Apparatus for generation and use of lift gas
US7871036B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/62
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A balloon launch unit produces lift gas to enable balloon launch or to allow the prolongation of balloon flight. A method of using the balloon launch unit can include reforming a fuel source by reaction with water to generate hydrogen-rich lift gas mixtures, and injecting the lift gas into a balloon. A reforming operation can include causing the combustion of a combustible material with ambient oxygen for the release of energy; and heating a reforming combination of reaction fuel and water with the energy released from the combustion of the combustible material, to a temperature above that required for the reforming reaction wherein the fuel and water sources are reformed into lift gas. The amount of the combustible material combusted is sufficient to result in the release of enough energy to heat an amount of the reforming reaction fuel and water sources to the temperature above that required for the reforming reaction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.