Umbrella valves to inflate bladder in balloon envelope
US8998128B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/64
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.