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.

Aspects of the technology relate to temperature regulation for high altitude, long duration balloons, such as balloons that operate in the stratosphere for weeks, months or longer. A balloon covering overlays the balloon envelope, providing an opaque or otherwise light-reflective layer with low emissivity that blocks or reflects optical and/or infrared light. Heat from within the envelope is reflected back from the covering toward the envelope, while light from the sun is reflected back towards the environment. An active venting system is employed to draw in cooler ambient air from the external environment while expelling warmer air from within the envelope. Vent and air intake assemblies of the active venting system are actuated in view of current and/or predicted balloon conditions to regulate internal balloon temperature. This approach reduces repeated pressure changes, which can put undue stress on the balloon envelope and adversely affect the operational lifespan of the system.

Aspects of the technology relate to temperature regulation for high altitude, long duration balloons, such as balloons that operate in the stratosphere for weeks, months or longer. A balloon covering overlays the balloon envelope, providing an opaque or otherwise light-reflective layer with low emissivity that blocks or reflects optical and/or infrared light. Heat from within the envelope is reflected back from the covering toward the envelope, while light from the sun is reflected back towards the environment. An active venting system is employed to draw in cooler ambient air from the external environment while expelling warmer air from within the envelope. Vent and air intake assemblies of the active venting system are actuated in view of current and/or predicted balloon conditions to regulate internal balloon temperature. This approach reduces repeated pressure changes, which can put undue stress on the balloon envelope and adversely affect the operational lifespan of the system.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. In another embodiment, the ship can be equipped with solar cells.

A gas density control system for airships is provide. The system embodies a hybrid ballonet and low pressure gas storage tank combination for regulating the density and volume of the airship lift gas, wherein the ballonet is fluidly connected to the storage tank by a transfer hose. The base of the ballonet is also sealed along an exterior surface of the length curvilinear geometric shaped storage tank so that as the storage tank selectively rotates the ballonet either wraps or unwraps around the length, whereby the lift gas transfer to and from the storage tank to the ballonet, respectively. A transfer hose reel is provided to rotate with the storage tank so that as the ballonet wraps about the storage tank the transfer hose winds about the transfer hose reel, and vice versa. Thereby the system precisely adjusts the ballonet's volume, which in turn controls its lifting force.

A gas density control system for airships is provide. The system embodies a hybrid ballonet and low pressure gas storage tank combination for regulating the density and volume of the airship lift gas, wherein the ballonet is fluidly connected to the storage tank by a transfer hose. The base of the ballonet is also sealed along an exterior surface of the length curvilinear geometric shaped storage tank so that as the storage tank selectively rotates the ballonet either wraps or unwraps around the length, whereby the lift gas transfer to and from the storage tank to the ballonet, respectively. A transfer hose reel is provided to rotate with the storage tank so that as the ballonet wraps about the storage tank the transfer hose winds about the transfer hose reel, and vice versa. Thereby the system precisely adjusts the ballonet's volume, which in turn controls its lifting force.

An example reusable high-altitude balloon system includes a control system configured to initiate a termination sequence by separating a payload from an Earth-facing end of the balloon body. Separation of the payload from the balloon body generates a torque that causes the balloon body to invert and release lift gas through a vent duct, initiating a flight termination sequence that facilitates landing of the reusable balloon system without destroying the balloon body.