Abstract: In the event of an earthquake or fire, important objects like a recording medium used in a location where important information to the outside are relayed or in a location where natural phenomena are observed, are carried away, hanging from an airborne balloon that is inflated and released in response to the mechanical shock of an earthquake or the heat of a fire.

Abstract: A system for automatically filling and launching balloons which may be used, for example, for cloud seeding. The system includes a balloon launching station frame, a nozzle mounted on the frame onto which the narrow end of a balloon can be attached so that gas can flow through the nozzle into the balloon, a conduit coupled to a source of gas and to the nozzle for delivering gas through the nozzle into the balloon, gas flow control apparatus responsive to first signals for controlling the flow of gas through the conduit, and a release mechanism responsive to second signals for disengaging the balloon from the nozzle to thereby release the balloon to the atmosphere. For launching a series of balloons, the system may include a plurality of nozzles, conduits, gas flow control mechanisms, and release mechanisms arranged so that after one balloon is filled and released, a second balloon may be filled and launched at a selectable time thereafter, etc.

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 system for automatically filling and launching balloons which may be used, for example, for cloud seeding. The system includes a balloon launching station frame, a nozzle mounted on the frame onto which the narrow end of a balloon can be attached so that gas can flow through the nozzle into the balloon, a conduit coupled to a source of gas and to the nozzle for delivering gas through the nozzle into the balloon, gas flow control apparatus responsive to first signals for controlling the flow of gas through the conduit, and a release mechanism responsive to second signals for disengaging the balloon from the nozzle to thereby release the balloon to the atmosphere. For launching a series of balloons, the system may include a plurality of nozzles, conduits, gas flow control mechanisms, and release mechanisms arranged so that after one balloon is filled and released, a second balloon may be filled and launched at a selectable time thereafter, etc.

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 solar powered hot air balloon is disclosed having an envelope with an opaque portion and a transparent portion arranged so as to utilize solar heating to heat air within the envelope. The solar heating air may either by sufficient to provide the entire free lift or may be combined with air from a hot air generating system carried by a gondola supported by the envelope. The opaque portion of the envelope has a substantially black inner surface and a light reflecting outer surface with the black inner surface being positioned so as to receive a maximum amount of sunlight through the transparent portion for a given average position of the sun.

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: An aerostat comprising a closed envelope carrying a nacelle which accomodates a ventilator for driving in air through an appropriate device is disclosed. A burner is movably placed inside the envelope, together with an ignition device and a shield, the envelope further including a valve operable from the nacelle which is fitted with railings so that a cable and various other components can be attached to the aerostat.

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 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: 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: 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 hot air balloon of conventional construction with a balloon envelope having an inlet aperture for hot air received from a heat generating device coupled with the envelope and directed into the aperture is provided with a hood coupled with the envelope adjacent the aperture. The hood extends part way round the aperture and is of scoop form extending outwardly from the aperture and partially around the heat generating device and serves to direct wind and hot air into the aperture to facilitate inflation when the scoop is directed windwardly.