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US 9,281,554 B1Granted
Balloon with pressure mechanism to passively steer antenna
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsCyrus Behroozi, Eric Teller, Richard W. DeVaul
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for passively steering an antenna disposed on a balloon in a balloon network. An example balloon involves: (a) an antenna and (b) a pressure-sensitive mechanism in mechanical communication with the antenna such that a change in the balloon's altitude causes at least an element of the antenna to rotate upward or downward, a separation distance between two or more radiating elements to increase or decrease, or a separation distance between the two or more radiating elements and a reflector to increase or decrease.
Claims19
A balloon, comprising:
- an antenna;
- a pressure-sensitive mechanism in mechanical communication with the antenna such that a change in the balloon's altitude causes at least an element of the antenna to rotate upward or downward, a separation distance between two or more radiating elements to increase or decrease, or a separation distance between the two or more radiating elements and a reflector to increase or decrease;
- and
- a calibration system comprising a zero-power-hold actuator and a processor, wherein the zero-power-hold actuator is in mechanical communication with the antenna.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- operating a first balloon at a first altitude, wherein the balloon comprises an antenna, a pressure-sensitive mechanism in mechanical communication with the antenna, and a calibration system comprising a zero-power-hold actuator and a processor, wherein the zero-power-hold actuator is in mechanical communication with the antenna;
- initiating an altitude change to move the balloon to a second altitude that is different from the first altitude;
- and
- in response to the altitude change, adjusting the position of the antenna, wherein adjusting the position of the antenna comprises:
- if the second altitude is higher than the first altitude, expanding a component of the pressure-sensitive mechanism and rotating the antenna beam pattern downward;
- and
- if the second altitude is lower than the first altitude, contracting the component of the pressure-sensitive mechanism and rotating the antenna beam pattern upward.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.