SELF-PROPELLED AIRSHIP HULL REPAIR SYSTEM

• US 20130312895A1
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: MOREHEAD, John, Piini, Nicholas, Hofstatter, Kyle, Younge, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/587 having a non-uniform wall-structure, e.g. with inserts, perforations, locally concentrated reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/382 Automated fiber placement [AFP]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/10 using patches sealing on the surface of the article B29C73/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/24 Apparatus or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/265 having magnetic or pneumatic adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 59/10 using trolleys or the like driven along the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/14 Outer covering
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/40 Balloons B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/58 Arrangements or construction of gas-bags; Filling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/40 Maintaining or repairing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9027 in containers after filling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9081 Inspection especially designed for plastic containers, e.g. preforms
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area

Abstract

An airship hull repair system. The system includes a drive subsystem configured to move the system across an airship hull, a damage detecting subsystem configured to detect damage to the airship hull, a hull repair subsystem configured to repair the detected damage to the airship hull, and a magnetic coupling. The drive subsystem, the damage detecting subsystem, and the hull repair subsystem are included in an interior piece of the system configured to move on an interior of the airship hull and an exterior piece of the system configured to move on an exterior of the airship hull. The magnetic coupling couples the interior piece and the exterior piece to move together.

Claims

1. An airship hull repair system, comprising:

a drive subsystem configured to move the system across an airship hull;

a damage detecting subsystem configured to detect damage to the airship hull;

a hull repair subsystem configured to repair the detected damage to the airship hull; and

a magnetic coupling;

wherein each of the drive subsystem, a part of the damage detecting subsystem, and the hull repair subsystem comprises an interior piece of the system configured to move on an interior of the airship hull and an exterior piece of the system configured to move on an exterior of the airship hull; and

wherein the magnetic coupling couples the interior piece and the exterior piece to move together.

2. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the damage detecting subsystem further comprises a light source included in the interior piece and a light sensor included in the exterior piece.

3. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the damage detecting subsystem further comprises a light source included in the exterior piece and a light sensor included in the interior piece.

4. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the damage detecting subsystem further comprises a gas detector included in the exterior piece.

5. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the hull repair subsystem further comprises an aerosol sealant dispenser.

6. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the hull repair subsystem further comprises an adhesive patch applicator.

7. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling comprises at least one magnet in each of the interior piece and the exterior piece.

8. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling comprises at least one magnet in the interior piece and a magnetically active material in the exterior piece, or at least one magnet in the exterior piece and a magnetically active material in the interior piece.

9. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, further comprising a control subsystem configured to control the drive subsystem, the damage detecting subsystem, and the hull repair subsystem.

10. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, wherein the exterior piece further includes a aerodynamic fairing.

11. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, further comprising a positioning subsystem configured to determine a position of the system.

12. The airship hull repair system of claim 1, further comprising a damage reporting subsystem configured to report the detected damage.

13. A method of repairing an airship hull, comprising:

traversing the airship hull with an airship hull repair system including an interior piece configured to move on an interior of the airship hull and an exterior piece configured to move on an exterior of the airship hull, the interior piece magnetically coupled to the exterior piece;

detecting, by the airship hull repair system, damage to the airship hull; and

repairing, by the airship hull repair system, the detected damage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting damage to the airship hull further comprises the airship hull repair system shining a light through the airship hull to a light sensor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting damage to the airship hull further comprises the airship hull repair system detecting a gas leaking to an exterior of the airship hull.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein repairing the detected damage further comprises dispensing an aerosol sealant onto the damage.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein repairing the detected damage further comprises applying an adhesive patch to the damage.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the interior piece is coupled to the exterior piece with at least one magnet in each of the interior piece and the exterior piece.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the interior piece is coupled to the exterior piece with at least one magnet in the interior piece and a magnetically active material in the exterior piece, or at least one magnet in the exterior piece and a magnetically active material in the interior piece.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising reporting, by the airship hull repair system, the detected damage.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is performed during flight of the airship.