Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system

• US 20030236070A1
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scott Seligsohn, Sherwin I. Seligsohn
• Original Assignee: Scott Seligsohn, Sherwin I. Seligsohn
• Inventors: Seligsohn, Scott, Seligsohn, Sherwin I.
• Application Number:
  US10/180,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18502 Airborne stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform

Abstract

A sub-orbital, high altitude communications system that has at least two ground stations and at least one high altitude relay station. Each of the ground stations includes apparatus for sending and receiving telecommunications signals. The relay stations include apparatus for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to other relay stations. Apparatus is provided for controlling the lateral and vertical movement of the relay stations so that a predetermined altitude and location of each of the relay stations can be achieved and maintained. Apparatus is provided for retrieving relay stations so that they can be serviced for reuse.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a communications relay station, comprising the steps of:

moving the relay station into a preselected geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere, the moving step including the step of elevating the relay station into the portion of the stratosphere; and

if the relay station moves from the preselected geographic location, actively changing a lateral position of the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere to return the relay station to the preselected geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing two-way communication between the relay station and at least one of another relay station within the portion of the stratosphere and a ground station.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relay station includes a free-flying balloon.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a current geographic location of the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere, and wherein the step of actively changing the lateral position of the relay station includes the step of laterally moving the relay station from the current geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere to the preselected geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere if the current geographic location deviates from the preselected geographic location.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing at least two ground stations;

transmitting a telecommunications signal from a first one of the ground stations to the relay station; and

receiving the telecommunications signal at the relay station and transmitting the telecommunications signal to a second one of the ground stations.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of moving the relay station further includes the step of applying a thrust force to the relay station in a direction in which it is to move.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

enabling the relay station to receive and store energy; and

using the energy to create the thrust force and to enable the relay station to transmit and receive telecommunications signals.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the relay station can receive and store solar energy.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the relay station can receive and store microwave energy.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the relay station can receive and store wind energy.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of returning the relay station to the earth.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the ground stations is mobile.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relay station is lighter than air.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relay station is inflatable.

15. A method for operating a long-duration, free-flying balloon capable of transmitting signals to a point on the earth directly below the balloon in less than about 140 μ

sec., comprising the steps of;

directing the balloon into a predetermined geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere; and

if the balloon drifts from the predetermined geographic location, moving the balloon within the portion of the stratosphere back to the predetermined geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere, the movement having a horizontal component.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the balloon is located within the portion of the stratosphere at an altitude that is between about 15 and 25 miles, and a transmission time of the signals is in the range of about 80 μ

sec. to about 140 μ

sec.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the movement also has a vertical component.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting signals between the balloon within the portion of the stratosphere and a ground communication device.

19. A telecommunications apparatus comprising:

at least two ground stations, each of the ground stations including means for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals; and

at least one relay station, the relay station including means for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to other relay stations, the relay station being disposed at a predetermined altitude within a portion of the stratosphere, the relay station being at a fixed predetermined location over the earth for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to the other relay stations, the relay station further including means for controlling the vertical and lateral movement of the relay station so that, if the relay station moves from the predetermined altitude and fixed predetermined location, the relay station is moved back to the predetermined altitude and fixed predetermined location within the portion of the stratosphere.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined altitude is between about 15 and 25 miles.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for controlling the vertical and lateral movement of the relay station includes:

first means, the first means being operative to identify the current altitude and location of the relay station;

second means, the second means being operative to identify the predetermined altitude and location for the relay station; and

means for moving the relay station from the current altitude and location to the predetermined altitude and location.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the means for moving the relay station includes a thrust system and means for selectively energizing the thrust system.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the thrust system includes propellers.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the thrust system includes rockets.

25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the thrust system includes jets.

26. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the means for energizing the thrust system includes means for receiving and converting solar energy to electric energy.

27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the means for energizing the thrust system includes means for receiving and converting wind energy to electric energy.

28. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the means for energizing the thrust system includes means for receiving and converting microwave energy to electric energy.

29. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the ground stations is mobile.

30. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the ground stations is stationary.

31. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the relay station is lighter than air.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the relay station further includes an inflatable device and means connected to the inflatable device for deflating it while it is aloft.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the means for deflating the inflatable device is operative in response to a signal from a remote source.

34. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the means for deflating the inflatable device includes:

an opening in the inflatable device;

closing means for closing the opening and being operative to seal the opening against the escape of gases from the inflatable device; and

an explosive charge connected to the closing means, the explosive charge being operative when detonated to remove the closing means from the opening.

35. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the means for deflating the inflatable device includes:

an opening in the inflatable device;

closing means for closing the opening against the escape of gases from the inflatable device; and

a plurality of clamping brackets for releasably retaining the closing means in sealing relation with the opening; and

further comprising;

at least one electrically driven motor supported by the inflatable device, the electrically driven motor being in engagement with the clamping brackets and being operative when energized to move the clamping brackets so that they release the closing means from the opening.

36. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the inflatable device includes a parachute having control lines for controlling its descent when it is recovered.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

means for deploying the parachute; and

means for connecting the means for deploying the parachute to the means for deflating the inflatable device so that the parachute is deployed when the inflatable device is deflated.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising radio controlled means supported by the inflatable device and being connected to the control lines for the parachute, the radio controlled means being operative to provide directional control to the parachute as it descends.

39. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the relay station includes a super pressure balloon.

40. A stratospheric relay station comprising:

a navigation system for directing the relay station into a predetermined geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere and, if the relay station leaves the predetermined geographic location, for moving the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere back toward the predetermined geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere, the movement having a horizontal component; and

a communication system for transmitting signals between the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere and a base station, the communication system being adapted to transmit signals to a point on the earth directly below the balloon with a time for transmission of between about 80 μ

sec. and about 140 μ

sec.