Topic leaderboard
Lighter-than-air aircraft
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within B64B · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest B64B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199Taber Maccallum33 patents · 468 citations
- 296Jared Leidich21 patents · 277 citations
- 392Rodger Farley16 patents · 268 citations
- 488Kevin Roach39 patents · 563 citations
- 583John Zaniel Maccagnano11 patents · 189 citations
- 679Rinaldo S. Brutoco16 patents · 106 citations
- 775Keegan Gartner17 patents · 96 citations
- 871Alexander H. Slocum16 patents · 78 citations
- 967Jonathan T. Slocum16 patents · 78 citations
- 1063Robert H. Shelton10 patents · 32 citations
- 1158Dennis L. Carter6 patents · 43 citations
- 1254Daniel James Window5 patents · 17 citations
- 1350Daniel W. Mcfatter5 patents · 29 citations
- 1446Raymond Gradwohl5 patents · 13 citations
- 1542Kevin Anderson8 patents · 11 citations
- 1638Shawn Merritt4 patents · 12 citations
- 1733Matthew Aaron Knoll6 patents · 6 citations
- 1829Andrew F. Antonio6 patents · 7 citations
- 1925Jacques Gagne5 patents · 3 citations
- 2021Maxmillion James West Mclaughlin4 patents · 7 citations
- 2117Mitch Sweeney4 patents · 7 citations
- 2213Chase Haegele5 patents · 3 citations
- 238Brandon J. Wiedemeier3 patents · 10 citations
- 244Carol A. Becker3 patents · 10 citations
- 251Jeffrey M. Lloyd3 patents · 10 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B64B output across the last 5 years
- 199Richard Wayne Devaul35 patents · 968 citations
- 296Taber Maccallum33 patents · 468 citations
- 392Sebastian Padilla15 patents · 336 citations
- 488John Straus12 patents · 258 citations
- 583Eric Teller23 patents · 616 citations
- 679Jared Leidich21 patents · 277 citations
- 775Rodger Farley16 patents · 268 citations
- 871G. Ryan Lee11 patents · 251 citations
- 967Kevin Roach39 patents · 563 citations
- 1063John Zaniel Maccagnano11 patents · 189 citations
- 1158Kyle Brookes24 patents · 160 citations
- 1254Michael S. Smith11 patents · 140 citations
- 1350Daniel Henry Fourie24 patents · 160 citations
- 1446Rinaldo S. Brutoco16 patents · 106 citations
- 1542Julian R. Nott5 patents · 123 citations
- 1638Michael Cassidy8 patents · 79 citations
- 1733Keegan Gartner17 patents · 96 citations
- 1829Alexander H. Slocum16 patents · 78 citations
- 1925Jonathan T. Slocum16 patents · 78 citations
- 2021Daniel Pieter Jacobus Blignaut4 patents · 85 citations
- 2117Jacob H. Dang4 patents · 85 citations
- 2213Robert Alan Eustace4 patents · 85 citations
- 238Sreenivasan Shankarnarayan4 patents · 85 citations
- 244Sameera Sylvia Ponda6 patents · 50 citations
- 251Peter I. Capraro6 patents · 47 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in B64B
- 199Gerald M. Knoblach21 patents · 514 citations
- 296Eric A. Frische18 patents · 508 citations
- 392Bruce Alan Barkley11 patents · 337 citations
- 488Yee-Chun Lee9 patents · 416 citations
- 583Richard Wayne Devaul35 patents · 968 citations
- 679Taber Maccallum33 patents · 468 citations
- 775Sebastian Padilla15 patents · 336 citations
- 871John Straus12 patents · 258 citations
- 967Eric Teller23 patents · 616 citations
- 1063Clifford L. Biffle18 patents · 623 citations
- 1158Jared Leidich21 patents · 277 citations
- 1254Rodger Farley16 patents · 268 citations
- 1350G. Ryan Lee11 patents · 251 citations
- 1446Kevin Roach39 patents · 563 citations
- 1542John B. Kalisz7 patents · 335 citations
- 1638Joshua Weaver8 patents · 331 citations
- 1733Daniel Ratner24 patents · 412 citations
- 1829John Zaniel Maccagnano11 patents · 189 citations
- 1925Keith Allen Bonawitz9 patents · 198 citations
- 2021Josh Weaver7 patents · 195 citations
- 2117John P. Morehead9 patents · 197 citations
- 2213Robert Regipa8 patents · 193 citations
