Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for passively steering an antenna disposed on a balloon in a balloon network. An example balloon involves: (a) an antenna and (b) a pressure-sensitive mechanism in mechanical communication with the antenna such that a change in the balloon's altitude causes at least an element of the antenna to rotate upward or downward, a separation distance between two or more radiating elements to increase or decrease, or a separation distance between the two or more radiating elements and a reflector to increase or decrease.

Abstract: Configurations provide rapid adjustment to an aircraft attitude in the water upon an emergency water landing. In one configuration, an aircraft fuselage has a forward compartment that includes a water intake and an air vent. The water intake is located below an expected waterline upon ditching the aircraft in water and transports a flow of water to the forward compartment at a designed flow rate. The air vent is positioned at a height in the forward compartment and allows a desired volume of water to fill the forward compartment and adjust an attitude of the aircraft within a time period.

Abstract: A vehicle suitable for use in high-altitude applications use may include a gas impermeable body and a flexible barrier separating the body into multiple sections or compartments. The compartments may include a lift compartment for holding lift gas, such as lighter than air gas, and a ballast compartment for holding a ballast, such as heavier than air gas. A valve may permit passage of the ballast from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body. The body may have an oblong shape, with fins attached to an exterior back end thereof. The vehicle may have only internal ballast compartments, without including a hopper external to the body.

Abstract: A balloon includes a cut-down device, a payload, and an envelope. A control system could be configured to determine a position of the balloon with respect to a predetermined zone. The cut-down device could be operable to cause at least the payload to land in response to determining that the position of the balloon is within the predetermined zone. The predetermined zone includes an exclusion zone and a shadow zone. The shadow zone could include locations from which the balloon would be likely to drift into the exclusion zone based on, e.g., historic weather patterns or expected environmental conditions. Boundaries of the shadow zone could be determined based on, for example, a probability of the balloon entering the exclusion zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deflector for an aircraft, comprising a discharge pipe for leading a fluid to be drained from the aircraft by way of an outlet end to the environment of the aircraft; an actuator, coupled to the discharge pipe, for swinging out, when required, the discharge pipe to at least one activation position, wherein in the activation position the outlet end is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the exterior skin of the aircraft, and the deflector guides the fluid to be drained so that it exits outside a flow boundary layer that is present on the exterior skin. The deflector according to the invention is activated when required and is able to discharge structure-damaging fluids to the environment in such a way that the exterior structure of the aircraft does not become wet, and at the same time the deflector according to the invention, normally accommodated within the contour of the aircraft, does not result in any additional aerodynamic resistance.

Abstract: A vehicle suitable for use in high-altitude applications use may include a gas impermeable body and a flexible barrier separating the body into multiple sections or compartments. The compartments may include a lift compartment for holding lift gas, such as lighter than air gas, and a ballast compartment for holding a ballast, such as heavier than air gas. A valve may permit passage of the ballast from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body. The body may have an oblong shape, with fins attached to an exterior back end thereof. The vehicle may have only internal ballast compartments, without including a hopper external to the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of a vehicle. The first embodiment is a track-based mass transfer system in which pathways are positioned along or radially terminate at a central horizontal plane of the vehicle to move one or more mass transfer devices to a desired location to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of the vehicle. A second embodiment is a fluid mass distribution system in which one or more conduits selectively distribute a fluid to one or more tanks positioned near a central horizontal plane of the vehicle to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of the vehicle.

Abstract: An emergency drop system allows ballasted advertising banner (14) if disconnected from an aircraft to descend slowly to the ground. Banner (14) is suspended below an aircraft by line (4) held taut by ballasted container (24). Static line (26) attached to the aircraft will, on release of loop (6) of line (4) from the aircraft, pull on closures (12) and release parachute (8) from its container (10). Drag of parachute (8) in the slipstream will slow the fall of banner (14) and also pull on lanyard (20) so that it activates 3-ring release (22) causing container (24) to invert and disperse the ballast.

Abstract: An environmental data collection system and method is provided having an internet link for providing an additional level of security for a remotely controlled data collection platform having a security alarm for protecting the platform and the environmental subject of the study. A novel lighter-than-air platform having a novel snorkel for detachably securing, mooring and providing buoyancy control is provided for the collection of data in the form of real time audio and video linked to the internet and subscribers. The novel snorkel is flexible and retractable into the novel airship to provide remote buoyancy control of the airship together with silently operating electrical motors for allowing the novel airship to be remotely controlled and moved at will to track and monitor wildlife and make environmental measurements necessary for the protection of the environment, wildlife and the operation of the novel airship.

Abstract: An environmental data collection system and method is provided having an internet link for providing an additional level of security for a remotely controlled data collection platform having a security alarm for protecting the platform and the environmental subject of the study. A novel lighter-than-air platform having a novel snorkel for detachably securing, mooring and providing buoyancy control is provided for the collection of data in the form of real time audio and video linked to the internet and subscribers. The novel snorkel is flexible and retractable into the novel airship to provide remote buoyancy control of the airship together with silently operating electrical motors for allowing the novel airship to be remotely controlled and moved at will to track and monitor wildlife and make environmental measurements necessary for the protection of the environment, wildlife and the operation of the novel airship.

