Unmanned lighter-than-air safe termination and recovery methods

• US 20030109281A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Space Data Corporation
• Original Assignee: Space Data Corporation
• Inventors: Knoblach, Gerald M., Frische, Eric A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/40 Balloons B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/44 adapted to maintain predetermined altitude
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/64 Gas valve operating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/70 Ballasting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/042 specially adapted for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform

Abstract

Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.

Claims

1. A system comprising a free-floating platform and a communication device that is separate from the platform, the platform comprising a lighter-than-air gas enclosure and a payload, the payload comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor is capable of making a decision to terminate a flight of the platform, the transceiver is capable of receiving a signal from the communication device, and the communication device is capable of handing off the signal to another transceiver of another free-floating platform.

2. The system of claim 1, the payload further comprising an altitude sensor, a position sensor and a power source.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said payload is within 500 feet of the lighter-than-air gas enclosure.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform is determined to be outside specified geographic boundaries.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform is outside of a specified altitude range.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform has a lateral or vertical velocity outside a specified range.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the processor fails.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if a power source fails.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if a command and control communications link fails.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the decision comprises the release of a ballast.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the decision comprises stopping a signal to a discharge circuit to prevent a battery from discharging.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the decision comprises releasing the platform from the payload.

13. A method of terminating a flight of a free floating platform, wherein the platform comprises a transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a communication device that is separate from the platform, the method comprising determining a geographic position and/or a velocity of the platform, making a decision with a processor on the platform to terminate the flight of the platform, handing off the signal to another transceiver of another free-floating platform and terminating the flight of the platform.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a payload, an altitude sensor, a position sensor and a power source.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform is determined to be outside specified geographic boundaries.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform is outside of a specified altitude range.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if the platform has a lateral or vertical velocity outside a specified range.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if a processor on the platform fails.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if a power source on the platform fails.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision is based at least in part on if a command and control communications link fails.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision comprises the release of a ballast.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision comprises stopping a signal to a discharge circuit to prevent a battery from discharging.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the decision comprises releasing the platform from the payload.

24. A system for ascending or slowing the descent of a free floating platform, comprising a lighter-than-air gas enclosure and a ballast comprising reactants that form a gas that is lighter than air when said reactants are mixed.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the gas is hydrogen and the reactants comprise water and a hydride of Ca or Na.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of the reactants is heavier than air.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of the reactants is a hydrocarbon.

28. The system of claim 24, further comprising a catalyst for reforming at least one of the reactants.

29. A method for ascending or slowing descent of a free floating platform, said method comprising reacting reactants stored on the platform to form spent reactants and a gas that is lighter than air, introducing the gas into a lighter-than-air gas enclosure and dropping the spent reactants.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of the reactants is heavier than air.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of the reactants is a hydrocarbon.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising a catalyst for reforming at least one of the reactants.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the gas is hydrogen and the reactants comprise water and a hydride of Ca or Na.

34. A system for terminating a flight of a free floating platform, comprising a lighter-than-air gas enclosure, a payload and an element, wherein the element is capable of separating the gas enclosure from the payload.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the element comprises a line.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising a component capable of breaking the line.

37. The system of claim 34, further comprising two axially aligned tubes connecting the payload to the gas enclosure.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the element is a pin.

39. A method for terminating a flight of a free floating platform comprising a lighter-than-air gas enclosure, a payload and an element, wherein the method comprises separating the lighter-than-air gas enclosure from the payload by an action of the element.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising passing current through the element.

41. A power system comprising a battery, a processor and a discharge circuit, wherein the processor intermittently sends a signal to the discharge circuit to prevent the battery from discharging.

42. The power system of claim 41, wherein the processor stops sending the signal when the power system lands on ground or water.

43. A method of recovering a free floating platform, comprising landing the platform on ground or water and sending a position of the platform to a transceiver located on another free floating platform.

44. The method of claim 43, further transmitting the position from the transceiver located on another free floating platform to a transceiver located in a ground station.

45. A system for terminating a flight of a free floating platform, comprising a lighter than air gas enclosure, a payload and means for releasing the gas enclosure from the payload.