Abstract: A method and system for aerially transporting loads between a loading site and a discharging site. A lift balloon is ballasted with liquid ballast at a discharging site and propelled to a loading site, where a load is suspended from the balloon. The liquid ballast is removed from the balloon in an amount corresponding to the weight of the suspended load. The ballast is recirculated from the loading site to the discharging site through a conduit. At the discharging site, the balloon is reballasted and the load is removed therefrom. The liquid ballast may also be moved through an aerial conduit connecting the lift balloon to a ballast site. In a further aspect of the invention, an elongated envelope houses a plurality of pear-shaped balloons to reduce the aerodynamic drag thereon.

Abstract: A gondola for a hot air balloon utilizes a rigid carriage with external and internal walls forming an enclosure with a central opening sized for accommodation of crew members. A platform extends across and closes a bottom of the central opening. The external and internal walls are spaced and form an internal and integral reservoir for the carriage for storage of fuel for powering the hot air balloon. In one embodiment, a crew module accompanies the carriage, and the carriage is arranged for jetisoning in emergencies.

Abstract: A large cylindrically-shaped balloon-like structure having hemispherical ends with fins utilized in conjunction with airflow thereacross based upon Bernoulli's principle for maneuvering and maintaining stability. The balloon is compartmentalized, contains a uniquely designed structural support system, and contains pumps for evacuating the air therein. The structure may be used for any lifting application. In particular solar-energy is collected through a transparent portion of the structure and reflected from shaped surfaces that direct solar energy on energy converting panels. The electrical energy generated is utilized to operate an evacuation system, while the remainder of the electrical energy is beamed by microwaves to a receiving station on earth.

Abstract: Lifting body for transporting or lifting objects under water, of the type in which the lifting gas has essentially the same pressure as the surrounding mass of water. The lifting body comprises a pressure measuring instrument which provides a depth position signal, which is arranged to be compared with a desired depth signal and produces a signal which indicates the required force for controlling the position. The desired thus computed command value is compared with the actual exerted lifting force, via a dynamometer, the signal of which is sent via a high pass filter. By thus arranging a double control system with a position loop and a force loop, it is possible to achieve stable control.

Abstract: A process for altitude-stabilizing an atmospheric balloon comprising ballast jettison mechanism to vary the balloon's specific weight, and using a balloon provided with an interpole link for actuating said ballast jettison mechanism so that an increase in the tension in the link causes a reduction in the specific weight of the balloon by jettison of ballast is disclosed.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft having a valve structure affording the rapid removal of the lifting gas. The valve comprises a circular panel sewn within the envelope about an upper opening in the envelope for approximately one-third of its periphery and sealed thereabout by a releasable fastening tape. The sewn portion and tape portion of the valve being spaced 5 to 10 inches from the opening. A drape may extend beyond and depend from the fastening tapes. Gas may be exhausted from the aircraft in flight by collapsing opposed sides to force gas from a lower opening as is present in hot air balloons.

Abstract: For exploring the high density high temperature atmosphere of a planet at a stabilized altitude, a buoyant assembly comprising an inflatable envelope is used. A container connectable with the envelope and containing a liquid selected to vaporize in the planet atmosphere to an extent which decreases above the stabilized altitude and increases under the stabilized altitude, is launched into the planet atmosphere with the envelope in folded condition.

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: A vehicle for the exploration of the atmosphere comprising an infra-red and olar montgolfier (hot-air balloon) capable of being piloted reversibly. The vehicle comprises a gas-tight envelope in which the upper part of the envelope is either transparent to or slightly absorbent of infra-red radiation, the outer face of the upper part of the envelope is slightly emissive in the infra-red region of radiation and the inner face of the upper part absorbs infra-red radiation so that ascending forces which act on the montgolfier are only obtained as a result of the heating of the gas contained in the envelope which is produced by the absorption of infra-red radiation.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air saucer or disc-shaped non-rigid airship is disclosed. A saucer-shaped flexible envelope is provided within which an annular pressurized tube is positioned so as to maintain the flexible envelope in a saucer shape when inflated. Walls within the envelope from a central chamber and a plurality of outer chambers symmetrically disposed around the central chamber. Typically a load such as a gondola is suspended beneath the central chamber. To maintain level horizontal flight stability, differential forces are developed by preferably providing the central chamber with heated air and the outer chambers with a lighter-than-air gas such as helium providing greater lift than the central chamber. Propulsion units are preferably arranged at opposite peripheral side edges of the envelope and maneuvering of the saucer-shaped airship is accomplished by rotating the airship.

