System for constructing balloon envelopes
First Claim
1. A system for manufacturing a balloon envelope, the system comprising:
- a table component having a curved heat sealing surface defining a shape of a gore of the balloon envelope, the curved heat sealing surface includes a heat resistant material on which a heat seal is made to bond first and second sheet portions of balloon envelope material and the curved heat sealing surface is integrated within a top surface of the table component such that the curved heat sealing surface is bound between opposite ends of the top surface in a longitudinal direction;
an overhead track system arranged above the top surface of the table component, the overhead track system including a curved track; and
a sealing component, the sealing component being configured to move along the curved track in order to apply the heat seal to bond the first and second sheet portions of balloon envelope material to form a seam between a first gore of the balloon envelope and a second gore of the balloon envelope.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly for use during manufacture of a balloon envelope that includes a table having first and second levels, an indicator disposed on the first level and a sealing component. The first level is arranged to receive a first sheet portion of material. The indicator is arranged along a lengthwise axis of the table to indicate a position for attaching a tendon to the first sheet portion. The second level is arranged to receive assembled gore portions of the envelope comprising the first sheet portion, the tendon and a second sheet portion of material. The sealing component is configured to move along the table and to apply a heat seal to bond together the first and second sheet portions disposed thereon in order to form at least part of a gore portion of the envelope, such that the tendon is arranged proximate to a centerline of the gore.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for manufacturing a balloon envelope, the system comprising:
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a table component having a curved heat sealing surface defining a shape of a gore of the balloon envelope, the curved heat sealing surface includes a heat resistant material on which a heat seal is made to bond first and second sheet portions of balloon envelope material and the curved heat sealing surface is integrated within a top surface of the table component such that the curved heat sealing surface is bound between opposite ends of the top surface in a longitudinal direction; an overhead track system arranged above the top surface of the table component, the overhead track system including a curved track; and a sealing component, the sealing component being configured to move along the curved track in order to apply the heat seal to bond the first and second sheet portions of balloon envelope material to form a seam between a first gore of the balloon envelope and a second gore of the balloon envelope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification