| 摘要 |
A hybrid lift air vehicle for lifting and transporting a payload to a delivery location, which comprises a helium filled envelope mounted on an airframe. Vertical thrusters are positioned on the airframe, and at least two lateral thrusters are mounted on the envelope wherein, when the vehicle is connected to the payload for transport, the helium 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 plurality of vertical thrusters are slowly disengaged so as to allow the air vehicle to descend and the payload to again engage the ground surface for unloading of the payload from the vehicle, the vehicle continuing to be kept aloft, once unloaded, by the helium. In this manner, the vehicle utilizes the helium to offset the weight of the vehicle, thus allowing the vertical thrusters to provide 100% of the power to lift the payload from vertical thrusters.
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