Abstract: A wind harnessing system using a plurality of self supporting airfoil kites 50 for production of useful power. The system comprising multiple airfoil kites 50 in tandem attached to a pivotal control housing 32 by control lines 58L and 58R and support lines 60L and 60R. Control lines 58L and 58R can change length with respect to the length of support lines 60L and 60R to control the airfoil kites' 50 angle-of-attack, pitch angle, direction of flight, and flight speed. The length of control lines 58L and 58R are controlled from ground station 30 by a movable pulley system in control housing 32 to adjust the airfoils' direction to follow a specific flight path 140. Control lines 58R and 58L and support lines 60R and 60L are also wound on a power shaft and pulley system in control housing 32. As the airfoil kites are propelled by the wind at very-high speed, the airfoils generate a powerful AXIAL force.

Abstract: A reforestation and nourishing practice by the use of a lighter-than-air airship system, for dispersing and planting tree saplings, primarily in remote regions which may have been devastated by fire, where access to such regions by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water over selected areas to water or nourish the newly planted trees. The mechanism for temporarily storing and eventually dispensing the tree saplings is a rack mounting at least one cylindrical canister containing plural compartments.

Abstract: A Flat Balloon—a set of gas-bags held together with a net, which has rigid elements keeping an entire construction flat, with control ropes attached to the net, which allow spreading of the Flat Balloon over a field and folding it; a tubular net inside a gas-bag filed with rigid elements, which allows pumping gas out; a material with closed pores filed with lightweight gas.

Abstract: An electrical energy depletion/collection system including a mobile airborne trigger platform; a mobile host platform; an electrical interconnection between the trigger platform and the host platform; and an electrical energy storage subsystem resident on at least one of the mobile airborne trigger platform and the mobile host platform.

Abstract: A stratospheric airship capable of substantially and smoothly varying the volume of a buoyant gas is provided so as to allow the airship to stably ascend into the stratosphere and keep a station therein. A stratospheric airship includes a gas envelope defined by a ship hull, the gas envelope being divided by a diaphragm into a buoyant gas compartment containing a buoyant gas and an air compartment containing air, the stratospheric airship being allowed to ascend by varying the volume ratio between the buoyant gas and the air, wherein the periphery of the diaphragm is coupled to the ship hull generally at the midpoint along the vertical dimension thereof, and a central portion of the diaphragm is coupled to a suspension chord whose upper and lower ends are coupled respectively to the upper and lower surfaces of the ship hull. The sloshing phenomenon of the diaphragm is suppressed, whereby the change in the shape thereof is balanced, and thus there is no asymmetric distribution of the buoyant gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a free lighter-than-air aerostat comprising a structure (1, 3, 4, 5) symmetrical relative to a main axis (2), at least one main sealed pressurized chamber (16), one or several particle emitting thrusters (8), adapted to drive the aerostat in rotation in one direction about the main axis (2), one or several moving flaps (9) adapted to be set either in an active state wherein they brake the aerostat rotation, or in an inoperative state wherein they offer no substantial resistance to the aerostat rotation, and on-board control means (19) adapted to control the thrusters (8) and the flaps (9) to drive the aerostat in permanent rotation about the main axis (2), and in translation perpendicular to the main axis (2).

Abstract: The invention is at least a partially buoyant vehicle. In detail, the vehicle includes a gas-containing structure having an outer contoured surface. At least one solar panel assembly is mounted to the outer surface of gas-containing structure, the solar panel movable over a portion of the surface of gas-containing structure. A drive system is provided for moving the at least one solar panel assembly over the outer surface of the gas-containing structure. A track assembly mounted on the surface of the gas-containing structure for guiding the at least one solar panel assembly over the surface. Preferably the at least one solar panel assembly in the form of a flexible strip having first and second ends movable along the surface about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement of an airfoil, such as a main wing of an aircraft, includes a close-mounted engine on a short pylon connected to the airfoil, an inboard slat arranged inboard from the engine pylon along the leading edge of the airfoil, and an auxiliary high lift device. An open cut-out space is formed between the outboard edge of the inboard slat, the engine pylon, and the leading edge of the airfoil when the inboard slat is extended. The auxiliary high lift device is configured and arranged to be extendable into an extended position in which it aerodynamically covers or closes the cut-out space. The auxiliary high lift device is a movable high lift component that can be retracted into a retracted position in which it is recessed and integrated into the outer contour of the engine nacelle and/or the pylon. Thereby, the structural arrangement and mechanisms necessary for extending and retracting the auxiliary high lift device are simplified, and the weight and costs are reduced.

