Patents Assigned to STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLC
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Patent number: 10494075Abstract: In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a first combined airship with a payload airship and a first logistics airship. The first combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at a predetermined station during meteorological conditions with wind speeds below a predetermined threshold. The airship system also includes a second combined airship which is a reconfiguration of the first combined airship and includes the payload airship and a second logistics airship. The second combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at the predetermined station in all meteorological conditions, including meteorological conditions with wind speeds above the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 10457394Abstract: A method for launch of an airship includes connecting a cargo airship to a second airship that is not positively buoyant at the launch site, launching the cargo airship, transferring lifting gas from the cargo airship to the second airship where said lifting gas is carded by the cargo airship while aloft; and releasing the second airship from the cargo airship. A high-altitude airship launch system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 10450047Abstract: A method of repairing an airship hull of an airship during flight and while the airship is untethered from the ground comprises detecting a breach in a gas barrier bordering an interior volume of the airship, the airship containing a lifting gas wherein the hull of the airship comprises an electrically conductive material and wherein the breach in the gas barrier is detected by detecting changes in an electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Publication number: 20170297672Abstract: In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a first combined airship with a payload airship and a first logistics airship. The first combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at a predetermined station during meteorological conditions with wind speeds below a predetermined threshold. The airship system also includes a second combined airship which is a reconfiguration of the first combined airship and includes the payload airship and a second logistics airship. The second combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at the predetermined station in all meteorological conditions, including meteorological conditions with wind speeds above the predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 9623949Abstract: In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a first combined airship with a payload airship and a first logistics airship. The first combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at a predetermined station during meteorological conditions with wind speeds below a predetermined threshold. The airship system also includes a second combined airship which is a reconfiguration of the first combined airship and includes the payload airship and a second logistics airship. The second combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at the predetermined station in all meteorological conditions, including meteorological conditions with wind speeds above the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen Heppe
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Patent number: 9611025Abstract: In one example, a free-flying tethered airship system includes an upper airship adapted to tailor its lift and drag, a lower airship adapted to tailor its lift and drag, and a tether connecting the upper airship to the lower airship such that the upper airship is at least one kilometer above the lower airship. The upper airship is configured to be equiliberally buoyant, while carrying the tether, in a first altitude range. The lower airship is configured to be equiliberally buoyant in a second altitude range, the first altitude range being higher than the second altitude range. A method for stationkeeping of a free-flying tethered airship system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Publication number: 20160368582Abstract: A method of repairing an airship hull of an airship during flight and while the airship is untethered from the ground comprises detecting a breach in a gas barrier bordering an interior volume of the airship, the airship containing a lifting gas wherein the hull of the airship comprises an electrically conductive material and wherein the breach in the gas barrier is detected by detecting changes in an electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 9522733Abstract: A method for launch of an airship includes connecting a cargo airship to a deflated second airship, launching the cargo airship, inflating the second airship with lifting gas carried by the cargo airship while aloft; and releasing the second airship from the cargo airship. A high-altitude airship launch system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen Heppe
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Patent number: 9452816Abstract: A system for airship hull reinforcement and in-situ repair includes a sensor for detecting a leak in the airship hull of a lighter-than-air airship and a repair mechanism inside lighter-than-air airship for dispensing repair material to seal the leak. A durable airship hull includes an inner gas barrier, an outer gas barrier, and a microlattice layer sandwiched between the inner gas barrier and the outer gas barrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Publication number: 20160083067Abstract: A system for airship hull reinforcement and in-situ repair includes a sensor for detecting a leak in the airship hull of a lighter-than-air airship and a repair mechanism inside lighter-than-air airship for dispensing repair material to seal the leak. A durable airship hull includes an inner gas barrier, an outer gas barrier, and a microlattice layer sandwiched between the inner gas barrier and the outer gas barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 9216806Abstract: A system for airship hull reinforcement and in-situ repair includes a sensor for detecting a leak in the airship hull of a lighter-than-air airship and a repair mechanism inside lighter-than-air airship for dispensing repair material to seal the leak. A durable airship hull includes an inner gas barrier, an outer gas barrier, and a microlattice layer sandwiched between the inner gas barrier and the outer gas barrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 9139279Abstract: In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a payload airship and a first logistics airship mechanically joined to the payload airship to form a first combined airship, the payload airship and the logistics airship having design capabilities differing by at least a factor of two with regard to at least one of: power generation capability, propulsion capability, endurance capability, and lift capability, in which the first combined airship is free flying, lighter-than-air, and configured to maintain aloft for greater than 30 days without physical connection to the ground. Illustrative methods for long endurance airship operations are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 8864063Abstract: In one example, a tethered airship system for high altitude long endurance missions includes a first airship configured to be equilibrially buoyant in a first altitude range and a second airship configured to be equilibrially buoyant in a second altitude range, such that the first airship is at least five kilometers above the second airship. The first airship and second airship are connected by a tether.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen B. Heppe
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Patent number: 8678309Abstract: A system for lifting gas replenishment in a tethered airship system includes an upper airship with a first end of a tether attached to the upper airship. A balloon is configured to travel up the tether toward the upper airship carrying a payload of lifting gas. A method for gas replenishment of an airship is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen Heppe
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Patent number: 8668161Abstract: An illustrative airship system for long endurance stratospheric operations includes an upper airship and a first end of a tether attached to the upper airship. A lower airship is attached to a second end of the tether and a payload airship is reversibly mated to the lower airship. The airship system is free flying and configured to maintain long duration station keeping. Illustrative methods for long endurance stratospheric operations are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Stratospheric Airships, LLCInventor: Stephen Heppe
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Publication number: 20130126675Abstract: A system for airship hull reinforcement and in-situ repair includes a sensor for detecting a leak in the airship hull of a lighter-than-air airship and a repair mechanism inside lighter-than-air airship for dispensing repair material to seal the leak. A durable airship hull includes an inner gas barrier, an outer gas barrier, and a microlattice layer sandwiched between the inner gas barrier and the outer gas barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLCInventor: Stratospheric Airships, LLC