Using gravity to get off the ground

[Saintaw]

http://www.shoutwire.com/viewstory/15905/Using_Gravity_To_Get_Off_The_Ground

[deSelys]

Cool idea, but if I may nitpick the article, I wonder how do you 'release vacuum'....?

[Saintaw]

Like I care!!! (You think that's high enough for a propper jump?)

[storch]

no more jump references from you.

[deSelys]

LOL Storch, you'd better get used to it. It looks like Saw has contracted the nastiest form of the virus.

To answer your question Saw, everything that can reach 3,500 ft without flying faster than 400 kph is jumpable to my eyes....


If I was rich, I would rent THIS:

[Saintaw]

I have images of burning Zeps somewhere in my mind... something famous, I'm sure it'll come back.

storch, will do if you stop making references to your jebus and your superior morals... deal?

[bozon]

Originally posted by deSelys
Cool idea, but if I may nitpick the article, I wonder how do you 'release vacuum'....?

suck air in.

what I find wrong is:

If the design pans out, the plane won't need any fossil fuel and will have a virtually unlimited range.

Thermodynamics will have to disagree. You'll need to invest energy in creating vacuum again if you want to climb after you stoped, or compress the Helium like they suggested.
Unless you just get carried by the winds, you have to invest energy to sustain movement.

Also, supporting vacuum in a large surface area structure requires a very strong construction. That usually results in increased weight and an even larger structure volume for it to float. Unless you can use very advance (and expensive) materials, it is much easier to handle internal over pressure or heat then vacuum.

Bozon

[deSelys]

I know Bozon, I was just making fun of the phrasing: you just can't 'release' void.

I also think that the inventor is a bit optimistic about the energy balance. However, this design could very well work with very little external energy needed. Solar panels could be enough to fill the gap.


When I was a teen, I imagined for a sci-fi RPG adventure a vehicle based upon a shaped force-field: with air sucked out of the field it would rise, then the force-field would take the form of a wing and it would glide.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by deSelys
you just can't 'release' void.

your mom did once

[lukster]

How long would it take to "float" high enough for these "dives". This sounds interesting but travel by sail or covered wagon might be faster.

[deSelys]

Originally posted by Nilsen
your mom did once