Passive Valve Balloon Altitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to provide a reliable and efficient means for controlling the altitude of high-altitude balloons without releasing or adding lifting gas, especially in extreme temperature conditions, while ensuring the air mass fill and release mechanisms operate reliably without electrical actuation or moving parts.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an air mass fill mechanism using a passive valve system with an impeller to force air into a bladder within the balloon envelope, and an air mass release mechanism using linear actuators to vent air, both operating without electrical activation and minimizing the risk of parts becoming stuck, allowing for altitude control by adjusting air mass within the balloon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive valve system is used to control air mass without electrical actuation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrical actuators and moving parts from the valve system, extracting the unreliable components while maintaining control functionality through a passive design where the valve responds automatically to pressure differentials without requiring external actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The passive valve system operates autonomously by responding to pressure differentials between the balloon envelope and bladder, eliminating the need for external control systems, electrical power, or mechanical actuators to open or close the valve
2Productivity
If the impeller forces air toward the port to open the passive valve, then air mass fill efficiency is improved, but the risk of valve sticking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure differentials created by the impeller to automatically actuate the passive valve, where air flow pressure opens the valve during filling and pressure equalization closes it, eliminating mechanical sticking issues associated with traditional actuators
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using mechanical force to open the valve and relying on springs or seals to close it, the system inverts the approach by using air pressure to open the valve and allowing pressure equalization to close it, reducing mechanical contact and sticking risk
3Reliability
If the passive valve periphery engages with the port periphery to seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive valve incorporates a flexible diaphragm or membrane that forms the sealing surface, allowing the sealing interface to conform to slight variations in port geometry and compensate for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly uses composite construction combining rigid structural components with flexible sealing elements, where the flexible material accommodates dimensional variations in the rigid port while ensuring consistent sealing contact
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 enables reliable altitude control of balloons by adjusting air mass, maintaining operation across extreme temperatures without the need for additional lifting gas, ensuring consistent performance and reducing the risk of mechanical failures.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller positioned within the housing, wherein the port provides a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the balloon envelope, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, wherein the passive valve is movable from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port by the force of air moved toward the port by the impeller
Implementation Method 2
a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, wherein the passive valve is movable from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon having a bladder positioned within a balloon envelope, a plate having a port, a housing secured to the plate, an impeller positioned within the housing, the port providing a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the bladder, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, a control system configured, upon receiving a signal to increase the amount of air within the bladder, to cause the passive valve to move from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port to open the passageway between the housing and the bladder and to allow air to be forced into the bladder.