Stratospheric lift system with partial ballonet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11608153-B2
Application number	US-202117214829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2021
Priority date	Apr 9, 2020
Publication date	Mar 21, 2023
Grant date	Mar 21, 2023

Abstract

A variable lift device includes a pressurized airtight enclosure accommodating air, a first airtight ballonet disposed inside the airtight enclosure accommodating a pressurized gas with a density lower than the density of air, the first airtight ballonet comprising a perforation means for perforating the first airtight ballonet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A variable lift device, comprising:
a pressurized airtight enclosure accommodating air,
a first airtight ballonet disposed inside the airtight enclosure accommodating a pressurized gas with a density lower than the density of air, wherein the first airtight ballonet is configured to release only when perforated the gas with a density lower than the density of air into the airtight enclosure accommodating the air, such that said gas mixes with the air inside the airtight enclosure accommodating the air.

2. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , the airtight enclosure comprising a stern, wherein at least one discharge valve is disposed against the stern of the airtight enclosure.

3. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , wherein the first airtight ballonet is produced from a plastic material.

4. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , wherein the first airtight ballonet is interchangeable with respect to the variable lift device.

5. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , wherein the first airtight ballonet is perforated when an elastic limit of the first airtight ballonet is exceeded.

6. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , wherein the variable lift device comprises a second airtight ballonet disposed inside the airtight enclosure and fluidically connected to the first airtight ballonet.

7. The variable lift device according to claim 6 , the airtight enclosure comprising a top surface, wherein the second airtight ballonet is disposed against the top surface of the airtight enclosure.

8. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , the airtight enclosure comprising a bow, wherein the first airtight ballonet is disposed against an inner face of the bow of the airtight enclosure.

9. The variable lift device according to claim 8 , the airtight enclosure comprising a retraction device for the first airtight ballonet, wherein the retraction device for the first airtight ballonet comprises a winder in direct contact with the inner face of the bow of the airtight enclosure, the retraction device for the first airtight ballonet comprises a wired link of which a first end e 1 is in contact with the winder, and a second end e 2 is in contact with the first airtight ballonet.

10. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , extending along a first longitudinal axis A 1 , comprising an additional inclination device disposed against the variable lift device.

11. The variable lift device according to claim 10 , wherein the additional inclination device has a transverse mobility along the longitudinal axis A 1 from a position of balance P 1 to a retracted position P 2 .

12. The variable lift device according to claim 1 , wherein the first airtight ballonet is perforated using a mechanical device actuated by a controller.

13. The variable lift device according to claim 12 , wherein the mechanical device is a needle.

14. The variable lift device according to claim 12 , wherein the mechanical device is a keen blade.

Assignees

• Thales Sa

Inventors

• Du Pontavice Emmanuel
• Glaenzer Louis

Classifications

• B64B1/60 Primary

  Gas-bags surrounded by separate containers of inert gas · CPC title

• B64B1/64

  Gas valve operating mechanisms · CPC title

• B64B1/38

  Controlling position of centre of gravity · CPC title

• B64B1/62 Primary

  Controlling gas pressure, heating, cooling, or discharging gas · CPC title