July 2, 1968 D.

Levee MANN 3,390,851

BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS
Filled Nov. 30, 1966 5. Sheets-Sheet

, INVENTOR.
DENNIS LeVEE MANN

his A77OAAVEYs
July 2, 1968 D. LE VEE MANN 3,390,851
BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS
Filed Nov. 30, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2

INVENTOR.
DENNIS eVEE MANN

his Arrowers
July 2, 1968 O. LE VEE MANN 3,390,851
BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS

Filed Nov. 30, 1966 5. Sheets-Sheet 3

INVENTOR.
DENNIS eVEE MANN

his A77OAWAYS
July 2, 1968 D. L.E. VEE MANN 3,390,851
BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS
Filed Nov. 30, 1966 5. Sheets-Sheet 4

INVENTOR.
DENNIS LeVEE MANN

2.4% -zál, 4-4-s 7

his A77OAMEYs
July 2, 1968 D. E. VEE MANN 3,390,851
BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS
Filed Nov. 30, 1966 5. Sheets-Sheet 5

2
SS
S. 2s

INVENTOR.
DENNIS LeVEE MANN

his A77OAMEYS
United States Patent Office
1.
3,390,851
BALLOON RECOVERY APPARATUS
Dennis LeVee Mann, Rockville, Md., assignor to Vitro
Corporation of America, New York, N.Y., a corpora
tion of Delaware
Filed Nov.30, 1966, Ser. No. 598,019
17 Claims. (CI. 244-32)
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Large balloons, on the order of several million cu. ft.
capacity, of the type used to carry aloft scientific equip
ment, experimental airborne devices, and other payloads
are recovered for reuse with little or no damage by land
ing them with a protective encasement system which in
cludes a flexible sleeve carried in a compact, inoperative
condition during ascent and at altitude flight and is then
progressively pulled over the deflated part of the balloon
envelope as it is deflated and descends. Encasement pro
ceeds by effecting relative movement between the sleeve
and the deflated part of the envelope during descent.
The balloon envelope is landed fully encased in the pro
tective sleeve.
The invention described herein may be manufactured
and used by or for the Government for governmental pur
poses without payment of any royalty thereon.
This invention relates to apparatus for recovering, in
Substantially intact, reusable condition, the envelopes of
balloons.
Large balloons, on the order of several million cubic
feet capacity, are used to carry aloft scientific instruments,
experimental high altitude equipment, various devices
connected with the space exploration program, and other
so-called payloads. These balloons range from relatively
small sizes, say those having a volume of 1.6 million cubic
feet which can carry a payload of roughly 900 lbs. to
a float altitude of 100,000 ft., through a moderately large
sized system capable of carrying a payload of over 9000
lbs. to 80,000 ft. and having a capacity aggregating over
5% million ft. (a launch balloon of over 250,000 cu. ft.
capacity and a main balloon of 5,250,000 cu. ft. capacity)
to the largest size balloon launched to date which has a
capacity of 26,000,000 cu. ft., stands 800 ft. from the
ground and is designed to carry a payload of 1700 lbs.
to an altitude of 130,000 ft.
The balloons are constructed of various light-weight,
low-permeability materials (usually plastic film or plastic
film with fabric reinforcing) which, even though they
have relatively high tensile strength, are readily torn or
ripped upon contact with the ground or objects on the
ground such as rocks, trees, buildings and even heavy
grass. Therefore, when the balloons are landed after
operations have been completed, they are, even under
the best of conditions, severely damaged and require re
pairs which can be nearly as costly as the initial fabrica
tion costs. In many instances, the balloon envelope is
so heavily damaged that it can not be repaired and re
used. Even with the lesser costs made possible by recent
improvements in the materials from which the balloons
are made, such as scrim reinforced mylar or polyethylene,
the balloons are still relatively expensive. To reduce the
per flight costs of using balloons as vehicles for experi
mental and other operations above the earth, it would be
of considerable advantage to be able to recover them
with minimum damage to the envelope fabric so that
they might be repaired, if necessary, and reused.
There is provided, in accordance with the invention, ap
paratus for recovering balloons of the type referred to
above in a manner in which damage is substantially
eliminated, or at least reduced to a minimum, thereby
3,390,851
Patented July 2, 1968
2
making it possible to reuse the balloon. It is estimated
that a cost-saving of one-third or more per flight is pos
sible with the use of the recovery apparatus of the inven
tion if a balloon can be reused at least four times. Even
