Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to high altitude or stratospheric balloon systems. For instance, a stratospheric balloon system may include a an upper structure, a lower structure, a platform associated with the lower structure, a stack of solar panels positioned on the platform, each solar panel coupled to an adjacent solar panel, at least one tension element connected, at a first end thereof, to the upper structure and, at a second end thereof, to the platform, and a first flexible tension member coupled, at a first end thereof, to the upper structure and to foremost solar panel of the stack of solar panels. Solar panels may be stacked in a “Z-fold” configuration with either solar cells of the adjacent solar panels facing one another or the frames of the adjacent solar panels facing one another. In this configuration, the adjacent solar panels are connected by a hinge system.

Abstract: The teachings herein relate to improved composite materials offering weight reduction which are capable of withstanding automotive paint bake ovens.

Abstract: The teachings herein relate to tubes formed of a composite material and improved methods for forming the tubes. The composite material includes metallic layers and a core layer interposed between the metallic layers. The core layer preferably reduce the transmission of sound and or heat between the two metallic layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles having an edge that is partially, or entirely sealed with one or more coatings including a polymeric material. The article may include a coating selected so that one surface (e.g., a face surface) has a desired property (e.g., an appearance, such as a chrome appearance), and a second surface (e.g., a different face surface, or an edge surface) is covered with a different material, where the different coatings provide protection to at least the edge surface. Also disclosed are coating materials including a tracer component. Also disclosed are methods for coating a substrate. Also disclosed are methods for confirming the presence of a coating, particularly on an edge surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to high altitude or stratospheric balloon systems. For instance, a stratospheric balloon system may include a an upper structure, a lower structure, a platform associated with the lower structure, a stack of solar panels positioned on the platform, each solar panel coupled to an adjacent solar panel, at least one tension element connected, at a first end thereof, to the upper structure and, at a second end thereof, to the platform, and a first flexible tension member coupled, at a first end thereof, to the upper structure and to foremost solar panel of the stack of solar panels. Solar panels may be stacked in a “Z-fold” configuration with either solar cells of the adjacent solar panels facing one another or the frames of the adjacent solar panels facing one another. In this configuration, the adjacent solar panels are connected by a hinge system.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing an output beam are disclosed. The devices, systems and methods can employ a light source (802) configured to output light and a plurality of lenses (702). The lenses include a first lens (704) having a first freeform surface configured to receive the light and a second freeform surface configured to transmit the light towards a second lens (706) of the plurality of lenses. The second lens (706)5 includes a third freeform surface configured to receive the light from the second freeform surface and includes a fourth freeform surface configured to transmit the light out of the second lens.

Abstract: The teachings herein relate to improved composite materials offering weight reduction which are capable of withstanding automotive paint bake ovens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles having an edge that is partially, or entirely sealed with one or more coatings including a polymeric material. The article may include a coating selected so that one surface (e.g., a face surface) has a desired property (e.g., an appearance, such as a chrome appearance), and a second surface (e.g., a different face surface, or an edge surface) is covered with a different material, where the different coatings provide protection to at least the edge surface. Also disclosed are coating materials including a tracer component. Also disclosed are methods for coating a substrate. Also disclosed are methods for confirming the presence of a coating, particularly on an edge surface.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing an output beam are disclosed. The devices, systems and methods can employ a light source (802) configured to output light and a plurality of lenses (702). The lenses include a first lens (704) having a first freeform surface configured to receive the light and a second freeform surface configured to transmit the light towards a second lens (706) of the plurality of lenses. The second lens (706)5 includes a third freeform surface configured to receive the light from the second freeform surface and includes a fourth freeform surface configured to transmit the light out of the second lens.

Abstract: A lighting unit (10) configured to illuminate a surface (32) having a proximal portion (34) and a distal portion (36) in relation to the lighting unit. The lighting unit includes a light source (12) configured to emit a light beam (28), and an optic (40) positioned between the light source and the surface to modify the emitted light beam to have a largely uniform vertical illumination distribution along the surface. The input surface (39) of the optic faces the light source and has a convex lens portion (41) that directs a portion of the emitted light beam at the distal portion of the surface, and a concave lens portion (43) that directs a portion of the emitted light beam at the proximal portion of the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system (10) that illuminates a surface (16) with a uniform illumination pattern (12). The lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units (14) that each emit a light beam that has a variable vertical illumination distribution and a variable horizontal illumination distribution. The intensity of each light beam is uniform in a central region of the horizontal illumination distribution, and non-uniform at each end of the horizontal illumination distribution. Similarly, the intensity of each light beam is uniform in a central region of the vertical illumination distribution, and largely non-uniform at each end of the vertical illumination distribution. The light beams overlap in the region of horizontal nonuniformity in order to create an illumination pattern that appears uniform.

