Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured
Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.
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1. A balloon payload separation apparatus for separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of a balloon, the apparatus comprising: a first shaft configured to attach to the balloon envelope; a second shaft configured to attach to the payload; a first pair of arms; and a bracket a
1. A balloon payload separation apparatus for separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of a balloon, the apparatus comprising: a first shaft configured to attach to the balloon envelope; a second shaft configured to attach to the payload; a first pair of arms; and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft wherein the bracket includes a second pair of arms and a base, the base and second pair of arms forming a first opening, and the first shaft is arranged within the opening. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shaft includes two openings, the second shaft includes two slots arranged in line with the two openings, and the apparatus further includes a bolt arranged through the two openings and the two slots, and wherein each arm of the first pair of arms includes an opening at one end and the bolt is further arranged through the openings in the first pair of arms. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second shaft includes two openings, the first shaft includes two slots arranged in line with the two openings, and the apparatus further includes a pair of projections on the second shaft arranged through the two openings and the two slots. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each arm of the first pair of arms includes a finger at one end, and each of the fingers are arranged to sit around at least a portion of one of the projections of the pair of projections. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes two openings, each of the arms of the first pair of arms includes an opening at one end, and the apparatus further comprises a bolt arranged through the two openings and the openings in the arms of the first pair of arms, the bolt securing the arms of the first pair of arms to the bracket. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening and the apparatus further comprises a pin. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a cutting device configured to cut the pin and release the bracket from the first shaft. 8. A system comprising: a balloon flight termination assembly having a balloon envelope and a payload, the flight termination assembly comprising: a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the balloon envelope; a payload separation apparatus for separating a connection between the balloon envelope and a payload of a balloon, the apparatus comprising: a first shaft configured to attach to the balloon envelope; a second shaft configured to attach to the payload; a pair of arms; and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft; and a controller configured to activate the cutting edge and the payload separation apparatus in order to cause the payload to fall away from the balloon envelope pulling on the cutting edge to cut the opening in the balloon envelope. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the cutting edge is connected to the payload via tether. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the bracket includes two arms and a base which form an opening and the first shaft is arranged within the opening. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening and the system further comprises a pin. 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a second cutting device configured to cut the pin and release the bracket from the first shaft which causes the first shaft to separate from the second shaft which causes the payload to fall away from the balloon envelope. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control device is configured to activate the second cutting device in order to activate the payload separation apparatus. 14. The system of claim 8, further comprising the balloon. 15. A system including the balloon payload separation apparatus of claim 1 and the balloon. 16. A balloon payload separation apparatus for separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of a balloon, the apparatus comprising: a first shaft configured to attach to the payload; a second shaft configured to attach to the balloon envelope; a first pair of arms; and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft wherein the bracket includes a second pair of arms and a base, the base and second pair of arms forming a first opening, and the first shaft is arranged within the opening. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first shaft includes two openings, the second shaft includes two slots arranged in line with the two openings, and the apparatus further includes a bolt arranged through the two openings and the two slots, and wherein each arm of the first pair of arms includes an opening at one end and the bolt is further arranged through the openings in the first pair of arms. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second shaft includes two openings, the first shaft includes two slots arranged in line with the two openings, and the apparatus further includes a pair of projections on the second shaft arranged through the two openings and the two slots. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each arm of the first pair of arms includes a finger at one end, and each of the fingers are arranged to sit around at least a portion of one of the projections of the pair of projections. 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bracket includes two openings, each of the arms of the first pair of arms includes an opening at one end, and the apparatus further comprises a bolt arranged through the two openings and the openings in the arms of the first pair of arms, the bolt securing the arms of the first pair of arms to the bracket. 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening and the apparatus further comprises a pin, and the apparatus further comprises a cutting device configured to cut the pin and release the bracket from the first shaft. 22. A system including the balloon payload separation apparatus of claim 16 and the balloon.
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Knoblach, Gerald M.; Frische, Eric A., Airborne constellation of communications platforms and method.
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