Abstract:
An aeronautical apparatus, the combination comprising a primary airfoil having at least one panel which is an upper panel, a lower panel, and multiple gas containing tubes associated with the airfoil and extending lengthwise thereof, the tubes including relatively larger cross-section tubes positioned chordwise of the airfoil, and relatively smaller cross-section positioners located to stabilize the relatively larger cross-section tubes.
Abstract:
An aircraft has a fuselage designed essentially as an aerostatic lift body and combined lift and propulsion devices which are articulated on the fuselage, are provided with propellers and form propulsion units and which in each case are tiltable between a lift position, in which the respective propeller rotation plane is essentially horizontal and the output shaft of the associated drive, said output shaft acting on the respective propeller shaft, is essentially vertical, and a propulsion position, in which the respective propeller rotation plane is essentially vertical and the output shaft of the associated drive, said output shaft acting on the respective propeller shaft, is essentially horizontal. The propeller rotation plane has all-round inclinability relative to the output shaft of the associated drive, said output shaft acting on the propeller shaft.
Abstract:
The invention is a non-ridged, semi-buoyant vehicle. In detail, the invention includes a pressure stabilized gasbag having front and rear ends and an aerodynamic shape capable of producing lift, and longitudinal, vertical and horizontal axis, the tail end of the gasbag extending outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward said front end at an acute angle to the horizontal axis. A horizontal tail surface is mounted outboard of the rear end of the gasbag, having a trailing edge extending outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward the front end at the acute angle to the horizontal axis. A horizontal ridged beam is mounted outboard of the rear end of the gasbag that extends outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward the front end at the acute angle to the horizontal axis with the horizontal tail surface mounted to the beam. The preferred acute angle is approximately 20 degrees. The gasbag further includes a plurality of vertical catenary curtains attached between the top and bottom surfaces of the gasbag. A vertical extending flexible bean is attached to each of catenary curtains. These straps have top and bottom ends extending out of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of said gasbag. Top and bottom attachment fittings are mounted by a first end to the top and bottom ends, respectively, of the ridged beam and by their second ends to the top and bottom ends, respectively, of the flexible straps.
Abstract:
A flying machine (L.T.A.-H.T.A. Hybrid) connected through the fuselage . . . using a two-point-lift system wherein the lifts are static and dynamic . . . separately and simultaneously. The static lift is supplied by an aerostat (#36) while the dynamic lift is supplied by an atmospheric deflector (#48) . . . This system, by the clever use of 180 degrees pivotable pusher (blower) engine (#1), being and becoming capable of:1. S. T. O. L. and/or V.T.O.L.2. Rearward FlightA two-point-lift system, as stated in the preferred embodiment (technical description), employing L. T. A. and H. T. A. method (separately and simultaneously) to be allowed development on a non-exclusive basis (excluding Balopod). The process levels the device by coordinating static lift, thrust, and dynamic lift.
Abstract:
An airship is provided utilizing a spherical balloon filled with buoyant gas such as helium at a pressure substantially greater than atmospheric so that its dimensions are substantially unaffected by changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature. The spherical balloon is rotatably mounted on a normally horizontal axle having end portions projecting from opposite sides of the balloon, and includes a rigid load supporting yoke including two arms extending upwardly from a central load supporting structure and each with an upper end suspended from the axle. The yoke arms carry engines which propel the airship in a forward direction transverse to the axle, and means are provided for rotating the balloon about the axle so that the balloon front surface moves upward relative to the centre of the balloon and provides lift due to the Magnus effect.
Abstract:
The disclosed semi-buoyant lift-augmented aircraft, preferably of immense size, includes a fuselage of airfoil shape formed by a rigid geodesic type web framework enclosing buoyant cells pressurized to reinforce the framework. Wings are provided which impart aerodynamic lift to the aircraft, with the airfoil fuselage. The buoyancy is provided to counteract a major proportion of the great weight of the structure and to thus improve the aircraft's payload capability and range. These features maintain it airborne at reasonable speeds over a substantial altitude range.
Abstract:
A flight vehicle includes a drone (28) with a pair of shaped protrusions (22, 24) mechanically coupled to the drone. One of the shapes is a hollow lift-producing shape (22), such as being a balloon filed with a lighter-than-air gas, and the other (24) of the shapes is below the drone. The shape below the drone may be a hollow shape that does not produce lift, for example being a balloon filled with air. The shapes (22, 24) may be similar in size and shape, so as to provide similar drag characteristics. The shapes may be opposite ends of a support (26), such as a stick, rod, or other (relatively) slender structure. The vehicle includes a payload (12), such as radar calibration equipment or an antenna. The drone may be used to counteract wind forces on the flight vehicle, and/or to otherwise position the flight vehicle.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns hybrid airship (10) comprising at least one buoyancy enclosure (32) containing a gas lighter than air, a gondola (34) attached below the buoyancy enclosure (32), the gondola (34) extending along a longitudinal axis, at least one propeller (36) configured to propel the hybrid airship (10), the at least one propeller (36) being attached to the buoyancy enclosure (32), at least one generator (38), configured to provide power to the propeller (36), the generator (38) being connected to the gondola (34). The hybrid airship (10) comprises an arm (40) protruding from the gondola (34) and connecting the generator (38) to the gondola (34).