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Gravity Plane
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In order for the GravityPlane to become airborne, gas bags inside a pair of rigid, zeppelin-like structures are filled with helium from storage tanks inside the vehicle. This causes the aircraft to become lighter-than-air, and it rises from the ground. Compressed-air jets on the sides of the craft add further propulsion, pushing the vehicle skyward and decreasing the craft's overall weight by releasing the stored air which acts as ballast. Once the craft reaches the altitude where the helium is no longer lighter than the surrounding air-- theoretically as high as ten miles up-- it is unable to climb any further. Some of the stored compressed air is then expanded into the dirigible areas, decreasing the buoyancy effect of the helium and starting the aircraft's descent phase.
Nov 1, 2009 11:59 PM
Re: Gravity Plane
So it's... a perpetual motion machine? It will never require additional energy to continue working? Really?
By: Oh-Deeh
Re: Gravity Plane
nope.
I guess this is the kind of video in which the technology is presented in the most favorable light possible.. hence the question unanswered. It would however be pretty awesome if the power of gravity and turbine alone could do the trick!!
Another problem you could indicate is that aviation is usually not usefull unless it can actually transport something. In this model any additional weight could put quite a lot of strain on the design.
I guess this is the kind of video in which the technology is presented in the most favorable light possible.. hence the question unanswered. It would however be pretty awesome if the power of gravity and turbine alone could do the trick!!
Another problem you could indicate is that aviation is usually not usefull unless it can actually transport something. In this model any additional weight could put quite a lot of strain on the design.
By: wadadde
Re: Gravity Plane
It probably doesn't fly upwind too well, either. Cool concept, though. I guess this could eventually be the sky version of river rafting, except up there, a Cat 5 rapid is a tornado. Wheeeeeeee!
JetStreamSkyRafting . com
JetStreamSkyRafting . com
By: kooolcat
Re: Gravity Plane
It looks like the takeoff energy comes from forcing the air into the ballast tanks using a separate energy source. It is possible to gain energy from air currents of you have a skilled pilot and aren't too particular about going where you want when you want.
My guess is the biggest problem is getting the air back into the tanks at high altitude. Or is that getting the plane to move forward at altitude? It really needs a small motor to solve these problems.
In any case, it looks very energy efficient, but not very fast.
My guess is the biggest problem is getting the air back into the tanks at high altitude. Or is that getting the plane to move forward at altitude? It really needs a small motor to solve these problems.
In any case, it looks very energy efficient, but not very fast.
