公开(公告)号：US09329600B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-03

申请号：US14612945

申请日：2015-02-03

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver

IPC: B64B1/62 ,  G05D1/04 ,  B64B1/40 ,  H02S20/30 ,  C25B1/04

CPC classification number: G05D1/042 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62 ,  C25B1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  Y02E60/366 ,  Y02E70/10 ,  Y02P20/134

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

公开(公告)号：US09266598B1

公开(公告)日：2016-02-23

申请号：US14227559

申请日：2014-03-27

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: B64B1/42

CPC classification number: B64B1/42 ,  B64B1/56

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a balloon. The balloon may include an envelope comprising a fixed component. The balloon may include a stabilizing platform positioned beneath the envelope and operatively connected to the fixed component. The stabilizing platform may be configured to rotate around an axis vertically aligned with gravity. The envelope may comprise a heavier mass than the stabilizing platform. The balloon may also include a motor configured to exert a first force on the stabilizing platform in a manner such that the stabilizing platform rotates (i) more than a rotation of the balloon and (ii) around the axis, thereby counteracting the rotation of the balloon by causing the stabilizing platform to exert a second force on the envelope of the balloon.

Abstract translation: 本公开提供一种气球。 气球可以包括包括固定部件的外壳。 气囊可以包括位于封套下方并且可操作地连接到固定部件的稳定平台。 稳定平台可以被配置为围绕垂直与重力对齐的轴线旋转。 信封可以包括比稳定平台更重的质量。 球囊还可以包括电动机，其被配置为以稳定平台（i）旋转（i）超过气球的旋转和（ii）围绕轴线的方式在稳定平台上施加第一力，从而抵消 气球通过使稳定平台在气囊的信封上施加第二力。

公开(公告)号：US09174718B1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-03

申请号：US14041637

申请日：2013-09-30

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Kevin Roach ,  Nlkhil Singh Kohli ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Sameera Sylvia Ponda

IPC: B64B1/58 ,  B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/60 ,  B64B1/62

Abstract: A balloon having a balloon envelope that is fillable with a first lifting gas, a top plate arranged at a top of the balloon envelope, an outlet port that provides a passageway from an inside of the balloon envelope to the atmosphere, an inner bladder positioned within the balloon envelope and positioned at the top of the balloon envelope and coupled to the top plate, wherein the inner bladder is fillable with a second lifting gas, wherein the outlet port is configured to vent the first lifting gas to the atmosphere while keeping the second lifting gas in the inner bladder.

Abstract translation: 一种气囊，其具有可由第一提升气体填充的气球外壳，布置在气球外壳顶部的顶板，提供从气球外壳的内部到大气的通道的出口端口， 所述球囊包围并且定位在所述球囊封套的顶部并且联接到所述顶板，其中所述内囊可填充有第二提升气体，其中所述出口被构造成将所述第一提升气体排放到大气中，同时保持所述第二提升气体 在内胆提升气体。

公开(公告)号：US20150168955A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-18

申请号：US14612945

申请日：2015-02-03

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  C25B1/04 ,  B64B1/40

CPC classification number: G05D1/042 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62 ,  C25B1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  Y02E60/366 ,  Y02E70/10 ,  Y02P20/134

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

Abstract translation: 示例性实施例可以促进气球网络中的气球的高度控制。 示例性方法包括：（a）使气球以第一模式操作，其中气囊包括外壳，高压储存室和太阳能发电系统，（b）当气囊以第一模式操作时 （i）操作太阳能发电系统以产生用于气球的电力，以及（ii）使用由太阳能发电系统产生的至少一些电力将气体从外壳移动到高压储存室，使得浮力 气球减少; （c）使气球以第二模式操作; 并且当气囊在第二模式下操作时，将气体从高压储存室移动到外壳，使得气球的浮力增加。

公开(公告)号：US08971274B1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-03

申请号：US13673700

申请日：2012-11-09

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Anton Valdemar Staaf

IPC: H04W72/04

CPC classification number: H04W16/14 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04L12/1428 ,  H04W4/24 ,  H04W40/02 ,  H04W84/005 ,  H04W84/22

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the balloon network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers.

Abstract translation: 实施例涉及气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间链路的市场。 示例性方法可以涉及基于计算机的购买代理：（i）确定对气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间带宽的需求，（ii）确定一个或多个提供以提供网络间链路，其中 所述网络间链路提供所述气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间带宽，并且其中每个提供与相应的客户端设备相关联，（iii）至少部分地基于以下的比较：（a）所述需求 用于网络间带宽和（b）提供网络间链路的一个或多个提供，选择一个或多个提供以提供网络间链路，以及（iv）启动建立网络间网络的过程 在与每个客户端设备相对应的一个或多个所选择的优惠中的链接。

公开(公告)号：US20140252163A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-11

申请号：US14286070

申请日：2014-05-23

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: B64B1/62

CPC classification number: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/60 ,  G05D1/042

Abstract: A balloon having an envelope, a gas contained within the envelope, a payload connected to the envelope, wherein the envelope has a first portion that has a first absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope, and a second portion that has a second absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope where the second absorptive or reflective property is different than the first absorptive or reflective property, wherein the second portion is provided with a darkly colored surface that allows more solar energy to be transferred through the envelope to the gas within the envelope than the first portion, and wherein the envelope is rotatable to allow a preferred ratio of the first and second portions of the envelope to be positioned facing the sun.

