Vaisala FB15 User manual
Vaisala Balloon Launcher
FB15
USER'S GUIDE
M210767EN-A
March 2006
PUBLISHED BY
Vaisala Oyj Phone (int.): +358 9 8949 1
P.O. Box 26 Fax: +358 9 8949 2227
FIN-00421 Helsinki
Finland
Visit our Internet pages at http://www.vaisala.com/
© Vaisala 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical (including photocopying), nor may its contents be
communicated to a third party without prior written permission of the copyright
holder.
The contents are subject to change without prior notice.
Please observe that this manual does not create any legally binding obligations for
Vaisala towards the customer or end user. All legally binding commitments and
agreements are included exclusively in the applicable supply contract or
Conditions of Sale.
________________________________________________________________________________
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 3
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................ 5
About This Manual ................................................................... 5
Contents of This Manual ....................................................... 5
Version Information ............................................................... 6
Related Manuals ................................................................... 6
General Safety Considerations ............................................. 6
Feedback............................................................................... 7
Product Related Safety Precautions ...................................... 7
Recycling .................................................................................. 7
Warranty.................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW.................................................................................. 9
Introduction to Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 ................... 9
CHAPTER 3
INSTALLATION............................................................................................ 11
Selecting the Launching Site ................................................ 11
Assembling Balloon Launcher FB15.................................... 11
Packing the Launcher for Transportation............................ 14
Upgrading FB15 for Vaisala Radiosonde RS92................... 14
CHAPTER 4
OPERATION................................................................................................. 15
Overview of Operation........................................................... 15
Aligning and Securing the Launcher ................................... 16
Setting Up the Radiosonde and Launcher........................... 18
Inflating the Balloon............................................................... 18
Launching the Balloon........................................................... 19
CHAPTER 5
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................. 21
Troubleshooting Procedure .................................................. 21
Technical Support .................................................................. 21
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CHAPTER 6
TECHNICAL DATA ......................................................................................23
Specifications .........................................................................23
Parts List .................................................................................24
APPENDIX A
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR BALLOON OPERATORS ........................25
List of Figures
Figure 1 Balloon Launcher FB15 Assembly ...........................................13
Figure 2 Launcher Setup ........................................................................16
Figure 3 Launcher Setup - Top View......................................................17
List of Tables
Table 1 Manual Revisions .......................................................................6
Table 2 Related Manuals.........................................................................6
Table 3 FB15 Main Dimensions ............................................................23
Table 4 Recommended Balloon Weight................................................23
Table 5 Contents of the Balloon Launcher FB15 and Accessory Kit ....24
Chapter 1 ________________________________________________________ General Information
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 5
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
This chapter provides general notes for the manual and the product.
About This Manual
This manual provides information for installing and operating Vaisala
Balloon Launcher FB15.
Contents of This Manual
This manual consists of the following chapters:
- Chapter 1, General Information, provides general notes for the
manual and the product.
- Chapter 2, Product Overview, introduces Vaisala Balloon Launcher
FB15.
- Chapter 3, Installation, provides you with information that helps
you to install this product.
- Chapter 4, Operation, contains information about operating this
product.
- Chapter 5, Troubleshooting, describes the troubleshooting
procedure and contact information for technical support.
- Chapter 6, Technical Data, provides the technical data of FB15.
- Appendix A, provides safety instructions for radiosonde operators .
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Version Information
Table 1 Manual Revisions
Manual Code Description
M210767EN-A This manual. Replaces the previous version.
U263EN-1.1 First version. Note the different manual code.
Related Manuals
Table 2 Related Manuals
Manual Code Manual Name
M210295EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-SGP User's Guide
M210696EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-AM User's Guide
M210299EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-KL, RS92-K, RS92-KLE,
RS92-KE User's Guide
General Safety Considerations
Throughout the manual, important safety considerations are
highlighted as follows:
WARNING Warning alerts you to a serious hazard. If you do not read and follow
instructions very carefully at this point, there is a risk of injury or
even death.
CAUTION Caution warns you of a potential hazard. If you do not read and
follow instructions carefully at this point, the product could be
damaged or important data could be lost.
NOTE Note highlights important information on using the product.
