Abstract: An aeronautical car comprises a ground-travel system including at least one traction device, an air-travel system including at least one flight mechanism configured to be selectively moved between a first position when the aeronautical car is in a driving mode and a second position when the aeronautical car is in a flying mode, and a weather manipulation device. The weather manipulation device may be configured to manipulate at least one aspect of a weather condition while the aeronautical car is in the air.

Abstract: A weather modification system that includes both systems and vehicles capable of modifying the weather. The systems may include devices capable of utilizing compositions to create dispersants that can modify weather. The system is capable of autonomous weather modification where the vehicles may operate for long periods of time in the air and may be directed by a control station. The vehicles may include an airplane, a UAV, a balloon, a satellite, an airship, such as a lenticular airship, a helicopter or a lighter than air vehicle. The vehicles are capable of multiple functions including weather modification, weather monitoring, and coordination between different vehicles.

Abstract: An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

Abstract: Airships for weather manipulation are disclosed. An airship may include a hull and a frame supporting the hull. The airship may also include a container configured to capture and transport a cloud. The airship may also include a sunlight reflecting system configured to block the sunlight over a destination area on ground. The airship may also include a nozzle configured to distribute a material to the cloud. The airship may also include a sensing system including at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter reflecting a condition of the cloud. The airship may further include at least one weather interference device configured to generate a wave or light and direct the wave or light toward the cloud. In some examples, two or more airships may be used to tow a parachute-style container deployable for capturing and transporting the cloud.

Abstract: A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing. The system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow. The system further includes a presser disposed above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to discharge water from the sponge.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

Abstract: A cargo airship is disclosed. The cargo airship may include a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the airship and including a propulsion device. The cargo airship may further include a payload bay comprising an external cargo area located outside of the hull. The cargo airship may also include a cargo handling system including at least one hoisting mechanism configured to lift cargo into the external cargo area while the airship is hovering.

Abstract: A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing. The system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow. The system further includes a presser disposed above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to discharge water from the sponge.

Abstract: A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

Abstract: An airship is disclosed. The airship may include a plurality of frame members defining a support structure for a hull of the airship. The airship may further include a plurality of bladders disposed within the hull, and retaining a volume of a lighter-than-air gas. The airship may also include a plurality of valves operatively coupled to at least one of the bladders. The airship may additionally include a computer configured to operate the valves to vary aerostatic buoyancy of the airship to achieve a desired lift force.

Abstract: A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

Abstract: An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.

Abstract: A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing. The system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow. The system further includes a presser disposed above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to discharge water from the sponge.

Abstract: A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing. The system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow. The system further includes a presser disposed above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to discharge water from the sponge.

Abstract: A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

Abstract: An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

Abstract: An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.