Aerostructure for rigid body airship
US9266597B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An airship hull is provided that is sufficiently light and cost effective so as to make lifting body type airships practical vehicles for carrying people and cargo. The present invention hull design includes three main structural features, i.e., a rigid internal main frame which carries all primary moment and shear loads induced in the vehicle, the vehicle's skin which forms a semi-rigid barrier membrane for the lighter-than-air lifting gas, and a rigid aeroshell frame interposed between the main frame and the skin. The aeroshell frame and skin, in combination, are referred to as the aeroshell. The aeroshell carries the aerodynamic pressure loads induced on the airship.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.