Automated balloon assembly machine
First Claim
1. A method for assembling a balloon assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a first sheet of material, wherein the first sheet of material extends from a second platform of a table component to a third platform of the table component;
positioning a second sheet of material across a first platform, the second platform, and an opening extending between the first and second platforms of the table component so that a first end of the second sheet of material overlies at least a portion of the first sheet of material that overlies the second platform and a second end of the second sheet of material overlies the first platform;
securing a tendon on a portion of the second sheet of material overlying the first platform;
heat sealing the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material together on the second platform;
moving the second end of the second sheet of material from the first platform to the second platform by moving the second end over the tendon; and
moving at least a portion of the first platform to transfer the tendon and the portion of the second sheet of material to the third platform.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly for manufacturing a balloon envelope includes a table component and a sealing component. The table component may include a first platform, a second platform, a third platform, and a lateral opening between the first and second platforms. The first and second platforms can receive a first sheet of material that forms a first gore of the balloon envelope and a second sheet of material that forms a second gore of the balloon envelope. At least a portion of the first platform may move relative to the third platform so as to allow for the tendon and the portion of the second sheet attached to the tendon to move toward the third platform. The sealing component may be configured to bond the first sheet to the second sheet in order to join the first and the second gores of the balloon envelope.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for assembling a balloon assembly, the method comprising:
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providing a first sheet of material, wherein the first sheet of material extends from a second platform of a table component to a third platform of the table component; positioning a second sheet of material across a first platform, the second platform, and an opening extending between the first and second platforms of the table component so that a first end of the second sheet of material overlies at least a portion of the first sheet of material that overlies the second platform and a second end of the second sheet of material overlies the first platform; securing a tendon on a portion of the second sheet of material overlying the first platform; heat sealing the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material together on the second platform; moving the second end of the second sheet of material from the first platform to the second platform by moving the second end over the tendon; and moving at least a portion of the first platform to transfer the tendon and the portion of the second sheet of material to the third platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification