Miniature expendable surveillance balloon system

Details Miniature expendable surveillance balloon system Miniature expendable surveillance balloon system

2005-10-14

2008-03-11

Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3644)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Aircraft, lighter-than-air

Airships

C244S031000, C244S061000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07341224

ABSTRACT:
A miniature surveillance balloon system is described that can be used in military and public safety situations for real-time observations. They are as small as feasibly possible, low-cost and expendable, and typically are deployed in clusters. Balloons may act individually or alternately clusters may act robotically (in unison) without command input at times. Video surveillance information is preprocessed and then sent via wireless communications links. Batteries and/or gas cylinders may be selectively jettisoned to facilitate vertical movement. Balloons may optionally have thruster mechanisms to facilitate lateral movement which may in some embodiments be powered by a source of combustible gas which is also used for providing lift.

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