,it will solve the two major problems of payload and max-endurance better,and help promoting the development of agricultural aviation technology in agricultural aviation administration and application.Also,it will help with meeting the aerial application requirements of high efficiency and maximal environmental protection.This research will provide a reference for improving working efficiency and economic benefits of UAVs in agricultural plant protection.
文摘Plants possess many structural and functional properties that have a high potential to serve as concept generators for the production of biomimetic technical materials and structures. We present data on two features of plants (variable stiffness due to pressure changes in cellular structures and rapid self-repair functions) that may be used as models for biomimetic projects.