Patents by Inventor Allan Bernard Black

Allan Bernard Black has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • High altitude airships
    Patent number: 6609680
    Abstract: A high-altitude airship has a non-rigid hull. On launch, the airship is partially inflated with a lifting gas. The partially inflated hull is less susceptible to buffeting and turbulence from lower atmosphere air currents during ascent. A ballast rotates the airship into a flight attitude (e.g., near horizontal) upon reaching a desired altitude. A low-powered propulsion system may be included to propel the airship at the desired altitude. Upon completion of its mission, the airship may be deflated and returned using aerodynamic deceleration such as a parachute, a parafoil and a ballute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: William Dean Perry, Thomas Howard Jaeckle, Allan Bernard Black, Lawrence Ernest Epley
  • High altitude airships
    Publication number: 20020175243
    Abstract: A high-altitude airship has a non-rigid hull. On launch, the airship is partially inflated with a lifting gas. The partially inflated hull is less susceptible to buffeting and turbulence from lower atmosphere air currents during ascent. A ballast rotates the airship into a flight attitude (e.g., near horizontal) upon reaching a desired altitude. A low-powered propulsion system may be included to propel the airship at the desired altitude. Upon completion of its mission, the airship may be deflated and returned using aerodynamic deceleration such as a parachute, a parafoil and a ballute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Allan Bernard Black, Thomas Howard Jaeckle, William Dean Perry, Lawrence Ernest Epley