| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 244096000 | Airship control | 36 |
| 20080251635 | Apparatus For Lighter-Than-Air Aircraft - An apparatus for launching and recovering a lighter-than-air aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes an envelope that is substantially filled before launch with a lift gas and a second gas. The lift gas and second gas are substantially separated in the envelope by a boundary layer of mixed gas, formed by the lift and second gases. The aircraft is supported by one or more masts as the lift gas is injected to achieve the required buoyancy for launch. The aircraft is then released and rises, for example, in an inclined orientation. As the aircraft climbs, the lift gas expands in the envelope, and the second gas is vented therefrom. During horizontal descent, air can be pumped into the envelope to maintain the envelope in a substantially filled configuration. The air and lift gas can be mixed to avoid sloshing and pooling. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090045284 | Corded Orientation System For Lighter-Than-Air Aircraft - An orientation system is disclosed for a lighter-than-air aircraft having a lower stage suspended from an envelope. The orientation system includes cords interconnecting the envelope and the lower stage and means for adjusting the length of at least one of the cords between the lower stage and the envelope. Adjusting the length produces a shift in the angle of attack of the envelope with respect to the lower stage. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090072084 | LIGHTER-THAN-AIR VEHICLES - The present invention describes lighter-than-air vehicles. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a lighter-than-air vehicle having a payload module, the payload module including an engine. Furthermore, the lighter-than-air vehicle includes a non-rigid envelope in communication with the payload module. The lighter-than-air vehicle also provides a propulsion system that includes a plurality of thrusters, the thrusters positioned substantially near the equatorial plane of the non-rigid envelope. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a lighter-than-air vehicle comprising a payload module and a non-rigid envelope in communication with the payload module. Furthermore, the lighter-than-air vehicle includes a hydraulic propulsion system in communication with the non-rigid envelope and the payload module. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090127385 | Differential Thrust Control System - A system allowing for the controlled propulsion of aircraft, especially buoyant and semi-buoyant airships designed as a symmetric body of revolution, without the need for or use of aerodynamic control surfaces, comprised of a plurality of ducted fan thrusters placed both fore and aft, designed to ingest air flowing at less than free stream velocity. Fans are arranged such that when at standard orientation, the thrust from each is directed tangentially to an arc drawn along the hull from bow to stem. By defining multiple sets of thrusters based upon their location, differential thrust may be applied based upon set membership in order to affect translational and rotational maneuvering of the aircraft. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20100288875 | EXTERNAL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM FOR LIGHTER THAN AIR VEHICLES - An airship system, including an inflatable airship of predetermined volume adapted to be filled with gas and to rise to a predetermined altitude, said airship having a hull formed from an inflated flexible gas containment primary envelope, at least one lifting envelope located within the primary envelope for containing the lifting gas, where the lifting envelope will expand to substantially occupy the space of the primary envelope when the airship is at its predetermined high altitude, at least one secondary envelope located within the primary envelope, which can be inflated when said lifting envelope is at lower altitudes to fill the balance of the space of the primary envelope, and air handling means external to the primary envelope and communicating with the secondary envelope for filling and emptying the secondary envelope. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100320314 | Lenticular airship and associated controls - A system for controlling yaw associated with an airship may include one or more vertical control surfaces associated with the airship, a first power source and a second power source, each configured to provide a thrust associated with the airship, and a yaw control configured to receive an input indicative of a desired yaw angle. The system may further include a controller communicatively connected to the yaw control, the one or more vertical control surfaces, and the first and second power sources. The controller may be configured to receive an output signal from the yaw control corresponding to the desired yaw angle and to generate a control signal configured to modify a state associated with at least one of the one or more vertical control surfaces, the first power source, and the second power source, such that the airship substantially attains the desired yaw angle. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20120160959 | LENTICULAR AIRSHIP - An airship may include a hull substantially shaped as an oblate spheroid, one or more frame members defining a support structure, wherein the support structure forms at least a partial support for the hull, at least one horizontal stabilizing member operably coupled to a lower surface of the airship, and at least one horizontal stabilizing member having a first end and a second end. The at least one horizontal stabilizing member may define an anhedral configuration. The airship may also include a vertical stabilizing member having a first end pivotally coupled to the airship and a second end oriented to remain below an upper surface of the airship. The vertical stabilizing member may be configured to pivot within a vertical plane, and the first end of the vertical stabilizing member and the first end of the at least one horizontal stabilizing member may be operably coupled to one another. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120181381 | SELF-RIGHTING AEROSTAT AND RELATIVE TAKEOFF AND RECOVERY SYSTEM - A self-righting aerostat ( | 07-19-2012 |
| 20130075523 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTITUDE CONTROL OF TETHERED AEROSTATS - A control system for a tethered aerostat is provided, where up to two rotational and at least one translational degree of freedom are controlled to setpoints through the variation of tether lengths by an actuator system. The term tether includes a single tether, a tether group or a sub section of tether controlled by an individual actuator. Accurate rotational and translational control is essential for the successful operation of an aerostat under several applications, including surveillance, weather monitoring, and power generation. For a given use case, the controller can be constructed and arranged to manage the tradeoff between several key performance characteristics, such as transient performance, steady-state pointing accuracy, tether tension regulation, and power generation. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130175391 | Relative Positioning of Balloons with Altitude Control and Wind Data - The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20140070050 | LENTICULAR AIRSHIP AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS - A system for controlling yaw associated with an airship may include one or more vertical control surfaces associated with the airship, a first power source and a second power source, each configured to provide a thrust associated with the airship, and a yaw control configured to receive an input indicative of a desired yaw angle. The system may further include a controller communicatively connected to the yaw control, the one or more vertical control surfaces, and the first and second power sources. The controller may be configured to receive an output signal from the yaw control corresponding to the desired yaw angle and to generate a control signal configured to modify a state associated with at least one of the one or more vertical control surfaces, the first power source, and the second power source, such that the airship substantially attains the desired yaw angle. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140263827 | AIRSHIP PITCH TRIM AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM - An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140284422 | Hovering Surveillance Air Vehicle - A hovering surveillance device. An electronic imaging device is disposed on a housing having a primary lift element, at least one compressed lighter-than-air gas element, a pitch adjustment element, and, a steering element. The compressed lighter-than-air gas is channeled to the primary lift element and the pitch adjustment element to selectively vary the altitude and angle for the housing such that scene of interest may be imaged. The lighter-than-air gas may be selected from the group of helium, hydrogen, heated air, neon, ammonia, and methane. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140319270 | Relative Positioning of Balloons with Altitude Control and Wind Data - The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20150076281 | NEUTRAL BUOYANCY CRAFT - Neutral buoyancy craft of architecture according to which all the necessary for its guidance, navigation and control forces act exclusively on part A ( | 03-19-2015 |
| 20160139601 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTITUDE CONTROL OF TETHERED AEROSTATS - A control system for a tethered aerostat is provided, where at least one rotational and at least one translational degree of freedom are controlled to setpoints through the variation of tether lengths by an actuator system. The term tether includes a single tether, a tether group or a sub section of tether controlled by an individual actuator. Accurate rotational and translational control is essential for the successful operation of an aerostat under several applications, including surveillance, weather monitoring, communications, and power generation. For a given use case, the controller can be constructed and arranged to manage the tradeoff between several key performance characteristics, such as transient performance, steady-state pointing accuracy, tether tension regulation, and power generation. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20170233056 | GAS DENSITY CONTROL SYSTEM | 08-17-2017 |
| 244097000 | Buoyancy varying | 12 |
