This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C.

Section 120, to Wickersham et ai., U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

62/290,8 3, entitled "ATMOSPHERIC BALLOON BALLONET AND

METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME," filed on February 3, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. 2754.202PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. Section 120, to Zimmerman et al., U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

62/365,733, entitled "ATMOSPHERIC BALLOON WITH BALLONET WALL AND METHODS FOR SAME," filed on July 22, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. 2754.216PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves ail copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright Raven Industries, Inc.; Sioux Falls, South Dakota. All Rights Reserved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to atmospheric balloons, inflatable articles and balloneis used to change buoyancy of atmospheric balloons and inflatable articles.

Atmospheric balloons are used to lift and maintain payloads at desired altitudes. In some examples a bailonet is provided within the balloon. The ballonet is selectively filled and evacuated with a ballast gas, such as air, to change the volume of lift gas within the remainder of the balloon. Filling of a ballonet decreases the buoyancy of the balloon and causes descent while evacuation of the ballonet increases the buoyancy of the balloon (and conversely allows the lift gas to assume a larger volume) to cause ascent. Where maintenance of the balloon at an altitude is desired the ballonet maintains a near static volume once the specified altitude is reached.

Some exemplary ballonets include an inner balloon configuration with the ballonet coupled near a lower port of the balloon and otherwise free to move within the balloon itself. As the ballonet is filled it inflates according to the drape of the ballonet along the lower portion of the balloon. In other examples, the ballonet is a disk shaped panel coupled with a horizontal seam extending around the balloon. The disk shaped panel extends across a portion of the balloon in the manner of a diaphragm.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include minimizing irregular filling and knotting of ballonets during filling. In at least some examples ballonets are movable within the interior of the balloon. For instance the ballonet is coupled near a fill port configured to receive ballast gas (e.g., air) while at least a portion of the remainder of the balloon is loose and free to move. As the ballonet is inflated (e.g., during operation of the balloon including ascent, descent and altitude adjustment) the ballonet in some examples becomes twisted or knots and fails to fill as specified or fills irregularly. A poorly filled ballonet transmits forces irregularly (or moves unpredictably) to the balloon and in some examples causes tipping of the balloon and a payload coupled with the balloon. Further, tipping in some instances obscures one or more of payload instruments, transmitters, receivers or the like that require an unobstructed view to fully operate. Further still, the loose portions of a ballonet are free to move relative to the balloon. In some circumstances, rotation of the balloon relative to the ballonet (or vice versa) is caused by wind loading of the balloon. As the ballonet rotates relative to the balloon stresses are introduced at the interface between the ballonet and the balloon that in some examples damage one or more of the interface, the b llonet or the balloon.

The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by coupling a ballonet panel with the balloon shell along ballonet panel edges. In an example, the ballonet panel edges are coupled along the junctures (e.g., gore edges) between adjacent balloon shell gores. Accordingly, the ballonet panel is anchored along the balloon shell and relative motion between the ballonet and the balloon shell is minimized. In fact, because the ballonet panel is coupled along the balloon shell the ballonet includes one or more of the balloon shell gores. That is to say the ballonet chamber is formed by both the ballonet panel and one or more balloon shell gores. Further, because the ballonet panel edges are coupled along the balloon shell twisting and knotting of the ballonet is minimized because the ballonet is not free (loose) and able to move as in other ballonet configurations. Instead, the ballonet is anchored in a distributed manner to the balloon shell as opposed to a localized coupling (e.g., near a lower apex of the balloon and near a fill port).

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that another problem to be solved can include minimizing stresses in a balloon shell with panel based bailonets. In some examples a ballonet is coupled across a balloon shell at horizontal seams (e.g., along the balloon equator or substantially parallel with it). The ballonet panel is a disk shaped diaphragm that is coupled along the horizontal seams to divide the balloon into lift gas and ballast (ballonet) chambers. The horizontal seams are stress risers while the balloon is in an inflated configuration. Further, the seams are along or near to the equator of the (pumpkin) balloon and are correspondingly subject to the maximum hoop

(circumferentially directed) stress the balloon experiences. To minimize failure at the horizontal seams one or more of stronger or heaver (and costlier ) materials and labor intensive joining methods are used.

The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by coupling the ballonet panel along balloon shell gore edges extending between upper and lower apexes of the balloon shell. Optionally, the ballonet panel edges are included in the joining of adjacent balloon shell gore edges and thereby minimizes (e.g., eliminates or reduces) the addition of seams to the balloon. Stated another way, the ballonet is formed with a portion of the balloon shell and the ballonet panel by using seams between balloon shell gores that are otherwise present. Horizontal seams and stress risers associated with horizontal seams are thereby avoided. Further one or more of heavier, high strength materials or labor intensive joining methods used with horizontal seams are also avoided.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar' components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, vaiious embodiments discussed in the present document.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one example of an atmospheric balloon system.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one example of an atmospheric balloon. Figure 3 A is a top view of the atmospheric balloon of Figure 2 with a

ballonet in an example filled configuration.

Figure 3B is a top view of the atmospheric balloon of Figure 2 with the ballonet in an example evacuated configuration.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of gores in a side by side arrangement prior to coupling along gore edges.

Figure 5 is perspective view of another example of an atmospheric

balloon.

Figure 6A is perspective view of a portion of the atmospheric balloon of

Figure 5.

Figure 6B is a perspective view of another portion of the atmospheric

balloon of Figure 5. Figure 6C is a detailed perspective view of an upper apex of the atmospheric balloon of Figure 6 A.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an atmospheric balloon including one example of a ballast fluid diffuser.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of another example of a ballast fluid diffuser. Figure 9A is a perspective vie of a portion of a diffuser arm of a ballast fluid diffuser.

Figure 9B is a schematic view of the diffuser arm of Figure 9A.

Figure 10A is a cross sectional view of one example of a diffuser arm

extending through one or more of a relaxed bailonet panel or partially inflated balloon shell.

Figure 10B is a cross sectional view of another example of a diffuser arm extending through one or more of a relaxed bailonet panel or partially inflated balloon shell.

Figure 11 A-■D are schematic diagrams showing one example of a method of making an atmospheric balloon.

Figure 12A is a perspective view of a diffuser arm of a ballast fluid diffuser coupled with one or more of a bailonet panel or a balloon shell,

Figure Γ2Β is a perspective view of the diffuser arm of Figure 12 A nested within one or more of a bailonet panel or a balloon shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows one example of an atmospheric balloon assembly 00 including a balloon shell 102 and a payload 104 suspended from the balloon shell 102. The payload 104 is coupled with the balloon shell 102, in one example, with a plurality of payload lines 106. Although one example of the payload 104 is shown in Figure 1, other examples of pavloads include, but are not limited to, sensor packages, communication packages, control systems, propulsion systems or the like.

Referring again to Figure 1 , the balloon shell 102 of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 includes an upper apex 114 and a lower apex 116. As further shown in Figure 1 , the balloon shell 102 includes a balloon equator 118.

In one example, the balloon equator 118 is positioned midway between the upper apex 114 and the lower apex 116. In other examples, the balloon equator 118 is positioned closer to one of the upper apex 114 or the lower apex 116.

As further shown in Figure 1 , the balloon shell 102, in this example, is constructed with a plurality of shell gores 108. The shell gores 108 include one or more layers with specified material properties selected for the mission(s) of the assembly 100. For instance, the shell gores 108 include single or multiple layers configured to provide one or more of resistance to ultraviolet light, transmissivity, reflectivity, structural integrity (e.g., resistance to tearing, rips or the like), enhanced resistance to leaks and outgassing or the like. The material of the shell gores 108 includes, but is not limited to, polymers such as polyethylene, mylar, nylon, composite plastics including laminates, fabrics, coated or impregnated fabrics, combinations of the same or the like.

In one example, the shell gores 108 have a tapering configuration at its widest near the balloon equator 118 and tapering toward each of the upper and lower apexes 114, 116. As further shown, each of the shell gores 108 includes respective first and second shell edges 110, 112. Each of the shell gores 108 are coupled along adjacent shell edges of adjacent gores 108. For instance, the first shell edge 110 of a first shell gore 108 is coupled with a second shell edge 112 of an adjacent shell gore 108 (e.g., by way of of one or more of stitching, adhesives, tape, heat or ultrasonic bonding or the like).

In other examples, the shell gores 108 include one or more shell gores extending from one of the upper or lower apexes 116 to the equator 118.

Accordingly, in one example, the shell gores 108 extend along a portion of the balloon shell 102 between the upper apex 114 and the balloon equator 118 and between the lower apex 116 and the balloon equator 118. At the intersection at the balloon equator 1 8, the shell gores 108 are coupled with one or more shell gores extending from the opposed apex. The shell gores 108 in one or more of the configurations described herein are coupled along their respective edges such as the first and second shell edges 110, 112, by way of one or more of stitching, adhesi ves, taping, heat or ultrasonic bonding, combinations of the same or the like.

As will be described herein, the balloon shell 102 includes a ballonet, for instance, an inflatable bladder, panel or the like provided within the balloon shell 102 that forms a ballast chamber within the shell 102 to vary the volume of a lift gas within the remainder of the balloon shell 102. By adjusting the volume of the ballonet chamber within the balloon shell 102 the corresponding volume of the lift gas is changed and the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 ascends, descends or maintains its altitude according to these variations in volumes of the ballonet chamber 202 and the corresponding size (volume) of the lift gas chamber of the balloon shell 102.