Chapter 1 ________________________________________________________ General Information
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 7
Feedback
Vaisala Customer Documentation Team welcomes your comments
and suggestions on the quality and usefulness of this publication. If
you find errors or have other suggestions for improvement, please
indicate the chapter, section, and page number. You can send
Product Related Safety Precautions
The Balloon Launcher FB15 delivered to you has been tested for
safety and approved as shipped from the factory. Note the following
precautions:
CAUTION Do not modify the unit. Improper modification can damage the
product or lead to malfunction.
Recycling
Recycle all applicable material.
Dispose of batteries and the unit according to statutory regulations.
Do not dispose of with regular household refuse.
Warranty
For certain products Vaisala normally gives a limited one-year
warranty. Please observe that any such warranty may not be valid in
case of damage due to normal wear and tear, exceptional operating
conditions, negligent handling or installation, or unauthorized
modifications. Please see the applicable supply contract or Conditions
of Sale for details of the warranty for each product.
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Chapter 2 __________________________________________________________ Product Overview
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 9
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This chapter introduces Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15.
Introduction to Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15
Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 is a manually operated set for
launching radiosondes of type RS80, RS90 and RS92. Designed for
one-man operations, the lightweight launcher is made of glass-fiber
reinforced plastic. The launcher is used at meteorological stations and
on board ships and is particularly well suited for mobile operations.
The launcher is equipped with a hexagon-shaped stitched bag closed
with a canvas belt. The balloon is launched by releasing the canvas
that holds it down.
In normal use the launcher is secured with pegs driven into the ground
and with three straps. In shipboard use the launcher is fastened with
the straps to the ship's superstructure.
The launcher is completely mechanical. When operating Balloon
Launcher FB15, observe the standard safety rules for inflammable
gases.
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Chapter 3 _______________________________________________________________ Installation
VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 11
CHAPTER 3
INSTALLATION
This chapter provides you with information that helps you to install
this product.
Selecting the Launching Site
When selecting the launching site, consider the following:
- Make sure that there are no power lines, trees or any other
obstructions close by.
- The minimum distance to any obstruction depends on the wind
speed and direction.
- In marine operation, install the launcher so that the balloon is
launched on the lee side.
Assembling Balloon Launcher FB15
To assemble the balloon launcher, do the following. For details, refer
to Figure 1 on page 13.
1. Assemble the frame modules, see items A, B and C in Figure 1
on page 13. Insert the fixing screws and lift the eye nuts in the
correct holes.
2. Install the sonde holder, see item D, between the two frame
modules so that the module C (the one with eyelets) is always to
the right of the sonde holder.
3. Fasten the nozzle, see item E, to the nozzle bracket, see item F.
Install the nozzle bracket underneath the sonde holder. Tighten
all fixing screws.
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4. Fit the canvas bag inside the frame, see item G. Make sure that
the bag opening aligns with the nozzle.
5. Fold the edge of the canvas bag over the rim of the launcher
frame module, see item H in Figure 1, and fasten down with a
band, see item J.
6. Drive the nylon pins through the holes in the launcher frame
legs, see item K. Make sure canvas bag fits snugly.
7. Connect the gas hose onto the nozzle.
The following items refer to Figure 1 on page 13:
A, B and C = Frame modules
D = Sonde holder
E = Nozzle
F = Nozzle bracket
G = Canvas bag
H = Folded edge of the canvas bag
J = Band
K = Nylon pins
L = Auxiliary launching strap
Chapter 3 _______________________________________________________________ Installation
VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 13
0603-007
Figure 1 Balloon Launcher FB15 Assembly
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Packing the Launcher for Transportation
After use the balloon launcher can be compactly packed for
transportation. Do the following:
1. Remove the straps with buckle, pegs and gas hoses.
2. Open the straps of the canvas bag, remove it from the launcher
and roll it up.
3. Remove the sonde holder, the nozzle bracket and the frame
modules.
4. Clean and stack the launcher frame modules. Clean and pack all
parts, and the canvas bag.
5. Fasten the coiled hose and bag containing loose parts inside the
frame using two straps with buckle.
Balloon Launcher FB15 is now ready for transport.
