公开(公告)号：US09329600B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-03

申请号：US14612945

申请日：2015-02-03

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver

IPC: B64B1/62 ,  G05D1/04 ,  B64B1/40 ,  H02S20/30 ,  C25B1/04

CPC classification number: G05D1/042 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62 ,  C25B1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  Y02E60/366 ,  Y02E70/10 ,  Y02P20/134

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

公开(公告)号：US20150168955A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-18

申请号：US14612945

申请日：2015-02-03

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  C25B1/04 ,  B64B1/40

CPC classification number: G05D1/042 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62 ,  C25B1/04 ,  H02S20/30 ,  Y02E60/366 ,  Y02E70/10 ,  Y02P20/134

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

Abstract translation: 示例性实施例可以促进气球网络中的气球的高度控制。 示例性方法包括：（a）使气球以第一模式操作，其中气囊包括外壳，高压储存室和太阳能发电系统，（b）当气囊以第一模式操作时 （i）操作太阳能发电系统以产生用于气球的电力，以及（ii）使用由太阳能发电系统产生的至少一些电力将气体从外壳移动到高压储存室，使得浮力 气球减少; （c）使气球以第二模式操作; 并且当气囊在第二模式下操作时，将气体从高压储存室移动到外壳，使得气球的浮力增加。

公开(公告)号：US08971274B1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-03

申请号：US13673700

申请日：2012-11-09

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Anton Valdemar Staaf

IPC: H04W72/04

CPC classification number: H04W16/14 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04L12/1428 ,  H04W4/24 ,  H04W40/02 ,  H04W84/005 ,  H04W84/22

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the balloon network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers.

Abstract translation: 实施例涉及气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间链路的市场。 示例性方法可以涉及基于计算机的购买代理：（i）确定对气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间带宽的需求，（ii）确定一个或多个提供以提供网络间链路，其中 所述网络间链路提供所述气球网络和地面数据网络之间的网络间带宽，并且其中每个提供与相应的客户端设备相关联，（iii）至少部分地基于以下的比较：（a）所述需求 用于网络间带宽和（b）提供网络间链路的一个或多个提供，选择一个或多个提供以提供网络间链路，以及（iv）启动建立网络间网络的过程 在与每个客户端设备相对应的一个或多个所选择的优惠中的链接。

公开(公告)号：US20140252163A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-11

申请号：US14286070

申请日：2014-05-23

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: B64B1/62

CPC classification number: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/60 ,  G05D1/042

Abstract: A balloon having an envelope, a gas contained within the envelope, a payload connected to the envelope, wherein the envelope has a first portion that has a first absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope, and a second portion that has a second absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope where the second absorptive or reflective property is different than the first absorptive or reflective property, wherein the second portion is provided with a darkly colored surface that allows more solar energy to be transferred through the envelope to the gas within the envelope than the first portion, and wherein the envelope is rotatable to allow a preferred ratio of the first and second portions of the envelope to be positioned facing the sun.

Abstract translation: 一种具有封套的气囊，包含在外壳内的气体，连接到外壳的有效载荷，其中该封套具有第一部分，该第一部分具有第一吸收性或反射性，以使太阳能转移到外壳内的气体 以及具有第二吸收或反射性质的第二部分，其相对于允许太阳能转移到第二吸收或反射性质不同于第一吸收或反射性质的封套内的气体，其中第二部分是 具有暗色表面，其允许更多的太阳能通过信封传送到封套内比第一部分的气体，并且其中信封可旋转以允许信封的第一和第二部分的优选比率为 定位面向太阳。

公开(公告)号：US09584214B2

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US15013850

申请日：2016-02-02

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver

IPC: H04B7/185 ,  G06F15/173 ,  H04B10/118

CPC classification number: H04B7/18502 ,  H04B10/118 ,  H04L41/12 ,  H04L67/303 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W4/026 ,  H04W40/38 ,  H04W52/18

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may help an aerial vehicle network to provide substantially continuous service in a given geographic area. An example method may be carried out at an aerial vehicle that is at a location associated with the first geographic area in an aerial network that includes a plurality of geographic areas. The balloon may determine that it should update its vehicle-state in accordance with a vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area. Then, in response, the balloon may determine the vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area, which may include one or more state parameters for balloons operating in the first geographic area. The balloon may then operate according to the vehicle-state profile for the first geographic area.

Abstract translation: 公开的实施例可以帮助空中客车网络在给定的地理区域中提供基本上连续的服务。 示例性方法可以在与包括多个地理区域的空中网络中的与第一地理区域相关联的位置处的飞行器执行。 气球可以确定它应当根据第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓来更新其车辆状态。 然后，作为响应，气球可以确定第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓，其可以包括在第一地理区域中操作的气球的一个或多个状态参数。 然后，球囊可以根据第一地理区域的车辆状态轮廓进行操作。

公开(公告)号：US20140319271A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US14328212

申请日：2014-07-10

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver ,  Dan Piponi

IPC: B64B1/44

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/44 ,  G05D1/104 ,  G05D1/105 ,  H04B7/18504

Abstract: The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.

公开(公告)号：US20140319270A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US14328226

申请日：2014-07-10

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Eric Teller ,  Clifford L. Biffle ,  Josh Weaver ,  Dan Piponi

IPC: B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/44 ,  G05D1/104 ,  G05D1/105 ,  H04B7/18504

Abstract: The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.

Abstract translation: 可以相对于彼此来调整气球通信网络中的气球的位置，例如高空气球的网状网络，以便尝试维持期望的网络拓扑。 在一种方法中，可以相对于一个或多个相邻气球来调节每个球囊的位置。 例如，可以确定目标气球和一个或多个相邻气球的位置。 然后可以基于一个或多个相邻气球相对于目标气球的位置的位置来确定目标气球的期望运动。 可以基于期望的运动来控制目标气球。 在一些实施例中，可以控制目标气球的高度，以便将目标气球暴露于能够产生目标气球的期望运动的环境风中。