A system for forming a tendon sleeve on an atmospheric balloon is described herein, the system comprising a coupling assembly including a seam coupling mechanism that forms a seam joint between a first gore panel and a second gore panel, the seam joint is spaced from respective first and second lateral edges of the first and second gore panels to form first and second edge flanges, and an edge coupling mechanism that forms an edge joint between the first and second edge flanges and closes a tendon sleeve, the edge joint spaced from the seam joint, the tendon sleeve includes a tendon sleeve passage between the seam joint and the edge joint and between the first and second edge flanges. The system also includes a tendon positioning mechanism that positions a tendon within the tendon sleeve passage. A tendon sleeve formed by this system is also described herein.

Disclosed is an elevator inspection system, the system having: a robotic platform configured to inspect a hoistway; a platform propulsor operationally connected to the robotic platform; and a controller operationally connected to the platform propulsor, wherein the controller is configured to control the platform propulsor to propel the robotic platform vertically within the hoistway.

Disclosed is an elevator inspection system, the system having: a robotic platform configured to inspect a hoistway; a platform propulsor operationally connected to the robotic platform; and a controller operationally connected to the platform propulsor, wherein the controller is configured to control the platform propulsor to propel the robotic platform vertically within the hoistway.

A balloon is provided having an exostructure comprised of hollow struts or rods and an envelope positioned over the exostructure, and a pump for pumping air out of the balloon to create an air pressure differential between the pressure inside the envelope and the atmospheric pressure outside the envelope, a control system configured to allow air to flow into the envelope to control the altitude of the balloon, and to operate the pump to pump air out of the envelope to control the altitude of the balloon, wherein the material of the envelope is arranged so as to sag between the struts or rods and form at least one catenary surface when there is an air pressure differential between the pressure inside of the balloon envelope and the atmospheric pressure outside the envelope.

Provided is a balloon-launching apparatus capable of reducing an increase in the size of the apparatus when a large number of housing sections for housing observation balloons are provided. A balloon-launching apparatus 1 includes a plurality of housing sections 41 each formed in a box shape having an opening 321 that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon 21, the housing section 41 launching the balloon 21 from the opening 321. The plurality of housing sections 41 are arranged in a matrix shape. Due to the matrix arrangement of the housing sections 41, the balloon-launching apparatus 1 can reduce the creation of dead space even when a large number of the housing sections 41 are disposed and can thus reduce an increase in the size of the balloon-launching apparatus 1.

Provided is a balloon-launching apparatus capable of reducing an increase in the size of the apparatus when a large number of housing sections for housing observation balloons are provided. A balloon-launching apparatus 1 includes a plurality of housing sections 41 each formed in a box shape having an opening 321 that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon 21, the housing section 41 launching the balloon 21 from the opening 321. The plurality of housing sections 41 are arranged in a matrix shape. Due to the matrix arrangement of the housing sections 41, the balloon-launching apparatus 1 can reduce the creation of dead space even when a large number of the housing sections 41 are disposed and can thus reduce an increase in the size of the balloon-launching apparatus 1.

A valve assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided and includes an inlet tube, a shuttle, a base plate, a screw assembly, and a spacer block. The shuttle is partially disposed within the inlet tube and is configured to be placed in a first position where the shuttle abuts the inlet tube and a second position where the outer surface is disposed in spaced relation to the inlet tube. The base plate extends between a first end portion that defines a cavity therein and a second end portion. The screw assembly is disposed within the cavity of the base plate and is coupled to a portion of the shuttle. The spacer block is interposed between the second end portion of the inlet tube and the first end portion of the base plate and is configured to maintain the inlet tube and the base plate in spaced relation.

A valve assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided and includes an inlet tube, a shuttle, a base plate, a screw assembly, and a spacer block. The shuttle is partially disposed within the inlet tube and is configured to be placed in a first position where the shuttle abuts the inlet tube and a second position where the outer surface is disposed in spaced relation to the inlet tube. The base plate extends between a first end portion that defines a cavity therein and a second end portion. The screw assembly is disposed within the cavity of the base plate and is coupled to a portion of the shuttle. The spacer block is interposed between the second end portion of the inlet tube and the first end portion of the base plate and is configured to maintain the inlet tube and the base plate in spaced relation.

Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.

Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. Especially, termination of radio transmissions and flight related to regional, governmental and international border requirements, regulations and laws. The new methods comprise specific criteria, detection of the criteria and elements of operation for reducing or preventing illegal transmissions, for producing rapid descend to the ground, for environmentally acceptable landing and for facilitating recovery all with improved safety and enhanced compliance with known regulations.