Devices, systems, and methods are directed to controlling lifting gas in a volume defined by an inflatable structure of an aircraft. For example, controlling lifting gas in the volume of the inflatable structure may account for variations in ambient and tactical conditions experienced by the aircraft over the course of flight, as may be useful for lifting the aircraft to a target altitude and/or carrying out a particular mission. Additionally, or alternatively, controlling lifting gas in the volume of the inflatable structure may facilitate lifting the aircraft using lifting gas generated by reacting stable materials with one another at a launch site in the field. As an example, aluminum may react with water to form a lifting gas including hydrogen and steam. As the steam condenses to water in the inflatable structure, a valve may expel water from the inflatable structure to assist in maintaining buoyancy of the aircraft.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    CONTROLLING LIFTING GAS IN INFLATABLE STRUCTURES


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2021-08-05


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64B LIGHTER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT , Luftfahrzeuge leichter als Luft



    Controlling lifting gas in inflatable structures

    SLOCUM ALEXANDER H / SLOCUM JONATHAN T | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    Inflatable lifting-body kite

    LIPPINCOTT MATHEW W / WILLARD CHARLES M | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access

    Inflatable Lifting-Body Kite

    LIPPINCOTT MATHEW W / WILLARD CHARLES M | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access

    LOAD LIFTING TENSIONED INFLATABLE STRUCTURE

    KIM WONHEE MICHAEL / ALEXANDER PAUL W / KIM YUN JU et al. | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    Load lifting tensioned inflatable structure

    KIM WONHEE MICHAEL / ALEXANDER PAUL W / KIM YUN JU et al. | European Patent Office | 2024

    Free access