[balloon-makers] plastic bag balloons- update

[Steve Griffin]

Heck that is a project Mark - most of us struggle building 1 envelope and
you are building 50! Keep up the good work.

It has been very quite on this list which is usually a good sign - everyone
must be deeply involved in their own projects.

For anyone that is interested I have been working on a software development
project. 'Balloon Designer' it is called. When finished it will do what
Arnaud's panel.exe does plus some more.

Some key features:
Choice of 3 shape profiles - would like to add a Racer if anyone has a good
pattern
Choice of 4 constructions styles - horizontal panels, single, half and tri
gores
Optional cost and weight calculations
Optional flying wire calculations using Rectangular and triangular load
frames
Imperial and metric units for input and reporting - still working on this
Text and windows forms printed reports

If anyone is interested I have a web page up for it where you can download
the current version http://www.flymetothemoon.com.au/homebuilding/designer
It has some incomplete pieces in the reporting but is basically functional.

There is a 1st draft user manual and some sample data files also available
for download from the site.

The application is a little of 1Mb to download but does require that
Microsoft's .net framework is loaded on your machine. .net will be
automatically downloaded if required.

Steve

PS we are heading off on a 10 day cruise of the south pacific this morning
so won't be answering emails for at least that long.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-balloon-makers at elvis.mu.org
[mailto:owner-balloon-makers at elvis.mu.org] On Behalf Of Mark Caviezel
Sent: Wednesday, 27 December 2006 12:28 AM
To: Balloon; K. Mark
Subject: [balloon-makers] plastic bag balloons- update

All: 
Not a whole lot of traffic here on the list recently,
I hope everyone is having a great holiday. 

An update on my plastic bag cluster balloon project: 
Current plan is fifty small, 900 cubic foot balloons,
methane filled, each providing about 20 pounds net
buoyancy, individually tied off to Don's Body Helmet
gondola.   I have almost half of the lift cells built
and ready to go.  Discussions with the local FAA has
been initially positive for getting airworthiness
certificate for this set up.  Each cell will have a
small valve for vernier buoyancy adjustments, a rip
panel to loose all of the cell's lift gas, and
provision to cut away individual cells in an emergency
situation. 

I've conducted an air inflation test and two methane
inflation tests- with favorable results.   The second
methane inflation test was conducted over a 4.5 day
period with minimal leakage.  It was pleased and
surprised for this successful test because it was tied
off to a 20 pound cinder block and allowed to sway in
the breeze.  The 2nd test was terminated only because
of high winds developing after 108 hours.  The balloon
material is 0.00075 inches thick, about .5 oz per
square yard.  This is the same plastic that I use for
my scientific high altitude balloons.  Although this
lightweight material is fragile on the ground, it has
potential to be a part of a real high performance
competitive gas balloon envelope- only about 150
pounds total weight for 1000 cubic meters.  (And low
leakage, and low solar heating)  
  

I'll send a link to the photos of the inflation tests
for those who want to look.  

I'm still looking for a good launch site.   The local
airport would be fine, but the airport commission has
been stalling on my request to launch from there.  
I'll continue to work that angle but if anyone has a
better option within 500 miles of Oklahoma, I'd love
to hear from you. 

best regards, 

- Mark Caviezel 


 
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