airship

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of aviation, and more particularly to lighter-than-air aircraft. An airship is proposed, comprising a hull filled with a cylindrical gasbag containing a gas lighter than air. The hull is formed by a shell and a frame in the form of elastic strips, the ends of which are connected to form closed loops. The airship also includes an external frame positioned along the bow and sides of the hull, the external frame being formed by internal and external reinforcing ribs connected by horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs. The frame is attached at equal intervals to the internal reinforcing ribs in the lower part of the hull, and the external reinforcing ribs are positioned tangentially to the hull. In this configuration, the shell is attached both to the frame in the upper and lower parts of the hull and to the external reinforcing ribs of the frame. The shell is manufactured using a tensioning process to form the outer surface of the frame. The horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs form at least one deck and multiple bulkheads, simultaneously forming a sub-deck space that bears most of the load to transfer the airship's center of gravity to the lower part of the airship. The invention claimed in this application aims to achieve the following technical effects: ensure the strength of the airship; improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the airship; optimize the internal space of the airship to accommodate a greater number of ordinary cylindrical gasbags while maintaining the overall external dimensions of the airship; increase the space for accommodating payloads including passengers, cargo, and process equipment; and ensure the possibility of landing on both land and water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aviation, and more particularly to lighter-than-air aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] A lens-shaped hybrid airship is known from the prior art [RU105881, B64B1 / 08, published June 27, 2011], comprising an outer inflatable hull, an outer power ring, an inner power ring, a central power unit, a cruise and lift-stabilizing power unit, and an annular shock absorber. To reduce the compressive load on the outer power ring and increase the load on the inner power ring and the central power unit holding the pod, and to eliminate radial folding, the upper and lower parts of the outer hull correspond to a portion of an ellipsoid with a height-to-diameter ratio equal to 0.6. The outer power ring is in the form of a triangular truss. The cruise power unit is located above and below the outer power ring at the point on the outer power ring furthest from the longitudinal axis of the airship. The lift-stabilizing tail device is located outside the jet range of the cruise power unit. The inner gas sleeve is attached to the pod via an inner rigging and also to the outer ring to prevent the inner gas sleeve from moving when the airship tilts.

[0003] The prior art discloses an airship [US1718343, B64B1 / 00, published June 25, 1929], which includes a centrally located deck, a portion of the hull located below the deck, another portion of the hull located above the deck, wings connected to the airship above the deck, control mechanisms mounted on the deck, and compartments located on the deck for use by passengers and crew, these compartments being positioned along the outer edge of the upper part of the hull.

[0004] The closest invention to the claimed invention is a lighter-than-air aircraft [US1718343, B64B1 / 00, published June 25, 1929], which includes a streamlined upper part having a substantially semi-elliptical cross section, a streamlined lower part having a substantially semi-circular cross section, an upper part suspended above the lower part, a longitudinal strut system occupying the suspended upper part and passing through the airship body, wherein the strut system forms a longitudinal inverted air duct adjacent to the lower side of the airship, and a transverse air guide surface passing between the longitudinal outer edge of the upper part and the adjacent edge of the air duct.

[0005] The purpose of the claimed invention is to expand the scope of functional passenger and cargo lightweight aircraft. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The claimed invention aims to achieve the following technical effects: ensure the strength of the airship; improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the airship; optimize the internal space of the hull to accommodate a large number of ordinary cylindrical gasbags while maintaining the overall external dimensions of the airship; increase the space for accommodating payloads including passengers, cargo and process equipment; and ensure the possibility of landing on both land and water.