greater Savings can be obtained as the number of balloon
uses is increased.
The balloon recovery apparatus, according to the in
vention, comprises a protective casing which is carried
aloft in a collapsed, compact form and is then progres
10 sively drawn over the deflated portion of the envelope
as the flotation gas escapes during descent by effecting
movement of the sleeve along and relative to the de
flated portion. In a preferred embodiment, the protective
casing is located below the balloon and is arranged to
15 move upwardly relative to the deflated portion of the
balloon by retarding the descent of the casing with, for
example, a parachute coupled to the upper part of the
casing. As the balloon, preferably with the payload still
connected to it, falls by gravity, the deflated portion pulls
20 down through the casing and ultimately becomes com
pletely encased in the casing. At this point or at some
point close to full deflation, the payload can be released
and seaprately landed by its own recovery parachute
while the encased balloon is landed by the recovery sys
25 tem parachute. Alternatively, both the payload and the
balloon envelope can be landed together by the recovery
parachute.
In a preferred form, the recovery apparatus includes
at its upper end, a rigid, hollow guide member, prefer
30 ably of fustro-conical shape, which funnels the deflated
envelope into the body of the casing. The recovery para
chute canopy has a central opening and is joined at that
opening to the upper end of the upper guide, the upper
guide imparting the needed rigidity to the canopy open
ing when the envelope pulls down through it. The main
body of the casing is a flexible sleeve, preferably of ap
proximately the same length as the vertical dimension
of the balloon. At the lower end of the sleeve is a lower
rigid carrier frame which carries the flexible body and the
40 upper guide during ascent and while the balloon is float
ing at altitude.
It is advantageous, though not necessary, to provide
a two stage parachute, the first stage being deployed
during the initial part of the descent and until the major
portion of the balloon envelope is encased in the casing
and the second stage being deployed during the final
stages of balloon encasement and for landing. Such a two
stage parachute can have two concentric toroidal canopy
areas, the inner area having relatively shorter risers joined
50 to the lower end of the upper rigid casing member and
the outer canopy area having longer risers joined to a
rigid ring secured to the flexible sleeve at a predetermined
distance below the upper member such that the second
canopy area will be deployed upon extension of the sleeve
55 to a predetermined degree, such extension being a func
tion of the extent to which encasement of the balloon
envelope has proceeded.
It has been found in actual operations with the re
covery apparatus of the invention that the balloon en
60 velope ultimately became compacted in approximately the
lower one-third of the casing. Advantageously, the lower
Section of the casing where the balloon becomes located
for landing can be made of a more durable material while
the upper section may be made of a less durable, lighter
weight material, thereby saving weight, a factor which is
of considerable importance in any device which is to
be airborne. The two sections can be joined together in
a manner which permits the upper section to be readily
detached from the lower section, thereby facilitating han
70 dling at the landing site.
Although, as mentioned briefly above, the encased
balloon envelope and the payload can be lowered to the
 3,390,851
3.
ground as a unit by a single recovery parachute, it may refer to the plastic or fabric enclosure alone. In either
be advantageous to release the payload at some point dur case, the reference numeral 10 will be employed here.
ing the descent of the balloon and payload system and The recovery apparatus, which is designated generally
lower it to the ground on its own parachute. In this case, by the reference numeral 20, is located in a relatively
it is desirable to release the balloon only at some pre short vertical space (short as compared to the balloon
determined point after substantial deflation of the balloon, system height) between the balloon 10 and the payload 12
inasmuch as the paritally inflated balloon contributes to during the takeoff, ascent and fully inflated, floating-at
the lift of the system. Release of the payload at the de elevation phases of the balloon flight, as shown in FIG. 1.
sired point during the deflation of the balloon can be ef The major components of the recovery apparatus 20 are
fected by triggering a releasable coupling device between O a rigid lower carrier frame 22 which is coupled to the
the balloon and the payload in response to a predeter balloon lower fitting 14 by a suitable connector 24, a
mined degree of extension of the casing sleeve; the degree flexible sleeve 26 having its lower end joined to the frame
of extension of the sleeve being a function of the degree 22, a hollow upper rigid guide member 28 joined to the
of deflation of the balloon. In particular, the releasable upper end of the sleeve, and a parachute 30 associated
coupling can be connected by a lanyard to a predeter 5 with the upper portion of the recovery apparatus. In the
mined point on the recovery casing sleeve so that the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the payload is
lanyard is pulled when the sleeve has extended and the landed by a separate parachute 32, but during takeoff,
releasing device will uncouple and drop away the payload. ascent, flight and a part of the descent of the balloon,
In this system, the payload will, of course, have its own the payload parachute 32 is suspended directly from the
landing parachute. 20 rigid lower carrier 22 and in turn supports the payload
For a better understanding of the invention, reference through the payload parachute risers.
may be made to the following description of an exemplary Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the lower rigid carrier
embodiment, taken in conjunction with the figures of the 22, in one form, is composed of a vertical cage 34 con
accompanying drawings, in which: stituted by three vertical members 36 reinforced laterally
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the by diagonal members 38, an upper ring 40 and three base
recovery apparatus in its stored position as the balloon members 42, each of which has an outwardly extending
is ascending or floating at altitude, most foreground por end portion 42a terminating in an upwardly extending leg
tions of the apparatus being broken away to more clearly 42b. A ring 43 is attached to the ends of the legs 42b.
illustrate the apparatus; Near the upper end of the vertical cage 34, is the con
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 30 nector 24 to which the lower balloon fitting 14 (FIG. 1)
1 with the balloon partially deflated and encased during is fastened. Also secured to the connector 24 is a rod or
the initial part of the descent and recovery, foreground cable 46 carrying a releasable coupling device 48 to which
portions of the apparatus again being broken away; the payload parachute 32 is attached and by which, there
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with foreground parts fore, the payload 12 is supported. The coupling device 48
broken away, of the apparatus as it appears during the may be of a type adapted to release the payload parachute
final stage of descent, the balloon being fully encased in response to a signal from the ground or, preferably,
and it and the payload being separately parachuted to in response to some predetermined occurrence during the
earth; flight of the balloon. A preferred payload release se
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper rigid casing quence will be described below.
guide member and a portion of the flexible sleeve; 40 FIG. 6 shows another form for the carrier. In this em
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower rigid carrier bodiment, the carrier 100 is made up of a main vertical
frame of the apparatus, other parts of the apparatus being section 102 constituted by U-shaped members 104 and
shown in phantom lines in stored positions; 106 having a coupling fitting 108 at the upper end. The
FIG. 6 is a view of another form of the lower rigid lower ends of the members 104 and 106 are joined to
carrier frame; and four outwardly extending base members 110. A lower
FIGS. 7A to 7D are pictorial views showing, in se ring 112 having a diameter somewhat larger than the
quence, the overall operation of the system, lower end of the upper member 28 is attached to the
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, and 7A to 7D, the two extremities of the base members. It is apparent that the
basic components of any balloon system of the type with structure and operation of the alternative embodiment
which the recovery apparatus of the invention is em of the carrier shown in FIG. 6 are generally in conformity
ployed are the balloon envelope 10, of which only the with the embodiment of FIG. 5.
lower portion is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the payload Laced to the carrier 22 near the upper end of the verti
12. The envelope is usually made of polyethylene or of cal cage 34 is the lower end of the flexible sleeve 26. The
polyethylene or mylar reinforced with a fabric or net of sleeve is preferably, made of a smooth, durable fabric,
