Granted Patent B2

US 12,703,492 · App. 18/179,761 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Inventors: Jared Leidich (Denver, CO); Taber Kyle MacCallum (Tucson, AZ); Ty Bowen (Tucson, AZ)

Assignee: World View Enterprises Inc.

B64D17/76B64B1/40B64D1/12B64D17/025B64D17/24B64D17/26B64D17/40B64D17/62B64D17/72B64D17/70

Abstract

Claims (34)

1 . A system comprising:

a base structure configured to be coupled with a payload and configured to be detached from a high altitude balloon during flight;

a parafoil canopy for a high altitude parafoil stored in a deployment bag prior to deployment, the deployment bag having an elongate shape; and

a plurality of suspension lines configured to couple the parafoil canopy to the base structure at a spaced vertical distance from the base structure during ascent of the high altitude balloon and prior to deployment of the parafoil canopy, wherein a structural load path during ascent extends through the plurality of suspension lines.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tether configured to couple the system to the high altitude balloon.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ring coupled with an upper end of one or more of the plurality of suspension lines, the ring configured to couple with a connection device, the connection device configured to connect the system to the high altitude balloon.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of suspension lines are configured to be taut prior to deployment.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of suspension lines are configured to be maintained in a stored configuration during ascent.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first elongated wing tip support hingedly connected with the base structure, and

a second elongated wing tip support hingedly connected with the base structure.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second wing tip supports are configured to flex in a stowed configuration and to be released from the stowed configuration to spring open into a deployed flight configuration.

8 . A system comprising:

a base structure configured to be coupled with a payload and configured to be detached from a high altitude balloon during flight;

a parafoil canopy for a high altitude parafoil stored in a deployment bag prior to deployment;

a plurality of suspension lines configured to couple the parafoil canopy to the base structure at a spaced vertical distance from the base structure during ascent of the high altitude balloon and prior to deployment of the parafoil canopy; and

a ring coupled with one or more of the plurality of suspension lines, the ring configured to couple the system to the high altitude balloon.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of suspension lines is configured to transfer a load due to the payload to the high altitude balloon.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of suspension lines are configured to be taut prior to deployment.

11 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a tether configured to couple the system to the high altitude balloon.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the tether is coupled with the base structure.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the tether is configured to release from the system.

14 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first elongated wing tip support hingedly connected with the base structure, and

a second elongated wing tip support hingedly connected with the base structure.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first and second wing tip supports are configured to flex in a stowed configuration and to be released from the stowed configuration to spring open into a deployed flight configuration.

16 . A system comprising:

a base structure configured to be attached with a payload;

a parafoil canopy for a high altitude parafoil stored in a deployment bag prior to deployment, the deployment bag having an elongate shape;

a plurality of suspension lines configured to couple the parafoil canopy to the base structure at a spaced vertical distance from the base structure during ascent of a flight vehicle and prior to deployment of the parafoil canopy, wherein the deployment bag and the plurality of suspension lines are configured to be positioned in a linear configuration during ascent; and

a tether configured to couple the system to the flight vehicle.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein one or more of the plurality of suspension lines are configured to support a weight of the payload during ascent.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of suspension lines is non-rigidized.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of suspension lines are configured to be taut prior to deployment.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (400)