초록 ▼

A vehicle suitable for use in high-altitude applications use may include a gas impermeable body and a flexible barrier separating the body into multiple sections or compartments. The compartments may include a lift compartment for holding lift gas, such as lighter than air gas, and a ballast compart

A vehicle suitable for use in high-altitude applications use may include a gas impermeable body and a flexible barrier separating the body into multiple sections or compartments. The compartments may include a lift compartment for holding lift gas, such as lighter than air gas, and a ballast compartment for holding a ballast, such as heavier than air gas. A valve may permit passage of the ballast from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body. The body may have an oblong shape, with fins attached to an exterior back end thereof. The vehicle may have only internal ballast compartments, without including a hopper external to the body.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle comprising: a gas impermeable body;a heavier than air gas having a composition that is different from air;a flexible barrier comprising a lightweight nylon or polyester scrim attached internally to the body and separating the body into a lift compartment configured to hold a lighter tha

1. A vehicle comprising: a gas impermeable body;a heavier than air gas having a composition that is different from air;a flexible barrier comprising a lightweight nylon or polyester scrim attached internally to the body and separating the body into a lift compartment configured to hold a lighter than air gas and a ballast compartment configured to hold the heavier than air gas; anda one-way discharge valve positioned within the ballast compartment and configured to open and to permit passage of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body at a predetermined threshold based on a pressure differential between an interior of the body and the exterior of the body caused by the ascent of the vehicle,wherein, upon release, through the one-way discharge valve, of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment, the flexible barrier moves, allowing the volume of the lift compartment to increase as the volume of the ballast compartment decreases. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lift compartment is configured to hold helium or hydrogen. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the body comprises woven polyester, polyamide, or aramid fibers. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lightweight nylon or polyester scrim is coated on both sides with polyurethane. 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the one-way discharge valve is further configured to selectively permit flow of the heavier than air gas directly from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body when a predetermined altitude has been reached by the vehicle. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heavier than air gas comprises at least one of carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, comprising: an additional flexible barrier, such that the flexible barrier and the additional flexible barrier separate the body into the lift compartment, the ballast compartment, and an additional ballast compartment configured to hold a ballast; andone or more valves configured to permit fluid communication between the additional ballast compartment and the exterior of the body such that the one or more valves are configured to pass air into and out of the additional ballast compartment after the ballast has been discharged. 8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the additional ballast compartment is configured to hold a heavier than air gas. 9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ballast compartment and the additional ballast compartment are disposed at opposite ends of the body. 10. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the ballast compartment and the additional ballast compartment are disposed on opposite sides of the body. 11. A vehicle comprising: an oblong, gas impermeable body having fins attached at an exterior back end thereof;a heavier than air gas having a composition that is different from air;a flexible barrier comprising a lightweight nylon or polyester scrim attached internally to the body and separating the body into a lift compartment configured to hold lighter than air gas and a ballast compartment configured to hold the heavier than air gas; anda one-way discharge valve positioned within the ballast compartment and configured to open and to permit passage of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body at a predetermined threshold based on a pressure differential between an interior of the body and the exterior of the body caused by the ascent of the vehicle,wherein upon release, through the one-way discharge valve, of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment, the flexible barrier moves, allowing the volume of the lift compartment to increase as the volume of the ballast compartment decreases, andwherein the vehicle does not include a hopper external to the body or a pressure tank assembly. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the lift compartment is configured to hold helium or hydrogen. 13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the body comprises woven polyester, polyamide, or aramid fibers. 14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the lightweight nylon or polyester scrib is coated on both sides with polyurethane. 15. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the one-way discharge valve is configured to selectively permit flow of the heavier than air gas directly from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body when a predetermined altitude has been reached by the vehicle. 16. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the heavier than air gas comprises at least one of carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride.