Heavier than air internal ballast
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsNicholas PIINI, Alex Siler, Joseph Kinkopf, Caitlyn Fahey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a gas impermeable body;
- a flexible barrier separating the body into a lift compartment configured to hold lighter than air gas and a ballast compartment configured to hold heavier than air gas;
- and
- a valve configured to permit passage of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body;
- wherein, upon release, through the 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.
A vehicle comprising:
- an oblong, gas impermeable body having fins attached at a exterior back end thereof;
- a flexible barrier separating the body into a lift compartment configured to hold lighter than air gas and a ballast compartment configured to hold heavier than air gas;
- and
- a valve configured to permit passage of the heavier than air gas from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body;
- wherein upon release, through the 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;
- wherein the vehicle does not include a hopper external to the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.