Abstract: A novel energy producing flexible material is provided particularly suited for high altitude and stratospheric applications. The flexible energy producing covering includes a flexible solar cell layer, a flexible substrate which preferably matches the shape and size of the airship gore as well and an electrically conductive conduit disposed in a flexible electrically non-conductive adhesive connecting the flexible solar cell substrate to the airship substrate. Preferably two electrically conductive conduits are provided between the substrate layer and the flexible solar cell layer with the electrically conductive conduits being insulated from one another by the non-conductive adhesive. The novel process provided by the invention for joining the airship substrate to the flexible solar cell substrate includes heat, pressure and the selection of substrate materials and in certain applications the use of a vacuum.

Abstract: In a cruise airship whose hull (S) has the form of an ellipsoid, this ellipsoid has three axes of different lengths at right angles to one another, whereby a longitudinal axis (L), which is horizontally oriented in the position for travel, a transverse axis (Q), which is horizontally oriented in the position for travel and at right angle to the longitudinal axis (L), and a vertical axis (H), which is vertically oriented in the position for travel, possess the longest, middle and shortest length respectively.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a non-rigid and at least semi-buoyant vehicle, the vehicle including a pressure stabilized gasbag having a gondola mounted on the bottom thereof. The gasbag further includes catenary curtains extending from the top of gasbag to the bottom of the gasbag and attached thereto. In detail, the propulsion system includes a first pair of tubular members attached, preferably pivotally attached, by one of their ends to the gondola and which extend through the air bag and exit out the top thereof and having propulsion units, preferably turbo-prop engines, attached to their opposite ends. A second pair of tubular members is attached by one of their ends to the gondola, preferably pivotally attached, and extends into the gasbag and having their opposite ends terminating therewithin. A horizontal tubular member extends through the gasbag and has its ends extending out of the sides thereof and is attached to the opposite ends of the second pair of tubular members in the middle thereof.

Abstract: A lighter than air airship is disclosed that has an internal weight supporting structure. The weight supporting structure allows the airship to enjoy the advantages of both static and dynamic lift. The airship disclosed herein is lifted by both lighter than air gasses as well as wings attached to the internal weight supporting structure. A cargo container for use with the airship is also disclosed.

Abstract: A super-pressured high-altitude airship flies in the stratosphere, is propelled against the wind by the power obtained through the photovoltaic conversion of the sunlight, and is used for a large-scale LTA (light-than-air) platform for environmental observation, telecommunication relay, etc. This airship has a super-pressure structure which has a pressure-resistant gas bag in an envelope capable of enduring the rise of internal pressure by allowing no in-flow or out-flow of gas from or to, respectively, the outside atmosphere at the mission altitude. A solar cell is installed on an upper external surface of the envelope. A ventilation space is provided between an installation surface of the solar cell and the gas bag to block the heat transfer from the solar cell to the buoyant gas in the envelope. A fan is provided to forcibly circulate the outside atmospheric air in this ventilation space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure stabilized inflated air transport vehicle having means for limiting crack propagation in the hull envelope whereby leakage of the gas in the haul due to the crack will not exceed the gas pressure maintaining means.

