System and method for altitude control

• US 20060000945A1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Original Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Inventors: Voss, Paul B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/97
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/60 Gas-bags surrounded by separate containers of inert gas

Abstract

An differential expansion system and method for balloon buoyancy control which includes a zero-pressure envelope and a superpressure envelope. A gas transfer device is positioned between the envelopes to facilitate the transfer of lift gases that are lighter than air between the envelopes. The superpressure envelope and the gas transfer device can be located inside the zero-pressure envelope. Alternatively, the zero-pressure envelope, the superpressure envelope, and the gas transfer device can be located inside a zero-pressure envelope.

Claims

1. A method of using lift gas volume to control balloon altitude, said method comprising:

providing a balloon comprising first and second envelopes, said first envelope volume flexible and said second envelope substantially volume constant, and a lift gas in said envelopes, said second envelope at a pressure greater than ambient; and

transferring said lift gas between envelopes, said lift gas transferred in an amount sufficient to change the sum envelope volume.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said lift gas is at least partially transferred from said first envelope to said second envelope, decreasing said sum envelope volume and balloon altitude.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said lift gas is at least partially transferred from said second envelope to said first envelope, increasing said sum envelope volume and balloon altitude.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first envelope has a volume sufficiently flexible to receive substantially the entirety of said lift gas at a highest pre-determined altitude.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second envelope has a volume sufficient to substantially maintain said balloon at a lowest pre-determined altitude.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said second envelope has a volume from about 10% of said volume.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said second envelope is within said first envelope.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said balloon comprises a payload, and said payload is within said first envelope.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said gas transfer generates power.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said sum volume change affects the flight of a lighter-than-air craft.

11. A method of using a volume flexible envelope to control balloon atmospheric altitude, said method comprising:

providing a balloon comprising first and second envelopes, said first envelope volume flexible and said second envelope substantially volume constant, and a lift gas in said envelopes; and

transferring said lift gas between envelopes in an amount sufficient to change said first envelope volume.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said lift gas is at least partially transferred from said first envelope to said second envelope, decreasing said first envelope volume and balloon altitude.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said lift gas is at least partially transferred from said second envelope to said first envelope, increasing said first envelope volume and balloon altitude.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said first envelope has volume sufficiently flexible to receive substantially the entirety of said lift gas at a highest pre-determined altitude.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said first envelope reduces heating and cooling transitions.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said second envelope is within said first envelope.

17. A differential expansion system for balloon altitude control, said system comprising:

first and second envelopes, said first envelope volume flexible and substantially absent fluid communication with ambient conditions, and said second envelope substantially volume constant, and a lift gas in said envelopes; and

a gas transfer device in fluid communication with said envelopes.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said gas transfer device comprises pump and valve components.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said gas transfer device comprises a is bi-directional pump.

20. The system of claim 17 as a component of a lighter-than-air craft.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said second envelope and said gas transfer device are within said first envelope.

22. The system of claim 21 as a component of a lighter-than-air craft.

23. An atmospheric balloon apparatus comprising first and second envelopes, said first envelope volume flexible and said second envelope substantially volume constant, said second envelope within said first envelope, and a gas transfer device in fluid communication with said envelopes.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said first envelope has a volume sufficiently flexible to receive substantially the entirety of a lift gas at a highest pre-determined altitude.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said second envelope has a volume sufficient to substantially maintain said balloon at a lowest pre-determined altitude.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said second envelope has a volume from about 10% of said volume.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein at least one of said first and second envelopes reduces heating and cooling transitions.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said gas transfer device is within said first envelope.

29. The apparatus of claim 23 as a component of a lighter-than-air craft.

30. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a power generation component.