Airship Exoskeleton Geometry for Variable Slope and Cargo Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighter-than-air airships face limitations such as structural integrity issues, high crew requirements, high cost, reduced lifting capacity, and inefficiencies in cargo offloading, particularly when using helium as a lifting gas, and are hindered by the historical design of equilateral triangle-based exoskeletons that cannot accommodate slope and circumference changes.
Innovation Solution
An airship design featuring an exoskeleton composed of spokes of varying lengths and identical hubs forming isosceles triangles, with a skin made of curvilinear panels, allowing for flexible radii and slopes, and incorporating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for cargo handling and communication systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If equilateral triangle-based exoskeleton is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but structural integrity and adaptability to slope/circumference changes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from equilateral triangles to isosceles triangles in the exoskeleton design, creating asymmetric structures with varying spoke lengths. This asymmetry allows the framework to better accommodate slope and circumference changes while maintaining structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local variations in spoke lengths within the exoskeleton structure, where different spokes have different lengths to accommodate specific geometric requirements at different locations. This local quality approach enables the structure to adapt to varying slopes and circumferences while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If traditional airship design is used, then historical design simplicity is maintained, but crew requirements and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates autonomous capabilities allowing the airship to perform operations such as cargo offloading and navigation with minimal human intervention. The system can autonomously control UAVs for cargo handling and navigate to destinations, significantly reducing crew requirements while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated control systems and UAV-based cargo handling. Instead of crew members physically managing cargo, the system uses remotely piloted or autonomously operating UAVs to transport and deliver payloads, reducing the need for onboard crew.
3Quantity of substance
If helium is used as lifting gas, then lifting capacity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the airship with multi-functional capabilities including cargo transport, communications platform operations, and beam form transmission. This universality allows the airship to generate diverse revenue streams or provide multiple services, helping to offset the higher cost of helium while delivering greater overall value.
4Productivity
If cargo offloading operations are simplified, then operational efficiency is improved, but structural adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic exoskeleton structure with variable spoke lengths that can adapt to different operational requirements. The isosceles triangle configuration allows the structure to flex and adjust during cargo offloading operations, maintaining both structural adaptability and operational efficiency simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides superior structural integrity, reduced crew requirements, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and efficient cargo handling capabilities, enabling faster cruising speeds and safer operations, including autonomous or remotely piloted functions.
Implementation Method 1
An airship includes an exoskeleton defined by a plurality of spokes of varying length and a plurality of hubs, each spoke coupled, at opposing ends, to one of the hubs. Each hub is coupled to six spokes. The spokes are connected to the hubs to form isosceles triangles between adjacent spokes.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.