Unmanned lighter-than-air safe termination and recovery methods

• US 7,801,522 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Space Data Corporation
• Original Assignee: Space Data Corporation
• Inventors: Knoblach, Gerald M., Frische, Eric A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ajit
• Application Number:
  US11/598,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/431
• 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, of producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally 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 free-floating platform, the free-floating platform comprising a lighter-than air gas enclosure and a payload, the payload comprising a transceiver, the transceiver is capable of receiving a signal from the communication device, and the communication device is adapted to handoff the signal to another transceiver of another free-floating platform as the free-floating platform moves out of a communication range of the communication device, wherein the free-floating platform operates without a longitudinal and latitudinal position control, and optionally the free-floating platform operates with an altitudinal control.

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 free-floating platform operates in range of 60,000 to 140,000 feet and there is substantially a relative distance between a plurality of the free-floating platforms.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the free-floating platform operates with an altitudinal control.

6. A method of operating a flight of a free floating platform, wherein the free-floating platform comprises a transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a communication device that is separate from the free-floating platform, the method comprising operating the free-floating platform without a longitudinal and latitudinal position control and executing a handoff of the signal to another transceiver of another free-floating platform, wherein the communication device executes the handoff of the signal to said another transceiver of said another free-floating platform, wherein optionally the free-floating platform operates with an altitudinal control.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a payload, an altitude sensor, a position sensor and a power source.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the free-floating platform operates in range of 60,000 to 140,000 feet and there is substantially a relative distance between a plurality of the free-floating platforms.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the free-floating platform operates with an altitudinal control.