Abstract:
Sistema de generación de energía eléctrica a partir de una fuerza de empuje aerostático, que comprende un conducto vertical (2); un aerostato (3) desplazable dentro del conducto vertical (2) con un movimiento alternativo, provisto de una cámara (4) que alberga un compartimento de gas (5) que confina en su interior un gas de sustentación menos denso que el aire, y un compartimento de aire (6) para la carga de aire, de modo que el llenado de la carga procura un movimiento descendente del aerostato (3) por efecto de la fuerza de gravedad, y el vaciado de la carga procura un movimiento ascendente del aerostato (3) por efecto de una fuerza de empuje aerostático; un conducto de recirculación (9) del aire desplazado durante el movimiento del aerostato (3); y medios de conversión energética (7) configurados para convertir la energía potencial resultante del movimiento de elevación del aerostato (3) en energía eléctrica.
Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed relating lighter-than-air aircraft. Such aircraft may be used for various purposes, such as providing network connectivity to areas that would otherwise lack such connectivity. For example, in some embodiments, a lighter-than-air aircraft according to this disclosure may include various types of antennas (directional or non-directional) for communicating with ground-based electronics or with other lighter-than-air aircraft.
Abstract:
Sistema de controle de temperatura do gás de sustentação de dirigível (hélio, hidrogénio) que ajusta a sustentação da aeronave, automaticamente ou sob comando do piloto. Além de compensar os efeitos negativos devido à perda de peso do combustível consumido, permite ajustar os ângulos de arfagem e rolamento da aeronave, melhorando sua aeronavegabilidade, aumentando sobremaneira sua autonomia de vôo, assegura menor consumo de combustível e reduz a emissão de CO 2 na atmosfera.
Abstract:
A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
Abstract:
An airship comprising an envelope having a shape, a volume, and a frontal area. A lifting gas within the envelope. A propulsion system. A volume change mechanism arranged to change the shape of the envelope, wherein the change in shape of the envelope changes the volume of the envelope, the change in volume of the envelope causes a change in the buoyancy of the airship, and the change in shape of the envelope causes the frontal area of the envelope to change proportionally to the change in volume of the envelope.
Abstract:
An airship (100) includes a ballonet (110), a ballonet tracking system (125), and a vehicle management system (140). The ballonet is disposed within the airship and includes a ballonet surface (120). The ballonet tracking system includes one or more light emitters (137) disposed within the ballonet at one or more fixed locations and one or more light detectors (138) disposed within the ballonet at the one or more fixed locations. The ballonet tracking system measures a plurality of distances between one or more fixed locations and one or more locations on the ballonet surface. The ballonet tracking system also calculates differences between a predetermined set of expected distances and the plurality of measured distances. Based on the calculated differences, the ballonet tracking system calculates a volume of the ballonet. The vehicle management system is communicatively coupled to the ballonet tracking system and controls the operation of the airship using the calculated volume of the ballonet.
Abstract:
The invention is an aerostat assembly, specifically an aerostats assembly including a camera for aerial photography. The aerostat assembly includes a boom assembly joined to a buoyant aerostat balloon. The boom assembly includes a pivot assembly joined to the tether line and booms. Thrusters at the ends of the booms allow an operator to maneuver the assembly to desired positions as well as rotate the booms about the pivot assembly.
Abstract:
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A first gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. A second gas source is provided for at least partially re-inflating the airbag after venting of gas through the at least one vent.
Abstract:
A neutral buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.