公开(公告)号：US20160273519A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-22

申请号：US15167415

申请日：2016-05-27

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Thomas Van Alsenoy ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: F03D9/00 ,  B64C27/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  H02K7/18 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64D47/00 ,  B63H9/06 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64F3/02

CPC classification number: F03D9/32 ,  B63H9/0685 ,  B63H2009/0692 ,  B64C27/00 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/028 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64C2201/206 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D47/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  C07C29/141 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/008 ,  F03D9/11 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D80/80 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  H02K7/1838 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle

Abstract translation: 一种具有空中翼面的车载机载风力涡轮机系统，多个转子，每个转子具有位于空中飞翼上的多个可旋转叶片，固定在飞行器上并固定在位于车辆上的地面站的导电系绳， 其中所述空中翼适于从通过所述导电系绳传送到所述空中翼的车辆接收电力; 其中所述空中翼适于以飞行模式操作以利用风能以提供穿过所述系绳的第一拉力以拉动所述车辆; 并且其中所述空中翼还适于以动力飞行模式操作，其中所述转子可以被供电，使得所述涡轮机叶片用作推力产生螺旋桨以提供穿过所述系绳的第二拉力以拉动所述车辆

公开(公告)号：US09407362B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-02

申请号：US14223826

申请日：2014-03-24

Applicant: Google Inc.

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

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/112 ,  H04W84/00 ,  H04B7/185 ,  H04B10/2575

CPC classification number: H04B10/11 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/2575 ,  H04W84/005

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.

Abstract translation: 示例性实施例可以涉及分级气球网络，其包括气球之间的光学和射频链路两者。 示例性网络系统可以包括：（a）多个超级节点气球，其中每个超级节点气球包括用于与一个或多个其他超级节点气球进行数据通信的自由空间光通信系统，以及（b）多个 的子节点气球，其中每个子节点气球包括可操作用于数据通信的射频通信系统。 此外，至少一个超级节点气球可以进一步包括RF通信系统，其可操作以将数据发送到至少一个子节点气球，其中所述至少一个子节点气球的RF通信系统进一步可操作以接收 所述数据由所述至少一个超级节点气球发送并且将所接收的数据发送到至少一个基于地面的站。

公开(公告)号：US09290258B1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US14310161

申请日：2014-06-20

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/62 ,  B64D2041/005 ,  Y02T90/36

Abstract: An example balloon system for long-duration flight can include an optically transparent envelope for solar greenhouse heating of lift gas within, a fuel cell inside a bladder within the envelope, and a solar collector beneath the bladder configured to concentrate solar energy in a focal region below the bladder. The fuel cell can include hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, and a water reservoir in a bottom portion of the bladder, and could be configured to generate electricity to run a heater to heat the lift gas during night-time hours. The example system can also include a heat engine configured with a hot side in the focal region and a cold side in the water reservoir. The heat engine could be configured to generate power by transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, and the power could be used to recharge the fuel cell during daylight hours.

Abstract translation: 用于长时间飞行的示例性球囊系统可以包括用于太阳能温室加热其内的提升气体的光学透明封套，在封套内的气囊内的燃料电池，以及在囊下方的太阳能收集器，其被配置为将太阳能集中在聚焦区域 膀胱下方 燃料电池可以包括氢气，氧气和在气囊底部的储水器，并且可以被配置为发电以运行加热器以在夜间时间加热提升气体。 示例性系统还可以包括在焦点区域中配置有热侧的热引擎和储水器中的冷侧。 热机可以配置成通过将热量从热侧传递到冷侧来发电，并且在日光期间可以使用功率来对燃料电池进行再充电。

公开(公告)号：US09282431B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-08

申请号：US14444100

申请日：2014-07-28

Applicant: Google Inc.

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

IPC: G06F15/173 ,  H04W4/00 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/04 ,  H04W40/20 ,  H04W84/22 ,  H04L29/08

CPC classification number: H04W64/003 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04B7/18506 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04L67/18 ,  H04L67/2852 ,  H04L67/288 ,  H04L67/306 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W4/025 ,  H04W4/04 ,  H04W28/021 ,  H04W40/20 ,  H04W84/22

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein that may help to provide location-aware caching and/or location-specific service profiles in a balloon network. An exemplary method may be carried out by a balloon that is at a location associated with the first geographic area in a balloon network that includes a plurality of defined geographic areas, and may involve: (a) determining that a location-aware cache of a balloon should be updated with user-data associated with the first geographic area; and (b) in response to determining that the location-aware cache should be updated: (i) sending a location-aware cache-update request; (ii) receiving, as a response to the location-aware cache-update request, user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area; and (iii) storing the user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area in a location-aware cache of the balloon.

Abstract translation: 本文公开的方法和系统可以帮助在气球网络中提供位置感知缓存和/或位置特定服务简档。 可以通过气球来执行示例性方法，所述气球位于与包括多个确定的地理区域的气球网络中的与所述第一地理区域相关联的位置处，并且可以包括：（a）确定位置感知高速缓存 应使用与第一地理区域相关联的用户数据更新气球; 以及（b）响应于确定所述位置感知缓存应当被更新：（i）发送位置感知高速缓存更新请求; （ii）作为对所述位置感知缓存更新请求的响应，接收对应于所述第一地理区域的用户数据; 和（iii）将对应于第一地理区域的用户数据存储在气球的位置感知高速缓存中。

公开(公告)号：US09248910B1

公开(公告)日：2016-02-02

申请号：US14620201

申请日：2015-02-12

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Thomas Van Alsenoy ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: F02B63/04 ,  F03G7/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B63H9/00 ,  F03D9/00 ,  F03D11/04 ,  C25B9/00 ,  C25B1/04 ,  C02F1/20 ,  C02F1/469 ,  C02F101/10

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B63H9/00 ,  B63H9/0685 ,  B63H21/20 ,  B63J2003/002 ,  B63J2003/046 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  C02F1/20 ,  C02F1/4693 ,  C02F2101/10 ,  C25B1/04 ,  C25B9/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/008 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/32 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/923 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/728 ,  Y02E60/366 ,  Y02P20/133 ,  Y02T70/5209 ,  Y02T70/5218 ,  Y02T70/70 ,  Y02T90/46

Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.

Abstract translation: 一种具有空中翼面的车载机载风力涡轮机系统，多个转子，每个转子具有位于空中飞翼上的多个可旋转叶片，固定在飞行器上并固定在位于车辆上的地面站的导电系绳， 其中所述空中翼适于从通过所述导电系绳传送到所述空中翼的车辆接收电力; 其中所述空中翼适于以飞行模式操作以利用风能以提供穿过所述系绳的第一拉力以拉动所述车辆; 并且其中所述空中翼还适于以动力飞行模式操作，其中所述转子可以被供电，使得所述涡轮机叶片用作推力产生螺旋桨，以通过所述系绳提供第二拉力以拉动所述车辆。

公开(公告)号：US09233746B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-12

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: B64B1/58 ,  B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/60 ,  G05D1/04

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：US09174738B1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-03

申请号：US13862434

申请日：2013-04-14

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Kevin Roach ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Phillip Clarin

IPC: B64D19/00 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64D1/12

CPC classification number: B64B1/40 ,  B64C2201/022 ,  B64C2201/122 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D19/00

Abstract: A payload drag structure having a drag disk comprised of a lightweight, flexible material, a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk, a flexible member positioned within the tubular section, a cross member having a plurality of aims attached about the periphery of the drag disk, wherein one or more arms of the cross member are adapted for attachment to a payload harness, wherein the payload harness is adapted for attachment to arms of the cross member, and wherein a payload may be secured within the payload harness.

Abstract translation: 一种有效负载拖曳结构，其具有由轻质的柔性材料构成的拖盘，围绕所述拖盘的周边定位的管状部分，位于所述管状部分内的柔性构件，横向构件， 牵引盘，其中所述横向构件的一个或多个臂适于附接到有效载荷带，其中所述有效载荷束带适于附接到所述横梁的臂，并且其中有效载荷可固定在所述有效载荷束带内。

公开(公告)号：US20150304026A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-22

申请号：US14223826

申请日：2014-03-24

Applicant: Google Inc.

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

IPC: H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/2575

CPC classification number: H04B10/11 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/2575 ,  H04W84/005

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.

Abstract translation: 示例性实施例可以涉及分级气球网络，其包括气球之间的光学和射频链路两者。 示例性网络系统可以包括：（a）多个超级节点气球，其中每个超级节点气球包括用于与一个或多个其他超级节点气球进行数据通信的自由空间光通信系统，以及（b）多个 的子节点气球，其中每个子节点气球包括可操作用于数据通信的射频通信系统。 此外，至少一个超级节点气球可以进一步包括RF通信系统，其可操作以将数据发送到至少一个子节点气球，其中所述至少一个子节点气球的RF通信系统进一步可操作以接收 所述数据由所述至少一个超级节点气球发送并且将所接收的数据发送到至少一个基于地面的站。

公开(公告)号：US09096301B1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-04

申请号：US13731979

申请日：2012-12-31

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Clifford Biffle ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul ,  Joshua Weaver ,  Anton Valdemar Staaf ,  Eric Teller ,  Michael Cassidy

IPC: B64B1/40

CPC classification number: B64B1/42

Abstract: A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope, a payload positioned beneath the balloon envelope, and a drag plate positioned beneath the balloon envelope and attached to the payload, and a control system configured to initiate a process to cause the balloon envelope to no longer provide lift to the payload, wherein the drag plate serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种气囊，其具有气球外壳，位于气囊外壳下方的有效载荷，以及位于气囊外壳下方并连接到有效载荷上的拖板，以及控制系统，其被配置为启动使气囊外壳不再提供的过程 提升到有效载荷，其中拖板用于减缓有效载荷下降到地球。

公开(公告)号：US09093754B2

公开(公告)日：2015-07-28

申请号：US13892161

申请日：2013-05-10

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Cyrus Behroozi ,  Eric Teller ,  Richard Wayne DeVaul

IPC: H01Q1/28 ,  H01Q19/13 ,  H01Q1/12

CPC classification number: H01Q1/28 ,  G01C5/005 ,  H01Q1/1264 ,  H01Q3/16 ,  H01Q19/13 ,  H01Q25/002 ,  H04B7/18504

Abstract: An antenna includes a radiator and a reflector and has a radiation pattern that is based at least in part on a separation distance between the radiator and the reflector. The antenna includes a linkage configured to adjust the separation distance based at least in part on the altitude of the antenna. The resulting radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted based on altitude of the antenna such that, while the antenna is aloft and the antenna is ground-facing, variations in geographic boundaries and intensity of the radiation received at ground level are at least partially compensated for by the dynamic adjustments to the radiation pattern.

Abstract translation: 天线包括散热器和反射器，并且具有至少部分地基于散热器和反射器之间的间隔距离的辐射图。 天线包括被配置为至少部分地基于天线的高度来调整分离距离的联动装置。 可以基于天线的高度来动态地调整所得到的辐射图，使得当天线是高空的并且天线是面向地面时，在地平面处接收的辐射的地理边界和强度的变化至少部分地由 对辐射图的动态调整。