| 20090065637 | Buoyancy system using double-sorb controllers for engine fueling and airship attitude correction - A buoyancy system using double-sorb controllers for engine fueling and airship attitude control is disclosed. The buoyancy system is based on the use of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) payload that assists in buoyancy control and provides simultaneously a fuel for natural gas engines that propel the airship. The airship attitude correction is achieved by changing the amount of buoyant gas such as methane that is enclosed in the airship's baffles located forward and aft in the airship, and to the starboard and port if necessary for active roll control. The airship attitude control is provided by absorption or desorption of the natural gas using two double-sorb controllers. One of two double-sorb controllers is mounted forward and the other is mounted aft in the airship, so the differential absorption/desorption of natural gas is used to control the pitch of the airship. Each double-sorb controller consists of a thermally insulated external container connected with the LNG payload and natural gas engines. The double-sorb controller includes two sorbs equipped with heaters and separated by vacuum space and thermally conductive shell. The first sorb is connected with the airship's baffle to absorb or desorb the natural gas enclosed in the baffle, and the second sorb is connected to the natural gas engine. The LNG payload controls the level of the vacuum in a space that completely surrounds the first sorb. By the regulation of temperature increase or decrease of two sorbs within the double-sorb controllers, the fueling of the natural gas engines and the airship attitude control is achieved. A second system may be used to plumb the natural gas boil-off into or out of each baffle as necessary to provide course control of the overall airship, and buoyancy and attitude control. Other liquefied or solidified gases such that the gas phase of the material is lighter than air, such as hydrogen, may be substituted for natural gas in this invention. All lighter than air airships, including but not limited to blimps, may be controlled using the invention described herein. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090114767 | Unmanned Aircraft as a Plaftorm for Telecommunication or Other Scientific Purposes - The aim of the invention is to position an unmanned aircraft ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114768 | Aerostatic Buoyancy Control System - A system allowing for the active management of aerostatic lift in buoyant and semi-buoyant aerial vehicles comprised of a high tensile-strength outer pressure cell of a given volume and an inner compression cell of only slightly smaller dimensions. The inner compression cell is filled with a lifting gas, such as helium or hydrogen, to some fractional volume of its maximum, allowing for expansion of the lifting gas at different operational altitudes. When a reduction in aerostatic lift is desired, external air is compressed through the use of air handling means, and introduced into the outer pressure cell through a directional valve that prevents the pressurized air from leaving the pressure cell. When increased aerostatic lift is once again desired, the valve system may release all or a part of the pressurized air in the pressure cell, allowing the lifting gas to expand thereby displacing a greater volume of air and increasing lift. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090189015 | Unmanned Aircraft for Telecommunicative or Scientific Purposes - The invention relates to an unmanned aircraft for telecommunicative or other scientific purposes, which is stationed in determined height, in particular in the stratosphere. The aircraft comprises a gas-filled balloon ( | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100230533 | System and Methods for Buoyancy Management in an Airship - An airship comprising a hull configured to be inflated with a first gas; a ballonet in the hull, the ballonet configured to be inflated with a second gas that is heavier than the first gas; a fan configured to draw the second gas into the ballonet; an inflatable landing system; a duct configured in the ballonet to allow access to components in the airship; and a valve coupled to the ballonet. The valve provides a pathway for air to flow between the ballonet and a plenum chamber, the plenum chamber is formed by the airship, a landing surface, and the inflatable landing system when the inflatable landing system is in contact with the landing surface. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20140014769 | Balloon Altitude Control Using Density Adjustment and/or Volume Adjustment - A balloon having an envelope and a payload positioned beneath the envelope. The envelope comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion allows more solar energy to be transferred to gas within the envelope than the second portion. The balloon may operate in a first mode in which altitudinal movement of the balloon is caused, at least in part, by rotating the envelope to change an amount of the first portion that faces the sun and an amount of the second portion that faces the sun, and wherein the control system is further configured to cause the balloon to operate in a second mode in which altitudinal movement of the balloon is caused, at least in part, by moving a lifting gas or air into or out of the envelope. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140014770 | Geo-Fencing - A balloon includes a cut-down device, a payload, and an envelope. A control system could be configured to determine a position of the balloon with respect to a predetermined zone. The cut-down device could be operable to cause at least the payload to land in response to determining that the position of the balloon is within the predetermined zone. The predetermined zone includes an exclusion zone and a shadow zone. The shadow zone could include locations from which the balloon would be likely to drift into the exclusion zone based on, e.g., historic weather patterns or expected environmental conditions. Boundaries of the shadow zone could be determined based on, for example, a probability of the balloon entering the exclusion zone. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140021293 | System and Method for Varying Airship Aerostatic Buoyancy - A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140048646 | Balloon Power Sources with a Buoyancy Trade-Off - Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140252163 | Altitude Control Via Rotation of Balloon to Adjust Balloon Density - A balloon having an envelope, a gas contained within the envelope, a payload connected to the envelope, wherein the envelope has a first portion that has a first absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope, and a second portion that has a second absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope where the second absorptive or reflective property is different than the first absorptive or reflective property, wherein the second portion is provided with a darkly colored surface that allows more solar energy to be transferred through the envelope to the gas within the envelope than the first portion, and wherein the envelope is rotatable to allow a preferred ratio of the first and second portions of the envelope to be positioned facing the sun. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140319271 | Relative Positioning of Balloons with Altitude Control and Wind Data - The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140367511 | SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTER-THAN-AIR (LTA) PLATFORMS - Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems. | 12-18-2014 |
| 244098000 | Gas bag inflation | 6 |
| 20140077030 | Self Transportable Aerostat System - A self transportable aerostat system comprising: a first motorized mooring truck; a mooring tower removably attached to a base assembly of the first mooring truck, generally vertically arranged in relation to the bed of the first mooring truck; a proximal and distal boom deck removably attached to the base assembly; a flying sheave for redirecting a tether carried by the base assembly and attachable to an aerostat; a second motorized mooring truck attachable to the outer edge of the distal boom; and, an aerostat truck having an electrical connection for connecting to the first mooring truck and having an aerostat storage compartment for storing the aerostat is a retracted configuration. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140203138 | Lighter-Than-Air Systems, Methods, and Kits for Obtaining Aerial Images - Lighter-than-air systems, methods, and kits for obtaining aerial images are described. For example, various methods for determining planned ascent, drift, and/or descent of a lighter-than-air system are described. In addition, various structural arrangements of lighter-than-air systems for accomplishing planned ascent, drift, and/or descent and obtaining aerial images are described. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140353424 | Umbrella Valves to Inflate Bladder in Balloon Envelope - A balloon having a bladder positioned within a balloon envelope, a plate having a port, a housing secured to the plate, an impeller positioned within the housing, the port providing a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the bladder, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, a control system configured, upon receiving a signal to increase the amount of air within the bladder, to cause the passive valve to move from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port to open the passageway between the housing and the bladder and to allow air to be forced into the bladder. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150375842 | Lighter-Than-Air Systems, Methods, and Kits for Obtaining Aerial Images - Lighter-than-air systems, methods, and kits for obtaining aerial images are described. For example, various methods for determining planned ascent, drift, and/or descent of a lighter-than-air system are described. In addition, various structural arrangements of lighter-than-air systems for accomplishing planned ascent, drift, and/or descent and obtaining aerial images are described. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160059951 | Uni-Penetration Tendon Retention and Fill Port System for a Balloon Envelope - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160159452 | APPARATUS TO LIFT AND FILL A BALLOON - Aspects of the disclosure relate to filling and lifting high altitude balloons. For instance, one example system for lifting and filling a balloon having a balloon envelope includes an apparatus for use with the balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a load line, a fill tube having a hollow portion nested within the load line and a termination member attached to the fill tube and load line. The load line is configured to lift the balloon envelope during inflation. The fill tube extends through the load line and is configured to allow lift gas to pass through the hollow portion. The termination member is configured to mate with an opening in the balloon envelope so that lift gas can pass through the hollow portion of the fill tube and into the opening in the balloon envelope. | 06-09-2016 |
| 244099000 | Gas release | 1 |
| 20160031543 | Cutter Rail Guide, Block, Armature, and Blade - An apparatus including a balloon envelope, a cutting blade secured to a blade block; a cutter guide rail secured above the balloon envelope, and an arm rotatable about a pivot point having an end secured to the blade block, wherein the end of the arm extends past the blade block, wherein the arm is releasably secured by a release member, and wherein release of the arm from the release member allows for a rotation of the arm, wherein the rotation of the end of the arm is guided by the cutter guide rail such that the cutting blade maintains contact with and cuts the balloon envelope during the rotation of the arm. | 02-04-2016 |
