Launching of high altitude airships
US6568631B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64F1/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of launching inflatable airship apparatus (3) for subsequent ascent to high altitude for operation as an airship having a hull (4) formed from an inflated flexible gas containment envelope (5), payload (15), drive motor (6) mounted at the stern of the hull and cables (26,27), for supporting the payload (15) within the hull (4), connected to the drive motor (6) and to the hull at, or adjacent to, a nose portion of the hull. The method comprises partially inflating the gas containment envelope (5) with a lighter than air gaseous medium to cause the nose portion to rise within a vertical launch enclosure (10) to position the partially inflated gas containment envelope (5) in a launch position, and subsequently releasing the partially inflated gas containment envelope (5) from its launch position through an open top of the vertical enclosure so that the envelope ascends clear of the vertical enclosure (10) and lifts the payload means (15) and drive motor (6) by means of the cables. The invention also relates to inflatable airship apparatus (3) and to a launch station (2) for launching inflatable airship apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.