US 12,466,586 B2
System and method for generating aerodynamic lift from wind shear at a system
Andrey Sushko, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Joan Creus Costa, Redwood City, CA (US); Michal Adamkiewicz, Konstancin-Jeziorna (PL); John Lars Anderson Dean, Redwood City, CA (US); Kai Marshland, Palo Alto, CA (US); and Iosif-Oliver Szavuj, Bucharest (RO)
Assigned to WindBorne Systems Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed by WindBorne Systems Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/780,159.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/545,915, filed on Oct. 26, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/528,268, filed on Jul. 21, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0026464 A1, Jan. 23, 2025
Int. Cl. B64U 10/30 (2023.01); B64B 1/40 (2006.01); B64B 1/62 (2006.01); B64B 1/70 (2006.01); B64U 40/00 (2023.01); G05D 1/48 (2024.01); G05D 109/20 (2024.01)
CPC B64U 10/30 (2023.01) [B64B 1/40 (2013.01); B64B 1/62 (2013.01); B64B 1/70 (2013.01); B64U 40/00 (2023.01); G05D 1/48 (2024.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01); G05D 2109/26 (2024.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a balloon module comprising:
an inflatable element; and
a volume of lifting gas arranged within the inflatable element and generating aerostatic lift;
a first sail module defining a first edge and a second edge and comprising:
a first control surface extending between the first edge and the second edge;
a first set of payload instruments; and
a first motorized spool arranged proximal the second edge of the first sail module;
a ballast module comprising:
a container arranged below the first sail module; and
a ballast material arranged within the container;
a first bridle assembly comprising:
a first fixed sail cable:
defining a first length; and
coupling the balloon module to a first section of the first control surface proximal the first edge;
a second fixed sail cable:
defining a second length approximating the first length; and
coupling the balloon module to a second section of the first control surface proximal the first edge; and
a first sail control cable:
wound about the first motorized spool;
coupled to the balloon module; and
cooperating with the first fixed sail cable and the second fixed sail cable to locate the first sail module at a distance below the balloon module; and
a controller configured to trigger the first motorized spool to wind the first sail control cable:
to change a pitch angle of the first control surface;
to change aerodynamic forces across the first control surface; and
to adjust an altitude of the balloon module and the first sail module.