A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Near-space operation systems

Application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer structures to metal vehicle wheels is effective in reducing the mass of the wheel while retaining suitable stiffness in the wheel structure. For maximum effect the reinforced polymer structure and the metal wheel must operate cooperatively. Because of the wide range of operating temperatures experienced by wheels and the large difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between metals and carbon fiber reinforced composites attachment of the polymer structure to the wheel by adhesive alone is problematical. However a wheel with an effective and durable reinforcement may be fabricated by confining, through mechanical interference, the reinforced polymer in a cavity in or on the spoke and by preheating the wheel before curing the polymer.

Light-weight vehicle wheels with carbon fiber inserts

Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) is attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as more efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, made possible with the LTA system are also described.

High altitude balloon systems and methods

A wheel assembly including a cover portion permanently attached to a wheel. The wheel includes a wheel central hub portion, a wheel outer peripheral rim portion, a plurality of wheel spoke portions extending between the wheel central hub portion and the wheel outer peripheral rim portion, and a plurality of wheel turbine openings disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of wheel spoke portions. A cover portion is configured to overlie a portion of the wheel portion. The cover portion is configured to overlie one or more of the wheel central hub portion; the plurality of wheel spoke portions, and the plurality of turbine openings or the wheel outer periphery. An adhesive is disposed between an outboard surface of the wheel and the inboard surface of the cover portion to permanently secure the cover portion to the wheel portion. When the cover portion is secured to the wheel, substantial portions of the plurality of wheel spokes, the wheel central hub, or wheel outer periphery remain exposed.

Partial wheel cladding

A vehicle wheel assembly comprises a vehicle wheel having an outboard face with a plurality of windows formed therein and a vehicle wheel cover assembly secured to the vehicle wheel. The wheel cover has a plurality windows formed therein which are configured to be generally aligned with windows of the vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel cover assembly further including a flap moveably secured in at least one of the windows of the wheel cover. The flap is configured to be movable between an opened position, when an associated speed of a vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and a closed position, when the associated speed of the vehicle is above the threshold speed.

Active aerodynamic vehicle wheel cover assembly, vehicle wheel assembly including such a vehicle wheel cover assembly and method for producing such a vehicle wheel assembly

A vehicle wheel includes a rim portion, a hub portion, a plurality of spokes and a plurality of decorative attachments. Each pair of adjacent spokes defines a window therebetween. The plurality of decorative attachments are secured to the wheel and each define a plurality of rearwardly extending boss portions. Each boss portion abuts the wheel. In certain applications, the boss portions may be received within a respective countersunk hole in the wheel and engaged by a fastener for securing the decorative attachment to the wheel. A free end of each of the boss portions abuts a bottom of its respective countersunk hole and the decorative attachment is otherwise spaced from the wheel to reduce noise issues. Alternatively, the ends of the boss portion may be spaced from the wheel and drawn toward the wheel with the threaded fasteners.

Vehicle wheel with decorative attachments

A vehicle wheel comprises a wheel rim portion, a wheel hub portion, a plurality of spokes and a plurality of decoration accessories A window is defined between each pair of adjacent spokes in a limited mode The decoration accessories are fixed to the wheel and define a plurality of boss portions extending backwards Each boss portion abuts against the wheel In some applications, the boss portions can be arranged in corresponding counterbores in the wheel and are connected through fasteners used for fixing the decoration accessories to the wheel, each free end of the boss portions abuts against the bottom of the corresponding counterbore, the decoration accessories are separated from the wheel reversely, and accordingly the noise problem is reduced Alternatively, the ends of the boss portions can be separated from the wheel and are pulled towards the wheel through the fasteners with threads

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Papers

Vehicle wheel with decorative attachments

Vehicle wheel with decoration accessories