[0007] The technical result is achieved through the following: an airship is proposed, comprising a hull filled with a cylindrical gasbag containing a gas lighter than air, and the hull being formed by a shell and a frame in the form of elastic strips, the ends of which are connected to form closed loops. The airship also includes an external frame positioned along the bow, stern, and sides of the hull, formed by internal and external reinforcing ribs connected by horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs, wherein the frame is attached at equal intervals to the internal reinforcing ribs in the lower part of the hull, and the external reinforcing ribs are positioned tangentially to the hull. In this configuration, the shell is attached both to the frame in the upper and lower parts of the hull and to the external reinforcing ribs of the frame. The shell is manufactured using a tensioning process to form the outer surface of the frame. The horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs form at least one deck and multiple bulkheads, while also forming a sub-deck space that bears most of the load to transfer the airship's center of gravity to the lower part of the airship.

[0008] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the gas lighter than air is helium or hydrogen.

[0009] In certain embodiments of the invention, the closed loop has a circular or elliptical profile.

[0010] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the frame is made of carbon fiber or glass fiber.

[0011] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing ribs are made of aerospace aluminum or carbon fiber.

[0012] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the housing is made of aerospace aluminum or carbon fiber. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the airship is shown.

[0014] Figure 2 The longitudinal view of the airship is shown (position 1 - side view, position 2 - top view).

[0015] The airship consists of frame 2 ( Figure 1 The hull formed by 1 ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 The airship includes an external frame 3 positioned along the side of the hull 1. Figure 1 , Figure 2), by horizontal reinforcing rib 6 ( Figure 1 ) and vertical reinforcing rib 7 ( Figure 1 ) Internal reinforcing ribs 4 () Figure 1 ) and external reinforcing rib 5 ( Figure 1 The frame 2 is attached to the internal reinforcing rib 4 at equal intervals in the lower part of the hull 1, and the external reinforcing rib 5 is positioned tangentially to the hull 1. The hull 1 is also composed of a shell 8 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shell is formed by attaching it to the frame 2 in the upper and lower parts of the hull 1, and to the external reinforcing rib 5. The shell 8 is made by tensioning and forms the outer surface of the frame 3.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal reinforcing rib 6 and the vertical reinforcing rib 7 form a deck 9. Figure 1 ) and multiple bulkheads 10 ( Figure 1 ), and below deck space 11 ( Figure 1 ).

[0017] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the front and rear cruise propellers 12 ( Figure 2 Secure it to the frame 3.

[0018] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the airship includes three transverse passages: a forward passage 13 located at deck level 9 ( Figure 2 ), Middle passage 14 ( Figure 2 ) and rear passage 15 ( Figure 2 ). Detailed Implementation

[0019] The invention is illustrated by the following examples of implementation methods.

[0020] Example 1. The airship includes a hull 1 filled with a cylindrical helium gasbag and formed by a frame 2 made of carbon fiber in the form of elastic strips, the ends of which are connected to form a closed circular loop. The airship includes an external frame 3 positioned along the bow and sides of the hull 1, formed by internal reinforcing ribs 4 and external reinforcing ribs 5 connected by horizontal reinforcing ribs 6 and vertical reinforcing ribs 7. The frame 2 is attached to the internal reinforcing ribs 4 at equal intervals in the lower part of the hull 1, and the external reinforcing ribs 5 are positioned tangentially to the hull 1. Reinforcing ribs 4, 5, 6, and 7 are made of aerospace-grade aluminum. The frame 3 has a quadrilateral cross-section with one convex corner. The hull 1 is also formed by a shell 8, which is attached to both the frame 2 in the upper and lower parts of the hull 1 and to the external reinforcing ribs 5. The shell 8 is made of aerospace-grade aluminum, and the tension generated under gravity presses the frame 3 against the frame 2. Horizontal stiffeners 6 and vertical stiffeners 7 form a deck 9, multiple bulkheads 10, and a sub-deck space 11. Deck 9 is designed to accommodate passengers and cargo. Sub-deck space 11 is designed to accommodate process equipment, as well as load-bearing components, to shift the airship's center of gravity to its lower part.

