| 摘要 |
A hybrid lift air vehicle for lifting and transporting a payload to a del ivery location, which comprises a helium or other lighter-than-air gas fille d envelope mounted on an airframe. Variable and reversible vertical thruster s are positioned on the airframe, and at least two variable and reversible l ateral thrusters are mounted on the envelope or mounted on truss arms attach ed and extending out from the airframe, wherein, when the vehicle is connect ed to the payload for transport, the helium or other lighter-than-air gas su pports or substantially supports the weight of the vehicle and the vertical thrusters are then continuously engaged to support the weight of the payload and to provide lift to the payload, wherein the lateral thrusters are then engaged to effect lateral movement of the vehicle to the delivery location, whereby, once at the delivery location, the lift provided by the variable an d reversible vertical thrusters is reduced or reversed so as to allow the ai r vehicle to descend and the payload to again engage the ground surface, and where necessary, the variable and reversible vertical thrusters may be reve rsed to facilitate the unloading of the payload from the vehicle, the vehicl e continuing to be kept aloft, once unloaded, by the helium or other lighter than air gas. In this manner, the vehicle utilizes the helium or lighter th an air gas to offset or substantially offset the weight of the vehicle, the vertical thrusters providing the power to lift the payload.
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