Patent Publication Number: US-9850106-B2

Title: Mechanical assembly for lifting a balloon

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/084,633,filed Mar. 30, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/873,297, filed Oct. 2, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,346,530, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/177,575, filed Feb. 11, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,180,955, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Computing devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, cellular phones, and countless types of Internet-capable devices are increasingly prevalent in numerous aspects of modem life. As such, the demand for data connectivity via the Internet, cellular data networks, and other such networks, is growing. However, there are many areas of the world where data connectivity is still unavailable, or if available, is unreliable and/or costly. Accordingly, additional network infrastructure is desirable. 
     Some systems may provide network access via a balloon network operating in the stratosphere. Because of the various forces experienced by these balloons during deployment and operation, there is a balancing of needs between flexibility and stability of materials. The balloons may be made of an envelope material configured in sections or lobes to create a “pumpkin” or lobed balloon. The lobes are supported by a plurality of tendons. 
     Before a balloon can be deployed, its envelope must be inflated. To accomplish this, typically the balloon envelope is laid out on a work surface. For example, the balloon envelope may be completely laid out on the ground on tarps so that it can be inflated. However, while on the ground, the envelope may be damaged, for instance by people walking across it, which can possibly shorten the balloon&#39;s flight life. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are advantageous for providing a lift assembly for lifting a balloon envelope while it is being inflated. This may be done while the balloon structure is in a shipping container, which avoids having to lay out the envelope on the ground. 
     In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings passing through the plate structure. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate structure through at least one of the one or more openings of each cavity. Each piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate structure. The handle portion is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings associated with each piston has grabbed a given stud. In some aspects, an airflow unit is coupled to each piston. The airflow unit is configured to actuate the piston in order for the flange to cause the bearings of the grabber portion to grab the stud. 
     In one example, each piston includes a cap capable of holding the piston within a given cavity of the plate structure. The cap allows the piston freedom of movement in relation to the plate structure. In this regard, the cap allows the piston to move horizontally and rotationally with respect to an axis of the plate structure. 
     In another example, a control unit is in communication with the airflow unit. The control unit can remotely control the airflow unit to actuate the pistons. Each piston includes an actuator coupled to the airflow unit. The actuator has a first position for allowing air into and a second position for allowing air out of the hollow tube of the piston. When the actuator is in the first position to allow air into the hollow tube portion, the airflow unit is configured to cause the flange of the piston to extend out into the grabber portion to open the plurality of bearings wide enough for the pull stud to pass. When the actuator is in the second position to allow air out of the hollow tube portion, the airflow unit is configured to cause the flange to retract back into the hollow tube portion to clamp the plurality of bearings around the pull stud. 
     In yet another example, the lift assembly includes a hoist to lift the balloon envelope when the plate structure is attached. The hoist includes a cable coupled to the handle portion. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system. The system includes a balloon that has a balloon envelope and a lift assembly for use during inflation of the balloon envelope. The lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings for passing through the plate structure. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate structure through at least one of the one or more openings of each cavity. The piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate structure. The handle portion is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings associated with each piston has grabbed a given stud. In some aspects, an airflow unit is coupled to each piston. The airflow unit is configured to actuate the piston in order for the flange to cause the bearings of the grabber portion to grab the stud. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional diagram of a system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an example of a balloon in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a lift assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is another view of the lift assembly of  FIG. 3  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is another example of a lift assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are examples of a piston in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an example of a control system for actuating a piston in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is another example of a system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are examples of a lift assembly lifting a balloon envelope in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of embodiments and accompanying figures. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Furthermore, the following description is not limiting; the scope of the present technology is defined by the appended claims and equivalents. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to providing an assembly for lifting a balloon, e.g., out of a shipping box or other container while inflating the balloon envelope. This allows the balloon to be deployed without needing to lay the whole balloon out and possibly causing damage to the balloon envelope. In this disclosure, a lift assembly for a balloon structure is described. The lift assembly includes one or more pistons (e.g., pneumatic pistons), coupled to a plate structure. For example, the pistons may be arranged through an opening near each corner of the plate structure. In one arrangement, each piston has a hollow tube portion, a flange (e.g., a projection) attached to the hollow tube portion, and a grabber portion coupled to the flange. By way of example only, the grabber portion may include a number of ball bearings forming a wreath of bearings for grabbing a pull stud attached to an apex of the balloon structure. 