NOTE It is not recommended to store the launcher outdoors longer periods
of time, because UV-radiation, possible salt spray and high winds
may damage the canvas bag. Therefore the launcher should be kept
inside or disassembled when not in use.
Upgrading FB15 for Vaisala Radiosonde RS92
To upgrade Balloon Launcher FB15 for RS92 radiosondes, do the
following:
1. Remove the old radiosonde holder.
2. Install the new sonde holder, see item D in Figure 1 on page 13.
3. Open the stitching that attaches the radiosonde rain shield to the
launching bag and remove the rain shield.
CAUTION The rain shield might damage the radiosonde RS92 sensors on the
sensor boom. Therefore, the rain shield must be removed.
Chapter 4 ________________________________________________________________ Operation
VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 15
CHAPTER 4
OPERATION
This chapter contains information about operating this product.
Overview of Operation
After you have installed Balloon Launcher FB15, the operation of the
launcher consists of the following steps:
1. Aligning and securing the launcher.
2. Setting up the radiosonde and launcher.
3. Inflating the balloon.
4. Launching the balloon
The launcher can also be compactly packed for transportation. For
further information, see section Packing the Launcher for
Transportation on page 14.
CAUTION When operating Balloon Launcher FB15, observe the standard safety
rules for inflammable gases.
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Aligning and Securing the Launcher
To align and secure the balloon launcher:
1. Turn the launcher so that the sonde holder is always on the lee
side, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3.
2. Insert pegs through the holes in the legs to secure the launcher,
see item A in Figure 2. Fasten also the straps, see item B, with
pegs, see item C (the pegs are identical).
NOTE The balloon can usually be launched with approximately 45 degrees'
difference between wind directions (see figure 3). If the difference
exceeds 45 degrees, reposition the launcher.
0603-008
Figure 2 Launcher Setup
Chapter 4 ________________________________________________________________ Operation
VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 17
The following items refer to Figure 2 on page 16:
A = Frame module pegs
B = Strap
C = Peg
D = Radiosonde holder
F = Canvas
G = Unwinder
H = Nozzle
J = Unwinder string
0603-011
Figure 3 Launcher Setup - Top View
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Setting Up the Radiosonde and Launcher
To set up the radiosonde and launcher, do the following:
1. Set the ready-to-launch radiosonde in the sonde holder, see item
D in Figure 2. Note that the radiosonde is fixed by a spring.
2. Remove any debris, snow or ice from inside the canvas bag.
3. Make sure the auxiliary launching strap rests flat on the bottom
of the canvas bag, see item L in Figure 1.
4. Release approximately 1 m of string from the unwinder, see
item G in Figure 2.
5. Drop the unwinder down inside the canvas bag and pull it out
through the nozzle opening, see Figure 2.
6. Insert the straps of canvas into the eyelets according to selected
balloon weight, see item F.
Inflating the Balloon
To inflate the balloon:
1. Pull the balloon neck over the nozzle. See item H in Figure 2.
2. Make sure that the balloon is not twisted and can be inflated
unhindered.
3. Check that the auxiliary launching strap does not disturb the
inflation of the balloon. See item L in Figure 1.
When required gross lift is reached, the canvas is taut and the
balloon reaches the launcher walls, see item F in Figure 2.
NOTE The degree of inflation depends on the internal dimensions of the
launcher.
4. Observe the average rate of ascent to determine whether the
balloon is correctly inflated.
Chapter 4 ________________________________________________________________ Operation
VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 19
Launching the Balloon
To launch the balloon:
1. Fasten the unwinder to the neck of the inflated balloon (for
instructions, refer to the appropriate radiosonde manual).
2. Make sure that the radiosonde string unwinds properly and is
inside the launcher, see item J in Figure 2.
3. Insert the unwinder through the nozzle opening inside the
canvas bag so that the string is taut and does not damage the
balloon during release.
4. Launch the balloon by releasing the straps of the canvas belt and
lifting off the canvas, see item F in Figure 2. The balloon will
come out by itself.
If the canvas bag is wet the balloon may cling to the walls of the
bag. In that case release the balloon with the launching strap
inside the bag.
Once past the launcher trim, the balloon will pull the radiosonde
from the holder and the sounding will start.
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