High altitude atmospheric alteration system and method
AssigneeSearete LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
InventorsAlistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method is described generally for affecting atmospheric change. The system and method include providing a high altitude conduit. The system and method also include providing a first material through the conduit Further, the system and method include expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere at high altitude.
Claims57
A method of affecting atmospheric change, comprising:
- providing a high altitude conduit supported by lifting forces, the lifting forces coming from at least one of buoyancy effects of the high altitude conduit itself, aerodynamic lifting surfaces, propulsive devices, or multiple carriers;
- providing a first material through the conduit, and expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere at high altitude.
-23. (canceled)
(canceled)
-33. (canceled)
A system for providing material to the atmosphere comprising:
- an elongate conduit structure extending more than one kilometer into the atmosphere and being held aloft by lifting forces, the lifting forces coming from at least one of buoyancy effects of the high altitude conduit itself, aerodynamic lifting surfaces, propulsive devices, or multiple carrier;
- an introducer configured to provide a first material into the interior of the conduit;
- and
- at least one exit aperture configured to expel the first material into the atmosphere.
-73. (canceled)
A method of affecting terrestrial temperature change, comprising:
- providing at least one high altitude conduit supported by lifting forces, the lifting forces coming from at least one of buoyancy effects of the high altitude conduit itself, aerodynamic lifting surfaces, propulsive devices, or multiple carriers;
- providing a first material through the conduit;
- and
- expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere at high altitude to affect terrestrial temperature change
-124. (canceled)
A method of affecting cloud seeding comprising:
- providing at least one high altitude conduit;
- providing a first material through the conduit;
- and
- expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere at high altitude to cause at least one of increased probability of precipitation or decreased probability of precipitation.
-199. (canceled)
A method of determining the distribution of an aerosol in the atmosphere, comprising:
- providing a conduit supported by lifting forces, the lifting forces coming from at least one of buoyancy effects of the conduit itself, aerodynamic lifting surfaces, propulsive devices, or at least one carrier;
- providing a first material through the conduit;
- expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere;
- and
- tracking the distribution of the first material in the atmosphere over time.
(canceled)
-137. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.