Inflatable Tube Space Elevator Tether via Pneumatic Wind Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacecraft launch technologies are expensive, with costs exceeding $10,000 per kilogram of mass delivered to orbit, and the space elevator concept is hindered by extreme material requirements due to being in tension or compression.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inflatable tube held by wind forces, eliminating material stress, and using a rotating body with an aerodynamic profile to accumulate velocity for orbital insertion, reducing material demands and energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a space elevator uses tensile structures with a counterweight, then the structure can be held in tension between Earth and the counterweight, but extreme materials requirements make it impractical as no known materials can hold their own weight at the required height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tensile structure with a pneumatic system. Instead of relying on material tensile strength to hold the structure up, an inflatable tube uses internal air pressure to counteract gravitational force, eliminating the need for extreme-strength materials while maintaining structural integrity at space elevator heights
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by inflating a tube with air to create internal pressure that supports the structure against gravity. This pneumatic support mechanism replaces the need for high-strength tensile materials, making the space elevator structure practically manufacturable with existing materials
2Strength
If a space elevator uses compression structures like extremely tall buildings, then the structure can support itself conceptually, but extreme materials requirements still make it impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression structure with a pneumatic system. Instead of relying on material compressive strength, the inflatable tube uses internal air pressure to support the structure, eliminating the need for extreme-strength materials while maintaining structural integrity at space elevator heights
3Productivity
If traditional spacecraft launch methods are used, then mass can be delivered to orbit, but costs exceed $10,000 USD per kilogram
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs climbers that travel along the space elevator tether using mechanical propulsion, eliminating the need for expensive rocket fuel. The system serves itself by using the established tether infrastructure rather than requiring new energy-intensive launch vehicles for each payload delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the payload delivery function from the expensive rocket launch system and places it on the reusable space elevator tether. By separating the propulsion function (climbers) from the support structure (tether), the system eliminates recurring fuel costs while maintaining orbital insertion capability
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
This approach significantly reduces material requirements and energy costs, enabling efficient and cost-effective delivery of payloads to orbit by leveraging wind and rotational velocity, potentially lowering the cost per kilogram to orbit.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable tube is held up by the force of wind rushing through it from surface to height
Implementation Method 2
a rotating body may accumulate rotational velocity over a long time period, eventually achieving sufficient velocity to significantly offset the requirements for orbital insertion. In this variation bodies along and at the radial end of a cable are provided with an aerodynamic profile adapted to produce lift
Implementation Method 3
a rotating body may accumulate rotational velocity over a long time period, eventually achieving sufficient velocity to significantly offset the requirements for orbital insertion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an implementation of the space elevator wherein an inflatable tube is held up by the force of wind rushing through it from surface to height, in the manner of the ‘inflatable dancer’ used for advertisments. Since the device is neither in tension nor compression, the materials requirements are relaxed. The force of the internal air steam against the interior wall of the tube keeps it from falling, and thus the extreme and practically unattainable requirements of other designs are avoided.