Patent ID: 8166710

Claim:
A high altitude conduit, comprising: a first material layer forming an elongated space extending to high altitudes of at least 1000 meters (m); a second material layer outside the first material layer, the second material layer defining an annular space between the second material layer and the first material layer, the annular space acting as a conduit extending from a bottom to a top and configured to expel at least some of a fluid stream to the atmosphere, the fluid stream being carried through the annular space; a gas having a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer, the gas being disposed in the elongated space and the elongated space having a cross sectional shape that is not constant along the length of the conduit; and an introducer configured to provide the gas into the elongated space, wherein the gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.