High altitude structures and related methods

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A high altitude conduit, comprising:
a first material layer forming an elongated duct extending to high altitudes of at least 1000 meters (m), the duct having at least one opening at or near the top of the duct for expelling material from a ground based source through the duct and out the at least one opening to the atmosphere; a second material layer outside the first material layer, the second material layer defining a space between the second material layer and the first material layer and the space between the second material layer and the first material layer is volumetrically increased with altitude at locations along the length of the conduit; 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 space between the first material layer and the second material layer; and an introducer configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer, wherein the gas causes the conduit to extend.