Aircraft concept powered by atmosphere temperature difference

Robert D Hunt, based in Pass Christian in Mississippi in the US has come up with the idea of an airship cum aircraft that would be powered by the temperature difference between air at ground level and high altitudes. Hunt Aviation’s vision of the future is a rigid glider made of composite materials with twin fuselages capable of storing lifting vapour. In order to take off, a low boiling point liquid is vaporized into a low density, lighter than air vapour using the heat in the air near the ground. This creates buoyancy that allows the vehicle to glide upwards. When it reaches altitude, the vapour condenses and the craft glides downward. Power is generated by vertical axis turbines on the hybrid glider during both upward and downward gliding. Heat exchangers take in heat for the ascent and reject heat for the descent. The aircraft is insulated to prevent premature condensation or vaporization of the working fluid while climbing or descending.. The idea was presented in a paper to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astonautics 5th Aviation, Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference in Arlington on September 26, 2005. More information from www.fuellessflight.com. TS