Apparatus for generation and use of lift gas

Details Apparatus for generation and use of lift gas Apparatus for generation and use of lift gas

2011-01-18

2011-01-18

Ellis, Christopher P (Department: 3644)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Aircraft control

Airship control

C244S031000, C244S032000, C446S220000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07871036

ABSTRACT:
A balloon launch unit produces lift gas to enable balloon launch or to allow the prolongation of balloon flight. A method of using the balloon launch unit can include reforming a fuel source by reaction with water to generate hydrogen-rich lift gas mixtures, and injecting the lift gas into a balloon. A reforming operation can include causing the combustion of a combustible material with ambient oxygen for the release of energy; and heating a reforming combination of reaction fuel and water with the energy released from the combustion of the combustible material, to a temperature above that required for the reforming reaction wherein the fuel and water sources are reformed into lift gas. The amount of the combustible material combusted is sufficient to result in the release of enough energy to heat an amount of the reforming reaction fuel and water sources to the temperature above that required for the reforming reaction.

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Office Action received Jun. 3, 2008 with respect to U.S. Appl. No. 11/422,486, now U.S. Patent No. 7,735,777.
Office Action Final received Nov. 12, 2008 with respect to U.S. Appl. No. 11/422,486, now U.S. Patent No. 7,735,777.
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Office Action received Jun. 30, 2009 with respect to U.S. Appl. No. 11/422,486, now U.S. Patent No. 7,735,777.
Notice of Allowance received Mar. 3, 2010 with respect to U.S. Appl. No. 11/422,486, now U.S. Patent No. 7,735,777.
Notice of Supplemental Allowance received Apr. 26, 2010 with respect to U.S. Appl. No. 11/422,486 now U.S. Patent No. 7,735,777.

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