Apparatus to lift and fill a balloon
US9643708B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2101/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.