Systems and applications of lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms
First Claim
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1. A system comprising a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon;
- a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
a transceiver;
a flight termination device;
at least two separate power sources for the flight termination device;
a sensor;
a processor;
a pump; and
a valve;
wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform;
wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor;
wherein, in operation, the unmanned balloon substantially drifts along with the wind currents;
wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with a communication device that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon;
wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS;
wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet;
wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours;
wherein the payload is configured to communicate with an additional airborne payload attached to a separate unmanned balloon.
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Abstract
Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; a flight termination device; at least two separate power sources; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and an object that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload, are disclosed herein.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system comprising a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon;
- a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
a transceiver;
a flight termination device;
at least two separate power sources for the flight termination device;
a sensor;
a processor;
a pump; and
a valve;wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform; wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor; wherein, in operation, the unmanned balloon substantially drifts along with the wind currents; wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with a communication device that is separate from the unmanned balloon; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon; wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet; wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours; wherein the payload is configured to communicate with an additional airborne payload attached to a separate unmanned balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
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6. A system comprising a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon;
- a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
a transceiver;
a flight termination device;
at least two separate power sources;
a sensor;
a processor;
a pump; and
a valve; and
an object that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload;wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon; wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet; wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination that further operation of the unmanned balloon presents a danger to air traffic; and wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination of a malfunction of the unmanned balloon. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
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15. A method comprising operating a system, the system comprising:
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a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon;
a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
a transceiver;
a flight termination device;
at least two separate power sources for the flight termination device;
a sensor;
a processor;
a pump; and
a valve;wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform; wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor; wherein, in operation, the unmanned balloon substantially drifts along with the wind currents; wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with a communication device that is separate from the unmanned balloon; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon; wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet; wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours; wherein the payload is configured to communicate with an additional airborne payload attached to a separate unmanned balloon; and transmitting data from the airborne platform. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising operating a system, the system comprising:
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a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon;
a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon;
a transceiver;
a flight termination device;
at least two separate power sources;
a sensor;
a processor;
a pump; and
a valve; and
an object that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload;wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon; wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet; wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours; wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination that further operation of the unmanned balloon presents a danger to air traffic; and wherein the flight termination device has an ability to terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination of a malfunction of the unmanned balloon; and transmitting data from the airborne platform. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification