Lighter-than-air vertical load lifting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An aerial load lifting system for transporting a load, comprising:
- an envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gaseous substance;
a structural shell for supporting the load, wherein the structural shell is shaped to allow the envelope to be slid horizontally into the structural shell such that the structural shell is surrounded at least in part by the structural shell; and
a power train system including at least one engine supported by the structural shell and located above the envelope, and at least one rotor oriented in a substantially horizontal plane supported by the structural shell and located above the envelope, wherein the envelope provides a buoyant force essentially to offset the weight of the structural shell and the power train system, wherein the power train system provides a lifting force capable of lifting the load.
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Abstract
An aerial load lifting system features a non-rigid or blimp-type dirigible providing a lighter-than-air envelope that is placed within a structural shell. The system is designed so that the envelope provides essentially neutral buoyancy for the structure, leaving only the cargo weight to be lifted by the rotors. The structural shell supports the engine, fuel tank, rotors, and transmission system that power the lift and vectoring of the aircraft, in addition to supporting the cargo load. The structural shell transfers the weight of the load directly to the location of the rotors, thus avoiding stress on the envelope.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An aerial load lifting system for transporting a load, comprising:
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an envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gaseous substance; a structural shell for supporting the load, wherein the structural shell is shaped to allow the envelope to be slid horizontally into the structural shell such that the structural shell is surrounded at least in part by the structural shell; and a power train system including at least one engine supported by the structural shell and located above the envelope, and at least one rotor oriented in a substantially horizontal plane supported by the structural shell and located above the envelope, wherein the envelope provides a buoyant force essentially to offset the weight of the structural shell and the power train system, wherein the power train system provides a lifting force capable of lifting the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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13. An aerial transportation system, comprising:
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an envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gaseous substance; a structural shell surrounding the envelope at least in part wherein the structural shell is shaped to allow the envelope to be slid horizontally into the structural shell such that the structural shell is surrounded at least in part by the structural shell; and a power train system including at least one engine and at least one rotor, the power train system located above the envelope; wherein the envelope provides a buoyant force essentially to offset the weight of the structural shell and the power train system and wherein the power train system provides a lifting force, and wherein the at least one rotor is located above the envelope and the at least one engine is located above the envelope. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification