High altitude structure for expelling a fluid stream through an annular space
View Patent ↗A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.
1. A high altitude conduit, comprising:
a first material layer forming an elongated space extending to high altitudes of at least 1000 meters (m);
a second material layer outside the first material layer, the second material layer defining an annular space between the second material layer and the first material layer, the annular space acting as a conduit extending from a bottom to a top and configured to expel at least some of a fluid stream to the atmosphere, the fluid stream being carried through the annular space;
a gas having a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer, the gas being disposed in the elongated space and the elongated space having a cross sectional shape that is not constant along the length of the conduit; and
an introducer configured to provide the gas into the elongated space,
wherein the gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.
2. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises Hydrogen gas.
3. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises Helium gas.
4. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises heated gas.
5. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises an exhaust gas.
6. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the introducer pressurizes the gas into the elongated space.
7. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material comprises Zylon.
8. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material comprises a nanomaterial.
9. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material comprises Chloroprene.
10. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material comprises plastic film.
11. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material is reinforced with a structural fiber.
12. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the high altitude conduit is greater than 1 kilometer in length.
13. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the high altitude conduit is greater than 10 kilometers in length.
14. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the high altitude conduit is greater than 20 kilometers in length.
15. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer and the second material layer varies in thickness with location on the conduit.
16. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the high altitude conduit is greater than 30 kilometers in length.
17. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the elongated space increases in cross sectional area along the length of the conduit as the altitude increases at least incrementally.
18. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material layer or the second material layer comprises an insulative material.
19. The conduit of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more solar energy collectors coupled to the conduit.
20. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is configured to support one or more payloads at one or more locations along the length of the conduit.
21. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the material carried through the conduit comprises at least one of aerosol, gas, liquid, suspended particulate, sulfur dioxide, or water vapor.
22. The conduit of claim 1 , further comprising:
supporting elements coupled to at least one of the first layer or the second layer.
23. The conduit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control system configured to control at least one of the gas flow in the elongated space, a material flow in the conduit, or one or more motions of the conduit.