Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – lighter-than-air – Balloons
Patent
1990-09-05
1992-01-14
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, lighter-than-air
Balloons
244 33, 212 71, B64B 150
Patent
active
050803026
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is a balloon system for transporting a load wherein an aerostat is movable, both horizontally and vertically, throughout a working area defined by the guy lines that anchor the aerostat. Such area can include multiple pickup and discharge points. The balloon system is especially useful for logging in inaccessible or rugged terrain and transporting heavy loads between widely separated pickup and discharge points with intervening obstructions rendering group transport difficult. Individual loads may be picked up at any point within the working area for movement to a discharge point for unloading, after which conventional load handling equipment may be used to handle the load. A plurality of at least three guy lines radiating downwardly from the aerostat anchors the balloon to individual and separately controllable ground-based guy line control and storage apparatus. Each control apparatus is controllable to extend or retract its respective guy line. This allows complete range of movement of the aerostat and its suspended load anywhere within the work area from a pickup point to a discharge point. This control makes load handling possible in work areas which would be difficult and expensive to access using conventional load-handling equipment.
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Schematic illustration of Nick Wall Hybrid Lifter, no date.
Schematic illustration of Sky-Cam System, no date.
Schematic illustration of U.S. Navy "Deep Sea Recovery Vehicle or System", no date.
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Palomar Linda L.
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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