Abstract: An adjustable weight ballast for lighter-than-air balloon with a predetermined lift is disclosed, comprising at least two individual weights. There is a first means on each individual weight for selectively attaching two or more weights to each other to form a composite weight having a total weight at least equal to the predetermined lift of the balloon, and a second means for tethering the lighter-than-air balloon to this composite weight, in which manner a ballast for a balloon can have its weight incrementally adjusted to an amount just greater than the balloon's predetermined lift to thus securely tether the balloon to a surface on which the composite weight is supported without significantly exceeding the lift of the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon comprising an envelope, wherein the envelope has a multilayered structure comprising a gas-impervious sheet, and a liquid absorbent sheet overlaid on the inner surface of the gas-impervious sheet.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus comprising a thin-walled plastic tube containing an open-celled plastic foam or other wicking material which may be selectively impregnated with a liquid which evaporates in air at room temperature. The tube defines an aperture through which the liquid may evaporate, the diameter of the aperture and the density and molar heat of vaporization of the liquid being such that the weight of the liquid which evaporates over time balances the reduction in buoyancy as gas particles diffuse through the balloon over the same time period. A control slide permits the user to adjust the mount of the wicking material exposed to or through the aperture. The ballast apparatus has a widened blade section which may be easily gripped by the user, and includes a tethering opening for attaching a cord or ribbon. The ballast apparatus is secured to the interior or exterior surface of the neck of the balloon using a double-faced adhesive tape.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the buoyancy of a lighter-than-air craft by condensing water ballast from engine exhaust gases.

Abstract: A method and system for aerially transporting loads between a loading site and a discharging site. A lift balloon is ballasted with liquid ballast at a discharging site and propelled to a loading site, where a load is suspended from the balloon. The liquid ballast is removed from the balloon in an amount corresponding to the weight of the suspended load. The ballast is recirculated from the loading site to the discharging site through a conduit. At the discharging site, the balloon is reballasted and the load is removed therefrom. The liquid ballast may also be moved through an aerial conduit connecting the lift balloon to a ballast site. In a further aspect of the invention, an elongated envelope houses a plurality of pear-shaped balloons to reduce the aerodynamic drag thereon.

Abstract: A gondola for a hot air balloon utilizes a rigid carriage with external and internal walls forming an enclosure with a central opening sized for accommodation of crew members. A platform extends across and closes a bottom of the central opening. The external and internal walls are spaced and form an internal and integral reservoir for the carriage for storage of fuel for powering the hot air balloon. In one embodiment, a crew module accompanies the carriage, and the carriage is arranged for jetisoning in emergencies.

Abstract: A loading mechanism for loading water into a water storage tank of a water bomber aircraft is improved by separating the probe from the receiver conduit and by forming the probe with a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the receiver conduit. As a result of these improvements, the jet of water is discharged freely from the probe into the receiver conduit, thereby preventing the drag forces which are applied to the water passing through the receiver conduit being transmitted to the probe. A further improvement is in that the probe is positioned so that the input end is only partially exposed below the step with the result that an airspace is formed in the stream of water passing through the probe in use.

Abstract: A process for altitude-stabilizing an atmospheric balloon comprising ballast jettison mechanism to vary the balloon's specific weight, and using a balloon provided with an interpole link for actuating said ballast jettison mechanism so that an increase in the tension in the link causes a reduction in the specific weight of the balloon by jettison of ballast is disclosed.

Abstract: An aerostat amusement device in the form of a ballast member including a resilient container adapted to contain a liquid such as water and having defined therein an opening sufficiently small to preclude flow of the liquid through the hole as a result of the surface tension of the liquid, but adequate to permit flow of the liquid through the hole in response to a pressure differential induced by deforming the resilient container to thus flow liquid into or out of the container in a carefully controlled manner, the ballast device being adapted to be secured to a balloon filled with buoyant gas to resemble an airship, the ballast device being accurately adjustable to maintain the balloon at a desired height by providing an equilibrium with the buoyant force generated by the balloon.

Abstract: Two groups of tension lines depending from the forward and aft portions of n airship are each connected to a separate vertically oriented elongate strut. The struts are dimensioned to extend through and below surface waves of a body of water. Optionally, electric thruster/generator units are mounted in pods on the bottom of the struts to either propel the airship or act as generators while drifting. Laterally reaching hydrofoils extend from the pods and either work to reduce drag or ensure responsive operation. The combination of the tension lines, struts, thruster/generator units and hydrofoils permits precise maneuvering at the surface for off-loading and on-loading at sea, allows for long endurance and range and gives a capability for operating as a quiet platform.

Abstract: Method and equipment to aerially transport loads between two sites. A winch is provided at each site and a load carrying balloon is coupled by cables to each winch. Auxiliary balloons are provided to maintain the cables at a height above objects in the line of travel of the balloon.

Abstract: A lighter than air ship, with a bow plate on the bow, two cars suspended beneath the elongated bag, the cars having water ballast tanks, with scoops to take in water when the airship is landing on water and valves to let the water out when the airship is taking off, with a sea anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, a ground (bottom) anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, metal ribs attached to the bow plate and extending to a stern plate and connected to the bag both above and below the bag, with a vertical rudder for steering right and left, horizontal rudders for steering up and down and a ballonet inside the bag for keeping proper pressure, landing wheels for landing the airship on land, the cars being capable of landing the airship on water, the bag having an aerodynamic lifting shape so that the airship can take off and fly heavy and by dumping water can land safey and landing on water can take in water to be stable on the surface, can land on land with the wheels and be secured by the rodes.

Abstract: A lighter than air ship, with a bow plate on the bow, two cars suspended beneath the elongated bag, the cars having water ballast tanks, with scoops to take in water when the airship is landing on water and valves to let the water out when the airship is taking off, with a sea anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, a ground (bottom) anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, metal ribs attached to the bow plate and extending to a stern plate and connected to the bag both above and below the bag, with a vertical rudder for steering right and left, horizontal rudders for steering up and down and a ballonet inside the bag for keeping proper pressure, landing wheels for landing the airship on land, the cars being capable of landing the airship on water, the bag having an aerodynamic lifting shape so that the airship can take off and fly heavy and by dumping water can land safey and landing on water can take in water to be stable on the surface, can land on land with the wheels and be secured by the rodes.