Balloon payload with balloon-to-balloon communications and avionics on top

• US 9,105,970 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2013
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerostar International
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Heinrich, Mitchell Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh
• Application Number:
  US13/918,541
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/22 RF wavebands combined with non-RF wavebands, e.g. infrared or optical

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a balloon payload with communications and avionics on positioned on top. The payload may include a chassis and an avionics system coupled to the first chassis. The payload may also include a battery coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the avionics system. The payload may additionally include an air-to-ground communications antenna coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the battery portion and the avionics portion.

Claims

1. A balloon payload comprising:

a first chassis;

an avionics system coupled to the first chassis;

a battery coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the avionics system; and

an air-to-ground communications antenna coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the battery and the avionics system.

2. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload further comprises one or more balloon-to-balloon communication antennas substantially positioned above the avionics system, the battery, and the air-to-ground communications antenna.

3. The balloon payload of claim 1,

wherein the avionics system is coupled to the first chassis in a manner such that it is substantially within the first chassis;

wherein the battery is coupled to the first chassis in a manner such that it is substantially within the first chassis; and

wherein the air-to-ground communications portion is coupled to the chassis in a manner such that it is outside the chassis.

4. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload is coated in foam or made of foam.

5. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload is configured to be Infrared (IR) reflective.

6. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload is coated in polyethylene.

7. The balloon payload of claim 1, further comprising a second chassis that is coupled to the first chassis, wherein the second chassis is located within an upper portion of the first chassis above the battery, and wherein the avionics system is coupled to the second chassis.

8. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload is configured to insulate at least one of the avionics system, the battery, or the air-to-ground communications antenna.

9. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the balloon payload is configured to be radio-frequency (RF) transparent.

10. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the air-to-ground communications antenna comprises a patch antenna.

11. The balloon payload of claim 1, wherein the avionics system comprises at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) or an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADSB) transponder.

12. A balloon comprising:

an envelope; and

a balloon payload comprising;

a first chassis;

an avionics system coupled to the first chassis;

a battery coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the avionics system; and

an air-to-ground communications antenna coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the battery and the avionics system.

13. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon payload further comprises one or more balloon-to-balloon communication antennas substantially positioned above the avionics system, the battery, and the air-to-ground communications antenna.

14. The balloon of claim 12,

wherein the avionics system is coupled to the first chassis in a manner such that it is substantially within the first chassis;

wherein the battery is coupled to the first chassis in a manner such that it is substantially within the first chassis; and

wherein the air-to-ground communications portion is coupled to the chassis in a manner such that it is outside the chassis.

15. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon payload is coated in foam or made of foam.

16. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon payload is coated in polyethylene.

17. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon payload is configured to be IR reflective.

18. The balloon of claim 12, further comprising a second chassis that is coupled to the first chassis, wherein the second chassis is located within an upper portion of the first chassis above the battery, and wherein the avionics system is coupled to the second chassis.

19. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the avionics system comprises at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) or an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADSB) transponder.

20. A balloon comprising:

an envelope; and

a balloon payload comprising;

a first chassis;

an avionics system coupled to the first chassis;

a battery coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the avionics system; and

an air-to-ground communications antenna coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the battery and the avionics system; and

one or more balloon-to-balloon communication antennas substantially positioned above the avionics system, the battery, and the air-to-ground communications antenna.