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Solar powered disc-shaped helium filled airship, approximately 3' in diameter. Controlled via a radio transponder worn on a necklace to hover a few feet directly over your head and follow you around.
Consider it your personal storm cloud.
Floaty Bluetooth Hatalloon
Inspired by [wagster], who was in turn inspired by [DesertFox] [Worldgineer, Jan 10 2006]
bristolz's
Helicanopy [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jan 10 2006]
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You are in good company. [bristolz] did the stationary model, [link] |
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I'd forgotten about that one. Thanks for the reminder - I still think that's one of the more marketable ideas around this place. |
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//Consider it your personal storm cloud// But obviously, with aluminiumised mylar for the envelope, it will always have a silver (coloured) lining. |
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make sure those props can push stronger
than a mild wind and still be light enough
to hover. Hopefully, it also knows
when you've got into a vehicle, and hops,
or floats, in too. Maybe you can sell
advertising space on it. |
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The only problem is the helium. Sure it's cheap, but not many people carry a tank with them. Hydrogen can be dynamically generated from the onboard solar cells with a tiny bit of water. The hydrogen fills the mylar envelope, while the oxygen is vented outside, avoiding an explosive mixture. |
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If the dirigible needs to descend, it could feed the hydrogen through a fuel cell, recharging the batteries instead of simply venting the gas. In fact, the electrolysis and fuel cell form a closed system, changing the buoyancy of the airship at will. The solar panels need only replace the electricity loss in conversion. This way it can maintain lift indefinitely. |
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Hydrogen is flammable, but at least it won't cause any damage if it catches fire. It will simply make a neat *FWOOMP* overhead, along with a short light show. Not intended for use indoors. |
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Well, if it could be in the shape of a dog, then you could tell people you're taking it for a walk! |
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reminds me of those small rain clouds that follow people in cartoons.
why not just carry the balloon on a string? make it the size of an umbrella, which does the same thing. attach it to a backpack & the lift will help with those heavy loads. |
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Bad Luck Schleprock meets the 21st century. |
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Can it be in the shape of a large red arrow with "You are here" written on it? |
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[great] A string isn't a bad idea for windy days, but you'd still
need it to move itself around to block the sun from your eyes. |
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[great] A string isn't a bad idea for windy days, but you'd still
need it to move itself around to block the sun from your eyes. |
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