Free-fall simulator capable of displaying a simulated visual environment

Abstract

A simulator of free-fall containing air power generators ( 1 ) and appreciably cylindrical aerodynamic vein ( 2 ), in which evolve the persons ( 6 ) in state of free-fall, the wall ( 24 ) of which is realized by means of a film of flexible material stretched only by means of two frames ( 28 ) ( 29 ) fixed at the extremities of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) and to the superstructure ( 5 ) maintaining the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ). In particular the film of flexible material forming the wall ( 24 ) of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) is translucent and serves as screen to display from the outside of the vein ( 2 ) real or simulated images intended to be seen from inside of the aforementioned vein ( 2 ). In a particular mode of realization the air power generators ( 1 ) are arranged in a container for transport ( 74 ) and the superstructure ( 5 ) of the simulator can be disassembled so that the simulator is easily transported.

1 - A simulator of free-fall, to create a state of simulated free-fall for at least a person ( 6 ), containing air power generators ( 1 ), an aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) of vertical axis appreciably cylindrical or slightly conical in which evolves at least a person in state of free-fall and a stiff structure to secure the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) characterized such that the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) is bounded laterally by a wall ( 24 ) of inelastic flexible material maintained in tension between a lower stiff frame ( 28 ) and an upper stiff frame ( 29 ), where the stiff holding structure is a superstructure ( 5 ) containing the stiff elements ( 51 ), the aforementioned stiff elements being horizontally away from the wall ( 24 ) at a distance at least of the order of size of the diameter of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) so that the person in state of free-fall cannot be projected, during the operation of the simulator, against the said stiff elements due to the deformation of the wall ( 24 ) of flexible material or the said person passing through the aforementioned wall and where the lower and upper frames are maintained in positions relative to each other by means of the aforementioned superstructure. 
   
   
       2 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 1  where the wall ( 24 ) of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) is made of a single deployable panel of a film of non-elastic flexible material wrapped on itself by means of a line of fixations ( 27 ) on the two opposite edges of the aforementioned panel to establish the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ). 
   
   
       3 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 1  in which the lower stiff frame ( 28 ) and\or the upper stiff frame ( 29 ) are fixed to stiff elements ( 51 ) of the superstructure ( 5 ) by elastic devices under tension. 
   
   
       4 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 1  in which the air power generators ( 1 ) contain at least one engine ( 10 ) in a chamber ( 12 ), at least one helix ( 11 ) and a rectifier-diffuser ( 19 ) at the top of the chamber ( 12 ). 
   
   
       5 - The simulator as per  claim 4  in which the superstructure ( 5 ) is positioned with regard to the chamber ( 12 ) containing at least one engine ( 10 ) such as to maintain the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) above and appreciably in the axis of the rectifier-diffuser ( 19 ). 
   
   
       6 - The simulator as per  claim 4  in which the chamber ( 12 ) contains at least one opening ( 17 ) capable of admitting the air ( 18 ) necessary for the operation of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) in the chamber ( 12 ) containing at least one engine ( 10 ); 
   
   
       7 - The simulator as per  claim 4  in which the chamber ( 12 ), the at least one engine ( 10 ), the at least one helix ( 11 ) and the rectifier-diffuser ( 19 ) are assembled in all or part of a container ( 74 ) suitable for transportation. 
   
   
       8 - A simulator of free-fall as per  claim 1  containing means of projection ( 3 ) to display images on the wall ( 24 ) of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ), the aforementioned means ( 3 ) containing projectors ( 31 ) placed outside of the aforementioned aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) between the stiff structure of maintain of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) and the wall ( 24 ) of the aforementioned vein, and in which the film of flexible material constituting the wall ( 24 ) of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) is translucent so that images projected on the outside face ( 35 ) of the wall ( 24 ) around of the vein ( 2 ) are visible from inside the vein ( 2 ) on the inner side ( 36 ) of the wall ( 24 ) of the aforementioned vein ( 2 ). 
   
   
       9 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 8  in which projectors ( 31 ) are fixed to stiff elements ( 51 ) of the superstructure ( 5 ) of maintain of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 8  in which the means of projection ( 3 ) generate a visual environment in the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) over 360 degrees in a horizontal plane. 
   
   
       11 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 8  in which the means of projection ( 3 ) receive the images corresponding to at least another person in state of free-fall simulated in at least another simulator of free-fall, the aforementioned images being inserted in real time within the projected images. 
   
   
       12 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 1  in which the superstructure ( 5 ) maintains around the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) means of protection ( 53 ) from the environment outside the simulator of fall. 
   
   
       13 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 12  in which the means of protection ( 53 ) create around the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ), inside the aforementioned means of protection ( 53 ), conditions of reduced luminosity compatible with the luminosity of the images projected on the wall ( 24 ) of the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ). 
   
   
       14 - The simulator of free-fall as per  claim 12  in which the means of protection ( 53 ) protect at least a zone ( 4 ) isolated from the aerodynamic vein ( 2 ) for a post of control and of command ( 41 ) of the simulator of fall. 
   
   
       15 - The simulator of fall as per  claim 12  in which the means of protection ( 53 ) consist at least partially of an appreciably opaque canvas stretched out over the superstructure ( 5 ).