Abstract: Starch-based extruded food products and methods for manufacturing starch-based extruded food products, such as snacks, are disclosed. For example, a starch-based dough may be extruded, cut, and cooked to form a starch-based extruded food product with a rigid extruded body. The cooking process may include baking and/or frying the cut extrusion. The rigid extruded body of the starch-based extruded food product is made up of bodies or segments coupled at joints. The rigid extruded bodies are configured such that bodies of the rigid extruded body may be broken off or separated at the joints to be consumed.

Abstract: A lighter than air platform an unfinned envelope having two or more propulsion elements coupled with the unfinned envelope proximate to the center of gravity. At least one navigation sensor is configured to monitor an actual flight path of the unfinned envelope, and at least one perturbation sensor is configured to monitor one or more perturbations of the unfinned envelope. A navigation controller is configured to guide the unfinned envelope with coordinated propulsion of the two or more propulsion elements. The navigation controller includes a navigation comparator that compares the actual flight path with a specified flight path of the unfinned envelope and determine a navigation instruction. A perturbation comparator compares the navigation instruction with the monitored one or more perturbations to determine a perturbation compensation. A propulsion coordinator controls propulsion values of each of the propulsion elements based on the navigation instruction and the perturbation compensation.

Abstract: A lighter than air platform an unfinned envelope having two or more propulsion elements coupled with the unfinned envelope proximate to the center of gravity. At least one navigation sensor is configured to monitor an actual flight path of the unfinned envelope, and at least one perturbation sensor is configured to monitor one or more perturbations of the unfinned envelope. A navigation controller is configured to guide the unfinned envelope with coordinated propulsion of the two or more propulsion elements. The navigation controller includes a navigation comparator that compares the actual flight path with a specified flight path of the unfinned envelope and determine a navigation instruction. A perturbation comparator compares the navigation instruction with the monitored one or more perturbations to determine a perturbation compensation. A propulsion coordinator controls propulsion values of each of the propulsion elements based on the navigation instruction and the perturbation compensation.

Abstract: A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the and the system remains neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: A control system for an atmospheric balloon system includes a navigation parameter system having a meteorological characteristic input, a balloon kinematic monitor, an objective input and a parameter range generator configured to generate an altitude search range for the atmospheric balloon system based on air stream vectors, balloon kinematics, and a target balloon position. An onboard balloon control system is in communication with the navigation parameter system and includes a comparator to determine a course difference of a measured course relative to a course range. An altitude selection module selects a target altitude within the altitude search range having an air stream vector that decreases the course difference. A propulsion selection module is configured to select a propulsion value that decreases the course difference.

Abstract: A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the and the system remains neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the system remains neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the and the system remains neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: An atmospheric balloon includes an upper apex and a lower apex and a balloon membrane. The balloon membrane includes a plurality of balloon gores. The balloon gores extend between the upper and lower apexes. One or more of the balloon gores includes upper straight line gore edges and lower straight line gore edges. The upper and lower straight line gore edges are coupled along one or more corresponding upper and lower straight line gore edges of adjacent balloon gores of the plurality of balloon gores. The one or more balloon gores are formed with cutting the gore material along a straight line cutting edge to form the upper and lower straight line gore edges.

Abstract: An atmospheric balloon includes an upper apex and a lower apex and a balloon membrane. The balloon membrane includes a plurality of balloon gores. The balloon gores extend between the upper and lower apexes. One or more of the balloon gores includes upper straight line gore edges and lower straight line gore edges. The upper and lower straight line gore edges are coupled along one or more corresponding upper and lower straight line gore edges of adjacent balloon gores of the plurality of balloon gores. The one or more balloon gores are formed with cutting the gore material along a straight line cutting edge to form the upper and lower straight line gore edges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing wide-area surveillance with a radar and/or other sensors from a stratospheric balloon launched from a land or ship platform for detection, tracking, and classification of maritime, land, and air objects such as ships, people/vehicles, or aircraft are described generally herein. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus is battery operated and includes a stratospheric balloon filled that is filled with helium when it is launched and a gondola with a radar system and communication equipment suspended therefrom. When launched, the apparatus can travel with the wind until it reaches an altitude of approximately 68,500 ft., then it can move substantially horizontally with the stratospheric winds until it returns to earth via a parachute. Multiple apparatus launches at periodic intervals can help provide continuous coverage of the surveillance area. The apparatus can be recovered and re-used or can be considered expendable.

Abstract: An atmospheric balloon includes an upper apex and a lower apex and a balloon membrane. The balloon membrane includes a plurality of balloon gores. The balloon gores extend between the upper and lower apexes. One or more of the balloon gores includes upper straight line gore edges and lower straight line gore edges. The upper and lower straight line gore edges are coupled along one or more corresponding upper and lower straight line gore edges of adjacent balloon gores of the plurality of balloon gores. The one or more balloon gores are formed with cutting the gore material along a straight line cutting edge to form the upper and lower straight line gore edges.

Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing method of balloons and sheet based articles includes layering a second sheet over a first sheet, the layered first and second sheets form a first layer section. The first layer section is moved relative to a cutting and joining assembly. The first layer section is cut and joined into article sections with the cutting and joining assembly. Cutting and joining includes scribing the cutting and joining assembly along a scribing line across the moving first layer section, and joining the first article portions of the first and second sheets along the scribing line with the cutting and joining assembly to form a first plurality of article sections. Cutting and joining further includes cutting the first layer section according to scribing and moving along the scribing line, each of the first and second sheets cut into the first article portions facing each other.

Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for conducting a survey. The method includes the step of providing access to a server that stores information of potential respondents. The information of each potential respondent includes an identifier of a mobile device associated with the potential respondent. The method further includes a step of sending invitations to participate in the survey to a group of target respondents selected from the potential respondents based on retrieved application data from the mobile devices associated with the potential respondents. A system, including data storage and a processor, is also presented. The data storage stores information of potential respondents, including an identifier of a mobile device associated with the potential respondent. The processor retrieves data from the mobile devices and sends invitations to participate in the survey to mobile devices associated with a group of target respondents selected from the potential respondents.

Abstract: A method of playing a ball game in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, and equipment for the game are provided. The game includes a throwing a ball against a coping surface to generate a fly ball, and attempting, by a fielding team, to catch the fly ball without the fly ball first contacting a surface of the body of water. A strikepad may include a flat main body for lying on a surface adjacent the body of water; a downward extending surface; and a curved strike surface, which may be convex or concave, projecting from the downward extending surface and facing the body of water so as to provide a bouncing surface for the ball. A backstop that may be positioned adjacent the body of water behind the strikepad and including a net or a meshing for catching a ball is also provided.