Neutral Buoyancy Towing System for Atmospheric Balloons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing atmospheric balloon systems face limitations in operational lifetimes and payload capacity due to the weight and power requirements of ballast systems used to maintain neutral buoyancy, which are constrained by finite resources and complex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A towed atmospheric balloon system with a neutral buoyancy towing system that maintains a constant composite mass by dynamically adjusting volume and using thrusters to offset ambient atmosphere, allowing for movement between altitudes with minimized power and mass requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ballast systems are used to maintain neutral buoyancy in atmospheric balloons, then altitude control is achieved, but payload capacity is reduced due to the weight of ballast components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude controlVSAvoidpayload capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the ballast system entirely from the balloon configuration. Instead of using ballast to control altitude, the system relies on the natural buoyancy of the lift gas and uses a tether to provide downward force for altitude control, thereby eliminating the weight penalty of ballast components and maximizing payload capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tether as an intermediary element between the balloon and the ground. The tether acts as a mediator that provides the necessary downward force to control altitude and maintain neutral buoyancy, replacing the function previously performed by ballast systems without adding significant weight to the balloon itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If ballast systems are used to maintain neutral buoyancy, then altitude stability is improved, but operational lifetime is limited by finite ballast resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude stabilityVSAvoidoperational lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a self-service system where the balloon maintains altitude stability through the continuous interaction between its buoyant lift gas and the tether. The system does not consume finite resources like ballast; instead, it uses the renewable resource of atmospheric buoyancy and the mechanical tension of the tether, allowing for potentially indefinite operational lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from finite mass-based ballast to infinite force-based tether control. By transitioning from a consumable resource (ballast mass) to a renewable resource (tether tension), the system achieves sustained altitude stability without resource depletion, extending operational lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If heavy ballast systems are used for neutral buoyancy control, then altitude maintenance is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the tether as a counterweight mechanism to balance the buoyant force of the lift gas. This passive counterweight system requires no energy input to maintain altitude, as the tether's downward force naturally balances the upward buoyancy, eliminating the energy consumption associated with active ballast systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic adjustment of the tether length or tension to maintain altitude as environmental conditions change. This passive, reactive control mechanism consumes minimal energy compared to continuous active control systems, as it only requires occasional adjustments rather than constant energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 extends operational lifetimes significantly, up to several hundred days or indefinitely, and increases payload capacity by reducing the need for heavy ballast systems, enabling operation over a large range of altitudes with lower energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The balloons are filled with a lift gas and maintained at one or more altitudes through precise control of ballast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11623725B2Neutrally buoyant vehicle maneuvering system and methods for same

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 AEROSTAR INT LLC

AI summary

A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the and the system remains neutrally buoyant.