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公开(公告)号：US09850106B2
公开(公告)日：2017-12-26
申请号：US15469836
申请日：2017-03-27
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner , Keegan Gartner
Abstract: A lift assembly for use during inflation of a balloon envelope is provided. The lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings passing through the plate. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate through at least one of the openings of each cavity in the set of cavities. Each piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate. The handle is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings have grabbed a given stud.
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公开(公告)号：US09809293B2
公开(公告)日：2017-11-07
申请号：US15086918
申请日：2016-03-31
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
Abstract: A method for balloon launching may include loading a pre-packaged balloon and payload into a shell structure. The pre-packaged balloon may be pulled out of its packaging in a vertical direction, for instance using a gantry crane. The gantry crane may be configured to inflate the balloon from the top of the envelope. The balloon may be inflated while substantially within the shell structure, which may provide protection from wind gusts. A vehicle, such as a heavy forklift, may provide mobility and support for the balloon and shell. Once the balloon is inflated, the vehicle may move the balloon/shell combination at a rate and direction substantially matching the current wind direction/speed. Furthermore, after reaching a zero-velocity condition relative to the wind, the vehicle may assist and/or initiate the opening of the shell. A tether connecting the balloon to the shell structure may be disconnected, allowing the balloon to launch.
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公开(公告)号：US20170217558A1
公开(公告)日：2017-08-03
申请号：US15480582
申请日：2017-04-06
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
CPC classification number: B64B1/62 , B64B1/40 , B64B1/58 , B64C2201/022 , B64C2201/122
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to filling and lifting high altitude balloons. For instance, one example system for lifting and filling a balloon having a balloon envelope includes an apparatus for use with the balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a load line, a fill tube having a hollow portion nested within the load line and a termination member attached to the fill tube and load line. The load line is configured to lift the balloon envelope during inflation. The fill tube extends through the load line and is configured to allow lift gas to pass through the hollow portion. The termination member is configured to mate with an opening in the balloon envelope so that lift gas can pass through the hollow portion of the fill tube and into the opening in the balloon envelope.
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公开(公告)号：US09650123B2
公开(公告)日：2017-05-16
申请号：US15084633
申请日：2016-03-30
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner , Keegan Gartner
Abstract: A lift assembly for use during inflation of a balloon envelope is provided. The lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings passing through the plate. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate through at least one of the openings of each cavity in the set of cavities. Each piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate. The handle is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings have grabbed a given stud.
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Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US09643708B2
公开(公告)日：2017-05-09
申请号：US15001367
申请日：2016-01-20
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
CPC classification number: B64B1/62 , B64B1/40 , B64B1/58 , B64C2201/022 , B64C2201/122
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to filling and lifting high altitude balloons. For instance, one example system for lifting and filling a balloon having a balloon envelope includes an apparatus for use with the balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a load line, a fill tube having a hollow portion nested within the load line and a termination member attached to the fill tube and load line. The load line is configured to lift the balloon envelope during inflation. The fill tube extends through the load line and is configured to allow lift gas to pass through the hollow portion. The termination member is configured to mate with an opening in the balloon envelope so that lift gas can pass through the hollow portion of the fill tube and into the opening in the balloon envelope.
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公开(公告)号：US09643707B1
公开(公告)日：2017-05-09
申请号：US15137227
申请日：2016-04-25
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
Abstract: A system for filling balloons with lift gas is provided. The system includes apparatus for use with a balloon envelope of a balloon. This apparatus includes a main body having first and second portions. The first portion has a fill port and a hollow tube portion in communication with the fill port. The second portion has a surface and is insertable into a predefined opening in the balloon envelope. The surface of the second portion is configured to attach to an inner portion of the balloon envelope when the second portion is inserted in the predefined opening.
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公开(公告)号：US09849962B2
公开(公告)日：2017-12-26
申请号：US15480582
申请日：2017-04-06
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
CPC classification number: B64B1/62 , B64B1/40 , B64B1/58 , B64C2201/022 , B64C2201/122
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to filling and lifting high altitude balloons. For instance, one example system for lifting and filling a balloon having a balloon envelope includes an apparatus for use with the balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a load line, a fill tube having a hollow portion nested within the load line and a termination member attached to the fill tube and load line. The load line is configured to lift the balloon envelope during inflation. The fill tube extends through the load line and is configured to allow lift gas to pass through the hollow portion. The termination member is configured to mate with an opening in the balloon envelope so that lift gas can pass through the hollow portion of the fill tube and into the opening in the balloon envelope.
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公开(公告)号：US20170217736A1
公开(公告)日：2017-08-03
申请号：US15469836
申请日：2017-03-27
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner , Keegan Gartner
Abstract: A lift assembly for use during inflation of a balloon envelope is provided. The lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings passing through the plate. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate through at least one of the openings of each cavity in the set of cavities. Each piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate. The handle is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings have grabbed a given stud.
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公开(公告)号：US09663215B1
公开(公告)日：2017-05-30
申请号：US14740604
申请日：2015-06-16
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Daniel Ratner
Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a solenoid chamber having a plunger configured to create an opening in a first balloon envelope of a balloon system when the solenoid chamber is actuated. The opening enables gas to evacuate from the first balloon envelope. A mixer valve having a nozzle is coupled to the solenoid chamber. The mixer valve is configured to create a gas mixture formed from the gas evacuating from the opening and atmospheric gas. A heating device is attached to the nozzle. The heating device is configured to heat the gas mixture created by the mixer valve. A second balloon envelope is attached to the nozzle. The second balloon envelope is arranged to expand in proportion to a quantity of the heated gas mixture passing through the nozzle. This expansion of the second balloon envelope creates an amount of lift for controlling descent of the balloon system.
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