Sep 30, 2025

US12429311 - Aerostats for aerial platform acquisition

According to one aspect, an aerostat may include an inflatable structure defining a volume, and a payload mechanically coupled to the inflatable structure, the payload including a sensor, an acquisition module, and a controller, the acquisition module operable to generate acquisition energy directable in midair from the payload to an aerial platform flying independently, the controller in electrical communication with the acquisition module and the sensor, the controller configured, based on a signal received from the sensor and associated with flight of the inflatable structure, to operate the acquisition module to direct the acquisition energy to the aerial platform such that independent flight of the aerial platform interruptible by the acquisition energy.

Assignee: LTAG SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors: Jonathan T. Slocum, Alexander H. Slocum
Filing date: 2024-02-07

This patent describes an aerostat that features an inflatable structure and a payload containing a sensor, acquisition module, and controller, which work together to direct acquisition energy to intercept an independently flying aerial platform. The controller is designed to respond to signals from the sensor to manage the acquisition module’s operation, enabling the interruption of the aerial platform’s flight.

Claim 1

An aerostat comprising: an inflatable structure defining a volume; and a payload mechanically coupled to the inflatable structure, the payload including a sensor, an acquisition module, and a controller, the acquisition module operable to generate acquisition energy directable in midair from the payload to an aerial platform flying independently, the controller in electrical communication with the acquisition module and the sensor, the controller configured, based on a signal received from the sensor and associated with flight of inflatable structure, to operate the acquisition module to direct the acquisition energy to the aerial platform such that independent flight of the aerial platform is interruptible by the acquisition energy. an inflatable structure defining a volume; and a payload mechanically coupled to the inflatable structure, the payload including a sensor, an acquisition module, and a controller, the acquisition module operable to generate acquisition energy directable in midair from the payload to an aerial platform flying independently, the controller in electrical communication with the acquisition module and the sensor, the controller configured, based on a signal received from the sensor and associated with flight of inflatable structure, to operate the acquisition module to direct the acquisition energy to the aerial platform such that independent flight of the aerial platform is interruptible by the acquisition energy.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12429311

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12429311