Abstract: A non-ridged semi-buoyant vehicle includes a pressure stabilized gasbag having a longitudinal, vertical and horizontal axis, top, bottom and side surfaces and front and rear ends and an aerodynamic shape capable of producing lift. Within the gasbag are first and second vertical catenary curtains attached to the top and bottom surfaces between the sides of the gasbag. These first and second catenary curtains are positioned on either side of the longitudinal axis extending from the front end along a first portion of the gasbag. A pair of first and second Y shaped catenary curtains are coupled to the first and second vertical catenary curtains and extend along a second portion of the gasbag. The arms of each of the Y shaped curtains are attached to the top surface and the legs are attached to the bottom surface of the gasbag. First and second pairs of vertical catenary curtains are coupled to the first and second pairs of Y shaped catenary curtains, respectively, and extend to the rear end of said gasbag.

Abstract: The present invention describes a dual suspension catenary system which includes aspects of both an internal catenary system and an external catenary system. The dual suspension catenary system of the present invention retains and expands upon the advantages of the internal and external catenary systems, such as larger payload suspension and envelope integrity while decreasing the disadvantages (e.g., envelope breach and aesthetics).

Abstract: An aircraft has a fuselage designed essentially as an aerostatic lift body. Combined lift and propulsion devices are articulated on the fuselage, are provided with propellers and form propulsion units and which in each case can tilt between a lift position, in which the respective propeller rotation plane is essentially horizontal and a propulsion position, in which the respective propeller rotation plane is essentially vertical. Additionally the propeller rotation plane has all-round inclination relative to the output shaft of the associated drive device.

Abstract: A stratospheric airship capable of substantially and smoothly varying the volume of a buoyant gas is provided so as to allow the airship to stably ascend into the stratosphere and keep a station therein. A stratospheric airship includes a gas envelope defined by a ship hull, the gas envelope being divided by a diaphragm into a buoyant gas compartment containing a buoyant gas and an air compartment containing air, the stratospheric airship being allowed to ascend by varying the volume ratio between the buoyant gas and the air, wherein the periphery of the diaphragm is coupled to the ship hull generally at the midpoint along the vertical dimension thereof, and a central portion of the diaphragm is coupled to a suspension chord whose upper and lower ends are coupled respectively to the upper and lower surfaces of the ship hull. The sloshing phenomenon of the diaphragm is suppressed, whereby the change in the shape thereof is balanced, and thus there is no asymmetric distribution of the buoyant gas.

Abstract: A tethered balloon having a spherical balloon proper inflated with a gas whose specific gravity is lower than that of the outside air, a gondola attached to the bottom of the balloon proper, a vertical stabilizer attached to the balloon proper, a connecting assembly attached to the balloon proper, a tether connected to the connecting assembly, and a tether holder having a drum to take up and pay off the tether and placed on the ground. The connecting assembly is positioned opposite to the vertical stabilizer with the gondola disposed in between. A straight line connecting the center of the balloon proper and the connecting assembly is inclined with respect to the central axis of the balloon connecting the center of the balloon proper and the center of gravity of the whole balloon. The balloon is transversely stable because little force acts on the balloon in a direction perpendicular to the wind.

Abstract: The cableway consists of a captive balloon (1) carrying a gondola (2) to which two transport cables (3, 4) and a mooring cable (5) are attached. The two transport cables (3, 4) bearing a cabin (10, 11) for carrying passengers end at a ground station (7) which is rotatable on a circular rail (9) around a vertical axis (8). The transport cables (3, 4), both in the gondola (2) and in the ground station, run on and off drums. The ground station (7) can be actively tracked with reference to the site of the captive balloon (1). The mooring cable (5), secured to the gondola (2), runs on a drum in the ground station (7) and is equipped with beacons (13). The captive balloon (1) can be released to any desired height, the unused length of the transport cables (3, 4) remaining on the drums in the ground station (7). The cabins (10, 11) are coupled in shuttle operation or move separately driven by motors provided in the gondola (2).

Abstract: A novel energy producing flexible material is provided particularly suited for high altitude and stratospheric applications. The flexible energy producing covering includes a flexible solar cell layer, a flexible substrate which preferably matches the shape and size of the airship gore as well and an electrically conductive conduit disposed in a flexible electrically non-conductive adhesive connecting the flexible solar cell substrate to the airship substrate. Preferably two electrically conductive conduits are provided between the substrate layer and the flexible solar cell layer with the electrically conductive conduits being insulated from one another by the non-conductive adhesive. The novel process provided by the invention for joining the airship substrate to the flexible solar cell substrate includes heat, pressure and the selection of substrate materials and in certain applications the use of a vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for floating such apparatus in the air, such apparatus having at least one cell containing air and a fluid. The fluid in one embodiment is heated to create steam which, in turn, makes the cell lighter than the surrounding air, thereby providing lift to the apparatus.

Abstract: A partially buoyant aircraft capable of transporting very large cargo payloads comprises a lifting body with an exterior airfoil configuration that includes internal structural support members for an exterior skin, the skin defining an internal volume for storing the cargo, propulsion apparatus, flight stabilization apparatus on a portion of the lifting body, lift assisting apparatus carried within the lifting body, and landing gear arranged in close proximity to the longitudinal centerline of the lifting body. Each landing gear comprises a wheel supported by a cylinder set including upper and lower telescoping cylinders, the upper cylinders of the wheels being ported together to operate as a single element.

Abstract: A global communications network comprises a plurality of aerial platforms or vehicles deployed at an altitude in or near the stratosphere and permitted to drift in a controlled manner such that each platform adjusts its position relative to other aerial platforms. Each aerial platform has a propulsion system and control surfaces and preferably includes a lighter-than-air component to maintain lift in an economical manner. Each aerial platform also includes a payload, means for communicating with other aerial platforms and a control system including location-finding equipment and a processor adapted for directing the platform's propulsion system and control surfaces to effectuate changes in the aerial platform's position relative to other aerial platforms based on position information, and optionally on other factors such as terrestrial demand for services provided by the payload of the aerial platforms.

Abstract: A composite aircraft comprising an aerostat containing a lighter than air gas, and a rotor assembly mounted to and below the aerostat, via an axle. The aerostat provides buoyancy to lift the weight of the aircraft plus a significant portion of the payload connected to the aircraft. The rotor assembly statically connects to the aerostat in all aspects except rotationally about the axle, and provides the remaining lift and propulsion to the aircraft and payload. The rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of blades, a plurality of winglets, and engine-powered propellers that provide rotational thrust to the rotor assembly. The plurality of blades and winglets have adjustable angles of attack to generate lift and forward propulsion to the aircraft. The blades mount radially from the axle and horizontally from an outboard end of the hub. The winglets mount above and below each blade. The engine-powered propellers mount to the outboard end of the hub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing ruptures in gas containing envelopes, includes a first plurality of containers filled with a gas, each of the containers being buoyant in and drifting freely within the envelope, so that when a rupture occurs in the envelope, the containers are drawn toward the rupture and collectively close and plug the rupture. Preferably, the containers are flexible walled envelopes made of gas-impermeable material.

Abstract: An airship/spacecraft, which, in a preferred embodiment, uses its lifting gas as fuel for thrusters, which may be of the turbo-type or rocket type, or both, to achieve transition to space flight. The airship aspect has gas retaining structures that can withstand internal and external pressure and can change in volume and shape. The spacecraft aspect provides control, power, services, and interior space for missions of the airship/spacecraft.

Abstract: An airship includes a relatively rigid framework that is meant to resemble a sailing ship having an inclined bow, a rounded bottom, a vertical stern, vertical sides and a flat upper deck. A plurality of lifting bladders carrying helium or the like are enclosed within the framework to make it lighter than air. Front and rear masts extend upwardly from the deck and carry front and rear sails on pivotal booms. A passenger and crew compartment is located on the deck behind the front and rear masts. The masts are pivotally supported on the framework to pivot laterally to one side or the other in the y-z plane to open up a gap there-between if so desired. A spinnaker or jib can be set forwardly of the masts in this gap to be fully exposed to wind from above the framework. Thus, the use of the sails for primary or supplementary propulsion of the framework is enhanced, and the deck enables passengers or crew to leave the compartment and be supported and carried by the deck.

Abstract: An inflatable airship of predetermined volume is filled with gas to lift a predetermined weight to a predetermined high altitude. An elevator module is releasably secured to a gondola attached to the airship. A cable of a length at least equal to the deployment altitude of the airship has a first end attached to the elevator module and a second end attached to a winch mounted on the gondola. The airship is raised with the elevator module anchored to the ground and the cable is unwound from the winch as the airship rises. Once the desired operating altitude is reached, the winch is reversed to wind the cable onto the winch and raise the elevator module to the gondola.

Abstract: A neutral buoyancy fuel bladder uses hydrogen and oxygen to power an airship. The neutral buoyancy fuel bladder includes a fuel cell, electrolyzer, and means for storing hydrogen, oxygen and water. The fuel cell uses the hydrogen and oxygen to create heat, water and current flow. An energy source transmits a beam to an energy receiving unit on the airship, and the energy from said beam is used to (1) power said airship, and (2) replenish the supply of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A stable and highly maneuverable lighter-than-air aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes a body portion which is supported beneath a balloon portion by a stem or axle. The balloon is fillable with a lighter-than-air gas and is sized to accept sufficient amounts of gas to make the aircraft buoyant. The balloon portion is rotationally fixed to the axle and the axle is rotationally journaled in the body. Thus, the balloon portion can rotate relative to the body portion and the body can selectively be rotated relative to the axle. A motor is housed in the body portion and is operable to propel the aircraft in a desired direction. The aircraft is operated such that the balloon portion rotates above the body portion without rotating the body portion. The rotation of the balloon portion provides stability to the aircraft and the ability for the body portion to rotate about the axle enables the aircraft to be highly maneuverable.

Abstract: An airship capable of vertical and horizontal flight and able to make right angle turns is preferably of nearly neutral buoyancy and comprises two gas bags, the lower of which is toroidal in shape and surrounds a centrally located engine that has a downwardly facing inlet. Upwardly directed thrust from the engine is redirected by a gate valve arrangement into a manifold of ducts, each of which passes between the upper and lower gas bags to a respective outlet or nozzle adjacent the periphery of the aircraft. To fly the aircraft, a pilot uses the cable-operated valve arrangement to manage the distribution of thrust from the engine into selected ones of the ducts to provide thrust in a desired direction. Preferred pilot operated controls comprise a foot pedal and a rotatable steering wheel mounted on a pedestal hingedly attached to the gondola of the aircraft for fore and aft pivoting motion.

Abstract: The system includes a platform assembly which includes a plurality of helium airships for support of an emitting electrode to produce a large amount of electrical charges, in the form of electrons, into the surrounding atmosphere. The electrons may be generated by various means, including field induced emission and ultraviolet induced emission and ionization. Also provided are a large bank of solar cells to produce the necessary power for the assembly and a propulsion system, either a propeller system or an ion engine. A positive electrode may also be included which collects the undesirable atmospheric elements, such as chlorine atoms, to which negative charges have become attached. Alternatively, the platform could be arranged to include a negatively charged surface at which chlorofluorocarbons, for instance, can dissociate after they come in contact with negative charges. Such an ion-propelled platform in the high troposphere or stratosphere could also be used for regional and/or global telecommunications.

Abstract: A lighter than air apparatus is provided with a gas impermeable sheeting material having a pathway either extending through the apparatus itself or adjacent to the apparatus. One or more control surfaces are provided proximately to an aperture in the pathway for deflecting air passing through the pathway. A propulsion unit with the pathway propels air through pathway. The pathway, the control surfaces, and the control unit allow the lighter than air apparatus to control its bearing and efficiently maintain its position over the Earth.

