Components of a hot air balloon

The hot air balloon is mainly composed of three parts: the ball, the flamethrower, and the basket

1. Introduction

A hot air balloon (Hot Air Balloon) is a lighter-than-air vehicle with an atmospheric sphere shape in the upper part and a basket in the lower part. The interior of the balloon heats the air so that it has a lower density relative to the cooler exterior air, which acts as buoyancy to displace the whole; the basket can carry passengers and sources of heat (mostly open flames). Modern sports balloons are usually made of nylon fabric with openings made of fire-resistant materials.

A balloon that uses hot air as a levitation gas. There are large openings and baskets at the bottom of the balloon for cold air heating. The density of the air is reduced after heating, the temperature reaches 100 ℃ density of about 0.95 kg / m3, is 1/1.3 of the air, so the lift is not high. Modern hot air balloons are fitted with simple flight instruments, fuel tanks and blowtorches in the basket.

When lifting off from the ground, the blowtorch is lit, and the air is heated and then filled through the opening at the bottom of the airbag. After lifting off, the amount of fuel injected by the blowtorch is controlled to maneuver the balloon up or down. Hot air balloons were the first to appear, and nowadays flying in hot air balloons has become a favorite air sport. In addition, hot air balloon is also commonly used in aerial photography and air travel.

2. Power

The only driving force for a hot air balloon is the wind. For a round-the-world balloon, it is necessary to choose the right airflow at high altitude with the right speed and direction, and move with it in order to complete the flight efficiently. Just like a round-the-world trip where you have to keep changing planes, a balloon needs to ride on different air currents, and all the pilot has to do is adjust the altitude when "changing currents," which is usually more than 10 kilometers high.

3. Pressure chamber

The pilots of the round-the-world flights are housed in a well-sealed pressure chamber, which provides the right temperature, pressure and air environment, not unlike the large baskets found in ordinary hot air balloons. The exception is that the balloon lone hero, the American Fawcett made since 1997, three times to the "independent" name of the round-the-world flight did not use the pressure warehouse, for which he had to endure more than a thousand meters in the air at a low temperature of minus 20 ° C or less, and always need to wear a mask to breathe.