Figure 2 shows another view of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 including its balloon shell 102 in a partially transparent configuration to illustrate one example of a ballonet 201 and ballast chamber 202 within the balloon shell 102. As shown in Figure 2, the balloon shell 102 includes a plurality of shell gores 108 coupled together along respective shell edges, such as the first and second shell edges 0, 1 12 (as previously described and shown in Figure 1 ). As further shown in Figure 2, the balloon shell 102 includes a ballonet panel 204 therein. The ballonet panel 204 separates the interior of the balloon shell 102 into a lift gas chamber 200 and a b llonet chamber 202 (the ballonet chamber is shown with a broken lead line). The lift gas chamber 200 includes a lighter than air gas (such as helium, or in some examples hydrogen) to maintain the buoyancy of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 and thereby suspend the payload 104 at a desired altitude. Additionally, the lift gas chamber 200 and the ballonet chamber 202 are used cooperatively to control (e.g., including maintain or change) the altitude of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. For instance, with shrinking of the ballonet chamber 202 (corresponding to an evacuation of ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber) the lift gas chamber 200 increases in relative volume within the balloon shell 102 and accordingly the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 ascends, in another example, with expansion of the ballonet chamber 202, the lift gas chamber 200 correspondingly shrinks in size. The atmospheric balloon assembly 100 thereby becomes less buoyant and descends. In some examples, the ascension and descension of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 are controlled to move the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 into varying airflows having different velocities (including direction), for instance at various altitudes, to control the speed and direction of travel of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. Referring again to Figure 2, the balloon shell 102 as previously described includes a lift gas chamber 200 and a separated ballonet chamber 202. As further shown in Figure 2, the lift gas chamber 200 and the ballonet chamber 202 are separated with a ballonet panel 204 within the balloon shell 102. In this example, the ballonet panel 204 extends between first and second ballonet apexes 210, 212. In the example shown in Figure 2, the first ballonet apex 210 is an upper ballonet apex provided adjacent to the upper apex 1 14 of the balloon shell 102. Similarly, the second ballonet apex 212 is provided adjacent the lower apex 116 of the balloon shell 102. Accordingly, the second ballonet apex 212, in this example, is a lower ballonet apex. The ballonet panel 204 extends in the fashion of a curtain between the first and second ballonet apexes 210, 212. For instance, as shown the ballonet panel 204 is draped or hung according to its coupling with the balloon shell 102, for instance with one or more of the shell gores 108. In one example, the first ballonet edge 206 and the second ballonet edge 208 of the ballonet panel 204 are coupled along corresponding shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. Optionally, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are included within the first and second shell edges 110, 112 of the corresponding shell gores 108. For example, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are sandwiched between, coupled with, adhered or bonded with each of the first and second shell edges 1 10, 112. The ballonet panel 204 extends in a continuous manner, for instance, between the first and second ballonet apexes 210, 212. In this example, the ballonet 201 enclosing the ballonet chamber 202 is formed by the ballonet panel 204 as well as a plurality of shell gores 108 extending between the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208. For instance, in this example, approximately half of the shell gores 108 (on the right side of the figure, and rear portion of the shell 102) are included in the ballonet 201. The ballonet 201 in this example includes a plurality of shell gores 108 as well as the ballonet panel 204.

In the example described above, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled continuously between the first and second ballonet apexes 210,

212. In still other examples, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled with a portion of the balloon shell 102. For instance, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled continuously or discontinuous!}' between the first ballonet apex 210 adjacent to the upper apex 114 and the balloon equator 118 shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, a portion of the ballonet panel 204 is coupled with the upper portion of the balloon shell 102. By at least partially coupling a portion of the ballonet panel 204 with the balloon shell 102 the ballonet panel 204 is draped or hung from the upper portion of the balloon shell 102 to minimize gathering, twisting, bunching, knotting or the like of the ballonet panel 204 in a relaxed configuration within the balloon shell 102.

Additionally, because the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled with the balloon shell 102 at spaced positions within the balloon shell 102 the ballonet panel 204 is rotationallv static or anchored within the balloon shell 102. Accordingly, loads applied to the balloon shell 102 that would otherwise cause rotation of the balloon shell 102 relative to the ballonet panel 204 are accordingly avoided (e.g., minimized, eliminated or the like).

As further shown in Figure 2, the balloon shell 102, in an example, includes a ballast fluid port 218 (shown in broken lines) provided near the lower apex 116 of the balloon shell 102. The ballast fluid port 218 allows for one or more of the introduction or evacuation of ballast fluid (such as air) from the ballonet chamber 202. Accordingly, with the introduction of a ballast fluid through the ballast fluid port 218, the ballonet chamber 202 is expanded relative to the lift gas chamber 200. Conversely, evacuation of the lift gas through the ballast fluid port 218 (or another port, for instance, in an upper apex fitting near the upper apex 114) contracts the ballonet chamber 202 (the panel 204) and allows the lift gas chamber 200 to expand and accordingly provide increased buoyancy to the atmospheric balloon assembly 100.

As further shown in Figure 2, in one example, the ballonet panel 204 includes an inflow recess 220 configured recess the ballonet panel 204 away from the ballast fluid port 218. By recessing the ballonet panel 204 from the ballast fluid port 218 introduction and evacuation of ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber 202 is facilitated without blocking of the ballast fluid port 218. Optionally, the inflow recess 220 is, in one example, constructed with a material similar to or more rigid than the ballonet panel 204. The inflow recess 220 materials include, but are not limited to, polymer materials used in the construction of the shell gores 108, ballonet panel 204 or the like. In other examples, the inflow recess 220 is constructed with more rigid materials including but not limited to polymers, metals, composites or the like and acts as a cage, cover or other structural component configured to recess the ballonet panel 204 away from the ballast fluid port 218 and thereby facilitate the introduction or evacuation of ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber 202.

As previously described herein, in at least one example, the balloon shell 102 is constructed with a plurality of shell gores 108. Similarly, the ballonet panel 204 is, in one example, constructed with a plurality of ballonet gores 214 coupled along corresponding ballonet gore edges 216. For instance, the ballonet panel 204 is constmcted with a plurality of ballonet gores 214 that are coupled together, for instance, by way of one or more of heat or ultrasonic bonding, stitching, taping, adhesives, combinations of the same or the like in a manner similar to the shell gores 108. in one example, and as described herein, the ballonet panel 204 and the shell gores 108 are assembled in a nested

configuration with each of the corresponding ballonet gores 214 and shell gores 108 interleaved together (including being stacked) to facilitate the bonding of the ballonet panel 204 to the balloon shell 102 in a rapid manner to facilitate production, storage and transport of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. One example of s ch a method is described herein.

In one example, the ballonet panel 204 (including the ballonet gores 214 where used) is constructed with one or more materials including, but not limited to, polymers such as polyethylene, mylar, nylon, composite plastics including laminates, fabrics, coated or impregnated fabrics, combinations of the same or the like. Optionally, the materials used in the ballonet panel 204 are less robust (e.g.. thinner or less resistant to damage, such as UV damage) than those used in the balloon shell 102. For instance, the shell 102 provides protection to the interior of the balloon assembly 100 including the ballonet panel 204.

Accordingly, in some examples a thinner and lighter material (while still minimizing leaks and outgassing between the chambers) is used for the ballonet panel 204 to minimize the weight of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100.

Figures 3 A and 3B show one example of the balloon shell 102 with the ballonet 201 in each of filled or partially filled configurations as shown in Figure

3 A and in an evacuated condition as shown in Figure 3B. Referring first to Figure 3 A, the ballonet panel 204 of the ballonet 201 is shown in solid lines in an intermediate configuration with the ballonet panel 204 extending across the balloon shell 102, for instance, between shell gores 108 on opposed sides of the balloon shell 102. As shown, the first ballonet edge 206 is coupled with shell gores 108, for instance, between or at first and second shell edges 110, 112. As further shown, the second ballonet edge 208 is coupled with first and second shell gores 108 at another side of the balloon shell 102, for instance between corresponding first and second shell edges 110, 112. As described herein, the b llonet panel 204 is optionally contin ously coupled with the balloon shell 102 along the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 between the upper and lower apexes 1 14, 116 of the balloon shell 102. In another example, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled with a portion of the balloon shell 102, for instance, portions of the balloon shell 102 between the balloon equator 118 and one or more of the apexes such as the upper apex 114 or the lower apex 116 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As previously described, the ballonet panel 204, when coupled with at least a portion of the balloon shell 102, for instance, between the balloon equator 118 and the upper apex 114, is hung or suspended within the balloon shell 102. The ballonet panel 204 is accordingly anchored or rotationally static relative to the remainder of the balloon shell 102. Rotation incident on the balloon shell

102 is correspondingly transmitted to the ballonet panel 204 to ensure rotation of the ballonet panel 204 with the balloon shell 102. Phenomena such as twisting or gathering of a ballonet panel 204 (e.g., during high winds) are minimized (e.g., minimized or eliminated).

As further shown in Figure 3A, at least two intermediate configurations are provided for the ballonet panel 204 of the ballonet 201. As previously described, the ballonet panel 204 is moveable relative to the remainder of the balloon shell 102 to accordingly change the relative volumes of the ballonet chamber 202 and the lift gas chamber 200. For instance, as shown, the ballonet panel 204 is moveable between each of concave (toward the right) and convex

(toward the left) with corresponding changes in volume of the ballonet chamber

202 relative to the lift gas chamber 200. As previously described, in one example, a ballast fluid port 218 (shown in Figure 2) is used to fill or evacuate the ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber 202 and accordingly change the ratio of the ballonet chamber volume relative to the lift gas chamber volume.

As further shown in Figure 3A, the ballonet panel 204, in one example, includes a plurality of ballonet gores 214 as previously and shown in Figure 2. Each of the ballonet gores 214 where included with the ballonet panel 204 include corresponding ballonet gore edges 216 that are coupled together to accordingly form the ballonet panel 204. In a similar manner, the balloon shell 102, in the example shown in Figure 3 A, includes a plurality of shell gores 108 coupled along first and second shell edges 110, 112 to accordingly form the balloon shell 102. As further shown in Figure 3 A, the ballonet 201 includes the ballonet panel 204 as well as a portion of the balloon shell 102 including, for instance, a plurality of shell gores 108 extending around the ballonet chamber 202. For instance, in the example shown in Figure 3 A, half of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 are included as part of the ballonet 201 in cooperation with the ballonet panel 204.

