公开(公告)号：US20210094668A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-01

申请号：US16589305

申请日：2019-10-01

申请人： LOON LLC

发明人： Mike Kennan

IPC分类号： B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64F1/04 ,  G01L17/00

摘要： Launching lighter-than-air craft, such as stratospheric balloons, includes filling an envelope with lift gas. Depending on the size and configuration of the envelope, inflation can place excess tension on one or more points along the envelope. This tension can cause undue stress on the material, which can adversely impact the ability of the lighter-than-air craft remaining aloft for long periods of time. Aspects of the technology employ a load cell to measure tension as the envelope is filled with lift gas. Information from the load cell is used to modulate one or more elements of a launch rig to regulate the tension during fill. The load cell may be mounted in proximity to one or more attachment points between the envelope and the launch rig. The load cell readings are cross-referenced with the amount of lift gas in the envelope, and the modulation is adjusted according to this information.

公开(公告)号：US20210179247A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US17114714

申请日：2020-12-08

申请人： LOON LLC

发明人： Mike Kennan ,  James Smith ,  Keegan Gartner ,  Mathew Tabor

IPC分类号： B64B1/00 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/58

摘要： The technology provides a launch rig structure capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically. The filled balloon is capable of staying aloft in the stratosphere with its payload for months or longer. The launch rig structure is configured to rotate up to 360° in response to current wind conditions. It includes an integrated lifting boom and gas handling system to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly is configured to couple with a rigid connection member of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly engages with the rigid connection member. Once the envelope is filled, the gripper assembly disengages from the connection member so that the balloon floats away from the launch rig.

公开(公告)号：US20210053667A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-25

申请号：US16546370

申请日：2019-08-21

申请人： Loon LLC

发明人： Mike Kennan ,  Vasil Tasovski ,  Alexander Thal

IPC分类号： B64B1/46 ,  B64B1/50

摘要： Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles. For instance, a flight termination system for a tethered aerial vehicle including an envelope may include a tool and a tether. The tool may include a first piece configured for attachment to an interior surface of the envelope and including a cutting blade. The tool may also include a second piece configured for attachment to an exterior surface of the envelope. The tether may be attached to the first piece such that when in use, a force on the tether causes the tool to cut an opening into the envelope.