Abstract translation: 一种具有封套的气囊，包含在外壳内的气体，连接到外壳的有效载荷，其中该封套具有第一部分，该第一部分具有第一吸收性或反射性，以使太阳能转移到外壳内的气体 以及具有第二吸收或反射性质的第二部分，其相对于允许太阳能转移到第二吸收或反射性质不同于第一吸收或反射性质的封套内的气体，其中第二部分是 具有暗色表面，其允许更多的太阳能通过信封传送到封套内比第一部分的气体，并且其中信封可旋转以允许信封的第一和第二部分的优选比率为 定位面向太阳。

公开(公告)号：US20160156405A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-02

申请号：US15013850

申请日：2016-02-02

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18502 ,  H04B10/118 ,  H04L41/12 ,  H04L67/303 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W4/026 ,  H04W40/38 ,  H04W52/18

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may help an aerial vehicle network to provide substantially continuous service in a given geographic area. An example method may be carried out at an aerial vehicle that is at a location associated with the first geographic area in an aerial network that includes a plurality of geographic areas. The balloon may determine that it should update its vehicle-state in accordance with a vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area. Then, in response, the balloon may determine the vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area, which may include one or more state parameters for balloons operating in the first geographic area. The balloon may then operate according to the vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area.

Abstract translation: 公开的实施例可以帮助空中客车网络在给定的地理区域中提供基本上连续的服务。 示例性方法可以在与包括多个地理区域的空中网络中的与第一地理区域相关联的位置处的飞行器执行。 气球可以确定它应当根据第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓来更新其车辆状态。 然后，作为响应，气球可以确定第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓，其可以包括在第一地理区域中操作的气球的一个或多个状态参数。 然后，球囊可以根据第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓进行操作。

公开(公告)号：US09340272B1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-17

申请号：US14321374

申请日：2014-07-01

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Clifford L. Biffle

IPC: B64B1/58 ,  B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/70

CPC classification number: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/60 ,  B64B1/70

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of a method for adjusting an altitude of variable-buoyancy vehicle, such as an aerostatic balloon. The method includes determining a target mass for a variable-buoyancy vehicle, where the target mass is based on a target altitude for the variable-buoyancy vehicle. Additionally, the method includes adding a first mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle. The mass added is less than a difference between the target mass and a current mass. The method also includes adding a second mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle in response to a decrease in an internal pressure of the variable-buoyancy vehicle caused by adding the first mass. Further, adding the second mass makes a current mass of the variable-buoyancy vehicle approximately equal to the target mass.

Abstract translation: 本公开涉及用于调节诸如空气静力气球的可变浮力车辆的高度的方法的使用。 该方法包括确定可变浮力车辆的目标质量，其中目标质量基于可变浮力车辆的目标高度。 另外，该方法包括将第一质量添加到可变浮力车辆。 添加的质量小于目标质量和当前质量之间的差异。 该方法还包括响应于通过添加第一质量而引起的可变浮力车辆的内部压力的降低，向可变浮力车辆添加第二质量。 此外，添加第二质量使可变浮力车辆的电流质量近似等于目标质量。

公开(公告)号：US20150298806A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-22

申请号：US14485412

申请日：2014-09-12

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Thomas Van Alsenoy ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64D3/00 ,  C07C29/141 ,  B63H9/06 ,  B64F1/36 ,  F03D9/00 ,  B64D47/00

CPC classification number: F03D9/32 ,  B63H9/0685 ,  B63H2009/0692 ,  B64C27/00 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/028 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64C2201/206 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D47/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  C07C29/141 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/008 ,  F03D9/11 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D80/80 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  H02K7/1838 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle

Abstract translation: 一种具有空中翼面的车载机载风力涡轮机系统，多个转子，每个转子具有位于空中飞翼上的多个可旋转叶片，固定在飞行器上并固定在位于车辆上的地面站的导电系绳， 其中所述空中翼适于从通过所述导电系绳传送到所述空中翼的车辆接收电力; 其中所述空中翼适于以飞行模式操作以利用风能以提供穿过所述系绳的第一拉力以拉动所述车辆; 并且其中所述空中翼还适于以动力飞行模式操作，其中所述转子可以被供电，使得所述涡轮机叶片用作推力产生螺旋桨以提供穿过所述系绳的第二拉力以拉动所述车辆

公开(公告)号：US20140333491A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-13

申请号：US13892161

申请日：2013-05-10

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Cyrus Behroozi ,  Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: H01Q1/28

CPC classification number: H01Q1/28 ,  G01C5/005 ,  H01Q1/1264 ,  H01Q3/16 ,  H01Q19/13 ,  H01Q25/002 ,  H04B7/18504

Abstract: An antenna includes a radiator and a reflector and has a radiation pattern that is based at least in part on a separation distance between the radiator and the reflector. The antenna includes a linkage configured to adjust the separation distance based at least in part on the altitude of the antenna. The resulting radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted based on altitude of the antenna such that, while the antenna is aloft and the antenna is ground-facing, variations in geographic boundaries and intensity of the radiation received at ground level are at least partially compensated for by the dynamic adjustments to the radiation pattern.

Abstract translation: 天线包括散热器和反射器，并且具有至少部分地基于散热器和反射器之间的间隔距离的辐射图。 天线包括被配置为至少部分地基于天线的高度来调整分离距离的联动装置。 可以基于天线的高度来动态地调整所得到的辐射图，使得当天线是高空的并且天线是面向地面时，在地平面处接收的辐射的地理边界和强度的变化至少部分地由 对辐射图的动态调整。