Apex Balloon Venting System with Force-Distributing Clamp
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic balloons used in lighter-than-air flight face challenges with gas venting as their elasticity degrades over time, making it difficult to control altitude and collect data effectively, especially after 48 hours of flight.
Innovation Solution
A venting system that releases gas from the apex of the balloon, utilizing a clamp mechanism to distribute forces and prevent material damage, allowing for precise control of gas release and extended flight duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If gas is vented from the bottom of the balloon using traditional elastic balloon design, then the balloon can control altitude through gas release, but the degraded elasticity after 48 hours makes it difficult to force gas out of the vent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional venting approach by placing the vent opening at the apex (top) of the balloon instead of at the bottom. This allows gas to escape naturally through buoyancy forces acting on the lighter-than-air gas, eliminating the need for elastic contraction to force gas out. The inversion resolves the contradiction by making venting reliable throughout the extended flight duration without depending on degrading elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of venting mechanism from elastic-force-driven (bottom venting) to buoyancy-driven (apex venting). By changing how gas is forced out—from relying on material elasticity to relying on gas density differences—the system maintains reliable gas release even as balloon material degrades over extended flight periods.
2Reliability
If a vent opening is created at the balloon apex, then gas can vent reliably with diminished elasticity, but the balloon material at the apex is thin and prone to tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the venting function from the balloon envelope by introducing a separate venting apparatus that interfaces with the balloon through a valve opening. The clamp assembly acts as an intermediary structure that distributes forces around the opening rather than concentrating them, protecting the thin apex material while enabling reliable gas venting through the separated venting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a clamp assembly as an intermediary structure between the venting apparatus and the balloon envelope. This mediator distributes the forces exerted by the venting mechanism around the apex opening, preventing stress concentration that would tear the thin material. The intermediary protects the vulnerable balloon material while enabling the venting function.
3Productivity
If multiple balloons are released concurrently to collect data over large geographic areas, then data coverage and density improve, but the cost of balloon operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous useful action by extending balloon flight duration through reliable apex venting that works throughout the entire flight even as elasticity degrades. Balloons can now perform multiple ascent-descent cycles and collect data continuously for extended periods, replacing the need to deploy multiple short-duration balloons. This continuity reduces the total number of balloons needed while maintaining high productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise altitude control and extended data collection over lower altitudes, increasing the number of soundings and data density, reducing costs by allowing balloons to fly concurrently and collect data over large geographic areas.
Implementation Method 1
the lighter than air lifting gas simply rises out of the balloon from the opening at the balloon's apex
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a balloon venting system. The balloon venting system includes a clamp. The clamp is to clamp to the balloon so as to bear a mechanical load away from an opening in the balloon. The balloon venting system includes a fluidic channel that is coupled to the opening in the balloon. The opening in the balloon is not located at the bottom of the balloon. The balloon venting system includes an electro-mechanical device that is mechanically coupled to a valve. The electro-mechanical device is to drive the valve to open the channel so that gas within the balloon escapes the balloon when the valve is open and to close the channel so that gas remains within the balloon when the valve is closed.