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: The present invention relates to a method of providing thrust and added lift to a vehicle by accelerating fluid heated by solar energy. The present invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the aforementioned method. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of providing initial acceleration and propulsion or enhancing the initial acceleration and propulsion of a vehicle in an environment having at least some fluid, the vehicle being of the type having at least one member, at least a portion of which is treated for absorbing solar radiation for heating fluid adjacent the member for use in propelling the vehicle through the environment. By use of direct and/or focused solar radiation, fluid is heated, accelerated and deflected away from a vehicle by natural or forced convection to provide thrust and lift of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flying device capable of carrying man, which contains a wing, a fuselage, and means such as cables for attaching the wing to the fuselage so that the fuselage is suspended below the wing. The fuselage contains a propulsion unit and normally does not have wings for creating a lifting force as in ordinary aircraft.

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: Disclosed is apparatus for collecting solar energy with means of producing electricity by concentrating solar energy on sets of photovoltaic cells to be either positioned at high altitudes and which may be fitted to balloons or to structures floating on water.

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: An airship and a magnetically operated anchoring assembly adapted to provide rotation of the airship with respect to the ground, includes a gondola mounted to an envelope structure adapted to house lighter-than-air gas as well as any enclosures which may be used for containing the gas and a magnet device mounted to and operable from the gondola for attraction to a magnetically attractive anchoring structure secured to the ground. As preferably embodied, the magnet device is adapted to permit rotation of the gondola about the anchor point and the gondola is mounted to the envelope so as to be positionable at various desirable points under the longitudinal axis of the airship. Alternatively, the magnet may be mounted to a generally front-facing portion of the airship and the anchoring structure includes a mast with a magnetically attracting cylinder rotatably mounted to the mast at a height sufficient to enable mating with the magnet device on the airship.

Abstract: An airship has a gas-containing annulus contained by the circular base portion of framework the central portion of which extends above the annulus. The capacity of the annulus in accordance with one embodiment is such as to render buoyant a weight equal at least to the major portion of the light ship weight of the airship and in another embodiment, the annulus capacity is such as to render the airship buoyant with a maximum load. The central portion of the framework supports the load lifting propulsion system while the forward propulsion and the guidance systems ride on and are supported by tracks carried by the framework adjacent but above the annulus to travel 90.degree. in either direction from a predetermined straight-ahead position.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing propulsion, control, and stability to small airships (miniblimps) in free flight, especially lighter than air airships. Propulsion is provided by a single motor. Control is achieved by moving the propulsion motor up or down, or left or right. Stability is provided by a single fixed control surface.

Abstract: Power is mechanically transmitted from a tethered airship carrying wind turbines to electrical generators on the ground at the anchor point of the tether, by the use of endless power-transmission cables bridging between drive sheaves at the turbine wheels and driven sheaves at the generators. Tether adjustments, cable tensioning, and wind direction changes are provided for the ground apparatus. A tubular aircraft with recess in the tube wall, carrying bearings on which the rims of the turbine wheels ride, is also claimed.

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 gondola, or cabin structure, is attached to a lighter-than-air gas-containing structure by mounting apparatus enabling rotation of the longitudinal axis of the gas-containing structure through about 90.degree. with respect to the orientation of the gondola. Propulsion devices are mounted on the gas-containing structure to provide propulsion force generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas-containing structure for generating forward thrust during flight and downward or upward thrust during, respectively, descent or ascent. Accordingly, the present invention embraces a method for effecting descent or ascent, which includes the steps of orienting the gas-containing structure in a generally vertical configuration and initiating downward or upward thrust.

Abstract: A thermal airship having a hull formed of an elongate soft envelope of flexible material being aerodynamic shaped for horizontal flight with tail members at the aft end for controlling the direction of horizontal flight and a gondola carried below the hull with a power propelling member for driving the airship horizontally and a pressurizing inflation opening in the base of the envelope with a hot air pressure generating system for superpressurizing the envelope and a controlled fuel operated burner for heating the air coming into the envelope and a thermocouple suspended within the envelope near the top but spaced from the outer wall with a variable control for the thermocouple controlling the fuel valve for the burner so as to maintain the hot air within the envelope at a predetermined controlled temperature.

Abstract: A hot air airship including an elongate aerodynamic shaped gas envelope carrying a hot air pressure generating device to pressurize the envelope with heated air, tail members at the aft end and a gondola below the envelope and including a load equalizing suspension system for the gondola with a plurality of suspension cables secured within the gas envelope at distributed fore and aft points at each side thereof and decreasing to a fewer number of cables with each cable finally looped beneath the envelope and having a thimble slidable thereon to equally distribute the load to each side of the envelope and the thimble having a securing portion for attaching it to the gondola with a propeller mounted on the gondola.

Abstract: The disclosed semi-buoyant lift-augmented aircraft, preferably of immense size, includes a fuselage of airfoil shape formed by a rigid geodesic type web framework enclosing buoyant cells pressurized to reinforce the framework. Wings are provided which impart aerodynamic lift to the aircraft, with the airfoil fuselage. The buoyancy is provided to counteract a major proportion of the great weight of the structure and to thus improve the aircraft's payload capability and range. These features maintain it airborne at reasonable speeds over a substantial altitude range.

Abstract: A hot air airship including an elongate aerodynamic shaped gas envelope carrying a pressure hot air generating means for pressurizing the envelope with heated air during flight and having inflatable hollow first tail members at the aft end for stabilizing the flight and second tail members at the aft end of the first tail members hingedly attached thereto with gas conduits extending through the hinges and both tail members inflated by the hot air of the envelope.

