Abrégé

A valve assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided and includes an inlet tube, a shuttle, a base plate, a screw assembly, and a spacer block. The shuttle is partially disposed within the inlet tube and is configured to be placed in a first position where the shuttle abuts the inlet tube and a second position where the outer surface is disposed in spaced relation to the inlet tube. The base plate extends between a first end portion that defines a cavity therein and a second end portion. The screw assembly is disposed within the cavity of the base plate and is coupled to a portion of the shuttle. The spacer block is interposed between the second end portion of the inlet tube and the first end portion of the base plate and is configured to maintain the inlet tube and the base plate in spaced relation.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64B 1/64 - Mécanismes de commande de la soupape du gaz
• B64B 1/40 - Ballons
• B64C 39/02 - Aéronefs non prévus ailleurs caractérisés par un emploi spécial
• B64U 10/30 - Aéronefs plus légers que l’air, p. ex. véhicules aérostatiques
• F16K 31/04 - Moyens de fonctionnementDispositifs de retour à la position de repos électriquesMoyens de fonctionnementDispositifs de retour à la position de repos magnétiques utilisant un moteur
• G05D 1/46 - Commande de la position ou du cap dans les trois dimensions

Abrégé

The technology relates to payload separation during descent of an aerial vehicle. A flight termination system (FTS) for a lighter than air (LTA) vehicle can include a first, a second, and a third mechanical actuation system. The first mechanical actuation system can be triggered in a first stage, causing an envelope and a payload of the LTA vehicle to separate. The second mechanical actuation system can be triggered in a second stage, causing a parachute to deploy from a component coupled to the payload. The third mechanical actuation system can be triggered in a third stage, causing a parachute to deploy from the envelope. In some cases, one or more of the mechanical actuation systems comprises a squib.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64B 1/48 - Ballons associés à des appareils provoquant l'éclatement pour permettre à la charge emportée d'être larguée par parachute
• B64B 1/40 - Ballons
• B64D 17/80 - Parachutes fonctionnant en conjonction avec l'aéronef, p. ex. pour le freinage de celui-ci
• B64B 1/00 - Aéronefs plus légers que l'air
• B64D 17/72 - Déploiement des parachutes par dispositifs explosifs ou de gonflage
• B64D 17/62 - Déploiement des parachutes
• B64D 1/12 - Largage

Abrégé

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include an envelope having a plurality of tendons and formed from a first plurality of gores. The aerial vehicle may also include one or more ballonets arranged within the envelope. An outer membrane may be arranged around at least part of the envelope and formed from a second plurality of gores. The outer membrane may include at least one panel attached at one side to the outer membrane between a pair of the second plurality of gores and attached at an opposite side to the envelope. The outer membrane may be arranged to improve aerodynamics of the envelope when the aerial vehicle is in flight.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64B 1/42 - Structure ou fixation des surfaces stabilisatrices
• B64C 1/12 - Structure ou fixation de panneaux de revêtement
• B64C 1/34 - FuselagesCaractéristiques structurales communes aux fuselages, voilures, surfaces stabilisatrices ou organes apparentés comprenant des composants structuraux gonflables
• B64C 1/38 - Constructions adaptées pour réduire les effets de l'échauffement aérodynamique ou d'un échauffement externe d'autre nature
• B64C 3/30 - Voilures comprenant des composants structuraux gonflables
• B64C 3/36 - Structures adaptées pour réduire les effets de l'échauffement aérodynamique ou les effets d'un échauffement externe d'une autre origine
• B64C 39/02 - Aéronefs non prévus ailleurs caractérisés par un emploi spécial

Abrégé

Aspects of the technology relate to lateral propulsion systems in lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms configured to operate in the stratosphere. One or more motor assemblies are used to actuate the lateral propulsion system and to make directional changes, for instance using one or more propellers. This can include a pointing axis motor assembly for orienting the lateral propulsion system along a particular heading, and a drive motor assembly for causing a propeller assembly or other propulsion mechanism to turn on and off. Corrective actions may be necessary to adjust the alignment of the lateral propulsion system. A stepper motor control module may be used to control operation of the pointing axis motor assembly, for instance by causing it to rotate in a clockwise (or counterclockwise) direction. A motor current control approach may be used, in which the motor voltage is adjusted until a measured motor current reaches a selected current level.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64B 1/24 - Disposition des installations de propulsion

Abrégé

The technology relates to techniques for drogue deployment for a lighter than air (LTA) vehicle descent. A drogue deployment system for an LTA vehicle descent can include a drogue comprising a drogue parachute coupled to a carrier. A spring can be configured to launch the drogue from a launch tube directed outward from an apex of the LTA vehicle in an acute angle from a horizontal plane. A core can be placed around the launch tube and placed around the spring, the core compressing the spring and holding the spring in a compressed state prior to deployment, and a riser can couple the carrier to the envelope of the LTA vehicle. In some cases, the drogue deployment system can comprise two or more drogues, wherein intervals between the two or more drogues can be selected such that horizontal components of drogue deployment forces approximately cancel out.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 17/62 - Déploiement des parachutes
• B64B 1/40 - Ballons
• B64D 17/02 - Disposition ou structure de la coupole
• B64D 17/06 - Disposition ou structure de la coupole constituée par plusieurs coupoles disposées en grappe
• B64D 17/52 - Ouverture, p. ex. manuelle
• B64D 17/64 - Déploiement des parachutes par parachute extracteur