公开(公告)号：US08812176B1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-19

申请号：US13732001

申请日：2012-12-31

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Clifford Biffle ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Anton Valdemar Staaf ,  Eric Teller

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B64B1/62 ,  B64C13/18

CPC classification number: B64B1/62

Abstract: A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope having a top portion and a bottom portion, a payload positioned beneath the balloon envelope, a moveable plate positioned atop the balloon envelope, a line attached to the moveable plate, and a control system configured to cause the line to be pulled to cause the moveable plate to be pulled towards the bottom portion of the balloon envelope such that the top portion of the balloon envelope is moved towards the bottom portion of the balloon envelope forcing gas out of the balloon envelope such that the balloon envelope is collapsed. The balloon may further include a drag plate positioned beneath the balloon envelope that serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种具有气球外壳的球囊，其具有顶部和底部部分，位于球囊外壳下方的有效载荷，位于球囊外壳顶部的可移动板，连接到可移动板的线以及控制系统， 线被拉动以使可移动板被拉向气囊封套的底部，使得气囊外壳的顶部朝向球囊的底部部分移动，从而使气体从气囊外壳中流出，使气囊 信封已折叠。 气囊还可以包括位于气囊外壳下方的拖板，其用于减缓有效载荷下降到地球。

公开(公告)号：US09096301B1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-04

申请号：US13731979

申请日：2012-12-31

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Clifford Biffle ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Anton Valdemar Staaf ,  Eric Teller ,  Michael Cassidy

IPC: B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/42

Abstract: A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope, a payload positioned beneath the balloon envelope, and a drag plate positioned beneath the balloon envelope and attached to the payload, and a control system configured to initiate a process to cause the balloon envelope to no longer provide lift to the payload, wherein the drag plate serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种气囊，其具有气球外壳，位于气囊外壳下方的有效载荷，以及位于气囊外壳下方并连接到有效载荷上的拖板，以及控制系统，其被配置为启动使气囊外壳不再提供的过程 提升到有效载荷，其中拖板用于减缓有效载荷下降到地球。

公开(公告)号：US08804228B1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-12

申请号：US13730222

申请日：2012-12-28

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Clifford Biffle ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Eric Teller ,  Bradley James Rhodes

IPC: G02B26/00 ,  G02F1/167

CPC classification number: G02F1/167 ,  B64B1/62

Abstract: A balloon payload is provided having a payload structure, an outer surface of the payload structure comprised of an electronic ink covering, and a control system configured to change the electronic ink covering from a first state having first energy absorptive properties with respect to thermal energy that enters the payload through the electronic ink covering, to a second state having second energy absorptive properties with respect to thermal energy that enters the payload through the electronic ink covering, wherein the second energy absorptive properties allow less thermal energy to enter the payload than the first energy absorptive properties.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有有效载荷结构的气囊有效载荷，由电子墨水覆盖物构成的有效载荷结构的外表面，以及被配置为从相对于热能具有第一能量吸收特性的第一状态改变电子墨水覆盖物的控制系统， 通过电子墨水覆盖物进入有效载荷，达到相对于通过电子墨水覆盖物进入有效载荷的热能具有第二能量吸收特性的第二状态，其中第二能量吸收特性允许比第一能量吸收性能更少的热能进入有效载荷 能量吸收性能。

公开(公告)号：US20140099122A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-10

申请号：US14108542

申请日：2013-12-17

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: H04B10/118

CPC classification number: H04B7/18504 ,  B64B1/40 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  H04B10/1123 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/118

Abstract: A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon.

Abstract translation: 气球可以包括可以具有指向轴的光通信部件。 可以配置指示机构来调整指向轴。 光通信部件可以通过自由空间的光学链路与对应的气球通信。 例如，光通信部件可以包括光接收器，发射器或收发器。 控制器可以被配置为确定相应气球的预测相对位置。 控制器可以基于预测的相对位置来控制指示机构来调整光通信部件的指向轴，以便保持与对应气球的自由空间光学链路。

公开(公告)号：US08833696B1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-16

申请号：US13631057

申请日：2012-09-28

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Clifford Biffle

IPC: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/14

CPC classification number: B64B1/70 ,  B64B1/14 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62

Abstract: A balloon is provided having an envelope, and a payload positioned beneath the envelope, wherein the envelope has an exterior shape adapted for directing sunlight towards the payload. The balloon may further include a control system configured to cause the balloon or payload to rotate to cause a first portion of the balloon envelope or a first portion of the payload to be positioned facing the sun. The first portion of the balloon envelope may be asymmetrical with respect to a second portion of the balloon envelope, with the first portion angled to direct sunlight towards the payload. The balloon envelope may include a transmissive or translucent surface adapted to direct sunlight towards a lower portion of the envelope, which in turn is adapted to direct sunlight onto the payload. The balloon may also be lens-shaped to focus sunlight onto the payload.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种具有外壳和位于封套下方的有效载荷的气囊，其中该外壳具有适于将太阳光引向有效载荷的外部形状。 气球可以进一步包括控制系统，该控制系统被配置为使球囊或有效载荷旋转以引起球囊封套的第一部分或有效载荷的第一部分面向太阳定位。 球囊的第一部分可以相对于球囊的第二部分是不对称的，其中第一部分成角度以将太阳光引向有效载荷。 气球外壳可以​​包括透光或半透明的表面，其适于将太阳光引向信封的下部，这反过来又适应于将阳光直射到有效载荷上。 气球也可以是透镜形状以将阳光聚焦到有效载荷上。

公开(公告)号：US20160182140A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-23

申请号：US15053024

申请日：2016-02-25

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: H04B7/185 ,  H04B10/112

CPC classification number: H04B7/18504 ,  B64B1/40 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  H04B10/1123 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/118

Abstract: A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon.

Abstract translation: 气球可以包括可以具有指向轴的光通信部件。 可以配置指示机构来调整指向轴。 光通信部件可以通过自由空间的光学链路与对应的气球通信。 例如，光通信部件可以包括光接收器，发射器或收发器。 控制器可以被配置为确定相应气球的预测相对位置。 控制器可以基于预测的相对位置来控制指示机构来调整光通信部件的指向轴，以便保持与对应气球的自由空间光学链路。

公开(公告)号：US09306668B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-05

申请号：US14108542

申请日：2013-12-17

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: H04B10/11 ,  G05D1/00 ,  H04B10/118 ,  H04B10/112 ,  B64B1/40

CPC classification number: H04B7/18504 ,  B64B1/40 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  H04B10/1123 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/118

Abstract: A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon.

Abstract translation: 气球可以包括可以具有指向轴的光通信部件。 可以配置指示机构来调整指向轴。 光通信部件可以通过自由空间的光学链路与对应的气球通信。 例如，光通信部件可以包括光接收器，发射器或收发器。 控制器可以被配置为确定相应气球的预测相对位置。 控制器可以基于预测的相对位置来控制指向机构来调整光通信部件的指向轴，以便保持与对应气球的自由空间光学链路。