公开(公告)号：WO2021119118A

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：PCT/US2020/063996

申请日：2020-12-09

申请人： LOON LLC [US]/[US] ,  TASOVSKI, Vasil [US]/[US] ,  KENNAN, Mike [US]/[US] ,  BENEDETTO, Joseph, Charles [US]/[US] ,  GARTNER, Keegan [US]/[US] ,  UDALL, John, Frederick [US]/[US] ,  WASHBURN, Shane [US]/[US] ,  TABOR, Mathew [US]/[US] ,  SMITH, James [US]/[US]

发明人： TASOVSKI, Vasil ,  KENNAN, Mike ,  BENEDETTO, Joseph, Charles ,  GARTNER, Keegan ,  UDALL, John, Frederick ,  WASHBURN, Shane ,  TABOR, Mathew ,  SMITH, James

IPC分类号： B64F1/04 ,  B64B1/58 ,  B66B9/16 ,  B66C23/18

摘要： The technology provides a launch rig structure (300) capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically (306). 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 (602) and gas handling system (1206, 1300) to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly (1000) is configured to couple with a rigid connection member (916) of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart (902) that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly (1004) 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.