Lighter-than-air aircraft including a closed loop combustion generating system and related methods for powering the same
US7249733B2 · kind B2 · utility
10Cited by
18References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/24
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lighter-than-air aircraft includes a gas envelope for containing a buoyant gas, and a propulsion system is carried by the gas envelope. A solar panel is carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when generating sufficient power. A closed loop combustion generating system is also carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when the solar panel is not generating sufficient power. The fuel for the closed loop combustion generator is regenerated by the solar panel from its exhaust when the solar panel is generating sufficient power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.