Abstract: The invention is a ballonet system for a lighter-than-air-vehicle, the vehicle having a lift producing gas bag and a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the ballonet system includes a plurality of ballonets located within the gas bag positioned along the longitudinal axis and on each side of the vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the ballonets include a flexible sheet joined at its periphery thereof to a portion of the wall of the gas bag. A ballonet pressurization system is coupled to each ballonet for pressurizing them with air that includes the portion of the wall of the gas bag forming the ballonet having a plurality of holes therethrough. A manifold having an inlet port is joined to the wall covering the holes therein and is adapted to diffuse the pressurized air entering therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a carrier which is used to carry a flight vehicle, the method including (a) providing a carrier and a control system mounted on a lower side thereof; (b) sending a signal to a flight vehicle to decrease a velocity thereof for landing; (c) sensing a flight direction of the flight vehicle and instantaneous velocities thereof; and (d) accelerating the carrier to catch up with the flight vehicle at a location therebeneath and adjusting the velocity of the carrier to match with that of the flight vehicle such that the flight vehicle is able to smoothly land so as to be supported on a top surface of the carrier.

Abstract: An omnidirectional propelling type of airship can be propelled in any direction in three-dimensions. The airship includes an airtight gas chamber, gas having a specific gravity smaller than that of air and filling the gas chamber, a section capable of accommodating men, cargo and the like, and propellers supported by gimbals and capable of propelling the airship in any spacial direction.

Abstract: An airship includes a gas envelope filled with a buoyant gas, a duct equipped with an internal propulsion fan and attached to the aft of the gas bag, a boom projecting aft along an extension of the axis of the propulsion fan and an empennage provided on the distal end of the boom and is constituted to prevent boundary layer separation by causing the propulsion fan to suck air flowing along the hull surface into the duct and jet it aft.

Abstract: An airship of semirigid type including hydrogen which floats for a long period of time without supplying energy, and is for example in use for a relay station or a wide range observatory station. The airship is powered by a solar cell battery in the daytime and by a hydrogen engine in the nighttime.

Abstract: An airship in the form of a self-powered, elongated dirigible which comprises at least three sections connected together by joints. The sections including a front section with propulsion devices and control surfaces, at least one intermediate section designed to carry a payload and a rear section with control surfaces. The joints allow limited articulation between sections under gust conditions and tend to return the sections to aligned condition in calm air. A cover may provide a streamline exterior shape for the airship; alternatively the sections may have rims which mate together when there is no articulation to provide a smooth exterior shape.

Abstract: The invention is a cargo compartment for a lighter-than-air vehicle, the vehicle having a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the cargo compartment includes a cargo carrying structure mounted to the bottom of the vehicle, the structure extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and having a plurality of passageways extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Each of the passageways is aligned with the lateral axis of the vehicle and extend completely through the structure, and is adapted to simultaneously unload cargo from one end and load cargo from the opposite end. A cargo moving system is mounted in the floor of each passageway for moving the cargo in one end and out the opposite end of the passageway and intermediate positions therebetween. A cargo securing system is mounted on the floor of the passageway for releasable securing the cargo within the passageway at the intermediate positions.

Abstract: The invention is a ballonet system for a lighter-than-air-vehicle, the vehicle having a lift producing gasbag and a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the ballonet system includes a plurality of ballonets located within the gasbag positioned along the longitudinal axis and on each side of the vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the ballonets include a flexible sheet joined at its periphery thereof to a portion of the wall of the gasbag. A ballonet pressurization system is coupled to each ballonet for pressurizing them with air that includes the portion of the wall of the gasbag forming the ballonet having a plurality of holes therethrough. A manifold having an inlet port is joined to the wall covering the holes therein and is adapted to diffuse the pressurized air entering therein. Also included is at least one fan having an inlet port coupled to ambient atmosphere and an outlet port coupled to the inlet port of the manifold for providing pressurized air to the interior thereof.

Abstract: A non-rigid airship is provided which includes a gas envelope having propulsion units mounted on either side thereof. Thrust emanating from the propulsion units is deflectable to control at least the vertical positioning of the airship. Horizontal positioning of the airship may be controlled by varying the relative thrust of the propulsion units. A method is also provided for controlling the flight path of an airship. The method includes providing propulsion units on opposite sides of the airship and deflecting the thrust of the propulsion units to control vertical placement of the airship. Horizontal placement of the airship may be carried out by varying the relative thrust of the propulsion units.

