US5003186: "Stratospheric Welsbach seeding for reduction of global warming"  
 


Inventor(s): Chang; David B. , Tustin, CA
Shih; I-Fu , Los Alamitos, CA

Applicant(s): Hughes Aircraft Company, Los Angeles, CA
News, Profiles, Stocks and More about this company

Issued/Filed Dates: March 26, 1991 / April 23, 1990

Application Number: US1990000513145

IPC Class: G21K 1/00;

Class: Current: 250/505.1; 244/158.R; 250/503.1; 250/504.R;
Original: 250/505.1; 250/504.R; 250/503.1; 244/158.R;

Field of Search: 250/505.1,504 R,503.1,493.1 244/136,158 R


Abstract:
:
A method is described for reducing atmospheric or global warming resulting from the presence of
heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, i.e., from the greenhouse effect. Such gases are relatively
transparent to sunshine, but absorb strongly the long-wavelength infrared radiation released by the
earth. The method incudes the step of seeding the layer of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere
with particles of materials characterized by wavelength-dependent emissivity. Such materials
include Welsbach materials and the oxides of metals which have high emissivity (and thus low
reflectivities) in the visible and 8-12 micron infrared wavelength regions.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm: Sales; Michael W.; Denson-Low; Wanda; Primary/Assistant Examiners:
Berman; Jack I.;

U.S. References: Show the 2 patents that reference this one Patent Issued Inventor(s) Applicant(s) Title
US3222675* 12 /1965 Schwartz
US4755673 7 /1988 Pollack et al. Hughes Aircraft Company Selective thermal radiators
* some details unavailable

First Claim: Show all 18 claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of reducing atmospheric warming due to the greenhouse effect resulting from a layer of
gases in the atmosphere which absorb strongly near infrared wavelength radiation, comprising
the step of dispersing tiny particles of a material within the gases' layer, the particle material
characterized by wavelength-dependent emissivity or reflectivity, in that said material has high
emissivities with respect to radiation in the visible and far infrared wavelength spectra, and low
emissivity in the near infrared wavelength spectrum, whereby said tiny particles provide a means
for converting infrared heat energy into far infrared radiation which is radiated into space.