- 238Saul I. Slater4 patents · 280 citations
- 244Kyle Brookes24 patents · 160 citations
- 251Giuseppe Aurilio5 patents · 96 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring B64B patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US11964748B1✦ AIRemote generation of lifting gas6 cites · 202478% earned
- 296US11993359B2✦ AIBalloon system and/or method for balloon stand-up4 cites · 202475% earned
- 392US11958585B1✦ AIMidair deployment of aerostats6 cites · 202478% earned
- 488US12187405B1Controlling lifting gas in inflatable structures3 cites · 202567% earned
- 583US12134456B1Inflatable structure launching3 cites · 202480% earned
- 679US11904998B2Vehicle stabilization system and/or method2 cites · 202461% earned
- 775US11866196B1Payload deployment from aerostats2 cites · 202467% earned
- 871US12312063B2Apparatus, method and system for balloon altitude control by in-situ characterization and 2 cites · 202467% earned
- 967US12030677B2Anomaly detection via self-lifting detector attachment member of unmanned aerial drone2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1063US12384565B1Lighter-than-air vehicle interceptor1 cites · 202567% earned
- 1158US11952096B1Method of reusing gas to elevate a flying object and an air sac for this purpose1 cites · 202467% earned
- 1254US12570389B2Lighter than air balloon systems and methods0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1350US12084163B2Method and apparatus for lighter-than-air airship with improved structure and delivery sys0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1446US12502843B2Manufacturing of polyethylene thin films for high-altitude balloons0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1542US12479561B2Reusable balloon system0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1638US12301332B2Airborne RF-head system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1733US12252230B1Inflatable structure deployment0 cites · 20250% earned
- 1829US12234035B2System, method and apparatus for airship manufacture using robotics0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1925US12195161B2Aerostat anchoring, deployment, extended duration and recovery apparatus0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2021US12365144B2Heat sealing system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2117US12269570B1Navigating aircraft in a jetstream0 cites · 20250% earned
- 2213US12428123B2Drogue deployment for lighter than air vehicle descent0 cites · 20240% earned
- 238US11919615B1Balloon venting system that vents gas with diminished balloon elasticity0 cites · 20240% earned
- 244US11981450B2Torque control for balloon coupling0 cites · 20240% earned
- 251US12110091B2Centrifugal compressor based altitude control device with active valve system0 cites · 20240% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring B64B patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11312466B1✦ AIInflatable structure deployment26 cites · 202283% earned
- 296US11072410B1✦ AIAerospace balloon system and method of operation17 cites · 202169% earned
- 392US11236864B1✦ AIHydrogen transport, distribution and storage system, method and apparatus17 cites · 202281% earned
- 488US11130557B1Controlling lifting gas in inflatable structures16 cites · 202180% earned
- 583US11772795B1Payload deployment from aerostats8 cites · 202380% earned
- 679US11066145B1Method and apparatus for lighter-than-air airship with improved structure and delivery sys12 cites · 202174% earned
- 775US11447226B1Lighter than air balloon systems and methods12 cites · 202276% earned
- 871US11358687B1Distributed acoustic anti unmanned boat system9 cites · 202287% earned
- 967US11511843B2Lighter than air balloon systems and methods10 cites · 202173% earned
- 1063US11254409B2Superpressure balloon thermal control with low-emissivity cap and active air venting11 cites · 202188% earned
- 1158US11964748B1Remote generation of lifting gas6 cites · 202478% earned
- 1254US11993359B2Balloon system and/or method for balloon stand-up4 cites · 202475% earned
- 1350US11548633B2High endurance unmanned aerial vehicle10 cites · 202187% earned
- 1446US11958585B1Midair deployment of aerostats6 cites · 202478% earned
- 1542US10953975B1Reusable balloon system7 cites · 202172% earned
- 1638US12134456B1Inflatable structure launching3 cites · 202480% earned
- 1733US11162596B1Apparatus and method for inflating, sealing and deflating an inflatable body6 cites · 202185% earned
- 1829US11613364B2Near-space operation systems5 cites · 202167% earned
- 1925US11608181B2Rigidized assisted opening system for high altitude parafoils5 cites · 202169% earned
- 2021US11708704B2Canopy for climate and solar mitigation4 cites · 202182% earned
- 2117US11851214B2System, method and apparatus for airship manufacture using robotics3 cites · 202367% earned
- 2213US11522600B1Airborne RF-head system5 cites · 202272% earned
- 238US11904998B2Vehicle stabilization system and/or method2 cites · 202461% earned
- 244US11685500B2Unmanned airships, aerostats, and hybrid airship-aerostat systems and methods thereof3 cites · 202267% earned
- 251US11767878B1Flex connection system3 cites · 202367% earned
All-time canon
The defining B64B patents of the whole record
- 199US10812992B1✦ AICellular system384 cites · 202092% earned
- 296US5823468A✦ AIHybrid aircraft360 cites · 199894% earned
- 392US4166596A✦ AIAirship power turbine274 cites · 197994% earned
- 488US9305280B1Airborne fulfillment center utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles for item delivery214 cites · 201689% earned
- 583US5645248ALighter than air sphere or spheroid having an aperture and pathway199 cites · 199794% earned
- 679US6167263AAerial communications network including a plurality of aerial platforms181 cites · 200094% earned
- 775US4586456AInflatable balloon distress marker having small article containing compartment therein177 cites · 198694% earned
- 871US7356390B2Systems and applications of lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms172 cites · 200582% earned
- 967US9994339B23-D printed packaging160 cites · 201686% earned
- 1063US6648272B1Airship155 cites · 200394% earned
- 1158US9248611B23-D printed packaging145 cites · 201586% earned
- 1254US4285481AMultiple wind turbine tethered airfoil wind energy conversion system144 cites · 198193% earned
- 1350US5518205AHigh altitude, long duration surveillance system137 cites · 199693% earned
- 1446US4995572AHigh altitude multi-stage data acquisition system and method of launching stratospheric al135 cites · 199193% earned
- 1542US6224016B1Integrated flexible solar cell material and method of production131 cites · 200190% earned
- 1638US6010093AHigh altitude airship system128 cites · 200093% earned
- 1733US4149688ALifting body aircraft for V/STOL service125 cites · 197993% earned
- 1829US4364532AApparatus for collecting solar energy at high altitudes and on floating structures118 cites · 198293% earned
- 1925US5071383ARadio-controlled flying apparatus116 cites · 199193% earned
- 2021US7149611B2Virtual sensor mast115 cites · 200493% earned
- 2117US10435185B23-D printed packaging113 cites · 201685% earned
- 2213US4077588APermanently buoyant balloon110 cites · 197893% earned
- 238US4262864ASolar balloon maneuvering system109 cites · 198193% earned
- 244US7046934B2Optical communication system using a high altitude tethered balloon108 cites · 200293% earned
- 251US4695012AAerial load-lifting system106 cites · 198793% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest B64B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199WORLD VIEW ENTPR INC21 patents · 417 citations
- 296BOEING CO14 patents · 219 citations
- 392SPACE PERSPECTIVE INC15 patents · 73 citations
- 488US NAVY9 patents · 152 citations
- 583LTAG SYSTEMS LLC17 patents · 78 citations
- 679H2 CLIPPER INC11 patents · 32 citations
- 775AEROSTAR INT LLC28 patents · 8 citations
- 871URBAN SKY10 patents · 9 citations
- 967LTA RES AND EXPLORATION LLC7 patents · 9 citations
- 1063US GOV AIR FORCE4 patents · 12 citations
- 1158FLYING WHALES8 patents · 6 citations
- 1254MORES INC4 patents · 5 citations
- 1350WINDBORNE SYSTEMS INC4 patents · 1 citations
- 1446IWAYA GIKEN INC4 patents · 1 citations
- 1542SPACE BALLOON TECH CORP2 patents · 2 citations
- 1638MARCUM ALFRED3 patents · 0 citations
- 1733WANG JAMES C3 patents · 0 citations
- 1829COHERE TECH INC2 patents · 0 citations
- 1925YOST THOMAS F2 patents · 0 citations
- 2021AEORSTAR INT LLC1 patents · 0 citations
- 2117C I R A CENTRO ITALIANO RICERCHE AEROSPAZIALI —S C P A2 patents · 0 citations
- 2213COCKS JAMES1 patents · 0 citations
- 238CIRCOR IND SAS1 patents · 0 citations
- 244Make Sunsets Incorporated1 patents · 0 citations
- 251NAT TECH & ENG SOLUTIONS SANDIA LLC1 patents · 0 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B64B output across the last 5 years
- 199WORLD VIEW ENTPR INC21 patents · 417 citations
- 296X DEV LLC40 patents · 360 citations
- 392BOEING CO14 patents · 219 citations
- 488SPACE PERSPECTIVE INC15 patents · 73 citations
- 583US NAVY9 patents · 152 citations
- 679LTAG SYSTEMS LLC17 patents · 78 citations
- 775LOON LLC42 patents · 80 citations
- 871H2 CLIPPER INC11 patents · 32 citations
- 967AEROSTAR INT INC15 patents · 30 citations
- 1063AEROVIRONMENT INC6 patents · 27 citations
- 1158AEROSTAR INT LLC28 patents · 8 citations
- 1254RATTI JAYANT2 patents · 60 citations
- 1350URBAN SKY10 patents · 9 citations
- 1446LTA RES AND EXPLORATION LLC7 patents · 9 citations
- 1542ALTAEROS ENERGIES INC4 patents · 13 citations
- 1638US GOV AIR FORCE4 patents · 12 citations
- 1733THALES SA5 patents · 9 citations
- 1829FLYING WHALES8 patents · 6 citations
- 1925HYBRID AIR VEHICLES LTD4 patents · 10 citations
- 2021SILICIS TECH INC3 patents · 5 citations
- 2117ELIO TECNOLOGIA SERVICOS E PARTICIPACOES LTDA2 patents · 7 citations
- 2213X CONTROL SYSTEM CO LTD3 patents · 6 citations
- 238ZIMA BRIAN3 patents · 8 citations
- 244MORES INC4 patents · 5 citations
- 251SOFTBANK CORP4 patents · 1 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in B64B
- 199SPACE DATA CORP19 patents · 456 citations
- 296LOCKHEED CORP48 patents · 1,230 citations
- 392WORLD VIEW ENTPR INC21 patents · 417 citations
- 488GOOGLE INC59 patents · 1,545 citations
- 583DEVAUL RICHARD WAYNE6 patents · 246 citations
- 679AMAZON TECH INC6 patents · 336 citations
- 775CENTRE NAT ETD SPATIALES12 patents · 339 citations
- 871X DEV LLC40 patents · 360 citations
- 967BOEING CO14 patents · 219 citations
- 1063SOUTHWEST RES INST6 patents · 182 citations
- 1158RAVEN IND INC17 patents · 221 citations
- 1254SPACE PERSPECTIVE INC15 patents · 73 citations
- 1350VISIDYNE INC5 patents · 96 citations
- 1446LTAS HOLDINGS LLC6 patents · 151 citations
- 1542US NAVY9 patents · 152 citations
- 1638US AIR FORCE4 patents · 206 citations
- 1733INFORMATION SYSTEMS LAB INC7 patents · 99 citations
- 1829BRUTOCO RINALDO6 patents · 74 citations
- 1925BALASKOVIC PIERRE5 patents · 54 citations
- 2021LTAG SYSTEMS LLC17 patents · 78 citations
- 2117SKY STATION INTERNATIONAL INC3 patents · 295 citations
- 2213LOON LLC42 patents · 80 citations
- 238HEPPE STEPHEN B6 patents · 96 citations
- 244WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP3 patents · 161 citations
- 251FERGUSON F D3 patents · 156 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth