公开(公告)号：US09914521B1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-13

申请号：US15601113

申请日：2017-05-22

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Michael Hall-Snyder ,  Sandeep Kumar Giri ,  Shane Washburn ,  Joseph Charles Benedetto ,  Keegan Gartner

IPC: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/58 ,  B64F1/12

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/66 ,  B64F1/12

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

公开(公告)号：US10059420B1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US14960739

申请日：2015-12-07

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Michael Hall-Snyder ,  Kyle Brookes

IPC: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/46

CPC classification number: B64B1/46

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.

公开(公告)号：US09745040B1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-29

申请号：US14838498

申请日：2015-08-28

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Michael Hall-Snyder ,  Sandeep Kumar Giri ,  Shane Washburn ,  Joseph Charles Benedetto ,  Keegan Gartner

IPC: B64B1/40 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64B1/58

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/66 ,  B64F1/12

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.