Figure 3B shows the balloon shell 102 having the ballonet 201 in an evacuated configuration. As shown, the ballonet panel 204 is recessed within the balloon shell 102 relative to the position shown in Figure 3A. For instance, the ballonet panel 204 is positioned adjacent to the shell gores 108 of the ballonet 201 . That is to say, the ballonet panel 204, in at least one example, follows the contour of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. In this example, the ballonet chamber 202 has a diminished volume relative to that shown in Figure 3A. Further, the ballonet chamber 202 has a relatively small volume compared to the overall volume of the balloon shell 102. In contrast, the lift gas chamber 200 shown in Figure 3B has a greater volume relative to the ballonet chamber 202 shown in Figure 3B and a larger volume relative to the lift gas chamber 200 configurations in Figure 3A.

In the examples shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the ballonet panel 204 is sized, for instance with a plurality of ballonet gores 214 to to vary the volu e of the ballonet chamber 202 (and conversely the lift gas chamber 200) between 0 and 100 percent (of the volume of the balloon shell 102). For instance, in one example, where rapid ascent of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 is desired the ballonet chamber 202 has a minimized volume, for instance a volume approaching 0 percent relative to the volume of the balloon shell 102 to facilitate the rapid ascent of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 (e.g., with a conversely large lift gas chamber 200 assuming substantially 100 percent of the balloon shell 102 volume). Tn contrast, where a graduated ascent or descent of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 is desired as shown in Figure 3 A the balionet panel 204 is moved, for instance, into one of the intermediate configurations shown in Figure 3A (with solid lines or broken lines) to accordingly graduate the ascent or descent of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100.

In yet another example, the balionet panel 204 is configured to move between a smaller range of positions and corresponding balionet 201 volumes, for instance between 10 and 90 percent of the overall volume of the balloon shell 102. In such an example, the balionet panel 204 optionally includes a fewer number of balionet gores 214 to accordingly limit or constrain the movement of the balionet panel 204 within the balloon shell 102. With fewer balionet gores 214, the balionet panel 204 deflects within the balloon shell 102 into positions like the concave and convex configurations shown in Figure 3A (and optionally no further). With additional balionet gores 214, the resulting balionet panel 204 is able to further deflect and thereby provide corresponding increased and decreased volumes of the balionet chamber 202.

In another example, the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 including the balloon shell 102 includes one or more ballast fluid diffusers configured to facilitate one or more of the evacuation or filling of a ballast fluid into the balionet chamber 202. For instance, with the balionet panel 204 in the

configuration shown in Figure 3B the balionet panel 204 at least partially extends over top of a ballast fluid port such as the port 218 shown, for instance, in Figure 2. As will be described herein, in some examples, the ballast fluid diffuser is included with one or more of the balloon shell 102 or the balionet panel 204 to facilitate the transmission of ballast fluid into the balionet chamber 202 and optionally facilitate the evacuation of ballast fluid from the balionet chamber 202. Accordingly, reliable and consistent evacuation and filling of the balionet chamber 202 is provided even with the balionet panel 204 lapped over or extending over the ballast fluid port 218 or a lower portion of the balloon shell 102. Figure 4 shows one example of an unwrapped panel 400 (e.g., a panel). In one example, the unwrapped panel 400 corresponds to a plurality of gores 402 used to form a balloon shell, such as the balloon shell 102. In another example, the panel 400 (when assembled) is used as a balionet panel, such as the ballonet panel 204 shown, for instance, in Figure 2. Accordingly, the unwrapped panel 400 shows one example of a deconstructed or unwrapped panel sed for one or more of the balloon shell 102 or the ballonet panel 204.

As shown, the plurality of gores 402 are provided in an unwrapped configuration to show one example of the corresponding shape of each of the gores 402. The gores 402 each include first and second gore edges 404, 406. in one example, the first and second gore edges 404, 406 extend between each of the first and second panel apexes 412, 414. In another example, the gores 402 are constructed in an intermediate configuration, for instance, with each of the gores 402 including half of the diamond shaped gores shown in Figure 4.

Accordingly, the first and second gore edges 404, 406 extend from the respective one of the first or second panel apexes 412 to the widest or wider portions of the respective gores 402 corresponding (in one example) to a portion of the balloon shell 102 at the balloon equ tor 118.

The gores 402 of the unwrapped panel 400 are coupled together along the first and second gore edges 404, 406 of each of the gores 402. For instance, in one example, each of the first and second gore edges 404, 406 are coupled with one or more of stitching, adhesives, taping, heat or ultrasonic bonding, combinations of the same or the like to accordingly bond each of the first and second gores 404, 406. In another example, an intermediate material, for instance, a ballonet panel or an edge of the panel such as the first and second balionet edges 206, 208 (as shown in Figure 2) are interposed or incorporated with each of the first and second gore edges 404, 406. The ballonet panel is thereby coupled with the corresponding gores 402 to form the ballonet such as the balionet 201 shown in Figure 2.

As further shown in Figure 4, the unwrapped panel 400 includes zones provided in dashed lines corresponding to the first and second panel apexes 412,

414. As shown the gores 402 taper away from the central portions. With the gores 402 coupled along the gore edges 404, 406 the first and second panel apexes 412, 414 are formed. Examples of the tips collected together at the first and second panel apexes 412, 414 in an assembled configuration are shown in Figure 2 with the ballonet gores 214 extending toward first and second ballonet apexes 210, 212. in another example, the first and second panel apexes 412, 414 correspond to the upper and lower apexes 114, 116 of the balloon shell 102 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2).

The size of the unwrapped panel 400 and accordingly the size of the assembled ballonet panel 204 or the balloon shell 102 is determined by way of the addition or subtraction of one or more gores 402 from the unwrapped panel 400 (and variations in size of each of the gores 402). Accordingly, with the addition of gores 402 to the unwrapped panel 400 the assembled panel is made larger.

Figure 5 shows another example of a balloon shell 102 including a second example of a ballonet 501. In at least some regards, the balloon shell 102 shown in Figure 5 is similar to the balloon shell 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2. For instance, the balloon shell 102 shown in Figure 5 includes upper and lower apexes 1 14, 116 and a plurality of shell gores 108 extending between the upper and lower apexes 114, 116. Additionally, the balloon shell 102 includes a ballonet 501, for instance including a ballonet panel 500. The ballonet panel 500 in cooperation with some of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 forms a ballonet chamber 102 separated from the lift gas chamber 504. As with the previous balloon shell 102 described herein, evac ation and filling of the ballonet chamber 102 changes the relative volume of the ballast fluid relative to the lift gas within the ballonet chamber 504 to accordingly facilitate the control of ascent and descent of the balloon shell 102 and maintenance of a desired altitude of the balloon shell 102.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the ballonet 501 includes a ballonet panel 500. The ballonet panel 500 includes first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508. In this example, the first arid second ballonet apexes 506, 508 are coupled with the balloon shell 102 proximate the upper apex 114. The ballonet panel 500 includes a crescent shape (e.g., a crescent shape when at least partially filled) as shown in Figure 5. As will be described herein (for instance, in Figures 6 A and 6B), the ballonet panel 500 is coupled with one or more of the shell gores 108. For instance, the ballonet panel 500 includes corresponding ballonet edges coupled with the first and second shell edges 110, 112 of one or more of the shell gores 108, and the ballonet panel 500 and those shell gores 108 are part of the ballonet 501.

Figures 6A and 6B show perspective views of the ballonet 501 in various orientations. Figure 6A shows a first orientation of the ballonet 501 with the upper apex 114 (and the lower apex 116 shown in Figure 6B) in corresponding upper and lower positions. In contrast, Figure 6B shows the ballonet 501 in a tilted configuration, for instance, tilted 90 degrees into the page relative to that shown in Figure 6A to accordingly illustrate the lower apex 116 of the balloon shell 102.

Referring again to Figure 6A, as shown the ballonet 501 includes the ballonet panel 500 as well as one or more shell, gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. The ballonet 501 accordingly includes the ballonet panel 500 and one or more shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. The remainder of the shell gores 108, for instance forming the lift gas chamber 504 are removed from Figures 6A-C to facilitate viewing of the ballonet 501. As shown in Figure 6A, the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508 are positioned proximate the upper apex 114 of the balloon shell 102. In this example, an upper apex fitting 610 is optionally provided proximate the upper apex 114 of the balloon shell 102 to anchor the first and second balloon apexes 506, 508. In another example, the ballonet panel 500 including the first and second ballonet edges 606, 608 are coupled with corresponding edges of the shell gores 108 such as the first and second shell edges 1 10, 112 proximate the upper apex 114 and accordingly the upper apex fitting 610 is not used to anchor the first and. second ballonet apexes 506, 508. in the example where the upper apex fitting 610 is used to close or provide a secondary seal to the ballonet 501 , in one example, the upper apex fitting 610 includes one or more inter-engaging rings configured to provide a clamping fit to each, of the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508 (and the balloon shell 102) and thereby reliably close the ballonet 501 while anchoring the ballonet panel 500 to the shell 102.

As further shown in Figure 6A, the ballonet panel 500, in one example, includes first and second ballonet edges 606, 608. The ballonet edges 606 extend between the respective first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508. For instance, in one example, the first and second ballonet edges 606, 608 have a length greater than the corresponding length of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. For instance, as shown in Figure 6 A, the first ballonet edge 606 is coupled along corresponding first and second shell edges 110, 112 of shell gores 108 on both the left and right sides of the balloon shell 102. The first ballonet edge 606 extends from the first ballonet apex 506 around the perimeter of the ballonet 501 (corresponding to approximately 360 degrees) to the second ballonet apex 508. Similarly, the second ballonet edge 608, is on an opposed side of the ballonet 501 (toward the back of Figure 6A) and also extends from the first ballonet apex 506 to the second ballonet apex 508. As with the ballonet panel 204 previously described herein, the first and second ballonet edges 606, 608 are, in one example, included with the first and second shell edges 110, 112 of the gores 108 provided at each of the locations shown in Figure 6A. For instance, in this example, the first ballonet edge 606 is included with the shell gores 108 provided at the left and right positions of the front portion (relative to Figure 6 A) of the balloon shell 102 and the second ballonet edge 608 is coupled with the shell gores 108 at each of the left and right positions of the rear portion (again, relative to Figure 6 A) of the shell 102.