fine threads known as scrim. As mentioned previously, 5 Such as nylon, inasmuch as one of its main purposes is
the recovery System of the invention, with suitable dimen to protect the balloon envelope material. In a preferred
sional and structural modifications, can be used with bal form, as shown best in FIG. 3, the sleeve is formed in two
loons of most any size, the basic principles of the in parts, the lower part 26a making up approximately one
vention being broadly applicable. The payload 12 is sus third of the total casing length or such other portion
pended in a manner to be described below from the lower 60 which will be determined to be adequate to fully envelope
fitting 14 on the balloon. The balloon conventionally in the balloon when it reaches the ground and being made
cludes a gas inlet at its upper end (not shown) and a of a relatively more durable material, such as a nylon
valve (not shown) that can be operated from the ground fabric coated with polyethylene to render it stronger and
to release gas from the balloon to reduce its lift and land moisture impervious. The upper sleeve section 26b may
it. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a pre 65 be made of nylon fabric alone or some other less durable,
determined quantity of lift gas, usually helium, is intro lighter weight material and is laced to the lower section
duced into the balloon envelope, thus expanding it to a 26a in a manner which will permit the two sections to
Small fraction of its ultimate volume. (see FIG. 7A). The be disconnected quickly and easily at the landing site. The
major part of the balloon envelope remains deflated but total length of the fabric sleeve is preferably approxi
gradually inflates as the balloon ascends to higher alti 70 mately equal to the vertical dimension of the balloon
tudes and the helium expands. At float altitude, the bal envelope.
loon is substantially fully expanded (see FIG. 7B). Referring to FIG. 4, the upper end of the sleeve 26
As a matter of terminology, the term "balloon' generally is either laced to the lower end of the rigid upper guide
refers to the inflated body including envelope and gas, member 28 or extends up through the guide (as shown)
whereas "balloon envelope' or “envelope” are used to and is joined to the upper end. In the former case, the
 3,390,851 6
5
guide 28 will include its own inner lining which may, balloon 10. To this end, a lanyard 56 (see FIG. 2 or 3)
for example, be nylon fabric. The guide 28 is a rigid is connected to a part of the sleeve and to the coupling
frame of suitable structure, such as an assembly of light device so that when tension is placed on the lanyard upon
weight longitudinal and circumferential tubing sections extension of the sleeve, the release coupling is triggered
28a and 28b defining a hollow cage, preferably frusto to drop the payload. Meanwhile during the descent of the
conical in shape with the upper end being the larger end system, the payload parachute has been furled by being
and the lower end being the same diameter as the sleeve. reefed with lines 58, the reefing being coupled by another
As shown in FIG. 1, the recovery apparatus 20 is stored lanyard 60 joined to the lower frame 22. When the pay
in a compact, relatively short vertical space between the load and its parachute drop, the lanyard 58 pulls the reef
balloon 10 and payload 12 during the ascent and at IO ing lines 58 clear of the payload parachute, thereby per
altitude flight of the balloon. The lower part of the fabric mitting the payload parachute to be deployed, as illus
sleeve 26 is folded into the top part of the carrier frame trated in FIG. 3, to lower the payload to the ground at
22 and the rest of the sleeve is folded into the lower part a safe landing velocity.
of the space between the vertical section 34 of the frame During part of the descent phase, the still partially
22 and the upper guide 28. The guide 28 is supported and inflated balloon carries a share of the system weight; in
held in position by the outwardly extending portions and particular, the payload 12, the payload parachute 32 and
legs 42a and 42b of the lower members 42 and by the the lower carrier are supported predominantly by the bal
ring 43 of the carrier 22. loon. At the same time, the inner canopy section 30a of
When the flight mission is completed and the balloon the recovery parachute 30 may support some of the load
and payload are to be landed, the signals appropriate to 20 of the aforementioned parts by engagement of the upper
initiate deflation of the balloon by opening its gas valve member 28 with the balloon envelope but, predominantly,
or operating the quick deflate mechanism are given and supports the upper part of the sleeve and the upper guide
the lifting gas begins to escape, thereby initiating descent. 28. The load carried by the parachute is relatively low,
Referring to FIG. 2, the balloon envelope 10 is pulled as compared to the load supported by the balloon, during
downwardly by its weight and that of the payload. Mean 25 the initial phase of descent. However, the load on the
while, the downward movement of the upper part of parachute gradually increases as the balloon deflates and
the sleeve is retarded with respect to the balloon and pay its lifting ability is correspondingly decreased. At some
load so that the deflated part of the balloon envelope point during the descent the load on the parachute be
slides down into the sleeve. In the illustrated embodiment, comes sufficient to deploy the second parachute section
the upward movement of the sleeve relative to the then 30 30b as the downward force on the lower parts of the cas
deflated part of the balloon is afforded by the parachute ing becomes sufficient to exert a pull on the risers of the
30. Although a parachute having a single canopy section second parachute section. Until that point is passed, the
can be used, it is advantageous to provide a two-stage second section flies free in the manner shown in FIG. 2
parachute which, as best shown in FIG. 3, is in the form and as mentioned above. Thereafter, the entire parachute
of separately deployable, inner and outer semi-toroidal 35 30, i.e., both toroidal canopy sections, are deployed and
canopy sections 30a and 30b. The inner toroidal canopy float the deflated balloon envelope in sleeved position to
section 30a has a central opening 49 which is of the same the ground. Inasmuch as the risers 52 of the second para
dimension as the upper end of the guide 28 and is laced chute section carry only the weight of the sleeve portion
to it; the same lacing can be employed to secure the sleeve below their point of attachment until the sleeve is nearly
26 to the guide 28. The risers 50 of the inner canopy 40 fully extended, deployment of the second stage will not
section 30a are relatively short and are tied off near the take place until after substantially all of the balloon en
lower end of guide 28, holes 51 being provided in the velope is deflated. When deflation is complete, the sleeve
sleeve 26 (FIG. 4) so that the sleeve 26 can be tied to becomes fully extended, inasmuch as it carries the load
the guide by the risers. The inner margin of the outer of the deflated balloon envelope and the lower parts of
canopy section 30b is joined to the outer margin of the 45 the recovery system, as shown in FIG. 3.
inner section and its risers 52 are joined to a ring 54 After ensleevement of the balloon envelope and during
sewed into the upper sleeve section 26b at a predeter the final stage of descent, the envelope has been found to
mined distance below the guide 28. gravitate to the lower one-third section of the sleeve 26
The inner canopy section 30a of the parachute 30 de (FIG. 3). As pointed out above, the lower one-third sec
tion 26a of the sleeve 26 is preferably made of plastic
ploys upon downward movement of the balloon as the 50 coated nylon, a material found to be highly resistant to
lift gas is released and the balloon descends. Meanwhile, damage when the system is landed, thereby protecting the
the outer canopy sections 30b flies free, as shown in FIG. balloon envelope. After landing, a recovery team can
2, inasmuch as its risers 52 are not brought into ten readily separate the upper two-thirds section 26b of the
sion until after a predetermined degree of extension of sleeve along with the parachute 30 and upper member 28
the sleeve 26 takes place. Because the upper guide 28 is 55 leaving the envelope encapsulated in the lower one-third
retarded by the parachute in its downward movement rela section 26a. The ensleeved envelope 10, still protected by
tive to the balloon, which is dropping due to its own the sleeve section 26a, can then be loaded into a truck
weight and the weight of the payload, the guide and sleeve and transported intact to a repair station for unpacking
are drawn up along the deflated portion of the envelope and any necessary repairs or replacements of such parts
10 at a rate corresponding generally to the rate of de 60 as the gas valve or any quick deflating apparatus.
flation of the envelope. In other words, as the lift gas One further feature of the operation of the recovery
escapes from the balloon, the lower part of the balloon apparatus should be mentioned. It is that it operates auto
envelope becomes flaccid and is able to be gathered into a matically to progressively encase the deflated portion of
relatively small diameter by the guide 28 and to be guided the envelope of the balloon whenever it descends and de
down into the sleeve. The progressive gathering in and 65 flates, there being no need for radio command or sequence
ensleevement of the balloon continues until the major control of recovery stages. If the balloon should change
part is enveloped within the sleeve, preferably when the from a descent mode to an ascent mode, the balloon upon
lifting capability of the balloon is reduced to an extent reinflation will withdraw itself from the sleeve to the ex
that it does not provide significant support for the pay tent necessary, the latter returning even to its initial,
load. At that point the payload is released by actuating 70 stored condition. Upon resumption of descent, the recov
the releasable coupling device 48. ery apparatus will automatically operate in the above
An effective way of releasing the payload is to trigger described manner. It should be noted that only two release
the releasable coupling when a predetermined part of the devices are employed in the descent and safe recovery of
sleeve has been extended, the degree of extension of the 75 the system, one to release the payload from the balloon
sleeve being indicative of the degree of deflation of the envelope at a predetermined point during descent and
 7
3,390,851
the other to unfurl the recovery parachute by releasing
its reefing lines.
In addition to enabling the reuse of the balloon, it is
clear that the recovery apparatus itself can generally be
reused, perhaps after minor repairs. As a further advan
tage, the sleeve provides an appropriate shipping contain
er for returning the encased balloon envelope after re
covery for inspection and repair without further handling
at the impact site. The recovery apparatus is of relatively
lightweight, thereby providing the important economic
advantage of affording reuse of the balloon envelope with
a minimum increase in system weight and cost. Generally,
the recovery apparatus will weigh something close to
10% of the main balloon weight. The cost of providing
an increased balloon capacity to accommodate the weight
of the recovery apparatus is but a fraction of the possible
savings in cost afforded by reuse of the system.
It will be understood that the embodiment of the in
vention described above and shown in the drawings is
merely exemplary; those skilled in the art will be able
to make numerous variations and modifications of it with
out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
All such variations and modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention as defined in
the appended claims.
I claim:
1. Apparatus for recovering an inflatable balloon en
velope comprising a flexible elongated protective casing
means carried by the balloon in a normally inactive posi
tion when the balloon is being inflated or is afloat for
receiving the envelope as the balloon is deflated, and
aerodynamic retarding means for producing relative
movement between the envelope and the protective casing
means during deflation of the balloon to encase the
envelope within said casing means for protecting it during
landing.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the casing
means includes an elongated sleeve of flexible material,
the sleeve being collapsed into a relatively short length
when inactive and being extended along and about the
envelope when said envelope is deflated.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the casing
means includes a rigid section to which one end of the
sleeve is attached for guiding the envelope into the sleeve
upon the said relative displacement.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the con
bined length of the rigid section and the sleeve is sub
stantially equal to the major dimension of the balloon.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising
a rigid frame attached to the balloon and positioned to
receive the protective casing when it is in its inactive posi
tion.
6. Apparatus for recovering an inflatable balloon en
velope of light-weight, low permeability material of the
type adapted to lift and float a payload assembly com
prising protective casing means normally carried below
the balloon in an inactive position when the balloon is
rising or afloat and encompassing the deflated envelope to
protect it upon landing, the casing means including an
elongated sleeve of flexible material which is collapsible
into a relatively short length when inactive and extendable
along and about the envelope to fully encompass it when
the balloon is landed, rigid guide means attached to the
upper end of the sleeve for guiding the envelope progres
sively into the sleeve as it is deflated and the deflated
portion is displaced into the sleeve, rigid carrier means
attached to the balloon envelope to receive the sleeve
when it is in its inactive position, and means coupled to
