Tendon mounting system

摘要

A system for use with a balloon having a balloon envelope is provided. The system includes a tendon assembly for mounting tendons to the balloon envelope. This tendon assembly includes a plate structure having a fill port attached to an apex of the balloon envelope and a plurality of tendons arranged over the plate structure. The fill port is configured to allow lift gas to pass into balloon envelope. Each tendon of the plurality of tendons has a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion of a given tendon is arranged to engage a first section of the plate structure. The second portion is arranged to engage a second section of the plate structure opposite of the first section. The middle portion is arranged to wrap around the fill port of the plate.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a balloon having a balloon envelope, the method comprising:
arranging a plate at an apex of the balloon envelope, the plate including a fill port configured to fill the balloon envelope with lift gas; arranging a plurality of tendons over the plate such that a middle portion of each of the plurality of tendons runs between a first edge of the plate and a second edge of the plate, each of the plurality of tendons having a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion being of a length that is shorter than lengths of the first and second portions; and engaging each tendon of the plurality of tendons to one of a plurality of contact points of the plate.