In another example, the ballonet panel 500 is optionally constructed with a plurality of ballonet gores 600 coupled along corresponding gore edges 602. In one example, the ballonet panel 500 is constructed in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4. For instance, a plurality of diamond shaped gores 402 are stacked (arranged side by side to each other or the like) and then bonded together along the corresponding edges of the gores, such as the first and second gore edges 404, 406 shown in Figure 4 corresponding to the gore edges 602 in Figure 6A. Because, in the example shown in Figure 6A, the ballonet panel 500 extends the balloon shell 102 (e.g., from the first ballonet apex 506 to the second ballonet apex 508 proximate the upper apex 114) the corresponding ballonet gores 600 are, in one example, longer than the shell gores 108 used in the balloon shell 102. For instance, the ballonet gores 600 are, in one example, twice the length of the shell gores 108 to facilitate the coupling of the first and second ballonet edges 606, 608 along a plurality of shell gores 108 from the first ballonet apex 506 to the second ballonet apex 508.

Referring now to Figure 6B, the ballonet 501 is shown in a tilted configuration to accordingly illustrate the lower apex 16 of the balloon shell 102. As shown, the ballonet 501 includes a ballast fluid port 612 proximate the lower apex 116. In one example, the ballast fluid port 612 is coupled with one or more features, including fans, compressors, pressurized tanks or the like, to facilitate the introduction and evacuation of a ballast fluid to the ballonet 501.

Figure 6C shows a detailed view of the upper apex 114 of the balloon shell 1 02 and further shows one example of the upper apex fitting 610 coupled with each of the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508. As shown in this example, ballonet 501 extends to the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508. The upper apex fitting 610 optionally includes one or more rings, inter-engaging features or the like configured to clamp the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508 therebetween and thereby provide a reliable seal, closing or the like to the ballonet 501 at the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508. Additionally, in at least one example, the upper apex fitting 610 is provided as an anchor for the ballonet 501 within the balloon shell 102. For instance, by coupling the first and second ballonet apexes 506, 508 with the corresponding shell gores 108 proximate the upper apex 1 14, the ballonet panel 500 is reliably held, suspended, hung or the like relative to the remainder of the balloon shell 102. Accordingly, with filling and evacuation of the ballonet 500, the ballonet remains suspended from the upper portion of the balloon shell 102 and accordingly settling, bunching, gathering, twisting, knotting or the like of the ballonet panel 500 are minimized (e.g., minimized or eliminated).

Figure 7 shows a perspective partially translucent view of another example of the balloon shell 102. In the example shown in Figure 7, the balloon shell 102 includes the ballonet 201 including the ballonet panel 204 and one or more of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. The ballonet ballonet panel 204 separates the ballonet chamber 202 from the lift gas chamber 200 (shown with a broken lead line). As previously described in at least one example, the ballonet panel 204 is coupled with the balloon shell 102 at first and second ballonet edges 206, 208. Optionally, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are included between or along the corresponding first and second shell edges 110, 112 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) of the shell gores 108.

In at least one example, the ballonet panel 204 is moveable within the balloon shell 102, for instance, according to filling and evacuating of the ballonet chamber 202 to accordingly control the buoyancy of the balloon shell 102 and the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 shown in Figure 1. With movement of the ballonet panel 204 into one or more of the convex or concave shapes (see Figures 3A and 3B), the ballonet panel 204 settles or lays over at least a portion of the balloon shell 102. For instance, in a concave configuration (where the ballonet chamber 202 has a smaller volume relative to the lift gas chamber 200) at least a portion of the ballonet panel 204 settles o ver a portion of the shell gores 108 (e.g., proximate the lower apex 116). As shown in Figure 7, the ballast fluid port 218 is provided proximate the lower apex 116 for one or more of evacuation or filling of the ballonet 201. In at least some examples, the gathering or settling of the ballonet panel 204 over the ballast fluid port 218 frustrates (e.g., slows or blocks) the evacuation or filling of the ballonet chamber 202. The ballonet panel 204 rests over the ballast fluid port 218 and throttles the movement of ballast fluid such as air or the like from the ballast fluid port 218 into the ballonet chamber 202 or from the ballonet chamber 202 and out of the ballast fluid port 218. In still other examples, the ballonet panel 204 throttles the filling or evacuation of ballast fluid to one or more portions of the ballonet 201 including portions covered by the settled ballonet panel 204. The ballonet 201 is thereby irregularly (e.g., unevenly, unpredictably or the like) filled or evacuated.

In one example, the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 including, for instance, the balloon shell 102 shown in Figure 7, includes a ballast fluid diffuser 700 configured to distribute ballast fluid into and out of the ballonet chamber 202 in a distributed fashion relative to the ballast fluid port 218. As shown in Figure 7, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes a diffuser base 702 positioned proximate to the ballast fluid port 218 and proximate in this example to the lower apex 1 16 and the second ballonet apex 212. One or more diffuser arms 704 extend away from the diffuser base 702. In one example, the one or more diffuser arms 704 include a plurality of diff ser arms extending along one or more of the ballonet panel 204 or the shell gores 108 included in the ballonet 201. In another example, the one or more diffuser arms 704 include a diffuser panel (such as the diffuser panel 706 shown in Figure 8) extending away from the diffuser base 702 in an arcuate fashion (e.g., across an arc, extending over one or more of the shell gores 108 or corresponding portion of the ballonet pane! 204 or the like). In either configuration, the one or more diffuser arms 704 include one or more ballast fluid passages and one or more diffuser ports along the ballast fluid passages spaced relative to the ballast fluid port 218 and the diffuser base 702. Accordingly, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 provides at least one distributed passage extending away from the ballast fluid port 218 to facilitate the dispersed delivery and evacuation of ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber 202.

As described above, in the example shown in Figure 7, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes a plurality of diffuser arms 704 extending away from the diffuser base 702 proximate the ballast fluid port 218. In one example, the diffuser arms 704 each include at least one ballast fluid passage and a plurality of diffuser ports provided there along. As the ballonet panel 204 settles, for instance, in an evacuated or partially evacuated configuration the ballonet panel 204 covers the ballast fluid port 218 while the diffuser ports along each of the diffuser arms 704 are spaced from the ballast fluid port 218. Accordingly, with filling of the ballonet chamber 202, the ballast fluid is deli vered through the ballast fluid passages to the diffuser ports along the diffuser arms 704 (e.g., from the diffuser base 702 and the port 218) to accordingly ensure the ballonet chamber 202 is reliably filled. Additionally, where portions of the ballonet panel 204 bunch, wrinkle or the like the diffuser arms 704 ensure the reliable delivery of ballast fluid to otherwise inaccessible portions of the ballonet chamber 202 closed, for instance, with folding or gathering of the ballonet panel 204. The ballonet 201 is thereby predictably filled in an even manner and any incidental bunching, wrinkling or gathering is eliminated.

In another example, the diffuser arms 704 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 including, for instance, the diffuser panel 706 described herein are coupled along one or more of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 or the ballonet panel

204. For instance, in one example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is provided along both of the shell gores 108 and the ballonet panel 204. In another example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is provided over one of the ballonet panel 204 or the shell gores 108. In yet another example, the diffuser arms 704 are not fixed relative to either of the shell gores 108 or the ballonet panel 204. Instead, the diffuser arms 704 extend away from the ballast fluid port 21 8 according to the structural rigidity of the diff ser arms 704 themselves to provide an array of diffuser arms 704 (or a panel) within the ballonet chamber 202. The diffuser arms 704 in such an example are optionally coupled with the ballonet panel 204 or the shell gores 108 by laying over either or both of the panel 204 or the gores 108. Optionally, where the one or more diffuser arms 704 include a diffuser panel such as the panel 706, the fanned out configuration of the panel 706 within the ballonet chamber 202 has sufficient structural integrity to reliably extend into the ballonet chamber 202 even without fixing along either of the shell gores 108 or the ballonet panel 204.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the balloon shell 102 including the ballonet chamber 202 having another example of the ballast fluid diffuser 700. As shown, the diffuser 700 includes a diffuser base 702. In this example, the diffuser base includes proximal portions of the diffuser arms 704 in a bundled configuration proximate the ballast fluid port 218. For instance, portions of the diffuser arms 704 are stacked proximate to (e.g., including coincident with) the port 21 8. Ballast fluid is transmitted between the portions of the diffuser arms (e.g., through a stack) and the ballast fluid port 218 to move ballast fluid into and out of the ballonet chamber 202.

As further shown in Figure 8, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes in one example the diffuser arms 704 extending away from the ballast fluid port 218 and into the ballonet chamber 202. Illustrative arrows are included showing to indicate the flow of ballast fluid along the diffuser arms 704 into and out of the ballonet chamber 202 from the port 218. In another example, and as described herein the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes a diffuser panel 706 (as another example of one or more diffuser arms 704 provided in a fanned out configuration). The example diffuser panel 706 is shown in Figure 8 with the arc te broken line extending across at least a portion of the ballonet chamber

(in this example between the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208). The diffuser panel 706 includes materials similar to those used in the diffuser arms 704 (e.g., quilted batting, reticulated foam, knurled substrates or the like) and also distributes ballast fluid into and out of the baiionet chamber 202 (e.g., as shown again with illustrative arrows).

Although the ballast fluid diffuser examples described herein are shown with a ballonet chamber 202 using the ballonet panel 204 (e.g., a curtain type ballonet, hung ballonet or the like) the diffuser 700 is also used with any ballonet arrangement. The diffuser 700 is used with other ballonets including, but not limited to, the crescent shaped ballonet shown herein (e.g., in Figures 5 and 6A- C), disk shaped ballonets coupled across a balloon equator (balloons including horizontally divided lift gas and baiionet chambers), interior ballonets (ballonets coupled proximate a balloon lower apex and positioned within the lift gas chamber or the like.

Figures 9A and 9B show perspective and top views of one example of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 previously described herein. Referring first to Figure 9 A, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes, as described, a diffuser arm 704 extending from a proximal portion 900 to a distal portion 902. As shown, the diffuser arm 704 includes a plurality of ballast fluid passages 904 shown conceptually with broken lines in Figure 9A extending from near the proximal portion 900 toward the distal portion 902. Also shown conceptually are a plurality of diffuser ports 906 along the ballast fluid diffuser 700. As previously described herein, the ballast fluid passage 904 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is configured to provide ballast fluid to the ballonet chamber, such as the chamber 202 shown in Figure 8. in one example, the ballast fluid is delivered through the ballast fluid passages 904 to one or more diffuser ports 906 spaced from the ballast fluid port 218 (shown in Figure 8). Accordingly, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 distributes a flow of ballast fluid into the ballonet chamber 202 from the ballast fluid port 218. Settling of a portion of the atmospheric balloon assembly 100, such as the ballonet panel 204, over the ballast fluid port 218 does not interrupt the flow of ballast fluid from, the ballast fluid port 218 into the baiionet chamber 202 and conversely does not frustrate the flow of ballast fluid from within the ballonet chamber 202, for instance, to the ballast fluid port 218 during evacuation of the baiionet chamber 202. Instead, ballast fluid is remoted and diffusely delivered to and from the ballonet chamber 202 relative to the ballast fluid port 218.

As previously described, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 provides a mechanism to deliver ballast fluid into and out of the ballonet chamber 202 in a distributed fashion relative to the ballast fluid port 218. The diffuser arm 704 is, in one example, constructed with one or more materials, including batting such as quilted batting, tubes, perforated tubes, reticulated foam, mesh, bubble substrate (e.g., material similar in at least some regard to bubble wrap), a knurled substrate or the like. Each of these materials provide ballast fluid passages 904 and diffuser ports 906 for the delivery of the ballast fluid into and out of the ballonet chamber such as the chamber 202 shown, for instance, in Figures 2 and 8. Optionally, the diffuser ports 906 are dedicated ports provided within the diffuser arm 704 (also including a diffuser panel such as the panel 706 shown in Figure 8) configured to provide a flow of ballast fluid into or out of the ballonet chamber 202. In another example, the diffuser ports 906 are incidental ports provided with the material of the one or more arms 704 by virtue of its construction, for instance, batting such as quilted batting, is constructed with fabric, woven or unwoven material, cotton or the like that provides passageways through the batting while at the same time also facilitating the transmission of ballast fluid out of the diffuser arm 704 according to the knit, woven or nonwoven quality of the batting used for the diffuser arms 704. In another example, the ballast fluid passages 904 are formed on the interior of the diffuser arm 704. While in other examples the ballast fluid passages 904 are provided on the exterior or at least a portion of the exterior of the diffuser arm 704. For instance, where the diffuser arm 704 includes a bubble substrate, knurled substrate or the like providing one or more projections extending from a base substrate, the resulting passages between the bubbled material, knurled projections or grooves or the like is configured to provide one or more ballast fluid passages 904 as well as integral diffuser ports 906 as part of the passages to the diffuser arm 704. One example of such an arrangement is shown in Figure

10B and described further herein.

As further shown in Figure 9A in at least one example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes, in one example, a coupling flange 908 coupled along at least a portion of the diffuser arm 704. As previously described herein, in at least one example the diffu ser arm 704 is coupled with a portion of the ballonet panel 204 or shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 02 and ballonet 201. in one example, the coupling flange 908 provides an intermediate feature configured to couple the diffuser arm 704 to either of the balloon shell 102 or the ballonet panel 204. For instance, the coupling flange 908 includes a flange seam 912 such as a peripheral seam at the edge of the coupling flange 908. The flange seam 912 is optionally included in the seam formed by the joining of the first and second shell edges 110, 112 of adjacent shell gores 108. In another example, the flange seam 9 2 is included as part of the seam formed between ballonet gore edges 216 of the ballonet gores 214, (the edges 216 and gores 214 are shown in Figure 2).

In another example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is included with another ballonet, such as the ballonet 501 shown in Figures 5 and 6A-C, and accordingly is provided between one or more of the first and second shell edges 110, 112 of the shell gores 108 included in the ballonet 501 or between the ballonet gore edges 602 of the ballonet gores 600. In still other examples, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is adhered, bonded, stitched or the like into one or more of a ballonet panel or shell gores (e.g., at the edges of the same or on the interior of the panel or gores between the edges).

Optionally, the coupling flange 908 is constructed with a flexible material, for instance, a material also used in the construction of the ballast fluid diffuser 700. For instance, the coupling flange 908 is, in one example, a fabric, polymer or the like such as polyester coupled with the diffuser arm 704 or integrally formed with the diffuser arm 704. As further shown in Figure 9A, the coupling flange 908, in an example, includes an arm seam 910 that couples the coupling flange 908 with the remainder of the diffuser arm 704. Either or both of the arm seam 910 and the flange seam 912 are optionally coupled with the remainder of the diffuser arm 704 (in the case of the arm seam 910) and with the balloon shell 102 or ballonet panels 204, 500 (in the case of the flange seam 912) by way of stitching, adhesives, tape, heat or ultrasonic bonding or the like.

Referring now to Figure 9B, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is shown again in a top view. The diffuser arm 704 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 extends between the proximal and distal portions 902. In the example shown in Figure 9B, the coupling flange 908 is a polyethylene flange coupled with the remainder of the diffuser arm 704, for instance, along the arm seam 910. The arm seam 910 is, in one example, shown with an optional discontinuous bond with the diffuser arm 704. In contrast, the flange seam 912, in this example, is provided in an optional continuous fashion, for instance, the diffuser arm 704 is continuously coupled along its length with a corresponding portion of one or more of the ballonet panel 204, the shell gores 108 or the like. In other examples, either or both of the arm seam 9019 or the flange seam 912 are discontinuous or continuous.

In the example shown in Figure 9B, the proximal portion 900, in this example, is included as part of the diffuser base 702 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700. For instance, in one example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes a plurality of diffuser arms 704 having proximal portions that are lapped or stacked over each other adjacent to the ballast fluid port 218 shown, for instance, in Figure 9B. In one example, the stacking of the proximal portions 900 of the diffuser arm 704 forms a manifold configured to distribute ballast fluid, for instance, received from the ballast fluid port 218 into the ballonet chamber such as the ballonet chamber 202 through transmission along the diffuser arm 704. As described herein, in another example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes one or more diffuser arms 704, including, for instance, a diffuser panel 706, for instance, shown conceptually with broken lines in a fan configuration in Figure 8. In such an example, the diffuser base 702 is optionally provided as a single layer, for instance, at the ballast fluid port 218 and the ballast fluid is provided through the diffuser base 702 and spreads across the diffuser panel 706 according to the ballast fluid passages 904 provided through the diffuser panel.

In the previously described example, where the diffuser arms 704 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 are stacked (shown in Figure 8), at least the proximal portions 900 are aligned with (e.g., including proximate or coincident) to the ballast fluid port 21 8. Accordingly, ballast fluid delivered through the ballast fluid port 218 is distributed into the diffuser arms 704, for instance, the proximal portions 900 of the diffuser arms 704 for distribution into ballonet chamber 202 along the length of the diffuser arms 704. Conversely, the evacuation of ballast fluid from the ballonet chamber 202 is conducted in a reverse manner with the ballast fluid optionally travelling along the diffuser arm 704, for instance, from the distal portion 902 toward the proximal portion 900 for evacuation through the ballast fluid port 218.

In another example, the diffuser base 702 optionally includes a port fitting 914 including a rivet, passage, tube, perforated tube, cable, ribbon or the like threaded through a portion of the diffuser base 902. The port fitting 914 is configured to maintain the diffuser aims 704, for instance, the proximal portions 900 of the diffuser arms 704 in an aligned configuration relative to the ballast fluid port 218. Accordingly, communication of ballast fluid along the diffuser arms 704 is maintained in substantially any condition with the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. Optionally, where the port fitting 914 includes a perforated tube or other manifold feature, the port fitting 914 cooperates with the remainder of the diffuser arms 704 to distribute ballast fluid into and out of the diffuser arms 704 and the ballonet chamber 202.

Figures 10A and 10B show two examples of ballast fluid diffusers 700, 1000 in cross section during operation of a ballonet. In the example shown in Figure 10A, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes one or more ballast fluid passages 904 extending through the diffuser arm. 704, for instance, between the proximal and distal, portions 900, 902 shown in Figure 9 A. As further shown in Figure 10A, the diffuser arm 704 includes a plurality of diffuser ports 906 provided along the diffuser arm 704 to accordingly distribute b llast fluid into and out of a ballonet chamber such as the ballonet chamber 202 shown, for instance, in Figures 2 and 7. As further shown in Figure 10A, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 includes, in this example, the coupling flange 908 provided along a portion of the diffuser arm 704 to facilitate the coupling of the diffuser arm 704 along one or more of the ballonet panel 204 or the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 (as shown, for instance, in Figure 7).

As previously described herein, in at least one example, the ballonet panel 204 is a deflectable membrane configured for movement within the balloon shell 102. As shown in Figure 3 A, the ballonet panel 204 is assumes or follows the contour of the shell gores 108 (e.g., with the ballonet 201 in at partially filled or partially evacuated configuration). In such an example, the ballonet panel 204 lays across a portion of the balloon shell 102 such as a portion of the balloon shell between the lower apex 116 and the balloon equator 118 (both shown in Figure 1 ). The settling of the ballonet panel 204 over the ballast fluid port 218 in some examples throttles the flow of ballast fluid into and out of the ballast fluid port 218 and correspondingly into and out of the ballonet chamber 202. In other examples, the settling of the ballonet panel 2,04 isolates portions of the ballonet from the filling or evacuation of ballast fluid and accordingly causes unpredictable or une ven filling or evacuation of the ballonet chamber.

With the ballast fluid diffuser 700 interposed between the settled ballonet panel 204 and the shell gores 102, the ballast fluid is readily transmitted into and out of the ballonet chamber 202, for instance, through the ballast fluid passage 904 and through the diffuser ports 906. Additionally, in at least some examples, where the ballonet panel 204 settles, folds, gathers or the like and thereby provides one or more zones within the ballonet chamber 202 that are at least partially isolated and difficult to fill or evacuate because of the gathering, folding, settling or the like, the provision of one or more diffuser arms 704 of a ballast fluid diffuser 700 (including, for instance, a diffuser panel 706) provides a distribution mechanism to ensure ballast fluid is delivered into these otherwise isolated regions of the ballonet chamber 202. Stated another way, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 facilitates the reliable and distributed delivery of ballast fluid into or out of the ballonet chamber 202, including zones of the ballonet chamber that are otherwise obstructed by the ballonet panel 204.

Referring now to Figure 10B, another example of a ballast fluid diffuser 1000 in an operative condition is shown. In the example shown in Figure 10B, the ballast fluid diffuser 1000 includes a diffuser arm 1002, optionally coupled with a coupling flange 908. In this example, the ballast fluid passages 1004 are provided along an exterior of the diffuser arm 1002. For instance, the diffuser arm 1002 includes one or more of a bubble wrap substrate, knurled substrate or the like to provide a plurality of projections, ridges or the like that form ballast fluid passages 1004. Additionally, the ballast fluid passages 1004 serve as the diffuser ports 1006 because the passages are provided along the exterior of the arm. 1002. In an operative condition, for instance, where the ballonet panel 204 has at least partially settled over the ballast fluid diffuser 1000, one or more of the balloon shell 102 and the ballonet panel 204 enclose the diffuser arm 1002. Enclosing of the diffuser arm 1.002 encloses the ballast fluid passages 1004. Fluid delivered into and out of the ballonet chamber 202, for instance, through the ballast fluid port 218 is delivered within these ballast fluid passages 1004 along the length of the diffuser arm 1002. Because of the open characteristic of the ballast fluid passages 1004, the ballast fluid is freely delivered to the ballonet chamber 202 along the length of the diffuser arm 1002 including zones of the ballonet chamber 202 isolated because of the settled ballonet panel 204.

As described herein, in at least some examples, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 (and ballast fluid diffuser 1000) are coupled along one or more of the ballonet panel 204 or the shell gores 108. in one example, for instance, as shown in Figure 7, one or more of the diffuser arms 704 of the diffuser 700 are provided in a continuo s fashion, for instance, from proximate the lower apex 116 along one or more of the ballonet panel 204 or shell gores 108. For instance, the diffuser arms 704 shown in Figure 7 extend from proximate the lower apex 116 and the ballast fluid port 218 toward the balloon equator such as the balloon equator 1 18 shown in Figure I . in other examples, the diffuser arms 704 extend to one or more positions spaced from the ballast fluid port 218. For instance, the diffuser arms 704, in some examples, extend anywhere along either of the shell gores 108 or the ballonet panel 204 between the lower apex 116 and the upper apex 1 14. For instance, in an example, the diffuser arms 704 optionally extend along the entirety of the shell gores 108 from the ballast fluid port 218 at the lower apex 116 to the upper apex 114 of the balloon shell 102. In still other examples, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is provided in a loose or passively coupled fashion within the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. For instance, the one or more diffuser arms 704 are provided in a loose arrangement within the ballonet chamber 202 extending away from the ballast fluid port 218. In another example, the diffuser arms 704 are constructed with one or more of tubes, meshes, reticulated foam or the like having structural integrity sufficient to maintain their distributed arrangement shown in Figures 7 and 8. In yet another example, the one or more diffuser arms 704 include a diffuser panel such as the diffuser panel 706 shown in Figure 8. The panel 706 extends radially away from the ballast fluid port 218 and the diffuser base 702. The sheet or panel shape of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 maintains a distributed arrangement of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 and ensures the ballast fluid diffuser 700 (even while passively coupled with the remainder of the balloon shell 102 or ballonet panel 204) remains configured to deliver ballast fluid into and out of the ballonet chamber 202 even with gathering, settling, bunching or the like of the ballonet panel 204.

Figure 11 A shows a perspective view of the ballonet panel 204 of the ballonet 201 shown in Figure 2 in a folded and assembled configuration. As shown, the ballonet panel 204 includes a plurality of ballonet gores 214 folded and stacked. The ballonet gores 214 shown in Figure 11 A include, but are not limited to, the diamond shape of the gores 402 shown in Figure 4. As further shown in Figure 1 1 A, each of the ballonet gores 214 are coupled along corresponding ballonet gore edges 216. The first and last ballonet gores 214 of the ballonet panel 204 include the corresponding first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 previously shown and described in Figure 2 and corresponding to the first and second ballonet edges 606, 608 for the ballonet panel 500 shown in Figure 6A (corresponding to the ballonet panel 500, for instance, shown in Figures 5, 6A, 6B, 6C).

Referring now to Figure 11B, the balloon shell 102 is shown in a folded and stacked configuration. As shown, the balloon shell 102 includes a plurality of shell gores 1.08 folded and stacked with the first and second shell edges 1 10, 1 12, adjacent to one another. The shell gores 108 shown in Figure 11B include, but are not limited to, the diamond shape of the gores 402 shown in Figure 4. The first and last shell gores 108 are provided on the top arid bottom of the stacked shell gores 108, respectively. As described herein the first and last shell gores 108 are coupled together (e.g., joined with heat or ultrasonic bonding, taping, adhesives, stitching or the like) to close the balloon shell 102.

In one example, one or more of the ballonet panel 204 or balloon shell

102 are assembled in a nesting process where the respective ballonet gores 214 or shell gores 108 are nested together in a gradual buildup of the gores to form the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 including a ballonet. For instance, the respective shell gores 108 and ballonet gores 214 are stacked (and optionally folded) over preceding ballonet gores 214 or shell gores 108. The ballonet panel 204 and the balloon shell 102, in this example, are accordingly nested together and constructed in the stacked configuration to facilitate the compact assembly of an atmospheric balloon assembly, such as the assembly 100 shown in Figure 1 , With each of the ballonet panel 204 and the balloon shell 102 provided and assembled in a stacked configuration the balloon assembly 100 is readily stored and packed, for instancefor delivery and easy deployment in the field. With each of the ballonet panel 204 and the balloon shell 102 nested together and in a stacked configuration during production they are easily packaged in one or more boxes, shipping containers or the like for compact storage and transport.

Figure 11C shows the ballonet panel 204 assembled with the balloon shell 102. For instance, the ballonet panel 204 including, for instance, the first and last ballonet gores 214 are interleaved with corresponding shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. In the example shown in Figure 11C, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are positioned adjacent to one or more of the edges of the balloon shell 102, for instance, the first and second shell edges 110, 112. As the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 is assembled, including the interleaving of one or more of the ballonet gores 214 with the shell gores 108, the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are readily incorporated into the seams, seals, joints or the like formed between the first and second shell edges 110, 112. For instance, as shown in Figure 11C, the first ballonet edge 206 is provided adjacent to the first and second shell edges 1 0, 12 of adjacent stacked shell gores 108. Stitching, adhering, heat or ultrasonic bonding readily incorporate the first ballonet edge 206 into the joint formed with the first and second shell edges 110, 112. In a similar manner, the second ballonet edge 208 is incorporated with corresponding first and second shell edges 110, 112 of shell gores 108 (at a preceding and relatively deeper location within the stack of the shell gores).

Optionally, the first and second ballonet edges are interleaved (e.g., interposed) between portions of the respective shell gores 108. In such an example, the ballonet panel 204 is laterally positioned relatively to the right of the shell gores 108 in Figure 11C and the ballonet edges 206, 208 are interposed between portions of the shell gores 108 (e.g., the first and second shell edges 110. 112).

In one example, the assembled ballonet panel 204 (e.g., with previously joined ballonet gores 214) is interleaved in intermediate portions of the balloon shell 102. For instance, one or more shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 are stacked and bonded together, for instance, as shown with the shell gores 108 prior to interleaving or positioning of the second ballonet edge 208. After positioning of the second ballonet edge 208, at least one additional shell gore 108 is stacked over the interleaved portion of the ballonet panel 204. At the specified location, the first ballonet edge 206 is positioned adjacent to the corresponding first shell edge 110 of the pre vious shell gore 108 and at least one shell gore 108 (with the second shell edge 112) is stacked over the ballonet panel 204 including the first ballonet edge 206.

After positioning of the first ballonet edge 206, the shell gores 108 are again stacked over top of the ballonet panel 204 to form the remainder of the balloon shell 102. In one example, as the shell gores 108 are assembled, for instance, with the ballonet panel 204, the first and second shell edges 110, 112 are joined. For instance, each of the shell gores 108 is joined when stacked with a preceding shell gore 108 or ballonet gore 214 with one or more of stitching, adhesives, tape, heat or ultrasonic bonding or the like. After placement of the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208, the ballonet edges are incorporated with the seams, bonds, joints or the like formed with the first and second shell edges 110, 1 12 of the adjacent shell gores 108. The process of joining is continued with the stacking of additional shell gores 108 and the remainder of the ballonet panel 204, for instance, including the first ballonet edge 206 as shown in Figure 1 1C.

In yet another example, each of the shell gores 108 and ballonet gores 214 are assembled as individual separate components in a composite stack such as that shown in Figure 11C without prior bonding of the ballonet edges 216 or bonding of the first and second shell edges 1 10, 1 12 of the shell gores 108.

Instead, the shell gores 108 are stacked one over top of each other as shown in

Figure 11B and as they are stacked, for instance, in the folded configuration shown in Figures 11B and 11C, the first and second shell edges 110, 112 are joined to form the balloon shell 102. A balionet gore such as the balionet gores 214 shown in Figures 11 A and 11C are then positioned, for instance, with the second balionet edge 208 at the position shown in Figure 11C. Additional balionet gores 214 are then stacked along with additional shell gores 108 and bonded, for instance, along the balionet edges 216 as shown in Figure 11 A. That is to say, both the balionet edges 216 and the first and second shell edges 100, 112 of the shell gores 108 are bonded with application and stacking of each of the respective balionet gores 214 and shell gores 108 to form the atmospheric balloon assembly 100. The process continues, for instance, with bonding of each of the balionet gore edges 2 6 and shell gore edges 110, 112 to accordingly build up a balionet panel 204 and the balloon shell 102 into the configuration shown, for instance, in Figure 11 C.

In another example, the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 shown, for instance, in Figure 11C includes a balionet panel 204 having a greater length than the respective shell gores 108. One example of such a configuration in a deployed condition is shown with the balionet panel 500 in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C. In that example, the first and second balionet edges 606, 608 are coupled along a plurality of first and second shell edges 110, 112 at opposed sides of the balloon shell 102. As shown in Figure 6A, the balionet panel 500 in this example corresponds to the balionet panel 204 shown in Figure 1 1C. With the balionet panel 500 having longer first and second balionet edges 606, 608, the balionet gores 214 in Figure 11C (extending into or out of the page beyond the ends of the stacked shell gores 108) are optionally folded orthogonally to the gore 214 folds, for instance near their longitudinal mid-point and the folded portion is stacked with additional shell gores 108. That is to say, balionet panel 204 shown in Figure 11C (corresponding in this example to the balionet panel 500 shown in Figure 6 A) extends into and out of the page. The portion of the balionet panel 204 extending out of the page is longer than the shell gores 108. This additional length of the balionet panel 204 is folded back over the stack of the shell gores 108 and the nested portion of the balionet panel (e.g., along the longitudinal midpoint or mid-line of the balionet panel 204) and the resulting continued first and second balionet edges corresponding to the first and second balionet edges 606,

608 are interleaved or positioned on top of the previously applied shell gores 108. Accordingly, in this example, the ballonet panel 500 shown in Figures 6A- C is also constructed with the balloon shell 102 in a stacked configuration for easy storage, transportation or the like of the resulting atmospheric balloon assembly such as the balloon assembly 1.00.

Figures 11A-C illustrate the atmospheric balloon assembly 100 schematically and include a small number of shell gores 108 and ballonet gores 214 to facilitate explanation of an assembly process. In practice, the

atmospheric balloon assembly 100 includes in some example 36 or more fores and the corresponding ballonet panel 204, 500 includes a larger number of ballonet gores as well (e.g., 1 8 or more). As one example, the balloon assembly 100 includes a ballonet panel 500 as shown in Figure 6A. The placement of the ballonet panel edges 606, 608 with the panel 500 is determined, based on the number of total balloon shell gores (x) and the specified size of the ballonet. For example, where the total number of balloon shell gores 108 is x=36 and the ballonet 501 uses ten (10) of the balloon shell gores 108 as part of the ballonet 501 (leaving the remainder to enclose the lift gas chamber 504) the ballonet panel edges 606, 608 are interleaved between shell gores 108 at the interval of a first pair of shell gores, x and. x-1 (36, 35); a second pair, x-5 and x-6 (31,30); a third pair, x-18 and x-19 (18, 17); and a. fourth pair, x-23 and x-2,4 (13, 12). Each of the first and second pairs and the third and the fourth pairs includes five (5) of the shell gores 108 between the ballonet panel edges 606, 608. Optionally, the spacing between the first and second pairs and the third and fourth pairs (e.g., the number of shell gores therebetween) is increased to increase the size of the ballonet relative to the lift gas chamber. Conversely, the spacing between the pairs is decreased (the number of shell gores between each pair) to decrease the ballonet chamber size. With this arrangement the ballonet is evenly positioned between each of two opposed sides of the balloon shell 102 (as shown in Figures 6A-C) and tipping, tilting or the like of the balloon assembly 100 is thereby minimized , in a. similar manner, the ballonet edges 206, 208 of the ballonet panel 204 shown in Figures 2A and 3A, B are interleaved with the shell gores 108 with a specified number of gores 108 between the ballonet edges. In the example with x=36 shell gores and a specification of twelve (12) shell gores 108 in the ballonet 201 the first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are positioned between the edges of gores x and x-1 (36, 35) and gores x-10 and x- 11 (26, 25).

In another example, the ballonet pane! 204, 500 is increased or decreased in size with the corresponding addition or subtraction of ballonet gores. As described herein, but adding ballonet gores the ballonet 201, 501 is able to more fully evacuate and fill compared to a ballonet having fewer ballonet gores.

Referring now to Figure 1 ID, a schematic example of the fully assembled atmospheric balloon assembly 100 is shown. Figure 1 ID shows the coupling of a closing shell gore 108 between each of the first and last shell gores 108 of the stack shown in Figure 11C. Figure 1 ID further shows the ballonet panel 204 interleaved and coupled with corresponding first and second shell edges 110, 112 of one or more of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. In this example, the ballonet panel 204 includes a plurality of ballonet gores 214 provided in a folded and joined configuration to form the ballonet panel 204. The first and second ballonet edges 206, 208 are coupled with respective first and second shell edges 110, 112 to position the ballonet panel 204 within the balloon shell 102 and at the same time anchor the panel 204 to the balloon shell 102. As previously described herein, coupling the ballonet panel 204, for instance, with portions of the balloon shell 102 at one or more locations suspends (e.g., hangs) the ballonet panel 204 within the balloon shell 102 to facilitate reliable and consistent filling and evacuation of the ballonet panel 204. In another example, coupling the ballonet panel 204 as previously described herein with the shell gores 108anchors the ballonet panel 204 in place and minimizes (e.g., minimizes or eliminates) twisting, relative rotation, knotting, gathering, bunching or the like caused by relative rotation between shell and the panel or evacuation or filling of the ballonet that in at least some examples otherwise frustrates the evacuation or filling of the ballonets 201 , 501 shown in Figures 2 and 5.

Referring again to Figure 1 ID, a shell gore 108 extends schematically around the stacked and assembled portions of the ballonet panel 204 and the balloon shell 102. The enclosing shell gore 108 closes the balloon shell 102 and retains the ballonet panel 204 therein. In one example, either of the topmost or bottommost shell gore 108 of the stack of the shell gores 108 is grasped, pulled or the like and used as the enclosing shell gore 108. The topmost or bottommost shell gore is moved to positions its first or second shell edge 110, 112 to an opposed second or first shell edge 1 12, 110 of opposed (bottommost or topmost) shell gore 08. After positioning the first and second shell edges 1 10, 12 of the connecting shell gore 108 and the topmost or bottommost shell gore 108 in close proximity the first and second shell edges 110, 112 are joineed, for instance, by way of one or more stitching, adhesives, tape, heat or ultrasonic bonding or the like.

Figures 12A and 12B show one example of a ballast fluid diffuser 700 assembled with one or more gores, such as the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102 or ballonet gores of a balionet panel, such as the ballonet panel 204 or optionally the ballonet panel 500. Referring first to Figure 12A, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is in an interleaved and coupled configuration with two or more of the shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. The coupling flange 908 of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is coupled with each of the first and second shell edges 110, 112. For instance, the flange seam 912 of the coupling flange 908 is positioned between the first and second shell edges 110, 112 and bonded at the same time with the shell edges 110, 112. In other example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is coupled along one of the balloon shell 102 or the ballonet panel (e.g., 204, 500) separate from the first and second shell edges 1 10 or balionet gore edges. For instance, the diffuser 700 is joined to either of the shell gores 108 or the ballonet panel 204, 500 at locations spaced from the respective edges (e.g., with stitching, adhesives, taping, heat or ultrasonic bonding or the like).

Referring again to Figure 12A, in the stacked configuration the plurality of shell gores 108 include the diffuser arm 704 in an interleaved or stacked configuration. Accordingly, the bottommost shell gore 08 is first positioned in a stack optionally as a folded shell gore 108 as shown in Figure 11B. The The ballast fluid diffuser 700 is positioned over top of the shell gore 108 with the flange seam 912 lapped over the first shell edge 1 10. A second shell gore 108 is positioned over top of the ballast fluid diffuser 700. The second shell edge 112 of the second shell gore 108 is in proximity to each of the flange seam 912 of the diffuser and the first shell edge 110 of the underlying shell gore 108 and ready for joining. Although the example shown in Figure 12 A includes the shell gores 108, in another example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 is, in one example, coupled along the baiionet edges 216 of the baiionet gores 214. In such an example, the ballast fluid diffuser 700 extends along (upwardly, around, along, extending along or the like) the resulting baiionet panel, such as the baiionet panels 204, 500 described herein. The coupling of the ballast fluid diffuser 700 (e.g., with the flange seam 912) proceeds with the baiionet gores 216 in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 12A (e.g., with the stacking of baiionet gores 216 and the positioning of the ballast fluid diffuser 700, including the flange seam 912 at a specified position in the stack as the stack is assembled).

Referring now to Figure 12B, the ballast fluid diffuser 700, including, for instance, the diffuser arm 704 is shown in an interleaved position with the assembled stack of shell gores 108 of the balloon shell 102. As shown in detail in Figure 12A, the coupling flange 908, including the flange seam 912, is provided and included with the joint formed by the first and second shell edges 110, 112. For instance, the flange seam 912 is interposed between the first and second shell edges 1 10, 112 and each of the three components are bonded together at the same time (e.g., by one or more of stitching, adhesives, tape, ultrasonic or heat bonding or the like).

Various Notes & Examples

Example 1 can include subject matter such as an atmospheric balloon assembly comprising: a balloon shell extending between upper and lower apexes, the balloon shell includes: a plurality of shell gores, each of the shell gores includes first and second shell edges extending between the upper and lower apexes, and wherein each of the pl rality of shell gores extends from the upper apex to the lower apex, and each of the first and second shell edges is coupled with second and first shell edges of adjacent shell gores of the plurality of shell gores; and a baiionet coupled along the balloon shell, the baiionet includes: a baiionet panel including first and second baiionet apexes and first and second baiionet edges extending between the first and second baiionet apexes, and wherein the first baiionet edge is coupled along the first and second shell edges of at least two shell gores of the plurality of shell gores, and the second ballonet edge is coupled along the first and second shell edges of at least another two shell gores of the plurality of shell gores.

Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Example 1 , to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet edges are continuously coupled along the first and second shell edges of the at least two and the at least another two shell gores.

Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2 to optionally include wherein the at least two shell gores include first and second shell gores and third and fourth shell gores on an opposed side of the balloon shell relative to the first and second shell gores, and the first ballonet edge is coupled along first and second shell edges of the first and second shell gores, and the first ballonet edge is coupled along the first and second shell edges of the third and fourth shell gores.

Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 -3 to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet apexes are coupled with the balloon shell proximate the upper apex of the balloon shell.

Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet apexes are closed proximate the upper apex with an upper apex fitting.

Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -5 to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet apexes are coupled with the balloon shell proximate the upper and lower apexes of the balloon shell, respectively.

Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-6 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel is suspended from, an upper portion of the balloon shell proximate the upper apex of the balloon shell.

Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -7 to optionally incl de wherein b llonet panel is suspended from the upper portion of the balloon between the upper apex of the balloon shell and an equator of the balloon shell.

Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -8 to optionally include wherein the ballonet includes the shell gores between the first and second shell edges of each of the at least two shell gores and the at least another two shell gores.

Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-9 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel includes a plurality of ballonet gores coupled along respective ballonet gore edges of the ballonet gores.

Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -10 to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet edges are longer than the first or second shell edges.

Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-11 to optionally include wherein the first and second ballonet edges are twice the length of the first or second shell edges.

Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -12 to optionally include an atmospheric balloon assembly comprising: a balloon shell extending between upper and lower apexes, the balloon shell includes a balloon equator, and the balloon shell includes at least a lift gas chamber; and a ballonet including a ballonet chamber with the balloon shell, the ballonet includes: a ballonet panel suspended from an upper portion of the balloon shell between the upper apex and the balloon equator, and at least a portion of the balloon shell coupled with the ballonet panel.

Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-13 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel is coupled with the upper portion of the balloon shell at least between the upper apex and the balloon equator.

Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -14 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel is continuously coupled along the balloon shell between the upper and lower apexes. Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-15 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel includes a ballonet curtain.

Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-16 to optionally include wherein the ballonet is configured to transition between a filled condition and an evacuated condition, in the filled condition the ballonet panel has a convex contour, and in the evacuated condition the ballonet panel has a concave contour following a corresponding concave contour of at least the portion of the balloon shell coupled with the ballonet panel.

Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -17 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel is rotationally static relative to the balloon shell.

Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-18 to optionally include wherein the balloon shell includes at least one ballast fluid inflow port in communication with the ballonet chamber, and the ballonet panel is recessed from the at least one ballast fluid inflow port.

Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-19 to optionally include wherein the balloon shell includes at least one ballast fluid inflow port in communication with the ballonet chamber, and comprising a ballast fluid diffuser in communication with the at least one ballast fluid inflow port, the ballast fluid diffuser includes: a diffuser base coupled with the at least one ballast fluid inflow port, and at least one diffuser arm including a ballast fluid passage in communication with the diffuser base, and the ballast fluid passage extends away from the at least one ballast fluid inflow port.

Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-20 to optionally include wherein the diffuser base and the at least one diffuser arm are integral.

Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -21 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm consists of at least one of batting, a tube, a perforated tube, a reticulated foam or a mesh.

Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -22 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a plurality of diffuser arms each having proximal and distal portions.

Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-23 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a diffuser panel extending away from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -24 to optionally include wherein the diffuser panel is a substantially continuous pane! around the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-25 to optionally include wherein the diffuser base includes the proximal portions of the plurality of diffuser arms stacked proximate to the at least one ballast fluid inflow port.

Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-26 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm is coupled along one or more of the balloon shell or the ballonet panel.

Example 28 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -27 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled along a shell edge of at least one shell gore of the balloon shell.

Example 29 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-28 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled between first and second shell edges of respective first and second shell gores of the balloon shell.

Example 30 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -29 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes at least one diffuser port spaced from the at least one ballast fluid inflow port. Example 31 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-30 to optionally include wherein the ballonet is configured to transition between a filled condition and an evacuated condition, in the filled condition the ballonet panel has a convex contour, and in the evacuated condition the ballonet panel has a concave contour following a corresponding concave contour of at least the portion of the balloon shell coupled with the ballonet panel, and in at least one of the filled or evacuated conditions at least one diffuser port of the at least one diffuser arm is spaced from the ballonet panel.

Example 32 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-31 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel includes a plurality of ballonet gores coupled along respective ballonet gore edges of the ballonet gores.

Example 33 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-32 to optionally include a method for making an atmospheric balloon comprising: forming a ballonet panel having first and second ballonet panel edges, forming the ballonet panel includes: stacking a plurality of ballonet gores in a first folded configuration, and joining ballonet gore edges of the plurality of ballonet gores; and forming a balloon shell in a second folded configuration with the ballonet panel in the first folded configuration, forming includes: stacking a plurality of shell gores in a second folded configuration, interposing the first ballonet panel edge between at least two shell gores of the plurality of shell gores, interposing the second ballonet panel edge between at least two other shell gores of the plurality of shell gores, joining the first ballonet panel edge with shell edges of the at least two shell gores, and joining the second ballonet panel edge with shell edges of the at least two other shell gores.

Example 34 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-33 to optionally include wherein forming the balloon shell includes joining shell edges of the remaining shell gores of the plurality of shell gores.

Example 35 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-34 to optionally include wherein forming the balloon shell in the second folded configuration with the ballonet panel in the first folded configuration includes the ballonet panel and the balloon shell in the respective first and second folded configurations after joining of the first and second ballonet panel edges with the shell, edges of the at least two shell gores and the at least two other shell gores, respectively.

Example 36 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-35 to optionally include wherein the plurality of shell gores includes upper and lower shell gores with respective upper and lower shell edges, and comprising joining the top shell edge with a bottom shell edge of the stacked plurality of ballonet gores to close the balloon shell with the ballonet panel inside the balloon shell.

Example 37 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-36 to optionally include folding the stacked plurality of shell gores.

Example 38 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-37 to optionally include wherein joining the first ballonet panel edge with shell edges of the at least two shell gores includes: joining a first portion of the first ballonet panel edge with shell edges of first and. second shell gores, and joining a, second portion of the first ballonet panel, edge with shell edges of third and fourth shell gores.

Example 39 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-38 to optionally include wherein joining the second ballonet panel edge with shell edges of the at least two other shell gores includes: joining a first portion of the second ballonet panel edge with shell edges of fifth and sixth shell gores, and joining a second portion of the second ballonet panel edge with shell edges of seventh and eighth shell gores.

Example 40 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-39 to optionally include wherein interposing the first or second ballonet panel edges is conducted during stacking of the plurality of shell gores in the second folded configuration.

Example 41 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -40 to optionally include wherein stacking the plurality of ballonet gores in the first folded configuration includes interleaving the plurality of ballonet gores with the plurality of shell gores during stacking of the plurality of shell gores in the second folded configuration.

Example 42 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -4 to optionally include wherein interposing the first or second ballonet panel edges is conducted after stacking of the plurality of shell gores in the second folded configuration.

Example 43 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-42 to optionally include wherein joining ballonet gore edges of the plurality of ballonet gore edges includes joining ballonet gore edges during at least one of stacking of the plurality of ballonet gores in the first folded configuration or stacking the plurality of shell gores in the second folded configuration.

Example 44 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-43 to optionally include an atmospheric balloon assembly comprising: a balloon shell extending between upper and lower apexes, the balloon shell includes a balloon equator, and the balloon shell includes at least a lift gas chamber; a ballonet including a ballonet chamber with the balloon shell, the ballonet chamber is isolated from the lift gas chamber by a ballonet panel; at least one ballast fluid port in communication with the ballonet chamber; and a ballast fluid diffuser in communication with the at least one ballast fluid port, the ballast fluid diffuser includes: a diffuser base coupled with the at least one ballast fluid port, and at least one diffuser arm including a ballast fluid passage in communication with the diffuser base, and the ballast fluid passage extends away from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 45 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-44 to optionally include wherein the diffuser base and the at least one diffuser arm are integral.

Example 46 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-45 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm consists of at least one of batting, a tube, a perforated tube, a reticulated foam, a bubbled substrate or a mesh.

Example 47 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-46 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a plurality of diffuser arms each having proximal and distal portions.

Example 48 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -47 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a diffuser panel extending away from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 49 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-48 to optionally include wherein the diffuser panel is a substantially continuous panel around the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 50 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-49 to optionally include wherein the diffuser base includes the proximal portions of the plurality of diffuser arms stacked proximate to the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 51 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-50 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm is coupled along one or more of the balloon shell or the ballonet panel.

Example 52 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -51 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm. includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled along a shell edge of at least one shell gore of the balloon shell.

Example 53 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-52 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled between first and second shell edges of respective first and second shell gores of the balloon shell.

Example 54 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-53 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled along a shell edge of at least one ballonet gore of the ballonet panel.

Example 55 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -54 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes a coupling flange, and the coupling flange is coupled between first and second ballonet gore edges of respective first and second ballonet gores of the ballonet panel.

Example 56 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -55 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm includes at least one diffuser port spaced from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 57 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-56 to optionally include wherein the ballonet is configured to transition between a filled condition and an evacuated condition.

Example 58 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-57 to optionally include wherein in the evacuated condition the ballonet panel is at least partially settled over the at least one ballad fluid port and the at least one diffuser arm extends through the at least partially settled ballonet panel.

Example 59 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-58 to optionally include wherein in the filled condition the ballonet panel has a convex contour, and in the evacuated condition the ballonet panel has a concave contour following a corresponding concave contour of at least the portion of the balloon shell coupled with the ballonet panel, and in at least one of the filled or evacuated conditions at least one diffuser port of the at least one diffuser arm is spaced from the ballonet panel.

Example 60 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -59 to optionally include wherein the ballast fluid passage extends along an interior of the at least one diffuser arm.

Example 61 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-60 to optionally include wherein the ballast fluid passage extends at least partially along an exterior of the at least one diffuser arm.

Example 62 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-61 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm extends away from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 63 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -62 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm. includes a structural feature configured to maintain the at least one diffuser arm in a directed configuration extending away from the at least one ballast fluid port.

Example 64 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -63 to optionally include wherein the at least one diffuser arm is uncoupled from the balloon shell and the ballonet panel.

Example 65 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-64 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel is suspended from an upper portion of the balloon shell.

Example 66 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1 -65 to optionally include wherein ballonet panel includes a ballonet curtain.

Example 67 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-66 to optionally include wherein the ballonet panel includes an enclosed ballonet coupled with the lower apex of the balloon shell at a ballonet apex.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in vaiious permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosure can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described.

However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or "'one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fail within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.