High-aspect ratio hybrid airship
First Claim
1. A high-aspect ratio hybrid airship, comprising:
- a single outer shell having a high-aspect ratio wing shape and a thick airfoil cross-section, wherein said outer shell has a constant wingspan that is at least eight times longer than the mean chord of said outer shell;
a plurality of independent gas envelopes within said outer shell, wherein said gas envelopes store helium and provide buoyancy lift to said hybrid airship;
wherein said gas envelopes are the only structural shell support elements contained within said outer shell; and
an all-electric propulsion system connected with said outer shell, wherein said all-electric propulsion system is operable to provide forward flight of said outer shell that generates aerodynamic lift of said hybrid airship.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, a hybrid airship including an outer shell, a plurality of helium filled gas envelopes, and an all-electric propulsion system can have a high-aspect ratio wing shape. In some embodiments, the hybrid airship may be launched using buoyancy lift alone and aerodynamic lift may be provided by the all-electric propulsion system. In one aspect, a photovoltaic array and a high energy density power storage system may be combined to power the propulsion system making the propulsion system regenerative. The high-aspect ratio wing shape provides low drag, and can allow the hybrid airship to fly at an altitude of at least about 100,000 ft. By continuously recharging the power storage system, the hybrid airship in accordance with some embodiments can stay aloft for months or even years. The hybrid airship may function as a military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and communications relay platform.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A high-aspect ratio hybrid airship, comprising:
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a single outer shell having a high-aspect ratio wing shape and a thick airfoil cross-section, wherein said outer shell has a constant wingspan that is at least eight times longer than the mean chord of said outer shell; a plurality of independent gas envelopes within said outer shell, wherein said gas envelopes store helium and provide buoyancy lift to said hybrid airship;
wherein said gas envelopes are the only structural shell support elements contained within said outer shell; andan all-electric propulsion system connected with said outer shell, wherein said all-electric propulsion system is operable to provide forward flight of said outer shell that generates aerodynamic lift of said hybrid airship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A hybrid airship, comprising:
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a single outer shell having a high-aspect ratio wing shape and a thick airfoil cross-section, wherein said aspect ratio is at least about 8, and wherein said cross-section has a maximum thickness that is at least about 14% of the chord of said outer shell; a plurality of gas envelopes within said outer shell, wherein said gas envelopes store helium and provide buoyancy lift to said hybrid airship;
wherein said gas envelopes are the only structural shell support elements contained within said outer shell; andan all-electric regenerative propulsion system connected with said outer shell, wherein said all-electric propulsion system includes lightweight capacitor banks and a photovoltaic array and is operable to provide forward flight of said outer shell that generates continuous aerodynamic lift of said hybrid airship; and an electrically driven impeller, wherein said impeller provides pressurized air to keep said gas envelopes inflated after said helium is lost through leakage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A hybrid airship, comprising:
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a single outer shell having a high-aspect ratio wing shape and a thick airfoil cross-section, wherein said outer shell has a constant wingspan of about 1,065 ft, a root chord of about 125 ft, and an aspect ratio of about 8.52; a plurality of gas envelopes within said outer shell, wherein said gas envelopes store helium and provide buoyancy lift to said hybrid airship;
wherein said gas envelopes are the only structural shell support elements contained within said outer shell; andan all-electric regenerative propulsion system connected with said outer shell, wherein said propulsion system includes; a plurality of propellers each driven by an electric motor; a high energy density power storage system including lightweight capacitor banks as energy storage medium and providing electrical power to said electric motors during nighttime hours; and a photovoltaic array providing electrical power to said electric motors and recharging said high energy density power storage system during daylight hours; wherein said all-electric propulsion system is operable to provide forward flight of said outer shell that generates aerodynamic lift of said hybrid airship; and wherein said propulsion system enables operation of said airship at cruise altitudes of about 100,000 ft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification