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Airship ballast system

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-04
INFORMATION SYST LAB
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A cooling tube is also mounted on the airship, and is positioned around the propeller to be substantially coplanar with the propeller tip path. As so positioned, the cooling tube is located at a distance “d” from the axis of propeller rotation that is greater than the distance “r” of the tip path from this axis. Operationally, the arrangement of the cooling tube around the propeller provides protection for ground personnel who may be working near the propeller. Structurally, the cooling tube has a first end that is connected in fluid communication with the engine (motor) to receive engine exhaust gases from the engine for transfer through the cooling tube. The second end of the cooling tube is then connected in fluid communication with an intercooler which, in turn, is connected in fluid communication with the ballast tank mentioned above.

Problems solved by technology

In sum, the loss of fuel during an extended flight, without any ballast correction, can significantly increase the difficulty of descent, the landing of the airship, and the safe handling of the airship by a ground crew.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0015] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an airship in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the airship 10 may be either rigid or non-rigid and includes an engine (motor) 12 that is used to rotate a propeller 14 (best seen in FIG. 2). FIG. 1 also shows that the propeller 14 may be surrounded by a shroud 16. Preferably, the engine 12 for the airship 10 is an air-breathing, reciprocating engine of a type well-known in the pertinent art.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows that the propeller 14 includes blades 18, of which the blades 18a and 18b are only exemplary. Further, each blade 18a,b has a respective tip 20a,b which travels along a tip path 22 as the propeller 14 is rotated about an axis 24 by the engine (motor) 12. As indicated, each blade 18a,b is a distance “r” in length and, correspondingly, the tip path 22 is at a distance “r” from the rotation axis 24.

[0017] Still referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the present invention includes a pl...

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Abstract

An airship ballast system includes an engine driven propeller and a cooling tube that is positioned coplanar with the propeller and outside its tip path. One end of the cooling tube is connected to receive exhaust gases from the engine while the other end is connected to a ballast tank. In operation, exhaust gases from the engine are cooled as they transit the cooling tube, and water condensed from the cooled exhaust gases is pumped to the ballast tank to maintain a ballast for the airship.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention pertains generally to systems and methods for maintaining ballast for a propeller-driven, lighter-than-air airship. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an airship ballast system wherein ballast is provided by condensed water that is scavenged from engine exhaust gases. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system and method for maintaining ballast for an airship wherein the condensation of water from engine exhaust gases is enhanced by the action of propeller induced airflow. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] An important factor for consideration in the flight of a lighter-than-air airship is its reliance on ballast to maintain flight at a selected flight level. Also, the ability of the airship to climb and descend is dependent on the control of the airship's ballast. It also happens that as the duration of flight is increased, the consequent increase in fuel burn exacerbates the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B64B1/58
CPCB64B1/70
Inventor BOSCHMA, JAMES H. JR.SULLIVAN, CALLUM R.MCNABB, MICHAEL
Owner INFORMATION SYST LAB
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