Abstract: A gas filled, balloon-like object capable of defining a non-spherical shape, such as a lenticular shape, suitable as a decorative object for home use or the like. A high modulus graphite-impregnated epoxy material is used to prevent distortion of the inflated object.

Abstract: A hot air airship including an elongate aerodynamic shaped gas envelope carrying a pressure hot air generator system for pressurizing the envelope with heated air during flight with tail members at the aft end of the airship for guiding and directing the direction and attitude of flight, a gondola supported from the envelope for carrying the load including a push fan for propelling it in flight, a pressurizing blower and hot air generator for carrying with the ship, a deflation opening in the airship envelope having a cap over the elongate envelope with a netting sewn over the opening outwardly of the cap and the cap attached by Velcro along its edges and permanently attached at side edges so that the fore and aft edges can be pulled away from the opening.

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: The present invention relates to a dirigible, especially a non-rigid dirigible, wherein the body of the dirigible has at its bow section and at its stern section cells pressurized under a higher pressure than the maximum dynamic pressure produced at the bow under flight conditions, whereby the body of said dirigible in the region of the pressure transition circular lines is subdivided by partitions forming said cells, which partitions are adapted to receive pressure without any substantial deformation.

Abstract: A thermal airship including an elongate gas envelope of a soft flexible material with tail members on the aft end of the airship, a gondola carried below the airship hull, a first motor driving a propeller for propelling the airship horizontally, a pressurizing inflation leading into the hull, an air pressure generating mechanism for pressurizing the envelope with heated air during flight including a blower driven by a second motor positioned for moving a flow of air through the opening with a controlled burner positioned in the path of the flowing air, a drive train connected between the first motor and blower and a drive train clutch in the drive train for connecting the blower to be driven by the first motor in the event of failure of the second motor.

Abstract: The invention is new construction of a dirigible for use in transporting natural gas. The aircraft has a rigid outer shell forming an elongated body. The aircraft has a plurality of collapsible chambers for holding cargo gas serially disposed along the longitudinal axis of the rigid outer shell. The collapsible chambers are inter-connected by a common manifold disposed within the rigid outer shell that penetrates the outer shell for the purpose of loading and unloading the cargo gas.

Abstract: A flexible lighter-than-air gas-containing envelope carries at least one rigid structural member which provides a track for pivotal and slidable mounting of a gondola. The track extends along the underside of the airship from the nose section to a point aft of the midsection so that the gondola can be positioned from a point directly under the belly to one at the nose, causing the longitudinal axis of the envelope to rotate through 90.degree.. Remote controls actuate the rudders, ailerons and elevators as well as fully rotatable horizontal stabilizers and wings.

Abstract: An aircraft capable of flying at very low velocities utilizing a wing envelope of an aerodynamic configuration having cells filled with a lighter-than-air gas. In one embodiment the buoyancy of the wing is slightly less than the total weight of the aircraft wherein forward movement is required to provide lift. In another embodiment the buoyancy is greater than the aircraft weight wherein forward motion is required to produce universal control without the release of gas or ballast. The wing envelope is formed of a plurality of trussed members radially extending from an axis producing a plurality of cells covered by a lightweight high strength skin material, the aircraft being characterized by high strength, economy and efficiency of construction and efficiency of lift at low speeds.

Abstract: A mooring and landing device for aircraft which are capable of vertical dent for landing comprising an inflatable tube-type device, or trunk, attached to the bottom surface of the craft. The trunk is in the shape of a doughnut and the open interior compartment formed by the inflated trunk and the bottom surface of the craft is evacuated to a pressure lower than atmospheric so that the difference between the compartment pressure and the atmospheric pressure moors the craft to the ground. The trunk is inflated to a pressure greater than atmospheric and may be formed with a plurality of holes to provide an air cushion for lubrication purposes.

Abstract: A lighter than air ship, with a bow plate on the bow, two cars suspended beneath the elongated bag, the cars having water ballast tanks, with scoops to take in water when the airship is landing on water and valves to let the water out when the airship is taking off, with a sea anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, a ground (bottom) anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, metal ribs attached to the bow plate and extending to a stern plate and connected to the bag both above and below the bag, with a vertical rudder for steering right and left, horizontal rudders for steering up and down and a ballonet inside the bag for keeping proper pressure, landing wheels for landing the airship on land, the cars being capable of landing the airship on water, the bag having an aerodynamic lifting shape so that the airship can take off and fly heavy and by dumping water can land safey and landing on water can take in water to be stable on the surface, can land on land with the wheels and be secured by the rodes.

Abstract: A lighter than air ship, with a bow plate on the bow, two cars suspended beneath the elongated bag, the cars having water ballast tanks, with scoops to take in water when the airship is landing on water and valves to let the water out when the airship is taking off, with a sea anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, a ground (bottom) anchor and rode (rope) to the bow plate, metal ribs attached to the bow plate and extending to a stern plate and connected to the bag both above and below the bag, with a vertical rudder for steering right and left, horizontal rudders for steering up and down and a ballonet inside the bag for keeping proper pressure, landing wheels for landing the airship on land, the cars being capable of landing the airship on water, the bag having an aerodynamic lifting shape so that the airship can take off and fly heavy and by dumping water can land safey and landing on water can take in water to be stable on the surface, can land on land with the wheels and be secured by the rodes.