Abstract: A lighting unit (10) configured to illuminate a surface (32) having a proximal portion (34) and a distal portion (36) in relation to the lighting unit. The lighting unit includes a light source (12) configured to emit a light beam (28), and an optic (40) positioned between the light source and the surface to modify the emitted light beam to have a largely uniform vertical illumination distribution along the surface. The input surface (39) of the optic faces the light source and has a convex lens portion (41) that directs a portion of the emitted light beam at the distal portion of the surface, and a concave lens portion (43) that directs a portion of the emitted light beam at the proximal portion of the surface.

Abstract: A control system for terminating flight of a balloon having a balloon envelope is provided. The control system includes a shuttle that has one or more cutting blades. The cutting blades are configured to cut open the balloon envelope. A tubular track is attached to a section of the balloon envelope. This tubular track has a guiding portion arranged to receive and guide the shuttle along the track. The control system includes a type of releasable ballast attached to the shuttle. When the ballast is released, the ballast is configured to move the shuttle along the tubular track in order to cause at least one of the cutting blades to cut open a portion of the balloon envelope. This allows lift gas to escape from the balloon envelope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for producing mixed light in a direct-view luminaire. The luminaire includes a plurality of light sources (132) that, in combination, are configured to generate a plurality of different colors of light, a first light mixing chamber (110) and at least one second light mixing chamber (120) in light communication with the first mixing chamber through at least one opening (134). At least one directly viewable light exit surface (112) is coupled to the first light mixing chamber. The light sources are contained in the second light mixing chamber(s), which is configured to prevent light emitted from the light sources from directly impinging on the light exit surface(s). The first light mixing chamber and the light exit surface(s) are configured to mix the light emitted from the light sources such that all light exiting the light exit surface(s) is substantially uniform in brightness and color.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system (10) that illuminates a surface (16) with a uniform illumination pattern (12). The lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units (14) that each emit a light beam that has a variable vertical illumination distribution and a variable horizontal illumination distribution. The intensity of each light beam is uniform in a central region of the horizontal illumination distribution, and non-uniform at each end of the horizontal illumination distribution. Similarly, the intensity of each light beam is uniform in a central region of the vertical illumination distribution, and largely non-uniform at each end of the vertical illumination distribution. The light beams overlap in the region of horizontal nonuniformity in order to create an illumination pattern that appears uniform.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a plurality of tendons to a balloon includes a first and second plate and a cable long enough to extend around a circumference of the first plate. The first plate has a plurality of slots and one more mating ports. Each slot is configured to allow a given tendon from the plurality of tendons to extend through the first plate by inserting a tendon within the slot. The second plate has a surface with one or more mating members attached. Each mating member is configured to connect the first and second plates together by mating with at least one of the one or more mating ports. The cable is configured to pass between the first and second plates so as to couple with each tendon within the plurality of slots in order to secure the tendons to a balloon structure.

Abstract: A control system for terminating flight of a balloon having a balloon envelope is provided. The control system includes a shuttle that has one or more cutting blades. The cutting blades are configured to cut open the balloon envelope. A tubular track is attached to a section of the balloon envelope. This tubular track has a guiding portion arranged to receive and guide the shuttle along the track. The control system includes a type of releasable ballast attached to the shuttle. When the ballast is released, the ballast is configured to move the shuttle along the tubular track in order to cause at least one of the cutting blades to cut open a portion of the balloon envelope. This allows lift gas to escape from the balloon envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed is an LED-based luminaire (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) including an optic surrounding a plurality of LEDs (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640a/b, 740). The optic may include a plurality of interior reflective surfaces for mixing light output of the LEDs and also include a transmissive diffuser (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630a/b, 730a/b) through which interiorly reflected light output of the LEDs exits the LED-based luminaire.

Abstract: Disclosed is an LED-based luminaire (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) including an optic surrounding a plurality of LEDs (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640a/b, 740). The optic may include a plurality of interior reflective surfaces for mixing light output of the LEDs and also include a transmissive diffuser (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630a/b, 730a/b) through which interiorly reflected light output of the LEDs exits the LED-based luminaire.