Uni-penetration tendon retention and fill port system for a balloon envelope
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the base plate defines an opening, and wherein the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope;
at least one stud coupled to the base plate, wherein the at least one stud is configured to be securable to a tendon;
a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud;
a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate; and
a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body extends through the opening of the locking body such that a portion of the locking body lies adjacent to the top surface of the base plate.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the base plate defines an opening, and wherein the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope; at least one stud coupled to the base plate, wherein the at least one stud is configured to be securable to a tendon; a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud; a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate; and a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body extends through the opening of the locking body such that a portion of the locking body lies adjacent to the top surface of the base plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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affixing a base plate to a balloon envelope, wherein the balloon envelope defines an opening at an apex of the balloon envelope, wherein the base plate defines an opening, wherein the opening of the base plate is aligned with the opening of the balloon envelope, and wherein a plurality of studs are coupled to the base plate; placing a fill-port body through the opening of the balloon envelope and through the opening of the base plate such that a flange of the fill-port body lies adjacent to the balloon envelope and opposite a bottom surface of the base plate; securing a locking body to the fill-port body, the base plate, or both the fill-port body and the base plate such that the locking body lies adjacent to a top surface of the base plate; securing a plurality of tendons to the plurality of studs; and securing a retention ring to the base plate via the plurality of studs. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification