Abstract

An apparatus for lifting a load to a desired altitude using an evacuated hollow lift body is disclosed. Once evacuated, the apparatus is lighter than the surrounding atmosphere. The lift body can be formed as a hollow fluid tight structure with a tube wound and sealed in a helical pattern or a dual membrane structure with a pressurized intermediate volume sandwiched between inner and outer membranes. A load can be attached to the apparatus and lifted to an altitude where the effective density of the apparatus and load is equivalent to the density of the surrounding atmosphere.

Document Type

Patent

Status

Issued

Issue Date

1-2-2024

Patent Number

US 11858610 B1 [ 11,858,610 ]

CPC Classification

B64B1/58

Application number

16/925,376

Assignees

Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US)

Filing Date

7-10-2020

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