Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft control – Airship control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-01
2001-05-08
Barefoot, Galen L. (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft control
Airship control
C052S002110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227488
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the hot air balloon industry and more particularly to means and method of improving the inflation of the balloon portion otherwise known as the envelope of the hot air balloon apparatus.
Within the hot air balloon industry, the balloon portion otherwise known as the envelope is inflated by means of a fan or blower. Historically, the envelope is inflated manually by flapping its opening up and down in order to trap air inside. Since the onset of gasoline powered fans, they have been the primary means to inflation.
When inflating an envelope, care needs to be given so that a minimal amount of debri and other harmful and damaging matter enters the inside of the envelope by means of the air stream produced by the fan. Further, since engine exhaust is harmful to the envelope's fabric, care must be given to minimize such exposure.
Present fans are designed so that the propeller is mounted close to the ground with its engine mounted directly in line of the air flow which enters into the envelope.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventive improvements relate to a mobile fan used to inflate an envelope portion of a hot air balloon apparatus. Such fan comprises of a propeller driven by a gasoline/fuel engine which is mounted on a wheeled base. The fan assembly may be covered by an encompassing cage and may be moved around place to place as needed or found to be desirable. In contrast to the conventional methods of inflating an envelope, where fans or blowers are mounted on a base close to the ground with its engines mounted directly in line of the air flow, the present invention provides a relatively large self-contained and totally mobile fan. Its applications include the following advantages:
1. With the engine located below the fan, the engine does not restrict the air flow of the fan. It is particularly important so that the inflation time of the envelope is minimized. Further, since the engine exhaust is harmful to the envelope's fabric, by placing the engine below the fan, the exhaust which enters the air stream is minimized.
2. That the fan is mounted high enough above the ground surface so that debris and other matter are not pulled into the air stream and blown into the envelope. This is particularly important because debris or other matter can puncture the envelope's fabric as well as catch fire and bum holes within the envelope.
As indicated above, debris and engine exhaust is not only harmful to the envelope, but also to the ground crew personnel holding the envelope during the inflation period. The present invention proposes to deal with these problems.
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Barefoot Galen L.
Head Johnson & Kachigian
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