Solar Energy Balloon (Patent No: 872664)

Inventor: Byron, Melville

Location: Edmonton

Comments: N/A

Description: THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An air balloon of thin filmic material comprising:
a) a transparent upper portion,
b) an opaque lower portion, said lower portion having a reflective inner surface for reflecting solar radiant heat towards a predetermined area in the balloon, said radiant heat entering said balloon through said transparent upper portion;
c) a radiant heat absorber positioned in said predetermined area to receive at least a portion of said radiant heat thereby the air in said balloon is heated and expanded so reducing the specific gravity of the air; and
d) vent means at the bottom of said opaque lower portion for allowing a portion of said expanded air to escape thereby maintaining the volume of said balloon substantially constant while the specific gravity of the air decreases, thus resulting in a lift force which raises said balloon until a height is reached at which said lift force is balanced by the weight of said balloon and its entrapped air.

2. An air balloon as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a support which rigidly connects said vent means to said heat absorber.

3. An air balloon as claimed in claim 2 wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are generally hemispherical in shape when the balloon is filled with air.

4. An air balloon as claimed in claim 2 wherein said upper portion is generally hemispherical in shape and said lower portion is generally conical in shape when said balloon is filled with air.