[0021] Example 2. The airship is constructed similarly to Example 1, with its hull 1 filled with a cylindrical hydrogen gasbag, and its frame 2 made of fiberglass in the form of elastic strips, the ends of which are joined to form an elliptical closed loop. Reinforcing ribs 4, 5, 6, and 7 are made of carbon fiber. To further increase strength, the frame 2 is tensioned together by spokes made of, for example, metal or synthetic materials. Horizontal reinforcing rib 6 and vertical reinforcing rib 7 form two decks, with the upper deck used for filling with gaseous fuel and the lower deck used for carrying cargo. The hull 8 is made of carbon fiber.

[0022] Example 3. The airship is constructed similarly to Example 1, with deck 9 for accommodating passengers. Forward and aft cruise propellers 12 are secured to frame 3. The airship also includes three transverse passageways located at the deck 9 level. The forward passageway 13 is integrated with the nose cone containing the cockpit and houses the power unit for the forward cruise propeller 12. The second intermediate passageway 14 allows for lateral movement of passengers and cargo between portions of deck 9 located on the sides of hull 1. Passageway 14 has an exit at its outer end leading to deck 9 of the airship. The aft passageway 15 is integrated with the stern unit and houses the power unit for the aft cruise propeller 12. Passageways 13 and 15 serve as additional reinforcing elements of the airship structure at the attachment points of the cruise propeller 12.

[0023] According to Examples 1-3 of the claimed invention, the implementation of the external frame and the method for securing the external frame to the hull allow for ensuring the strength of the airship. Furthermore, the hull is implemented through a tensioning process, positively influencing the strength of the airship.

[0024] Because the external frame includes external stiffeners arranged tangentially to the hull, in addition to other components, it has a triangular profile, which improves the airship's rigidity and aerodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, the improvements are influenced by the location of the under-deck space in the lower part of the external frame, which bears most of the load and is used to house process equipment, thus ensuring that the airship's center of gravity is shifted to its lower part.

[0025] Since the external frame, which is the main structural element ensuring the strength of the airship, is located outside the hull, the internal space of the hull is optimized to ensure the possibility of placing more standard-shaped gas-filled cylindrical gasbags while maintaining the overall dimensions of the airship.

[0026] Compared to conventionally designed airships, the presence and implementation of the external frame according to Examples 1-3 of the claimed invention provide an increase in space for accommodating payloads including passengers, cargo, and process equipment, whereas conventionally designed airships assume the presence of relatively small pods in their lower section, where the space is limited.

[0027] The external framework, arranged along the bow and sides of the hull, provides the airship with the possibility of landing on both land and water, since the lower part of the airship lacks structural elements for accommodating passengers and / or cargo, such as pods.

Claims

1. An airship comprising a hull, the hull being filled with a cylindrical gasbag containing a gas lighter than air, and the hull being formed by a shell and a frame in the form of elastic strips, the ends of the elastic strips being connected to form a closed loop, characterized in that, The airship also includes an external frame positioned along the bow and sides of the hull. The external frame is formed by internal and external reinforcing ribs connected by horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs. The frame is attached to the internal reinforcing ribs at equal intervals in the lower part of the hull, and the external reinforcing ribs are positioned tangentially to the hull. The shell is attached to the frame in the upper and lower parts of the hull, as well as to the external reinforcing ribs of the frame. The shell is manufactured using a tensioning process and forms the outer surface of the hull. The horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs form at least one deck and multiple bulkheads, and also form a sub-deck space. The sub-deck space bears most of the load to transfer the center of gravity of the airship to the lower part of the airship.

2. The airship according to claim 1, wherein, Gases lighter than air are helium or hydrogen.

3. The airship according to claim 1, wherein, The closed loop of the frame has a circular or elliptical shape.

4. The airship according to claim 1, wherein, The frame is made of carbon fiber or glass fiber.

5. The airship according to claim 1, wherein, The frame reinforcing ribs are made of aerospace aluminum or carbon fiber.

6. The airship according to claim 1, wherein, The housing is made of aerospace aluminum or carbon fiber.

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