Aerostat inflator
First Claim
1. A device for deploying an aerostat which comprises:
- a cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end, and defining an axis;
a tapered disc mounted on the container for movements along the axis thereof, the disc having a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end toward the open end of the container; and
a means for moving the tapered disc between a first axial position wherein the tapered disc is held stationary while a portion of the aerostat is loaded into the container, a second axial position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container, and a release position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the container.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for deploying an aerostat includes a cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end and a center tube axially oriented in the container. A tapered disc is mounted for axial movement on the center tube, and it has a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end toward the open end of the container. In its operation, the tapered disc is held in a first position while a portion of the aerostat is loaded into the container. It is then moved to a second position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container. Thereafter, the disc is moved to a release position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the container.
18 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A device for deploying an aerostat which comprises:
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a cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end, and defining an axis; a tapered disc mounted on the container for movements along the axis thereof, the disc having a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end toward the open end of the container; and a means for moving the tapered disc between a first axial position wherein the tapered disc is held stationary while a portion of the aerostat is loaded into the container, a second axial position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container, and a release position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for deploying an aerostat which comprises:
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a hollow, substantially cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end, and defining a central axis extending therebetween; a base member covering and defining the closed end of the container; a center tube having a first end and a second end with the second end thereof mounted on the base member for axial alignment in the container, with the first end thereof extending beyond the open end of the container; a connector positioned at the first end of the center tube for attaching the center tube to the aerostat; a tapered disc mounted on the center tube for axial movement thereon, the disc having a substantially uniform taper with an increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end and toward the open end of the container; and a winch mounted on the base member for moving the tapered disc between a first axial position wherein the disc is distanced from the open end of the container and held stationary while the aerostat is loaded into the container, a second axial position wherein the tapered disc is drawn toward the base member to hold the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container therebetween, and a release position to direct deployment of the aerostat from the container. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification