Abstract: The technology provides a launch rig structure capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically. The filled balloon is capable of staying aloft in the stratosphere with its payload for months or longer. The launch rig structure is configured to rotate up to 360° in response to current wind conditions. It includes an integrated lifting boom and gas handling system to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly is configured to couple with a rigid connection member of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly engages with the rigid connection member. Once the envelope is filled, the gripper assembly disengages from the connection member so that the balloon floats away from the launch rig.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate measuring fluid characteristics and controlling operation of a first valve. An example system may include the first valve, a regulator valve, a critical flow venturi, and a Coriolis flow meter. The critical flow venturi may be arranged on a flow path between the regulator valve and the Coriolis flow meter. The system may also include one or more processors configured to receive a density measurement from the Coriolis flow meter and use the density measurement from the Coriolis flow meter to control operation of the first valve. The one or more processors may also be configured to use the density measurement to determine a lift force of gas in an envelope and to control the operation of the first value further based on the determined lift force.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a hydraulic amplifier. The hydraulic amplifier may include a piston body having a movable piston that divides an interior of the piston body into a first chamber and a second chamber. The piston may include a shaft, and the piston may include a fluid port for filling the first chamber with a first compressible fluid. The hydraulic amplifier may also include a hydraulic body attached to the piston body. The hydraulic body may include a third chamber having a second compressible fluid therein. The shaft may be arranged at least partially in the third chamber. The shaft is configured to compress the second fluid by amplifying a pressure of the first fluid according to a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the first or second chamber to a cross-sectional area of the third chamber.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to grabbing, holding and releasing an object including a pull stud. For instance, a grabbing mechanism may include a piston chamber having a piston configured to move within the piston chamber when the piston chamber is pressurized. The mechanism may also include a collet attached to the piston such that the collet and piston move together when the piston moves. The collet may include a groove. The mechanism may also include ball cage including a plurality of balls arranged at least partially within respective ball chambers of the ball cage. The ball cage may be arranged at least partially within the collet such that movement of the piston and collet causes the groove to align with the respective ball chambers. The plurality of balls may be configured to move into and out of the groove and to lock the pull stud within the mechanism.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a mechanical fuse. The mechanical fuse may include a top portion having a first shear pin configured to break when a predetermined side load is applied to the mechanical fuse. The mechanical fuse may also include a bottom portion having a second shear pin, wherein the second shear pin is configured to break when a predetermined vertical load is applied to the mechanical fuse. Wherein the mechanical fuse may be arranged such that when the second shear pin is broken under the predetermined vertical load, the first shear pin also breaks before the bottom portion separates from the top portion, and when the first shear pin is broken under the predetermined side load, the second shear pin remains intact when the bottom portion separates from the top portion.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a fluid connector mechanism having an opening therethrough. The mechanism may include a connector having a connector base portion and a piston portion including a piston housing and a piston. The opening may extend from the piston portion, through the piston, and through the connector base portion. The mechanism may also include a base having first and second pairs of O-rings arranged in first and second pairs of grooves, the opening further extending from one end of the base to another. The connector base portion and the base may be configured to engage with one another and create fluid-tight seals with the O-rings while the piston is arranged outside of the base.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to grabbing, holding and releasing an object including a pull stud. For instance, a grabbing mechanism may include a piston chamber having a piston configured to move within the piston chamber when the piston chamber is pressurized. The mechanism may also include a collet attached to the piston such that the collet and piston move together when the piston moves. The collet may include a groove. The mechanism may also include ball cage including a plurality of balls arranged at least partially within respective ball chambers of the ball cage. The ball cage may be arranged at least partially within the collet such that movement of the piston and collet causes the groove to align with the respective ball chambers. The plurality of balls may be configured to move into and out of the groove and to lock the pull stud within the mechanism.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a fluid connector mechanism having an opening therethrough. The mechanism may include a connector having a connector base portion and a piston portion including a piston housing and a piston. The opening may extend from the piston portion, through the piston, and through the connector base portion. The mechanism may also include a base having first and second pairs of O-rings arranged in first and second pairs of grooves, the opening further extending from one end of the base to another. The connector base portion and the base may be configured to engage with one another and create fluid-tight seals with the O-rings while the piston is arranged outside of the base.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an overload protection valve for automatic release of a load. The valve may include an outer housing having an end wall, a cam, and inner slide, and an overload spring. The inner slide may include a side wall, a shelf area, an internal barrier, an inlet and an outlet. Each of the inlet and outlet may include an opening through the side wall, and the inlet and the outlet may be separated by the internal barrier. The overload spring may be arranged between the end wall and the shelf area, and may define a load on the valve which will cause the valve to open. The cam may be configured such that when the valve is closed, the defined load will cause the cam to rotate thereby allowing the openings of the inlet and outlet to be in fluid communication and open the valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an overload protection valve for automatic release of a load. The valve may include an outer housing having an end wall, a cam, and inner slide, and an overload spring. The inner slide may include a side wall, a shelf area, an internal barrier, an inlet and an outlet. Each of the inlet and outlet may include an opening through the side wall, and the inlet and the outlet may be separated by the internal barrier. The overload spring may be arranged between the end wall and the shelf area, and may define a load on the valve which will cause the valve to open. The cam may be configured such that when the valve is closed, the defined load will cause the cam to rotate thereby allowing the openings of the inlet and outlet to be in fluid communication and open the valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an overload protection valve for automatic release of a load. The valve may include an outer housing having an end wall, a cam, and inner slide, and an overload spring. The inner slide may include a side wall, a shelf area, an inlet and an outlet. Each of the inlet and outlet may include an opening through the side wall, and the inlet and the outlet may be separated by the shelf area. The overload spring may be arranged between the end wall and the shelf area, and may define a load on the valve which will cause the valve to open. The cam may be configured such that when the valve is closed, the defined load will cause the cam to rotate thereby allowing the openings of the inlet and outlet to be in fluid communication with one another and open the valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to grabbing, holding and releasing an object including a pull stud. For instance, a grabbing mechanism may include a piston chamber having a piston configured to move within the piston chamber when the piston chamber is pressurized. The mechanism may also include a collet attached to the piston such that the collet and piston move together when the piston moves. The collet may include a groove. The mechanism may also include ball cage including a plurality of balls arranged at least partially within respective ball chambers of the ball cage. The ball cage may be arranged at least partially within the collet such that movement of the piston and collet causes the groove to align with the respective ball chambers. The plurality of balls may be configured to move into and out of the groove and to lock the pull stud within the mechanism.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to grabbing, holding and releasing an object including a pull stud. For instance, a grabbing mechanism may include a piston chamber having a piston configured to move within the piston chamber when the piston chamber is pressurized. The mechanism may also include a collet attached to the piston such that the collet and piston move together when the piston moves. The collet may include a groove. The mechanism may also include ball cage including a plurality of balls arranged at least partially within respective ball chambers of the ball cage. The ball cage may be arranged at least partially within the collet such that movement of the piston and collet causes the groove to align with the respective ball chambers. The plurality of balls may be configured to move into and out of the groove and to lock the pull stud within the mechanism.