Abstract: A protective device for securing to a parachute-carried load to protect the same during landing, comprising a supporting base (2) for the load, a shield (6) extending around the periphery of the supporting base (2) and forming an upside down dome, with the supporting base forming the bottom thereof, a central deformable damping block (28) disposed under the supporting base (2), and a protective shield (29) for protecting the central damping block (28) arranged to support said element and linked to the strap (6) by means of high tensile cables (30) adapted to hold the central damping block (28) held between the supporting base (2) and the protective shield (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for stabilizing at altitude a stratospheric balloon between the upper and lower levels through a plurality of diurnal and nocturnal cycles. The process comprises providing the stratospheric balloon (1) of the open, variable volume type a with a thermal trapping hood (7) arranged in the vicinity of its upper pole piece (4). This hood has reflecting properties from the side oriented toward the interior of the balloon and preferably thermal insulating properties, and its surface comprises between 1% and 15% of the total surface area of the balloon when full, preferably between 2% and 5%. In the full state, it does not appreciably alter the thermal balance of the balloon, while at lower levels at reduced states of inflation, it limits the energy loss from the bulb by reflecting toward the exterior and avoids an irreversible descent of the balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for joining films by heat sealing, where these films are in rolls (9) and in particular a few microns thick. In a first stage, this process consists in spreading out a first film (1) on an assembly table (5) while hemming one of its longitudinal edges with a junction tape (3) and an positioning tape (4) sealed on that side of the junction tape (4) which is opposite the film. Once the desired film length has been reached, the film is transversely cut off and the positioning tape (4) then is used to handle this first film (1) and to assure its alignment with a segment of the film (2) packed on the roll (9). The second joining stage then consists in spreading out the film (2) on the table (5) while sealing a longitudinal edge of said film (2) to the outer side of the junction tape (3) following separation of the positioning tape (4) from this junction tape (3).

Abstract: A method for deploying an airtight envelope (8) around an object (1) comprising providing a cylindrical, elongated envelope with two mutually opposite poles (3, 9) at each of its ends, inverting this envelope on itself and longitudinally pleating it accordion-wise when in this inverted position, the pole (9) of this envelope (8) being in the inverted part and being solidly joined to the object (1), the opposite pole (3) being connected to the object (1) by a link mast (2) comprising a cylindrical balloon initially in the deflated state, the deployment of the envelope (8) comprising inflating the link mast until it is full, then inflating the envelope (8) until it is full and at which time it will be deployed around the object (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a steered aerostatic balloon and in particular the creation of balloons of large volumes, which are free (airships, space balloons) or captive (material loading or unloading balloons). This balloon has an outer envelope (1) containing air, an interpolar connector (11) connecting the lower pole (2) and the upper pole (3) of this envelope, a grid of longitudinal reinforcements (8) connected to the poles (2) and (3), a grid of circumferential reinforcements (8) connected to the poles (2) and (3), a grid of circumferential reinforcements (7), at least one inside envelope (12) within the first envelope and containing helium, this latter envelope during inflation coming to rest against the outer envelope and being provided with poles fixed on the interpolar connector (11), and lastly air intake means and air evacuation means to and from the outer envelope.

Abstract: A method for hooking a flexible envelope to a fastener device, comprising employing an annular and rigid fastener (2), provided with an annular groove (3) on its outer peripheral side, tightening the sheath at the fastener (2) and locking it in place in such a manner that it assumes the shape of the groove (3) by means of a tightening collar (4) comprising a cable made of a substantially inextensible material of high tensile strength and wound inside said groove to a specific height within it, and placing an annular seal (5) in contact with the outer peripheral side (4a) of the tightening collar (4), whereby this seal (5) when compressed may deform radially in order to provide the tightening collar with a degree of freedom with respect to the groove sidewalls (3a); and a hooking device for use with the method.

Abstract: A device for coupling a flexible envelope (1) to an external element including a ballonet (3) with two fasteners (4, 5) located in such a manner as to define the upper and lower poles of said ballonet, one of the fasteners (5) being linked by coupling members (2, 16) fitted to position the ballonet with respect to the envelope (1) in such a manner as to create a contact surface Z1 between said ballonet and the envelope (1), the second fastener (4) being linked to the external element by link means (8-15) including drive means to set the ballonet (3) in rotation; this device makes it possible to transmit large point forces or torques between an external element and an envelope, especially a space-balloon envelope.