Abstract: An airship has a carrier frame with triangular cross-ribs arranged so that an apex faces upwardly and a base faces downwardly, whereby longitudinal beams at the corners of the triangles interconnect the cross-ribs. The carrier frame is enclosed by an envelope including at least three skin segments joined to each other along seams coinciding with the longitudinal frame beams. Each skin segment extends entirely from the bow to the stern and may include several strips. At least two steering air chambers are provided, one near the bow, the other near the stern for trimming purposes. The seams or at least one of the seams, is so constructed that it is readily openable and closable for providing access to the interior of the airship.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the height of an airship, which includes a floating body of tube-like supporting gas containers and air bags. The air bags are disposed outside and between the supporting gas containers and connect the containers to each other. The apparatus includes at least one fan-compressor for high pressure and/or at least one fan-compressor for low pressure.

Abstract: An airship in the form of a self-powered, elongated dirigible which comprises at least three sections connected together by joints. The sections including a front section with propulsion devices and control surfaces, at least one intermediate section designed to carry a payload and a rear section with control surfaces. The joints allow limited articulation between sections under gust conditions and tend to return the sections to aligned condition in calm air. A cover may provide a streamline exterior shape for the airship; alternatively the sections may have rims which mate together when there is no articulation to provide a smooth exterior shape.

Abstract: The airborne air cleaning station features a dirigible supporting a gigantic collector hood exteriorly mounted thereto, and an enlarged housing having a plurality of different types of air cleaning devices contained therein. The collector hood funnels polluted ambient air into an air intake system that places the on-board air cleaning devices in fluid communication with the collector hood. Sensors within the air cleaning station analyze an incoming air flow to determine the pollutants which need to be removed from the local atmosphere. Then, an automatic control system actuates automated valves of an on-board piping system to route incoming air to those air cleaning devices which are best equipped to remove whatever particular pollutants have been detected by the sensors. The inclusion of a plurality of different air cleaning devices, such as wet scrubbers, filtration machines, cyclonic spray scrubbers, etc. advantageously equips the airborne air cleaning station to deal with a wide variety of pollutants.

Abstract: A rigid airship has a carrier frame with trianguar cross-ribs interconnected by longitudinal beams, one connectd to each corner of the triangle. Thus, prism-type frame sections are formed which are stiffened by diagonal tensioning members (D). The prism of each frame section (A) has two lateral sides and a base side. Each of the three sides is stiffened with two diagonal tensioning members. Junctions between neighboring frame sections are formed at the triangle corners. Carrier gas cells, the skin of which forms at least part of the airship skin, are secured in the frame sections. The base of each triangle cross-rib forms the base of the frame. One or more air chambers are formed in the belly of the airship below the base of the frame.

Abstract: A helium purification system for use with lighter-that-air airships has a catalytic purification stage for removing oxygen from the lift gas, and if desired, a nitrogen removal stage. Impure lift gas is passed through the catalytic purification stage which includes catalytic means for reacting hydrogen and contaminating oxygen entrained in the lift gas to form water and liberate heat energy. The catalytic reaction of oxygen and hydrogen increases the lift capacity of the airship both by removing oxygen from the lift gas which can then be replaced with additional lift gas and by heating the lift gas. The lifht weight catalytic purifier requiring no external power makes practical an on-board lift gas purifier to scavenge oxygen from the lift gas as soon as it enters the aerostat whose only cost of operation is that of the hydrogen consumed.

Abstract: An airship having improved controllability which comprises: an axial fluid pathway penetrating through a body of the airship in an axial direction, at least one radial fluid pathway crossing the axial fluid pathway and penetrating through the body in a radial direction, the axial fluid pathway and the radial fluid pathway forming a ventilating-thrusting tube having a rigid framework construction, propulsion means, thrust generating direction of which is adjustable, arranged in a crossing region of the axial fluid pathway and the radial fluid pathway, and a lift balloon arranged beside the ventilating-thrusting tube in such a manner that a gap is formed between the ventilating-thrusting tube and the lift balloon to allow air to flow through. This arrangement lowers a tendency of yawing due to a transverse wind. The airship has a semi-rigid and semi-flexible construction capable of making up for drawbacks of both rigid type and flexible type.