Launch system for lighter-than-air-balloons
AssigneeUrban Sky Theory Inc.
InventorsJared Leidich, Mitchell W. Sweeney, Nolan G. Smith, Maxmillion J. W. McLaughlin, Andrew F. Antonio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example method for launching a high-altitude balloon includes securing a launch collar around a balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope. The balloon envelope is structurally secured to a launch platform via a tether that is coupled to the launch collar. The launch collar is configured such that release of the launch collar from the choke point releases the balloon envelope from the launch platform.
Claims20
A method of launching a high altitude balloon comprising:
- securing a launch collar around a balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope;
- structurally securing the balloon envelope to a launch platform or other ground-based structure via a tether coupled to one or more attachment points on the launch collar, the tether also being secured at one or both ends to one or more ground-based attachment points;
- and
- adding tension to the tether by injecting lift gas into the upper portion of the balloon envelope while the balloon envelope is structurally secured by the tether coupled to the launch collar;
- and
- releasing the balloon envelope from the launch platform by controllably releasing the launch collar from the choke point.
A launch system comprising:
- a balloon system including a balloon envelope and a payload;
- a launch collar with a locking mechanism, the launch collar being configured to wrap around the balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope, the upper portion of the balloon envelope containing a lift gas;
- a tether coupled to the launch collar, the tether and the launch collar functioning to structurally secure the balloon envelope to a launch platform while the balloon envelope is filled with lift gas that applies upward tension to the tether, wherein release of the launch collar from the choke point releases the balloon envelope from the launch platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.