GB191006150A - Improvements in Dirigible Air Ships. - Google Patents

Abstract

6150. Usborne, N. F. March 11. Aerostats; steering, balancing, and regulating altitude.-In order automatically to maintain a dirigible balloon at a constant level corresponding to a given atmospheric pressure and independent of changes in weight, such as that due to the deposition of dew on the envelope, expansion of the gas is permitted only or mainly rearwards. A variation of the atmospheric pressure consequent upon a change of level therefore results in a fore or aft displacement of the centre of buoyancy and a tilting of the ship which brings into play a counteracting air pressure on the under or upper external surface of the envelope. This arrangement also prevents displacements of weight from permanently affecting the longitudinal trim of the ship. According to one construction, and as applied to a ship of the rigid type, a flexible diaphragm is provided between the gas space and a rear compartment open to the air. In the case of a ship of the Zeppelin type, in which the gas bags are laced to the frame on the under side, the expansion may be allowed by leaving the after part of the gas bags free. To prevent pitching, however, it is preferred to tie only the forward gas bags in this way, the rear ones being tied. if at all, to the rear. To change the altitude, ballast or other weight is moved. The consequent longitudinal tilting causes the ship to be driven upwards or downwards until the centre of buoyancy has moved to bring the axis of the ship parallel to its original direction.