Drag disk, small

• US 9,174,738 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2013
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerostar International LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Roach, Kevin, DeVaul, Richard Wayne, Clarin, Phillip
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): Giczy, Alexander V
• Application Number:
  US13/862,434
• Time in Patent Office: 933 Days
• Field of Search: 244/138.R, 244/32, 244/142, 244/139
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/40 Balloons B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 19/00 Non-canopied parachutes
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/30 Lighter-than-air aircraft, e.g. aerostatic aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons

Abstract

A payload drag structure having a drag disk comprised of a lightweight, flexible material, a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk, a flexible member positioned within the tubular section, a cross member having a plurality of aims attached about the periphery of the drag disk, wherein one or more arms of the cross member are adapted for attachment to a payload harness, wherein the payload harness is adapted for attachment to arms of the cross member, and wherein a payload may be secured within the payload harness.

Claims

1. A payload drag structure comprising:

a drag disk comprised of a flexible material;

a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk;

a flexible member positioned within the tubular section;

a payload harness positioned beneath the drag disk;

a cross member having a plurality of arms attached about the periphery of the drag disk and extending inwardly in a single plane, wherein one or more of the arms of the cross member are adapted for attachment to the payload harness;

wherein the payload harness is adapted for attachment to arms of the cross member and is capable of securing a payload.

2. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the cross member has four arms connected to a centrally positioned member of the drag disk.

3. The payload drag structure of claim 2, wherein the four arms of the cross member are attached at equidistant points about the periphery of the drag disk.

4. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the arms of the cross member are attached to a ring that is located at or near a center of the drag disk.

5. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the arms of the cross member are comprised of a flexible webbing material.

6. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the arms of the cross member are sewn into the drag disk.

7. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein one or more arms of the cross member have an end with a loop to provide an attachment point on the drag disk.

8. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of holes are positioned in the drag disk.

9. The payload drag structure of claim 8, wherein the plurality of holes are circular holes having a diameter of three inches.

10. The payload drag structure of claim 8, wherein there are eight circular holes in the drag disk.

11. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the drag disk is comprised of ripstop nylon.

12. The payload drag structure of claim 5, wherein the arms of the cross member are comprised of nylon webbing material.

13. The payload drag structure of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is located near the center of the drag disk to allow for wiring to extend through the drag disk.

14. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is comprised of carbon fiber or fiberglass.

15. The payload drag structure of claim 14, wherein the flexible member has a height of about 1 inch and a width from about ⅛

inch to about ¼

inch.

16. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the tubular section extends continuously around the periphery of the drag disk.

17. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the payload harness has four downwardly extending members beneath the drag disk.

18. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the payload harness is attached to the arms of the cross member.

19. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the payload harness is comprised of nylon webbing.

20. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein the drag disk has a diameter of about 32 inches to about 64 inches.

21. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the payload harness is attached directly to the one or more arms of the cross member.

22. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the payload harness is attached to an upper portion of the payload harness, and the payload is secured between the upper portion of the payload harness and the lower portion of the payload harness.

23. The payload drag structure of claim 19, wherein the upper portion of the payload harness is integrally formed with the arms of the cross member.

24. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the payload harness is attached to a lower portion of the payload harness using cam buckles.

25. The payload drag structure of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the payload harness is comprised of a plurality of members that are each attached to a ring or square member positioned beneath the drag disk.

26. A balloon, comprising:

a balloon envelope;

a payload drag structure positioned beneath the balloon envelope, the payload drag structure comprising;

a drag disk comprised of a lightweight, flexible material;

a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk;

a flexible member positioned within the tubular section;

a cross member having a plurality of arms attached about the periphery of the drag disk and extending inwardly in a single plane;

a payload harness extending below the drag disk;

wherein the payload harness is adapted to secure a payload;

a control system configured to initiate a process to cause the balloon envelope to no longer provide lift to the payload; and

wherein the payload drag structure serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth.

27. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the balloon envelope is attached to the drag disk or the payload.

28. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the plurality of arms of the cross member are sewn into the drag disk.

29. The balloon of claim 26, wherein a plurality of holes are positioned in the drag disk.

30. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the drag disk is made of ripstop nylon and at least some of the plurality of arms are comprised of a flexible webbing material.

31. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the flexible member is comprised of carbon fiber or fiberglass.

32. The balloon of claim 31, wherein the flexible member has a height of about 1 inch and a width from about ⅛

inch to about ¼

inch.

33. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the tubular section extends continuously around the periphery of the drag disk.

34. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the payload harness is comprised of an upper portion that is attached to a lower portion.

35. The balloon of claim 26, wherein the payload harness is comprised of a flexible webbing material.