US 11,753,136 B2
Aerospace balloon system and method of operation
Taber MacCallum, Titusville, FL (US)
Assigned to Space Perspective Inc., Kennedy Space Center, FL (US)
Filed by Space Perspective Inc., Kennedy Space Center, FL (US)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/84,410.
Application 18/084,410 is a continuation of application No. 17/356,328, filed on Jun. 23, 2021, granted, now 11,560,210.
Application 17/356,328 is a continuation of application No. 17/164,668, filed on Feb. 1, 2021, granted, now 11,072,410, issued on Jul. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/969,447, filed on Feb. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0132269 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B64B 1/44 (2006.01); B64B 1/40 (2006.01); B64D 1/12 (2006.01); B64D 17/18 (2006.01); B64D 11/00 (2006.01); B64B 1/64 (2006.01)
CPC B64B 1/44 (2013.01) [B64B 1/40 (2013.01); B64B 1/64 (2013.01); B64D 1/12 (2013.01); B64D 11/00 (2013.01); B64D 17/18 (2013.01); B64D 2011/0061 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a balloon comprising a surface, the balloon defining: a balloon apex, a balloon interior within the surface, and a balloon exterior outside the surface;
a first valve arranged proximal to the balloon apex at the surface, the first valve operable to controllably fluidly couple the balloon interior to the balloon exterior;
a passive vent arranged at the surface of the balloon, the passive vent operable to passively transition from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein:
in the first configuration, the balloon interior is fluidly coupled to the balloon exterior via the passive vent and the passive vent is configured to passively maintain a substantially zero-pressure condition within the balloon; and
in the second configuration, the passive vent is substantially sealed.