Abstract: Example implementations may relate to selection between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may involve (i) directing an aerial vehicle (e.g., in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial vehicles) to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at each respective altitude. Whereas, the second mode may involve (i) selecting at least one altitude based on the determined wind-related data and (ii) directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one selected altitude. As such, a control system may determine flight data for the aerial vehicle. Based on the flight data, the control system may make a selection between the first mode and the second mode. And based on the selection, the control system may then operate the aerial vehicle according to the first mode or may operate the aerial vehicle according to the second mode.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a flex connection for high altitude balloon applications. During operation flex connection allows a payload of a high-altitude balloon to remain level when an envelope of the balloon is tilted, in order to change the direction of the balloon. As an example, a system may include a balloon envelope, a payload, a cable between the balloon envelope and the payload, and a flex connection on the cable. The flex connection enables the payload to remain level relative to the ground when the balloon is in flight and the balloon envelope is tilted relative to the payload. The flex connection includes a top portion, a plurality of discs, and a bottom portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending life of an apparatus, such as a balloon, using electrolysis. A ballast liquid is carried or harvested and, when desired, is electrolyzed using an on-board electrolyzer to generate lift gas, rather than simply being dumped as traditional ballast. However, the ballast liquid may also be dumped, if necessary. A valve may be provided to enable safe dumping of the ballast liquid. The ballast liquid may be water, a water-methanol mixture, or other suitable ballast liquid. The ballast liquid may be stored in a container associated with the balloon prior to launch or may be harvested from the atmosphere while the balloon is in-flight. Features may be provided to maintain the ballast liquid in a liquid state. The lift gas mixture within the balloon is maintained non-flammable.

Abstract: A laminated load ring for a balloon assembly includes a plurality of ring stacking units stacked one on top of the other. Each of the ring stacking units can include a main body having a central opening, a plurality of arms, and at least one weld line. The plurality of arms may each extend away from the main body around a circumference of the main body. The at least one weld line can be formed on the main body. The plurality of arms of the plurality of ring stacking units may be aligned with one another. The weld line of each of the plurality of ring stacking units may be offset from the weld line of a directly adjacent ring stacking unit in a direction extending around the circumference of the laminated load ring.

Abstract: An end user premises device includes a memory, one or more transceivers, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive a user request for data and determine a time to retrieve the data that is during an off-peak time for a network. The retrieval time is determined based on a time when the data will likely be accessed by a client device. At the determined retrieval time, the data is retrieved via the network and stored in the memory. In response to another user request, the data is transmitted to the client device. The one or more processors are optionally also configured to predict data that will likely be accessed by the client device and to retrieve the predicted data during an off-peak time for the network and before a time when the data will likely be accessed.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that provides information related to a balloon network configured to provide service in a geographic area, where the graphical interface includes a map. The computing device may receive real-time bandwidth data related to balloons in the balloon network, where the balloons are each configured to change position via altitudinal movement and via horizontal movement with respect to the ground. Based at least in part on the received real-time bandwidth data, the computing device may display, on the map, a visual representation of bandwidth information corresponding to one or more regions in the geographic area, where the visual representation of bandwidth information updates from time to time based at least in part on a change in position of one or more balloons in the balloon network.

Abstract: The technology relates to managing power of an aerial vehicle. The system may include an aerial vehicle having a power storage module and one or more components, as well as a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle. The computing device may include a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, may cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the at least one component, generate a power command based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module or the rate of power consumption of the at least one component, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for using optical communication systems and radio frequency (RF) communication systems for communication involving balloons are described.

