Patent ID: 9676468
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: B64B,B64D

Claim:
1. A balloon structure, comprising: a plurality of gore panels affixed to one another to form a balloon envelope, each gore panel comprising a film, a first end of each gore panel terminating at a top member along an apex of the balloon envelope, and a second end of each gore panel terminating at a base member along a bottom of the balloon envelope, wherein the balloon envelope has an upper hemisphere, a lower hemisphere and an equator therebetween; a plurality of tendons, each tendon being positioned adjacent a corresponding one of the plurality of gore panels, each tendon being configured to carry a load caused by pressurized lifting gas within the balloon envelope; and at least one parachute segment affixed to at least one of the plurality of tendons on the upper hemisphere of the balloon envelope, the at least one parachute segment covering at least a portion of the upper hemisphere of the balloon envelope adjacent the apex thereof, wherein the at least one parachute segment does not extend below the equator of the balloon envelope.