Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that that includes one or more interface features to receive a request for use of bandwidth of a balloon network. In particular, the computing device may receive, via the graphical interface, input data corresponding to a bandwidth request for a first location, where the bandwidth request includes: (i) an indication of the first location and (ii) an indication of time. Subsequently, the computing device may receive an indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted, where acceptance of the bandwidth request is based at least in part on expected movement of one or more balloons from a plurality of balloons in the balloon network. As such, the computing device may display, on the graphical interface, the indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for use on a balloon having a balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a frame body comprising first and second members, an adjustable arm attached to the first member and a circular heating element disposed on a surface of the second member. The adjustable arm may be configured to cause the first member to move in a direction with respect to the surface the second member. The surface of the second member may be arranged to receive a termination plate and a portion of a balloon envelope. By moving the adjustable arm between first and second positions with respect to the surface of the second member, the termination plate and the portion of a balloon envelope are pressed together. In this regard, the circular heating element, when activated, is configured to cause the termination plate to heat bond with the portion of the balloon envelope.

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: A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.

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: A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for adjusting the beam width of radio frequency (RF) signals for purposes of balloon-to-ground communication are described.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a fill port apparatus for filling high altitude balloons, such as those used in communications networks, with lighter than air lift gasses. For instance, the fill port apparatus includes a tubular body portion having a passageway extending between a first end and a second end of the tubular body portion. The fill port apparatus also includes an attachment structure arranged at the first end of the tubular body portion. This structure is configured to attach to a top plate of a balloon envelope. The fill port apparatus also includes a plurality of energy directing structures arranged on an interior surface of the tubular body portion. These energy directing structures extend into the passageway from the interior surface and are each configured to contact at least one other of the plurality of energy directing structures when the tubular body portion is welded to itself.

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. In one example, a first sheet of material for a first gore of the balloon envelope is provided. Lap seal material is arranged at least partially on the first sheet of material. A first heat seal is created between the lap seal material and the first sheet of material. A second sheet of material for a second gore of the balloon envelope is arranged over the first heat seal. A second heat seal is created between the lap seal material and the second sheet of material such that the lap seal material is configured to provide additional structural support to the balloon envelope.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a balloon envelope includes a table component and a sealing component. The sealing component includes a first level and a second lower level. The first level further includes first and second platforms. The first platform can provide a work area for sealing respective first and second sheets of material together to form a sealed edge and the second platform may provide a work area for sealing the second sheet of material and a third sheet of material together. The first, second, and third sheets of material respectively form first, second, and third gores of the balloon envelope. The sealing component may be configured to move along length of the first platform and to apply a heat seal to bond the first sheet of material to the second sheet material and form a sealed edge.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.