Reusable balloon system
AssigneeUrban Sky
InventorsJared Leidich, Andrew F. Antonio, Mitch Sweeney, Daniel W. McFatter, Maxmillion James West McLaughlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example reusable high-altitude balloon system includes a control system configured to initiate a termination sequence by separating a payload from an Earth-facing end of the balloon body. Separation of the payload from the balloon body generates a torque that causes the balloon body to invert and release lift gas through a vent duct, initiating a flight termination sequence that facilitates landing of the reusable balloon system without destroying the balloon body.
Claims16
A reusable balloon system comprising:
- a balloon with a first end attached to a mass;
- and
- a control system configured to initiate a termination sequence by separating the mass from the first end of the balloon, the separation causing the balloon to invert and release gas without destroying the balloon;
- an apex fitting forming a seal with a second end of the balloon opposite the first end, the apex fitting including control circuitry that controllably releases the apex fitting from the second end of the balloon, the seal between the apex fitting and the second end of the balloon including:
- a plurality of pleated folds formed in the second end of the balloon around the apex fitting;
- and
- a clamp seal that applies a pressure to the pleated folds around the apex fitting to form an air-tight seal.
A method of initiating a termination sequence for a reusable balloon system comprising:
- receiving, at control electronics on the reusable balloon system, a first command to initiate a primary termination mechanism for a reusable balloon that is in-flight, the first command being executable to controllably separating a mass from a first end of the reusable balloon responsive to receipt of the first command, the separation causing the balloon to invert and release gas without destroying the balloon;
- and
- receiving, at the control electronics, a second command to initiate a secondary termination sequence, the second command being executable by circuitry included within an apex fitting forming a seal with a second end of the reusable balloon opposite the first end, the seal being formed by a plurality of pleated folds formed in the second end of the reusable balloon that wrap around the apex fitting, the pleated folds being clamped against the apex fitting by a clamp seal, the secondary termination mechanism being executable to release the clamp seal to free the apex fitting from the second end of the reusable balloon.
A balloon system comprising:
- a reusable balloon attached to a payload at a first end, the reusable balloon including a vent duct that releases gas during ascension;
- and
- a control system configured to initiate a primary termination sequence by separating the payload from the first end of the balloon;
- and
- a tether that extends between the payload and a second end of the reusable balloon, the tether tensioning the second end of the reusable balloon following payload separation and causing the reusable balloon to invert such that the vent duct is inverted and acts as a release duct during descension;
- an apex fitting forming a seal with a second end of the balloon opposite the first end, the apex fitting including control circuitry configured to initiate a secondary termination sequence that that controllably releases the apex fitting from the second end of the balloon, the seal between the apex fitting and the second end of the balloon including:
- a plurality of pleated folds formed in the second end of the balloon around the apex fitting;
- and
- a clamp seal that applies a pressure to the pleated folds around the apex fitting to form an air-tight seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.