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 aircraft may include variable span, length, and camber. The variability of the structure and the flexible envelope allows the aircraft to adjust its aspect ratio along with the camber of the upper and/or lower surfaces to achieve varying shapes. This transformation changes both the lift and drag characteristics of the craft and may be accomplished while the craft is airborne.

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 in communication with a base structure, wherein the flexible envelope has a leading edge and a trailing edge creating a chord line; a span extending from a port side wingtip to a starboard side wingtip; the lighter-than-air configuration including the aircraft having a span that is less than the span of the aircraft when in the heavier-than-air configuration.