     To grab a given pull stud, the pistons of the plate structure feed into an airflow unit that may include an air compressor and manifold. The air manifold can be attached to a solenoid actuator associated with each piston. This actuator allows air in and out of the hollow tube portion of the piston, thus manipulating the flange therein. For example, when the piston is actuated by forcing air into the hollow tube portion, the flange will extend out into the grabber portion, causing the wreath of bearings to open wide enough for the pull stud to pass by them. When the piston is actuated (e.g., by forcing air out of the hollow tube portion), the flange will retract back in the piston body. In this regard, the wreath of bearings will close tightly or clamp around the narrowed neck of the pull stud. When the wreath of bearings of the grabber portion of each piston has grabbed a given pull stud, the handle portion that is coupled to the plate structure can be used to lift the balloon envelope, for example, out of the shipping box. 
     In some aspects, the pistons include a cap that allows each piston to have some freedom of movement in relation to the plate structure. This will allow the pistons more freedom to line up and slip down over the pull studs. In other aspects, the airflow unit can be controlled remotely, thereby allowing a user to remotely un-clamp the lift assembly from the apex of the balloon structure. For example, this can be accomplished while the user is on the ground and the lift assembly is holding the balloon above the ground. 
     Example System 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example system  100  in which a balloon as described above may be used. This example should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure or usefulness of the features described herein. System  100  may be considered a “balloon network.” In this example, balloon network  100  includes a plurality of devices, such as of balloons  102 A-F as well as ground base stations  106  and  112 . Balloon network  100  may also include a plurality of additional devices, such as various computing devices (not shown) as discussed in more detail below. 
     As shown, the devices of system  100  are configured to communicate with one another. As an example, the balloons may include free-space optical links  104  and/or radiofrequency (RF) links  114  in order to facilitate intra-balloon communications. In this way, balloons  102 A-F may collectively function as a mesh network for packet data communications. Further, at least some of balloons  102 A-B may be configured for RF communications with ground-based stations  106  and  112  via respective RF links  108 . Some balloons, such as balloon  102 F, could be configured to communicate via optical link  110  with ground-based station  112 . 
     As noted above, to transmit data to another balloon, a given balloon  102  may be configured to transmit an optical signal via an optical link  104 . In addition, the given balloon  102  may use one or more high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit an optical signal. Alternatively, some or all of the balloons may include laser systems for free-space optical communications over the optical links  104 . Other types of free-space optical communication are possible. Further, in order to receive an optical signal from another balloon via an optical link  104 , a given balloon may include one or more optical receivers. 
     The balloons  102 A-F may collectively function as a mesh network. More specifically, since balloons  102 A-F may communicate with one another using free-space optical links, the balloons may collectively function as a free-space optical mesh network where each balloon may function as a node of the mesh network. The balloons of balloon network  100  may be high-altitude balloons, which are deployed in the stratosphere. As an example, the balloons may generally be configured to operate at altitudes between 18 km and 25 km above the Earth&#39;s surface in order to limit the balloon&#39;s exposure to high winds and interference with commercial airline flights. Additional aspects of the balloons are discussed in greater detail below, with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is an example high-altitude balloon  200 , which may represent any of the balloons of balloon network  100 . As shown, the balloon  200  includes an envelope  210 , a payload  220  and a plurality of tendons  230 - 250  attached to the envelope  210 . 
     The high-altitude balloon envelope  210  may take various forms. In one instance, the balloon envelope  210  may be constructed from materials such as polyethylene that do not hold much load while the balloon  200  is floating in the air during flight. Additionally, or alternatively, some or all of envelope  210  may be constructed from a highly flexible latex material or rubber material such as chloroprene. Other materials or combinations thereof may also be employed. Further, the shape and size of the envelope  210  may vary depending upon the particular implementation. Additionally, the envelope  210  may be filled with various gases or mixtures thereof, such as helium, hydrogen or any other lighter-than-air gas. The envelope  210  is thus arranged to have an associated upward buoyancy force during deployment of the payload  220 . 
