公开(公告)号：US10035576B1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-31

申请号：US14886762

申请日：2015-10-19

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Kyle Brookes ,  John Cromie ,  Raymond Louis Gradwohl

IPC: B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/40

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a flex connection for high altitude balloon applications. During operation flex connection allows a payload of a high-altitude balloon to remain level when an envelope of the balloon is tilted, in order to change the direction of the balloon. As an example, a system may include a balloon envelope, a payload, a cable between the balloon envelope and the payload, and a flex connection on the cable. The flex connection enables the payload to remain level relative to the ground when the balloon is in flight and the balloon envelope is tilted relative to the payload. The flex connection includes a top portion, a plurality of discs, and a bottom portion.