William Kelly Mcdaniel

US Patent:

7503277, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Oct 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/539038

Inventors:

William Douglas McDaniel - Huntsville AL, US
Michael McNabb - Huntsville AL, US
Michael Ryder - Brownsboro AL, US
Callum R. Sullivan - New Market AL, US
Glenn Martin Tierney - Huntsville AL, US
Peter K. Van Staagen - Madison AL, US

Assignee:

Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B64B 1/40

US Classification:

116210, 244 31

Abstract:

A device for deploying an aerostat includes a cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end and a center tube axially oriented in the container. A tapered disc is mounted for axial movement on the center tube, and it has a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end toward the open end of the container. In its operation, the tapered disc is held in a first position while a portion of the aerostat is loaded into the container. It is then moved to a second position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container. Thereafter, the disc is moved to a release position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the container.

US Patent:

20120181380, Jul 19, 2012

Filed:

Jan 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/009207

Inventors:

Peter K. Van Staagen - Madison AL, US
William Douglas McDaniel - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B64B 1/50
B64B 1/40

US Classification:

244 33, 244 31

Abstract:

A system and method for deploying a payload with an aerostat uses a mobile transporter for moving the system to a deployment site. Structurally, the system includes a base unit with a rotation head mounted thereon. An envelope container for holding a deflated aerostat is mounted on the rotation head and a rotation of the container on the rotation head positions the aerostat for optimal compliance with the existing wind condition. Also included in the system is an inflator that is mounted on the base unit to inflate the aerostat with a Helium gas. And, the system includes a tether control unit for maintaining a connection with the aerostat during its deployment, in-flight use, and recovery. Preferably, a deployment computer is used for a coordinated control of the rotation head, inflator and tether.