US 12,134,456 B1
Inflatable structure launching
Jonathan T. Slocum, Bow, NH (US); and Alexander H. Slocum, Bow, NH (US)
Assigned to LTAG SYSTEMS LLC, Bow, NH (US)
Filed by LTAG SYSTEMS LLC, Bow, NH (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/110,352.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/310,124, filed on Feb. 15, 2022.
Int. Cl. B64B 1/58 (2006.01); B64B 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC B64B 1/58 (2013.01) [B64B 1/40 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for launching an aerostat, the system comprising:
a reactor defining a chamber, the reactor withstanding temperatures and pressures associated with forming hydrogen-containing lifting gas through reaction of activated aluminum and water;
an inflatable structure including a balloon and a neck, the balloon and the neck collectively defining a volume;
a coupling defining a passage in fluid communication between the chamber of the reactor and the volume of the inflatable structure, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; and
a collar supported on the reactor, the collar defining an orifice in fluid communication between the chamber of the reactor and the passage of the coupling, and the collar releasably restricting displacement of the passage of the coupling, the volume of the inflatable structure, and the chamber of the reactor relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.