Tethered balloon
US6227484A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/50
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tethered balloon having a spherical balloon proper inflated with a gas whose specific gravity is lower than that of the outside air, a gondola attached to the bottom of the balloon proper, a vertical stabilizer attached to the balloon proper, a connecting assembly attached to the balloon proper, a tether connected to the connecting assembly, and a tether holder having a drum to take up and pay off the tether and placed on the ground. The connecting assembly is positioned opposite to the vertical stabilizer with the gondola disposed in between. A straight line connecting the center of the balloon proper and the connecting assembly is inclined with respect to the central axis of the balloon connecting the center of the balloon proper and the center of gravity of the whole balloon. The balloon is transversely stable because little force acts on the balloon in a direction perpendicular to the wind. The balloon also does not sway much in the direction of the wind because the straight line is inclined with respect to the central axis of the balloon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.