Abstract: A compound aerostat employing a primary lifting mixture of helium and methanol in a first enclosure and a secondary lifting mixture of ammonia in a second enclosure. Both enclosures are contained within a single envelope. The methanol in the primary enclosure gradually condenses out as the altitude increases yielding a decreasing lift with altitude up to the stratosphere to provide passive altitude stability to the system. An absorbent, metallic lithium is provided within a separate container and connected to controllably absorb the ammonia and thereby control the displacement of the secondary enclosure. The process is reversible with the application of heat by means of propane combustion or solar heating. Other absorbents are LiNO.sub.3, LiCl and CaCl.sub.2. This controllable displacement system can compensate for solar superheat and snow and ice accumulation and facilitate long endurance flights, especially in the troposphere.

Abstract: A balloon filled with a gas mixture of ammonia and n-hexane will stay at a onstant altitude due to condensation at altitude of the n-hexane. Since both components are liquid below about 50 meters in the ocean and together with the load are buoyant, the aerostat may be submarine launched and rise to the surface at which point the ammonia and n-hexane evaporate and take the balloon and load to its preset altitude.

Abstract: Two groups of tension lines depending from the forward and aft portions of n airship are each connected to a separate vertically oriented elongate strut. The struts are dimensioned to extend through and below surface waves of a body of water. Optionally, electric thruster/generator units are mounted in pods on the bottom of the struts to either propel the airship or act as generators while drifting. Laterally reaching hydrofoils extend from the pods and either work to reduce drag or ensure responsive operation. The combination of the tension lines, struts, thruster/generator units and hydrofoils permits precise maneuvering at the surface for off-loading and on-loading at sea, allows for long endurance and range and gives a capability for operating as a quiet platform.

Abstract: A thermal airship including an elongate gas envelope of a soft material providing a hull for the airship with tail members, a gondola carried below the hull, a power propelling system supported by the hull and a system for pressurizing the soft envelope through an inflation opening with the gondola adjoining the hull surrounding the inflation opening in a sealed manner. The system for pressurizing includes a blower mounted on the hull extending through the opening and directing a flow of air past a burner within the interior of the envelope and a lateral baffle between the burner and blower deflecting an amount of the air from the blower laterally directly into the envelope interior.

Abstract: Aerostats and aquastats are described in which a sealed envelope of flexible material impervious to the passage of gas therethrough is mounted on a flexible frame forming a permanent part of the device and which can be caused to expand the envelope after it has been wholly or very substantially evacuated of internal gas, thereby setting up a vacuum or partial vacuum condition in the envelope. In the case of a partial vacuum, the gas at reduced pressure may be hydrogen or helium. The lift or buoyancy of the device may be controlled when in use by altering the volume of the envelope by adjusting the shape of the frame by acting mechanism carried by the device. The frame may comprise flexible rods connected together at opposite ends so that by forcing the opposite ends of the rods towards one another they are bowed outwards distending the envelope towards a globular form.

Abstract: A variable density aircraft is formed of at least one variable volume container such as a balloon, gas cell, or collapsible hinged panel hull which is supplied with a gas for container expansion and comtraction by an aircraft carried reversible, fluid expansion/contraction system. The variation of the volume of such containment device without a commensurate variation of mass results in a densemetric variation in the aircraft.

Abstract: A thermodynamic kite comprising a non-rigid inflatable body member, a partially rigid helium storage envelope, and a rigid housing. The rigid housing being attached to the underside of the body member contains equipment for maintaining the kite at a preselected altitude as well as safety devices. Attached to the surface of the body member are an interconnected series of inflatable tubes which provide controlled rigidity to the inflatable body member. A radome containing a radar antenna is attached to the body member.