the upper end of the sleeve to retard its downward move
ment relative to the descent of the balloon and effect
upward movement of the sleeve relative to the envelope
to progressively encase the envelope as it deflates.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means
for producing relative displacement between the protective
casing and the envelope is a parachute.
- 8
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the para
chute has a central opening for receiving the deflated
portion of the envelope therethrough, the parachute, when
deployed during descent of the balloon, being displaced
upwardly along the deflated portion of the balloon en
velope and extending the protective casing about and
relative thereto.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the para
chute includes two concentric semi-toroidal canopy areas,
10 and means for first deploying one of said areas alone for
displacement of the sleeve to substantially fully encase the
balloon envelope, and for thereafter deploying the second
area in addition to the- first for landing of the encased
envelope.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the two
areas are concentric, and in which the first area has the
circular opening, the parachute fabric adjacent the open
ing being attached to one portion of the rigid guide sec
tion and the outer perimeter of the first area being
attached to another portion of the rigid guide by relatively
short lines. -- -
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the sec
ond area has an inner perimeter coinciding with the outer
perimeter of the first area, and the outer perimeter of the
second area is attached to the sleeve by relatively longer
lines for substantially greater deployment of the second
area, the second area being deployed only upon extension
of the sleeve to a predetermined degree.
12. A system according to claim 11 in which a rigid
30 ring is mounted on the sleeve substantially below the
rigid guide and in which the longer lines are attached to
the ring.
13. Apparatus according to claim 6 further compris
ing means coupled to the payload for carrying it safely
35 to the ground separately from the balloon envelope, and
means releasably coupling the payload to the balloon.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 further compris
ing means for actuating the releasable coupling upon a
predetermined degree of encasement of the balloon
40 envelope.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the means
for separately carrying the payload to the ground is a
parachute, wherein the payload is releasably coupled to
the balloon through the payload parachute and the rigid
carrier means, and further comprising releasable reefing
means for preventing the payload parachute from opening
until the payload is released from the balloon envelope.
16. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the flexi
ble elongated sleeve includes first and second longitudinal
sections, the first section constituting the lower part of the
sleeve and having a length sufficient to substantially en
tirely encase the deflated balloon envelope when it is
landed and the second section being located above the
first section, and further comprising means releasably
joining the first and second sections together in a manner
facilitating disconnection of the sections from each other
when
landing.the encased balloon envelope is recovered after
17. Apparatus for recovering an inflatable balloon
60
envelope of light-weight, low permeability material and
of the type adapted to lift and float a payload comprising
rigid carrier means attached to a lower part of the bal
loon envelope, an elongated flexible sleeve having its
lower end joined to the carrier, rigid guide means attached
to the upper end of the sleeve for guiding the balloon
envelope progressively into the sleeve as it deflates, the
carrier means being formed to support the guide means
during the ascent and flight of the balloon and the flexible
70 sleeve being receivable in a folded, inactive condition on
the carrier, and a parachute having a central opening and
joined at that opening to the upper end of the guide, the
parachute being deployable upon downward movement of
the balloons to afford relative upward movement of the
guide and flexible sleeve progressively along and relative
 3,390,851
9 O
to the deflated portion of the balloon envelope as the 3,151,824 10/1964 Struble -------------- 244-31
envelope descends upon release of the lifting gas. 3,168,266 2/1965 Yost.------------- 244-31 X
References Cited FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.
2,635,835 4/1953 Dungan et al. -------- 244-31 T. MAJOR, Assistant Examiner.
3,110,457 11/1963 Struble -------------- 244-31