Abstract: An altitude control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a compressor assembly defining a plenum therein, a passive valve assembly coupled to a first portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum, and an active valve assembly coupled to a second portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum. A method of controlling an altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a network controller. The network controller is configured to receive information from nodes of a network, where nodes include one node that is in motion relative to another node. The network controller is also configured to generate a table representing available nodes and possible links in the network based on the information, and determine a topology of the network based on the table. Additionally, the network controller is configured to receive client data information from a client device, and determine flows for the topology based on the client data information. Each flow includes one or more requirements for a routing path through the network. The network controller is configured to generate a network configuration for the topology based on the flows, and send instructions to the nodes of the network for implementing the network configuration and transmitting client data.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a network controller. The network controller is configured to receive information from nodes of a network, where nodes include one node that is in motion relative to another node. The network controller is also configured to generate a table representing available nodes and possible links in the network based on the information, and determine a topology of the network based on the table. Additionally, the network controller is configured to receive client data information from a client device, and determine flows for the topology based on the client data information. Each flow includes one or more requirements for a routing path through the network. The network controller is configured to generate a network configuration for the topology based on the flows, and send instructions to the nodes of the network for implementing the network configuration and transmitting client data.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes an electronic system dissipating heat and a battery pack electrically connected to the electronic system. The battery pack includes a battery housing and a battery cell module disposed within the battery housing. The battery housing surrounds the electronic system such that the heat dissipated by the electronic system is transferred to the battery pack.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a first component formed of a thermally conductive material and a second component including a surface adapted to capture stray photons to provide heat to the electronic device. The first component is secured and thermally coupled with an electronic device. In particular, the first component includes first and second layers. The first component is in superposed relation with the second component.

Abstract: A channel reconfigurable millimeter-wave RF system is disclosed including, a high altitude platform, a first and second radio frequency module connected to the high altitude platform. The first radio frequency module includes a first transceiver configured to operate the first antenna at a frequency of greater than approximately 30 GHz and includes a first controller connected to the first transceiver and configured to transmit and received data through a first antenna. The first controller is configured to disable the second radio frequency module based on data received through the first antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for simulating a flight path of an aerial vehicle. An exemplary method includes receiving a starting point, receiving prevailing wind patterns, generating a smooth model of wind vectors based on the prevailing wind patterns, generating a noise model including one or more submodels simulating regional differences in prevailing wind patterns, determining a wind vector at the starting point, determining a noise value at the starting point, applying the noise value to the wind vector at the starting point to generate a noise added wind vector, determining displacement based on the noise added wind vector over a time step, and determining a waypoint based on the displacement, wherein determining a noise value at the starting point includes determining a portion of the noise value contributed by each submodel, and determining the noise value by calculating a weighted mean of noise values contributed by each submodel.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a first component formed of a thermally conductive material and a second component including a surface adapted to capture stray photons to provide heat to the electronic device. The first component is secured and thermally coupled with an electronic device. In particular, the first component includes first and second layers. The first component is in superposed relation with the second component.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a first component formed of a thermally conductive material and a second component including a surface adapted to capture stray photons to provide heat to the electronic device. The first component is secured and thermally coupled with an electronic device. In particular, the first component includes first and second layers. The first component is in superposed relation with the second component.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle control system includes an aerial vehicle and a computing device. The aerial vehicle includes an altitude controller and a lateral propulsion controller The computing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to obtain location data corresponding to a location of the aerial vehicle; obtain wind data; determine an altitude command, a latitude command, and a longitude command based on at least one of the location data or the wind data; cause the altitude controller to implement at least one of the altitude command, the latitude command, or the longitude command; and cause the lateral propulsion controller to implement at least one of the altitude command, the latitude command, or the longitude command.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a network controller configured to determine a network configuration of a network and cause the network to implement the network configuration. The network controller may be configured to determine that an overall link bandwidth for a particular geographic area is less than a set bandwidth amount based on link bandwidth information for possible links directly connected to the particular geographic area. Based on a difference between the overall link bandwidth and the set bandwidth amount, the network controller may be configured to determine additional links to connect to the particular geographic area in a given network configuration of the network. The network controller may then send instructions to the plurality of nodes of the network to cause the plurality of nodes to implement the given network configuration and transmit client data at the given point in time.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for manufacturing a balloon envelope including a duct for high altitude balloons. In one example, a first sheet of material may be provided. A premade duct may be arranged at least partially on the first sheet of material. The duct may include a first substance on an internal surface. A second sheet of material may be arranged over at least a portion of the duct. A heat sealing device may be applied to the second sheet of material to heat seal the first sheet of material to the second sheet of material. The heat sealing device may be applied over at least a portion of the duct in order to seal external surfaces of the duct to each of the first and second sheets of material and form a balloon gore. The first substance may keep the duct from being sealed to itself.