Lateral propulsion systems and architectures for high altitude balloons

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 11851154
APP PUB NO 20220219799A1
SERIAL NO

17560012

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

Aspects of the technology relate to propulsion systems for high altitude, long duration balloons, such as balloons that operate in the stratosphere for weeks, months or longer. A propeller assembly is used to provide lateral directional adjustments, which allows the balloon to spend more time over a desired region, reduce the return time to the desired region, reduce fleet overprovisioning, and increases the safety case by additional controls and avoidance abilities. A control assembly manages operation of the propeller assembly, including setting the pointing direction, speed of rotation and determining when to turn on the propeller and for how long. The propulsion system including the control and propeller assemblies is rotatable around a connection member of the balloon. Such rotation is independently adjustable from any rotation of the balloon's payload. The propeller blades may be made of plastic, which reduces weight and cost while providing sufficient speed at stratospheric altitudes.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • AEROSTAR INTERNATIONAL, LLC

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Eglington, Michael San Bruno, US 7 140
Fan, Aaron Redwood City, US 6 4
Gagne, Jacques Los Gatos, US 48 539
Knoll, Matthew Mountain View, US 12 24
Luebke, Daniel San Mateo, US 1 0
Nutzmann, Jonathan Redwood City, US 9 10
Ponda, Sameera Mountain View, US 2 3
van, Bekkum Ewout Sunnyvale, US 9 5

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Jun 26, 2027
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Jun 26, 2031
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jun 26, 2035
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00