公开(公告)号：US20180362369A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-20

申请号：US15622119

申请日：2017-06-14

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Sergey Vichik ,  Daniel Bowen ,  Sherri Goldman ,  Richard Chad Bruns ,  Daniel Alex Luebke

IPC: C02F1/467 ,  C25B1/26

CPC classification number: C02F1/4674 ,  C02F1/461 ,  C02F2103/008 ,  C02F2201/46105 ,  C02F2201/4612 ,  C02F2201/4619 ,  C25B1/26

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending life of an apparatus, such as a balloon, using electrolysis. A ballast liquid is carried or harvested and, when desired, is electrolyzed using an on-board electrolyzer to generate lift gas, rather than simply being dumped as traditional ballast. However, the ballast liquid may also be dumped, if necessary. A valve may be provided to enable safe dumping of the ballast liquid. The ballast liquid may be water, a water-methanol mixture, or other suitable ballast liquid. The ballast liquid may be stored in a container associated with the balloon prior to launch or may be harvested from the atmosphere while the balloon is in-flight. Features may be provided to maintain the ballast liquid in a liquid state. The lift gas mixture within the balloon is maintained non-flammable.

公开(公告)号：US20190086922A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-21

申请号：US15711003

申请日：2017-09-21

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Sergey Vichik ,  Cyrus Behroozi ,  C.O. Lee Boyce, JR.

IPC: G05D1/02 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C19/02

Abstract: An aerial vehicle control system includes an aerial vehicle and a computing device. The aerial vehicle includes an altitude controller and a lateral propulsion controller The computing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to obtain location data corresponding to a location of the aerial vehicle; obtain wind data; determine an altitude command, a latitude command, and a longitude command based on at least one of the location data or the wind data; cause the altitude controller to implement at least one of the altitude command, the latitude command, or the longitude command; and cause the lateral propulsion controller to implement at least one of the altitude command, the latitude command, or the longitude command.