Umbrella Valves to Inflate Bladder in Balloon Envelope

摘要

A balloon having a bladder positioned within a balloon envelope, a plate having a port, a housing secured to the plate, an impeller positioned within the housing, the port providing a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the bladder, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, a control system configured, upon receiving a signal to increase the amount of air within the bladder, to cause the passive valve to move from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port to open the passageway between the housing and the bladder and to allow air to be forced into the bladder.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a balloon envelope; a plate having a port; a housing secured to the plate; an impeller positioned within the housing; wherein the port provides a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the balloon envelope; wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port; wherein the passive valve is movable from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port by the force of air moved toward the port by the impeller to open the passageway between the housing and the balloon envelope and allow air to be forced into the balloon envelope.