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公开(公告)号：US10819273B2
公开(公告)日：2020-10-27
申请号：US15843197
申请日：2017-12-15
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： John Cromie , Kyle Brookes
Abstract: A stratospheric balloon may include an upper structure having a pulley, a lower structure, at least one solar panel suspended between the upper structure and the lower structure, and a first orientation control member connected, at a first end thereof, to a first transverse edge of the at least one solar panel and, at a second end thereof, to a second transverse edge of the at least one solar panel. The first orientation control member is wound about the pulley such that rotating the pulley changes the orientation of the at least one solar panel relative to the upper structure and the lower structure. In another example, the pulley may be replaced by first and second support mechanisms and the system may include a second orientation control member. The first and second orientation control members are connected to the first and second support mechanisms, respectively, and to the solar panel.
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公开(公告)号：US10220929B1
公开(公告)日：2019-03-05
申请号：US16048600
申请日：2018-07-30
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Daniel Henry Fourie , Kyle Brookes
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a fill port apparatus for filling high altitude balloons, such as those used in communications networks, with lighter than air lift gasses. For instance, the fill port apparatus includes a tubular body portion having a passageway extending between a first end and a second end of the tubular body portion. The fill port apparatus also includes an attachment structure arranged at the first end of the tubular body portion. This structure is configured to attach to a top plate of a balloon envelope. The fill port apparatus also includes a plurality of energy directing structures arranged on an interior surface of the tubular body portion. These energy directing structures extend into the passageway from the interior surface and are each configured to contact at least one other of the plurality of energy directing structures when the tubular body portion is welded to itself.
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公开(公告)号：US20210061436A1
公开(公告)日：2021-03-04
申请号：US16559192
申请日：2019-09-03
Applicant: Loon LLC
Inventor： Kyle Brookes , Samuel Truslow , Leonard Bouygues , John Cromie
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for aerial vehicles having envelopes. For instance, a flight termination system may include one or more heat sources mounted on the top plate and oriented towards envelope material of the envelope. The one or more heat sources may each include a gas generator configured to generate gas of sufficient temperature to melt the envelope material and vent lift gas from the envelope. The flight termination system may also include a drag device arranged at the top plate which may be being configured to provide stability to the envelope during descent.
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公开(公告)号：US20210006200A1
公开(公告)日：2021-01-07
申请号：US17024816
申请日：2020-09-18
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： John Cromie , Kyle Brookes
Abstract: A stratospheric balloon may include an upper structure having a pulley, a lower structure, at least one solar panel suspended between the upper structure and the lower structure, and a first orientation control member connected, at a first end thereof, to a first transverse edge of the at least one solar panel and, at a second end thereof, to a second transverse edge of the at least one solar panel. The first orientation control member is wound about the pulley such that rotating the pulley changes the orientation of the at least one solar panel relative to the upper structure and the lower structure. In another example, the pulley may be replaced by first and second support mechanisms and the system may include a second orientation control member. The first and second orientation control members are connected to the first and second support mechanisms, respectively, and to the solar panel.
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公开(公告)号：US20190270503A1
公开(公告)日：2019-09-05
申请号：US16357507
申请日：2019-03-19
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Kyle Brookes , Kevin Roach
IPC: B64B1/58
Abstract: A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.
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Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US20190190439A1
公开(公告)日：2019-06-20
申请号：US15843197
申请日：2017-12-15
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： John Cromie , Kyle Brookes
Abstract: A stratospheric balloon may include an upper structure having a pulley, a lower structure, at least one solar panel suspended between the upper structure and the lower structure, and a first orientation control member connected, at a first end thereof, to a first transverse edge of the at least one solar panel and, at a second end thereof, to a second transverse edge of the at least one solar panel. The first orientation control member is wound about the pulley such that rotating the pulley changes the orientation of the at least one solar panel relative to the upper structure and the lower structure. In another example, the pulley may be replaced by first and second support mechanisms and the system may include a second orientation control member. The first and second orientation control members are connected to the first and second support mechanisms, respectively, and to the solar panel.
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公开(公告)号：US10322789B2
公开(公告)日：2019-06-18
申请号：US15797273
申请日：2017-10-30
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Kyle Brookes
Abstract: High-altitude balloons and apparatuses for filling such high-altitude balloons are provided. As an example, an apparatus for filling a high-altitude balloon includes a tube extending through envelope material of the balloon is provided. The apparatus also includes a flange connected to a first end of the tube. The flange is connected to an interior surface of the balloon. A fitting is connected to a second end of the tube. The fitting is configured for attachment with an apparatus for filling the balloon with lift gas. In addition, methods of filling high-altitude balloons with lift gas and methods of manufacturing balloons are also provided.
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公开(公告)号：US20190127037A1
公开(公告)日：2019-05-02
申请号：US15801648
申请日：2017-11-02
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Kyle Brookes , Kevin Roach
IPC: B64B1/58
Abstract: A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.
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公开(公告)号：US20220205888A1
公开(公告)日：2022-06-30
申请号：US17135426
申请日：2020-12-28
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Venkata Akula , Kyle Brookes
Abstract: Aspects of the technology relate to an apparatus and method for testing a material for use in a lighter-than-air craft deployable in the stratosphere. The apparatus and method may include and use a base plate and at least one ring component to attach to the base plate to secure a portion of the material. The at least one ring component has an elliptical shape including a minor radius having a first predetermined length and a major radius having a second predetermined length. The base plate receives a gas to inflate and pressurize the portion of the material. The first predetermined length and second predetermined length are selected to impart a stress ratio up to a predetermined maximum ratio onto the portion of the material through a predetermined temperature range when the portion of the material is inflated to a predetermined pressure.
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公开(公告)号：US10676170B1
公开(公告)日：2020-06-09
申请号：US16026361
申请日：2018-07-03
Applicant: LOON LLC
Inventor： Kyle Brookes , John Cromie , Raymond Louis Gradwohl
IPC: 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.
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