Patents by Inventor Ernest W. Lichfield

Ernest W. Lichfield has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for inflating balloons and for deploying a load suspended therefrom
    Patent number: 4529018
    Abstract: A balloon-inflation and load-lowering device which comprises an inverted cup-shaped member containing one or more side-opening ports operative when covered by the neck of a balloon to cooperate therewith and form a one-way valve effective to trap the lifting gas inside the balloon once the latter is inflated and the inflation pressure released. Spaced-parallel disk-supporting arms journal a shaft mounting a notched disk. A load-letdown device is operative to slowly lower a load to the end of a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
    Inventor: Ernest W. Lichfield