High altitude reconnaissance vehicle

US7073749B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Jerry A. Krill · Ellicott City, US
• Michael W. Roth · Appleton, US
• Frederick W. Riedel · Columbia, US
• Matthew R. Feinstein · Bethesda, US
• William T. Mason, III · Fulton, US
• Margaret Darrin · Bowie, US
• Rafal P. Szczepanowski · Hanover, US
• Vincent F. Neradka · Bethesda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 11, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An airship deployment system comprises an airship of unique shape having laminar flow over this shape to enable low power propulsion, capable remote control, comprising an inflatable body; a propeller assembly for station keeping and repositioning said airship and capable of being folded into a compacted position and unfolded into an operational position; and a payload, comprising gas for inflating said inflatable body; and means for transferring data between said airship and a remote location; and a missile for carrying said airship in a compacted state to a predetermined location and altitude, and releasing said airship at said predetermined location and altitude. When said airship is released from said missile said inflatable body is inflated and said propeller assembly is unfolded into said operational position.