HYBRID LIGHTER-THAN-AIR VEHICLE

摘要

The present invention is a variable geometry aircraft that is capable of morphing its shape from a symmetric cross-section buoyant craft to an asymmetric lifting body and even to a symmetric zero lift configuration. The basic structure is a semi rigid airship with movable longerons. Movement of the longerons adjusts the camber of the upper and/or lower surfaces to achieve varying shapes of the lifting-body. This transformation changes both the lift and drag characteristics of the craft to alter the flight characteristics. The transformation may be accomplished while the craft is airborne and does not require any ground support equipment.

主权项

1. An aircraft comprising:
a convertible design having a lighter-than-air configuration and a heavier-than-air configuration; a flexible envelope that encloses a base structure, moveable longerons, and a length-adjusting envelope expansion arm; the moveable longerons in communication with the flexible envelope and in communication with a translation assembly, the translation assembly having an extended configuration where the moveable longerons are in a high camber orientation and a retracted configuration where the moveable longerons are in a low camber orientation, in transitioning to the retracted configuration, the translation assembly moves the moveable longerons inward towards a central longitudinal axis of the aircraft to decrease aircraft thickness, and in transitioning to the extended configuration, the translation assembly moves the moveable longerons outward away from the central longitudinal axis of the aircraft to increase the aircraft thickness; the length-adjusting envelope expansion arm further including:
a bias force applied to the envelope expansion arm attempting to force the envelope expansion arm outward in a direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the aircraft;communicating with the flexible envelope;a retracted position and an expanded position, wherein the arm is capable of transitioning between the retracted and expanded positions, in the retracted position, the length of the envelope expansion arm is at a minimum and in the expanded position, the length of the envelope expansion arm is at a maximum; said lighter-than-air configuration including the envelope expansion arm in the retracted position, the translation assembly in the extended configuration, and the moveable longerons in the high camber orientation; and
said heavier-than-air configuration including the envelope expansion arm in the expanded position, the translation assembly in the retracted configuration, and the moveable longerons in the low camber orientation.