Abstract:
Изобретение относится к многоцелевому летательному аппарату, в частности, к гибридному дирижаблю. Летательный аппарат содержит корпус (2) в форме параллелепипеда и оснащен средствами (8) стыковки, содержащими четыре штанги, соединенные рамой и выдвигаемые из корпуса (2), на концах которых имеется по меньшей мере одна вакуумная присоска для соединения с по существу вертикальной поверхностью здания. При этом средства (8) стыковки содержат захваты, выполненные с возможностью сцепления со средствами (8) стыковки другого летательного аппарата такой же конструкции. Изобретение также относится к системе летательных аппаратов, включающей в себя два и более летательных аппарата вышеописанной конструкции. Предложенный летательный аппарат не требует большого пространства для взлета и позволяет осуществлять массовую эвакуацию людей из высотных зданий наиболее быстрым и безопасным для эвакуируемых людей способом. Кроме того, изобретение обеспечивает возможность варьирования грузоподъемности системы летательных аппаратов в воздухе в зависимости от конкретных потребностей.
Abstract:
A hybrid VTOL vehicle having an envelope configured to provide hydrostatic buoyancy, a fuselage attached to the envelope and having at least one pair of wings extending from opposing sides thereof to produce dynamic lift through movement, and a thrust generation device on each wing and configured to rotate with each wing about an axis that is lateral to a longitudinal axis of the envelope to provide vertical takeoff or landing capabilities. Ideally, the envelope provides negative hydrostatic lift to enhance low-speed and on-the-ground stability.
Abstract:
An aircraft comprising a hydrogen-containing envelope, a water-collection system for collecting water from the envelope, an electrolyser to convert the water collected using the water-collection system into hydrogen, and a hydrogen- replenishment system for replenishing the envelope with hydrogen generated using the electrolyser. In one embodiment, generated hydrogen is also supplied to a hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system for propulsion of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A wind-based power generating system provides a wind energy converter for converting wind energy into another form of energy using a lighter-than-air craft configured to produce a positive net lift. The net lift includes both a net aerodynamic lift and a net buoyant lift. A tethering mechanism is configured to restrain the lighter-than-air craft with respect to the ground. The lighter-than-air craft defines an interior volume for containing a lighter-than-air gas, and the lighter-than-air craft has a fore section and an aft section. The tethering system has at least one attachment point on the fore section of the lighter-than-air craft and at least one attachment point on the aft section of the lighter-than-air craft. The lighter-than-air craft provides a stable aerodynamic moment with respect to a yaw axis about a center-of-mass of the lighter-than-air craft. The craft can be formed in a variety of aerodynamic profiles/shapes.
Abstract:
A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (100) having wing elements (141, 142) and tail elements (143, 144) configured to roll to angularly orient the UAV (100) by rolling so as to align a longitudinal plane of the UAV, in its late terminal phase, with a target. A method of UAV body re-orientation comprising: (a) determining by a processor (940) a boresight angle error correction value (850) bases on distance between a target point (812) and a boresight point (820) of a body-fixed frame; and (b) effecting a UAV maneuver comprising an angular role rate component translating the target point (812) to a re-oriented target point (814) in the body-fixed frame, to maintain the offset angle via (850) the offset angle correction value.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle is described which comprises: a first compartment (13) for holding a lighter than air gas; a second compartment (6, 4) for holding atmospheric air and having an inlet and an outlet; a solar panel (41) for converting sunlight into electricity; a compressor (242) for pumping atmospheric air through the inlet into the second compartment; control means (1,3) for controlling the pitch and yaw of the vehicle; and a controller (209) for controlling the buoyancy of the vehicle via the compressor and the outlet such that the vehicle is either lighter than the surrounding air and rising or heavier than the surrounding air and falling, and for controlling the control means such that the rising and falling motion includes a horizontal component. In another embodiment the solar panel is replaced by an engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel for the engine is also provided. The aerial vehicle can remain airborne for extended periods by using buoyancy propulsion. In the embodiments including a solar panel, a system including a light transmission station may be provided to supply energy to the solar panel from the light transmission station rather than relying on the incident sunlight alone. A method of flight using buoyancy propulsion is also described.
Abstract:
A hybrid lift air vehicle for carrying and transporting a load, comprising an envelope having a generally ellipsoidal shape adapted to receive a volume of lighter-than-air gas, at least two variable thrust vertical thrusters in secure engagement with the envelope and at least two variable thrust lateral thrusters in secure engagement with the envelope, means for temporarily securely engaging the load to the envelope wherein the volume of lighter-than-air gas has a buoyancy that offsets at least 25% of the weight of the air vehicle when unloaded, wherein the thrust from the at least two vertical thrusters may be varied to raise and lower the air vehicle and the load when engaged, and wherein the thrust from the at least two lateral thrusters may be varied to maneuver and transport the raised air vehicle and the load when engaged.
Abstract:
An air glider or sea glider having long narrow, high aspect ration wings in order to produce a high glide ratio and having a gas turbine or a hydro-turbine coupled to the air glider or sea glider respectively to generate power via the movement of the submersible through the air or water to harness kinetic energy from the forward motion of air gliding or sea gliding.
Abstract:
The invention relates to air transport means and can be used for producing aircrafts, including aircraft with a vertical take off and landing, paragliders, delta planes, parachutes etc. The inventive aircraft makes it possible to create the lifting capacity without a horizontal movement in relation to the environment. Said aircraft comprises a bearing element (1), a unit for gas supply (2), channels (3) for distributing gas and nozzles (4).
Abstract:
An ultra large, partially buoyant, aerial vehicle (10) capable of carrying up to one million pounds of cargo for a distance of up to 4000 nautical miles before landing or needing to refuel. The vehicle (10) comprises a lifting body (11) having a thick airfoil configuration further defining a lifting body shape, and includes structural support members held in tension by cable members (22), a skin (24) extending over the support members (21) to define an internal volume for storing cargo, flight stabilization apparatus at a center rear portion of the lifting body, propulsion apparatus (12) supported on various locations of the lifting body, and flexible compartments containing lighter than air gas to provide lift assisting capability, the compartments being carried within the lifting body.