摘要:
A vehicle including at least one bladder for containing a two-phase liquid-gas fuel at a predetermined pressure, with a bladder outlet arranged to releasing vapor fuel from the bladder. The fuel provides energy for propulsion of the vehicle, and the vapor pressure of the fuel provides initial structural integrity of the vehicle, by rigidizing and stiffening the beam assembly to resist inward buckling until the liquid fuel is expended. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. A combustion chamber and thermoelectric conversion module can generate electricity for a propeller and battery.
摘要:
The disclosed semi-buoyant lift-augmented aircraft, preferably of immense size, includes a fuselage of airfoil shape formed by a rigid geodesic type web framework enclosing buoyant cells pressurized to reinforce the framework. Wings are provided which impart aerodynamic lift to the aircraft, with the airfoil fuselage. The buoyancy is provided to counteract a major proportion of the great weight of the structure and to thus improve the aircraft's payload capability and range. These features maintain it airborne at reasonable speeds over a substantial altitude range.
摘要:
An aircraft having an ovate balloon filled with a buoyant gas is positioned above the fuselage of a conventional airplane, supported by two side legs fixed to the main plane of the airplane and by an extendable rear leg, fixed to the tail portion of the fuselage, which changes the angle of attack of the main plane by regulating the balloon attitude.
摘要:
A strong, light-weight, shock-absorbing vehicle having: a barrel-curved cabin, with surfaces curved inward toward the cabin''s axis and hollow elements in the sidewalls; cushioning means, mostly below the cabin, comprising a long pad (FIG. 1) or a tandem pair of spaced pads (FIGS. 2 and 3) (optionally floating, landing or wheel-supporting means - preferably hydrofoils); stiffly resilient means, comprising inflated tubes and resilient plastic, connecting the pad or pads with the cabin; balloon means connected to the top of the cabin, stabilizing it against rolling and pitching; and a powered, reversible steering propeller for holding the high craft on course against strong winds. The preferred balloon is much larger than the cabin, and the preferred shock-absorbing means is shown in FIG. 3. The cushioning means of FIG. 2 or 3 comprises flattened corners at 29 of the main, elongated, plastic-sheathed, pad-supporting tubes (14, 16, 18), and as in FIG. 3 preferably comprises diagonal, inflated, bracing members (49, 50). The cabin comprises barrelcurved, stave-like members, bonded together at their sides, and clamped together with barrel-hoop-like rings or other looped means. These members may be arranged in the circular-in-cross section cabin form of FIGS. 2 and 3 or the oblong-in-crosssection form of FIG. 13.
摘要:
An aerospace vehicle comprising an airplane or spacecraft, operatively coupled to an airship balloon containing lighter than air gas adapted to elevate the vehicle. A control system adapted to deflate the balloon upon reaching a specific altitude by directing the gas to a propulsion system and high pressure gas chambers for powering the vehicle at a greater speed or to a greater altitude. The balloon can be retracted into the vehicle to achieve a better aerodynamic shape and further re-inflated for decreasing the speed of the vehicle upon reaching a destination.
摘要:
A pressure bulkhead for an aircraft comprising a fuselage. The pressure bulkhead comprises an inflatable element, suitable for being filled with air, which in turn comprises a cover which delimits an inner zone. The pressure bulkhead further comprises a seal suitable for providing an airtight seal between the cover and the fuselage of the aircraft.
摘要:
An external part of an aircraft (such as a fairing) comprising a skin made with flexible materials attached to rigid supporting elements (such as longerons and frames) arranged in, at least, two directions. The skin comprises inner inflatable panels in all bays delimited by the rigid supporting elements and/or an external inflatable panel. The skin is joined to the supporting elements so that its external surface complies with aerodynamic requirements.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention comprise woven multilayer textiles having shaped, enclosed, inflatable pockets, where the inflated textile carries tension, compression, torsion and/or bending loads. Composite structures incorporating such inflatable members or spars are also described and claimed.