Vaisala Oy

Esa Varkia

Osmo Reittu

Apparatus for attaching a sounding balloon by its filling tube to a device which is adapted to be connected to a radiosonde by a flexible connecting element includes an attachment member in which an aperture is formed and a fixing member adapted to be fitted in locking position on the attachment member so that at least a portion thereof extends through the aperture. The fixing member includes at least one wedge-shaped portion which extends through the aperture of the attachment member when the fixing member is fitted into locking position to urge the filling tube of the sounding balloon against the marginal edge of the aperture to fix the filling tube and, therefore, the sounding balloon to the attachment member. The attachment member preferably is integral with a plate body which widens in a downward direction and which constitutes a device for releasing the flexible connecting element between the radiosonde and the sounding balloon in a controlled manner.

Means for attaching a sounding balloon

Bobbin apparatus for releasing a connecting filament between a radiosonde and the sonde balloon in a controlled manner during the ascent thereof includes a longitudinally extending member adapted to be affixed to the balloon around which the filament is wound and having a transverse dimension which increases in the longitudinal direction from a narrow upper end to a wide lower end thereof. The filament will unwind from the bobbin member during ascent of the balloon causing the bobbin member to periodically oscillate in a manner such that the filament will unwind without fouling and at an appropriate rate.

Growing community of inventors

Espoo, Finland

Esa Varkia