Balloon power sources with a buoyancy trade-off

摘要

Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

主权项

1. An aerial vehicle comprising:
a solar power system configured to generate power for the aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle comprises an envelope and a high-pressure storage chamber; a control system that is configured to cause the aerial vehicle to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode; wherein, during operation in the first mode, the control system is configured to:
operate the solar power system to generate power;decrease the buoyancy of the aerial vehicle by using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the aerial vehicle decreases; andincrease the buoyancy of the aerial vehicle by: (a) operating a fuel cell of the aerial vehicle in reverse to produce gas, and (b) moving the gas produced by the fuel cell to the envelope; wherein, during operation in the second mode, the control system is configured to:
decrease the buoyancy of the aerial vehicle by: (a) moving gas from the envelope to the fuel cell, and (b) operating the fuel cell so as to use the gas from the envelope to generate power; andincrease the buoyancy of the aerial vehicle by moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope.