The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 2022

Filed:

Oct. 18, 2017
Applicant:

Altaeros Energies, Inc., Somerville, MA (US);

Inventors:

Benjamin William Glass, Somerville, MA (US);

Benjamin Ryan Bollinger, Topsfield, MA (US);

Igor Braverman, Boston, MA (US);

Peter Carleton Mitton, Jr., Brookline, MA (US);

Ephraim R. Lanford, Cambridge, MA (US);

Assignee:

Altaeros Energies, Inc., Somerville, MA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G05D 1/10 (2006.01); B64F 5/60 (2017.01); B64B 1/50 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G05D 1/101 (2013.01); B64B 1/50 (2013.01); B64F 5/60 (2017.01);
Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein enable routine autonomous execution of at least some major phases of aerostat operation in response to commands from human or automated external operators, a built-in decision-making capacity, or both. Various embodiments combine one or more actively controlled tethers, aerodynamic aerostat control surfaces, mechanical assistive devices (e.g., jointed arms attached to a ground station), and/or active propulsors attached to the aerostat to govern aerostat behavior during launch, flight, and landing phases of operation. Some embodiments enable automatic autonomous performance of all phases of routine post-commissioning aerostat operation, including launch, flight, and landing, without any routine need for availability of a human crew.


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