US 12,214,855 B2
Lighter than air balloon systems and methods
Rodger Farley, Tucson, AZ (US); Taber MacCallum, Tucson, AZ (US); G. Ryan Lee, Tucson, AZ (US); Sebastian Padilla, Tucson, AZ (US); and John Straus, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to World View Enterprises Inc., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by World View Enterprises Inc., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Oct. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/050,908.
Application 16/414,153 is a division of application No. 16/010,991, filed on Jun. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,336,432, issued on Jul. 2, 2019.
Application 18/050,908 is a continuation of application No. 17/039,886, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,511,843.
Application 17/039,886 is a continuation of application No. 16/414,153, filed on May 16, 2019, granted, now 10,829,192, issued on Nov. 10, 2020.
Application 16/010,991 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/863,645, filed on Jan. 5, 2018, granted, now 10,124,875, issued on Nov. 13, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/574,135, filed on Oct. 18, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/521,988, filed on Jun. 19, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/443,945, filed on Jan. 9, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0182883 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. B64B 1/40 (2006.01); B64B 1/62 (2006.01); B64B 1/64 (2006.01)
CPC B64B 1/40 (2013.01) [B64B 1/62 (2013.01); B64B 1/64 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A super pressure balloon (SPB) comprising:
a balloon envelope having a top and a bottom and configured to be inflated with a gas;
an opening at the top of the balloon envelope; and
an end fitting sealed to the opening, the end fitting comprising:
an annulus piece;
a clamping ring positioned on a first side of the annulus piece;
a plate positioned on a second side of the annulus piece that is opposite the first side; and
one or more fasteners securing the clamping ring to the plate with the annulus piece clamped in between the clamping ring and the plate.