摘要 |
The inventive lifting body for an airship is constructed of a skin ( 2 ) that forms an ellipsoid-like hollow body. A node element ( 3 ) is placed in the vicinity of the nose ( 11 ) and rear ( 12 ) respectively, and compression members ( 4 ) extend along surface lines ( 16 ) and are anchored on both sides inside one of the node elements ( 3 ). The compression members ( 4 ) are flexible and thus adapt to the skin ( 2 ) along the surface line ( 16 ). Two tensile bands ( 5 ) per compression member ( 4 ) extend in opposite spiraling directions around the skin ( 2 ). The skin ( 2 ) takes on its provided taut shape while being subjected to an overpressure of several mBars. The compression members ( 4 ), together with the node elements ( 3 ) and with the tensile bands ( 5 ), form an extremely light exoskeleton by means of which the lifting body becomes dimensionally stable. Increasing overpressure renders the lifting body increasingly rigid and continues to increase the load bearing capacity thereof while the lifting body retains its shape and dimensions. The dimensional stability of the lifting body facilitates and assists in imparting to it an aerodynamic shape, optionally with a dynamic lift. In addition, the compression members ( 4 ) are suited for attaching power units, gondolas and tail units.
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