A Cloud Chamber of Light Weight for Balloon Flights

Abstract

Some constructional details of cloud chambers used for balloon flights are described. Details are given on the fabrication of transparent plastic front walls and cylinders for the cloud chambers. A relatively large number of bicycle spokes is used for holding the chamber together, thus distributing material stresses, enabling one to make the aluminum parts of the cloud chamber quite light. The back and front walls of the cloud chambers are somewhat spherically curved, resulting in considerable reduction of material thicknesses. By the same means a piece of slightly curved metal gauze is sufficient to limit the motion of the rubber diaphragm in the compressed position. A mechanism used for adjusting expansion ratios can be removed before a balloon flight. Gas and liquid can be inserted through bicycle valves. The cloud chambers are 12 inches in diameter, 3½ inches deep, and weigh approximately 6 pounds.