January 2014
Source:-http://www.skydocballoon.com/
Skydoc aerostatic balloons. Skydoc is an American manufacturer of aerostatic balloons. They produce both single and double ply aerostatic balloons, along with the associated transportation equipment. Of special interest from this company is the EDD or emergency deflation device that can be used to bring down a balloon that has escaped it’s mooring. This has potential application in the untethered balloon sphere.
Here is some company information on the single ply balloon:-
Single-Ply SkyDoc™ Aerostat
Aerostat is made of Urethane.
Aerostat expands with temperature rise. Helium loss is 1 to 5 percent per week,
depending on temperature swings and aerostat pressure.
Net lift is at zero wind speed. Maximum lift is at 90 mph wind speed. Aerostat’s smaller than Model #15 are not stable in high winds.
Net lift is at Sea Level. Subtract 15 per cent at 5000 feet.
Note: SkyDoc™ aerostat Model numbers are stated as Filled Diameter and Filled Height. SkyDoc™ filled aerostat sizes are stated with normal pressure. Welder’s grade helium is required. Tether weight must be added to payload weight to calculate total lift.
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Single-Ply SkyDoc™ Aerostat Payload Carrying Capabilities |
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MODEL # |
Filled Diameter Filled Height |
Cu. Ft. | Minimum Lift no wind |
Maximum Lift at 90 mph |
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|
9 |
7.11′ – 4.62′ | 121 | 4.8 lbs | |||
|
10 |
7.5′ – 5.13′ | 166 | 6.0 lbs | |||
|
11 |
8.69′ – 5.65′ | 221 | 8.8 lbs | |||
|
12 |
9.48′ – 6.16′ | 287 | 11.5 lbs | |||
|
13 |
10.27′ – 6.67′ | 365 | 14.5 lbs | |||
|
14 |
11.06′ – 7.19′ | 456 | 18.2 lbs | |||
|
15 |
11.85′ – 7.70′ | 560 | 22.4 lbs | 1,000 lbs | ||
|
16 |
12.64′ – 8.21′ | 680 | 27.2 lbs | 1,125 lbs | ||
|
17 |
13.43′ – 8.73′ | 816 | 32.5 lbs | 1,275 lbs | ||
|
18 |
14.22′ – 9.24′ | 969 | 38.7 lbs | 1,400 lbs | ||
|
19 |
15.01′ – 9.75′ | 1139 | 45.5 lbs | 1,750 lbs | ||
|
20 |
15.80′ – 10.27′ | 1329 | 53.1 lbs | 2,000 lbs | ||
|
21 |
16.59′ – 10.78′ | 1538 | 61.5 lbs | 2,300 lbs | ||
|
22 |
17.38′ – 11.29′ | 1768 | 70.7 lbs | 2,600 lbs | ||
Note: Altitude, ambient temperature, attack angle, payload, wind conditions, air density, and other factors determine the final lifting force available. Radio Controlled Emergency Deflation Valve and Burn Units are available.
May 2012 Helikite Balloons – Improved stability for tethered balloons
Helikite, the best of balloons and kites.
Helikite aerostats are a patented combination of a helium balloon and kite.
The Helikite aerostat overcomes the shortfalls of normal tethered balloons,
UAV’s blimps and kites. Normal balloons are pushed down by wind, whereas Helikite aerostats are actually pushed up by it. Normal kites fall down in no wind whereas helium filled Helikites are lighter-than-air and fly in still airs. Normal tethered blimps have to be brought down in bad weather, whereas the Helikite aerostat I stable in high winds. Helikites can fly to great heights in no wind and then catch any breezes that may exist at altitude. They can then use that breeze to maximise lift.
Helikite theory. Sourse Allsop Helikites
The balloon used by Helikites is fat and rounded, this is essential to provide good helium lift (about twice that of a comparably sized blimp). It also ensures that changes in temperature affect the Helikite as little as possible. Most balloons shaped to fly like kites collapse when they hit cold air due to the shrinkage of the gas inside and consequent loss of pressure needed to retain their shape. This is not a problem with Helikites, so they are far more reliable.
Helikites are for varied applications including: Aerial Photograpy & Video, Surveilance, Ad Hoc Radio, Radio Relay, Weather Research, Lifting Equipment, Surveillance, Amateur Radio, Publicity, Agriculture, etc.
Helikite carrying a British Army radio repeater
More information on Allsop helikites can be found at http://www.allsopp.co.uk/
Helikite aerostats are a patented combination of a helium balloon and kite.
The Helikite aerostat overcomes the shortfalls of normal tethered balloons,
UAV’s blimps and kites. Normal balloons are pushed down by wind, whereas Helikite aerostats are actually pushed up by it. Normal kites fall down in no wind whereas helium filled Helikites are lighter-than-air and fly in still airs. Normal tethered blimps have to be brought down in bad weather, whereas the Helikite aerostat I stable in high winds. Helikites can fly to great heights in no wind and then catch any breezes that may exist at altitude. They can then use that breeze to maximise lift.
The balloon used by Helikites is fat and rounded, this is essential to provide good helium lift (about twice that of a comparably sized blimp). It also ensures that changes in temperature affect the Helikite as little as possible. Most balloons shaped to fly like kites collapse when they hit cold air due to the shrinkage of the gas inside and consequent loss of pressure needed to retain their shape. This is not a problem with Helikites, so they are far more reliable.
Helikites are for varied applications including: Aerial Photograpy & Video, Surveilance, Ad Hoc Radio, Radio Relay, Weather Research, Lifting Equipment, Surveillance, Amateur Radio, Publicity, Agriculture, etc.
More information on Allsop helikites can be found at http://www.allsopp.co.uk/
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