     The payload  220  of balloon  200  is affixed to the envelope by a connection  260  such as a cable. The payload  220  may include a computer system (not shown), having one or more processors and on-board data storage. The payload  220  may also include various other types of equipment and systems (not shown) to provide a number of different functions. For example, the payload  220  may include an optical communication system, a navigation system, a positioning system, a lighting system, an altitude control system and a power supply to supply power to various components of balloon  200 . 
     In view of the goal of making the balloon envelope  210  as lightweight as possible, it may be comprised of a plurality of envelope lobes or gores that have a thin film, such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate, which is lightweight, yet has suitable strength properties for use as a balloon envelope deployable in the stratosphere. In this example, balloon envelope  210  is comprised of envelope gores  210 A- 210 D. 
     The individual envelope gores  210 A- 210 D may be shaped so that the length of the edge seam connecting adjacent envelope gores is greater than the length of a centerline of the envelope gores. Thus, the envelope gores  210 A- 210 D may be shaped to better optimize the strain rate experienced by the balloon envelope  210 . The pressurized lifting gas within the balloon envelope  210  may cause a force or load to be applied to the balloon  200 . 
     The tendons  230 - 250  provide strength to the balloon  200  to carrier the load created by the pressurized gas within the balloon envelope  210 . In some examples, a cage of tendons (not shown) may be created using multiple tendons that are attached vertically and horizontally. Each tendon may be formed as a fiber load tape that is adhered to a respective envelope gore. Alternately, a tubular sleeve may be adhered to the respective envelopes with the tendon positioned within the tubular sleeve. 
     Top ends of the tendons  230 ,  240  and  250  may be coupled together using an apparatus, such as top cap  201  positioned at the apex of balloon envelope  210 . Bottom ends of the tendons  230 ,  240  and  250  may also be connected to one another. For example, a corresponding apparatus, e.g., bottom cap  202 , is disposed at a base or bottom of the balloon envelope  210 . The top cap  201  at the apex may be the same size and shape as and bottom cap  202  at the bottom. Both caps include corresponding components for attaching the tendons  230 ,  240  and  250 . 
     In some aspects, an apparatus can be coupled to the balloon envelope  210  in order to safely deploy the balloon  200 . For example, a type of lift assembly can be coupled to the top cap  201  at the apex or top of the balloon envelope  210  in order to lift the envelope in the air during inflation. An advantage of using the lifting assembly is that it avoids the need of laying the whole balloon envelope  210  out, e.g., on the ground during assembly, which can likely damage the envelope and shorten the flight life of the balloon  200 . Further aspects regarding the lift assembly are described below. 
       FIG. 3  is an example of a lift assembly  300 . As shown, the lift assembly  300  includes a main body  310 , pistons  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355 , and a handle  380 . In some aspects, the main body  310  of the lift assembly  300  has upper and lower portions with generally planar surfaces. For example, the main body  310  can be a rigid plate structure that includes one or more plates, such as upper plate  310 A and lower plate  310 B. In some aspects, when the main body  310  includes more than one plate, such as plates  310 A and  310 B, they are joined together using, e.g., a plurality of screws  309 , nut and bolts, fasteners or other devices for securing the plates to each other. 
     Disposed in the main body  310  of the lift assembly  300  are a number of cavities  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . Each cavity has corresponding openings that pass through the plate(s) of the main body  310 . These cavities are configured so that the corresponding openings on each of the one or more plates are in communication or in other words aligned with each other. This allows the openings associated with a particular cavity to pass from the upper surface of the main body  310  to the lower surface. Although other configurations are possible, in this example, the cavities  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  and corresponding openings have a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     The main body  310  is of a material strong enough to support the weight of the balloon envelope, such as steel or aluminum. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the handle  380 , such as a U-bolt, can be coupled to the upper surface of the main body  310  of the lift assembly  310 . This handle can be coupled to the main body  310  using, e.g., a screw  385  or other type of fastener. In other examples, the upper surface of the main body  310  may be formed in manner so that the handle is an integral part of the main body  310 . The handle allows for the balloon envelope to be lifted when the lift assembly  300  is attached. Techniques for attaching the lift assembly  310  to the balloon envelope are further discussed below. 
     The plurality of pistons  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355  are configured to couple the lift assembly  310  to the balloon envelope, e.g., via the top cap  201 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pistons  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355  extend lengthwise from the lower surface of the main body  310  of the assembly  300 . Each cavity  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350  is configured to allow a part of a corresponding one of the pistons to pass through at least one of the openings associated with the cavity. The pistons  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355  can then project through a portion of the main body  310  of the lift assembly. In that regard, the pistons  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355  are also a substantially cylindrical in shape so as to correspond with the shape of each opening and cavity. Other shapes for the pistons and the cavities may be employed. 
       FIG. 4  is another view  400  of the lift assembly  300  of  FIG. 3 . In this example, a lower surface of the main body  310  is shown. As shown, piston  325 ,  335 ,  345  and  355  project lengthwise from the lower surface through the openings associated with cavities  320 ,  330 ,  340  and  350 . As discussed, at least one opening is configured so that a given piston can pass through it. 
     One end of each piston is coupled to the body of the lift assembly  300  in that it rests within a given cavity. For example, an end of piston  325  rests within cavity  320 , an end of piston  335  rests within cavity  330 , an end of piston  345  rests within cavity  340  and an end of piston  355  rests within cavity  350 . The other end of each piston will be attached to the balloon envelope. 
       FIG. 5  is another example of a lift assembly  500 . In this example, a side view of the lift assembly  500  is shown. The assembly  500  includes a plate structure  510  that includes upper plate  510 A and lower plate  510 B joined together, a set of cavities and a handle  580  coupled to the upper plate  510 A. Here, cavities  520  and  530  are shown. The cavities  520  and  530  respectively include with one or more openings that go from an upper plate  510 A of the plate structure  510  to a lower plate  510 B. For example, cavity  520  includes openings  522  and  524  and cavity  530  includes openings  532  and  534 . 
     At least one of the openings allows a part of a particular piston to project through the plate structure  510 . For example, when the upper plate  510 A and lower plate  510 B of the lift assembly  500  are separated, an elongated portion of each of the pistons  525  and  535  can be inserted into a respective opening  524  and  534  on the lower plate  510 B. The lower plate  510 B is then is joined to the upper plate  510 A. As shown in  FIG. 5 , once the pistons are positioned on the lift assembly  500 , the elongated portions of the pistons  524  and  525  project through the plate structure  510 . 
     So that the pistons  525  and  535  do not completely go through the openings  524  and  534 , each piston includes an end cap that is capable of the holding that piston within a given cavity of the plate structure  510 . The end caps are configured so that they cannot go pass the openings that the elongated part of the piston is projecting through. This allows the pistons  525  and  535  some degree or freedom of movement in relation to the plate structure  510 . For this reason, the cavities  522  and  532  may be configured to be slightly over-sized in comparison to the end caps that held within them. This allows each piston to move or otherwise shift horizontally within that cavity. In some aspects, a pad (not shown) can be positioned between the end cap of each piston and the plate structure  510  before the upper plate  510 A and lower plate  510 B are joined so that the piston does not rattle around in the over-sized cavity. This pad can be silicon or some other type of similar material that can provide a flexible cushion between the end caps and the plate structure  310 . 
     Similarly, the openings  524  and  534  are also slightly over-sized in comparison to the hall of the piston projecting through them. This allows each piston to be able to rotate in the opening. Although other shape combinations are possible, the pistons can rotate in the openings without significant effort because both the piston and the opening typically will have a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     An advantage of being able to move the pistons  525  and  535  both horizontally as well as rotationally is that they can be easily aligned over a given pull stud attached to the balloon envelope. Once the pull studs are aligned with the pistons  525  and  535 , the pistons can then slide over the studs so that they can be inserted into an opening in the hall of each piston. For example, an individual stud may be inserted into opening  526  of piston  525  and opening  536  of piston  535 . At which point, the openings  526  and  536  of the pistons  525  and  535  are configured to grab the inserted stud. 
       FIG. 6A  is an example of a piston  600 , which may be used in a lift assembly as described above. The piston  600  includes first and second portions  610  and  620  in communication with each other, a plurality of ball bearings  625  for grabbing a given pull stud, such as pull stud  629 , an opening  627  for sliding over the stud, and an end cap  630  coupled to one of the portions. In  FIG. 6A , the end cap  630  is shown coupled to the first portion  610  of the piston  600 . As discussed above, the end cap  630  allows the piston  600  to be held within a cavity of the lift assembly. It also allows the piston some freedom of movement in relation to a main body of the lift assembly thereof. 
     The first portion  610  of the piston has a hollow tube portion  613  and a flange  615  (e.g., a projection) within the hollow tube portion  613 . The hollow tube portion  613  extends lengthwise through a main hull of the piston  600 . When the piston  600  is placed in the lift assembly, this hollow tube portion  613  projects lengthwise from the opening that it was placed through. The flange  615  is capable of movement through the hollow tube portion  613 . For example, the flange  615  can extend into the second portion  620  of the piston  600  when it is actuated. 
     To actuate the piston  600 , air may be forced into the hollow tube portion  613 . Some type of airflow device, such as an air compressor (not shown), may be used to force air into the hollow tube portion  613  of the piston  600 . In some configurations, the piston  600  may include an actuator  640  that is attached to the airflow device. This actuator  640  includes an opening that helps move air into and out of the hollow tube portion  613 . The actuator  640  may have two positions related to the movement of air in the hollow tube portion  613 . In a first position, the actuator  640  allows air to be forced into the hollow tube portion  613 . In a second position, the actuator  640  allows air to be removed from the hollow tube portion  613 . 
     With respect to the example of the piston  600  in  FIG. 6B , when air is forced into the hollow tube portion  613 , the flange  615  extends out into the second portion  620  of the piston  600 . This allows the stud  629  to be inserted into the opening  627 . The second portion  620  of the piston  600  is the part that is used to grab pull stud  629 . For example, the second portion  620  is configured to grab the stud  629  that is shown inserted into the opening  627 . 
     To help grab the stud  629 , the second portion  620  employs the ball bearings  625 . The ball bearings  625  are situated in a wreath or otherwise generally circular configuration that can be securely clamped around a predetermined part of the pull stud  629 . This occurs when the stud has been inserted into the piston  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , when air in the hollow tube portion of the piston  600  makes the flange  615  extend out, this causes the wreath of bearings to open to a larger diameter, thereby allowing the opening  627  to slide over the stud  629 . 
     With respect to the example of the piston  600  in  FIG. 6C , when air is removed from the hollow tube portion  613 , the flange  615  retracts back from the second portion  620 . This allows the wreath of bearings to close into a tighter diameter that clamps around a neck of the stud  629 , thereby allowing piston  600  to pick up the stud  629 . Once all of the pistons in the lift assembly have secured a particular stud attached to the apex of the balloon envelope, the lift assembly can then be used to lift the envelope. 
     In some situations, other techniques may be used to expand and contract the diameter of the wreath of bearings. For example, when the stud  629  is pushed through the opening  627 , this may cause the ball bearings  625  to spread apart to allow the stud  629  to pass. The ball bearings  625  may then settle around the neck of the stud, thereby contracting the diameter of the wreath of bearings. To release the stud  629 , air may be forced into the piston. As discussed above, this causes the flange  610  to extend out into the second portion  620 , thereby expanding the diameter of the wreath of bearings so that the stud  629  can be released. 
     Turing to  FIG. 7 , an example of a control system  700  for actuating the pistons is shown. The control system  700  includes a control unit  715  for activating airflow to the pistons of lift assembly  730 , and an airflow unit  710  that includes an air manifold  717  and an airflow device, such as an air compressor (not shown), to force air through the manifold. Alternatively, the air compressor may be external to the control system. The air manifold directs airflow into each piston of the lift assembly  730  via an opening in corresponding cavity. The lift assembly  730  includes a set of cavities  740  disposed in a main body of the assembly. Each cavity holds a piston that can be actuated in order for it to grab a given stud attached to a balloon envelope. This allows a handle  750  coupled to the main body of the lift assembly to be used for lifting the balloon envelope. 
     The air manifold is coupled to each piston using, for example, one or more hoses  720  or a similar type of tubing. These hoses  720  allow air to flow between the airflow unit  710  and the pistons. The airflow unit  710  may be configured to actuate the pistons in order to cause them to grab the studs. In this regard, each piston may include an actuator that is in communication through the hoses  720  with the airflow unit  710 . These actuators allow air into and out of the hollow tube of pistons. As discussed above, when the actuators are in a first position, air may flow from the air manifold  710  into the pistons causing it to allow a given stud to be inserted into a portion of the piston. When the actuators are in a second position, this may cause air to flow from the piston to the airflow unit  710 , thus causing the pistons to grab a part of the stud that has been inserted. 
     In some aspects, the pistons can be actuated remotely. For example, the control unit  715  can remotely control the flow of air to and from the lift assembly  700 . To this end, this control unit  715  can be used to turn on or off the airflow device (e.g., compressor) associated with the airflow unit  715 . The control unit  715  may communicate with the airflow unit  715  using communication link  713 . For example, this communication link  713  can be a wired or wireless link that uses several kinds wireless communication protocols, such as WiFi, Bluetooth or other protocols. An advantage of being able to control the airflow unit  710  remotely is that it allows a user to be able to remotely actuate the pistons, e.g., for releasing the studs, while the user is on the ground and the lift assembly  730  is high in the air with the balloon envelope. 
       FIG. 8  is an example of a system  800  for lifting a balloon envelope  802 . In this example, the system  800  includes a lift assembly  810  that has a number of pistons, such as piston  825 , coupled to the assembly  810 . As discussed above, one end of each of the pistons is capable of grabbing a stud, such as stud  830 , which is attached to an apex of the balloon envelope  802 . For example, these studs are attached to an apparatus, such as a top plate or top cap, positioned at the apex in order to secure a number of tendons  860  to the envelope. 
     Once the pistons of the lift assembly  810  have grabbed the studs, the balloon envelope  802  can be lifted. For this purpose, the lift assembly  810  includes a handle  820 , such as a U-bolt, coupled to the main body. In some aspects, this handle  820  can be attached to a hoist device, such as a crane, forklift, winch or pulley assembly (not shown) capable of lifting the weight of the balloon envelope  802 . The hoist device may be coupled to the handle  820  using a cable  880 , which may be used to lift the balloon envelope  802  high enough for the envelope to be inflated. 
     Turing to  FIGS. 9A-C , an example  900  of a lift assembly  910  lifting a balloon envelope  920  is shown. In this example, in  FIG. 9A  the balloon envelope  920  is shown coming out of a box  930 , such as a shipping box for the envelope  920 . As shown, the lift assembly  910  is attached to an apex of the balloon envelope  920 . In this example, a hoisting device (not shown) using a cable  950  is used to pull the balloon envelope  920  upward. In  FIG. 9B , the lift assembly  910  is shown with the balloon envelope  920  even higher out of the box  930 . And  FIG. 9C  shows the balloon envelope  920  at another height. For example, this may be a height high enough to accommodate the fully inflated balloon envelope  920 . Once the balloon envelope  920  is inflated, the lift assembly  810  may release the envelope so that the balloon can be deployed. For example, a control unit for the remotely controlled airflow unit  710  as discussed with regard to  FIG. 7  may be engaged so that the pistons of the lift assembly  910  may release the studs attached to the apex of the balloon envelope  920 . 
     The above-described aspects of the technology may be advantageous for lifting a balloon envelope, e.g., straight out of a shipping box while inflating it with air. This may allow the balloon envelope to be inflated without the need to lay it out on the ground. By providing an assembly for lifting the balloon envelope, the envelope can be protected from damage that can short its flight life. Moreover, the various components of the assembly may be modified to further manage and facilitate lifting the balloon envelope while it is being inflated. 
     Most of the foregoing alternative examples are not mutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by the claims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, as well as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, should not be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to the specific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only one of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers in different drawings can identify the same or similar elements.