GB2184077A

GB2184077A - An aerovehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2184077A
Application number: GB08530841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Milner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-12-14
Filing date: 1985-12-14
Publication date: 1987-06-17
Also published as: GB8530841D0

Abstract

An Aerovehicle, 1, which carries passengers and loads in varying arrangements on a large area of floorspace at or near the same level, which takes off and lands on the ground or landing platform, travels through and can remain stationary in the air, and which derives lift from its shape, from propulsion and from lighter than air gas. The Aerovehicle has a shape, 1, and section, 2, which produce lift when propelled through the air. Lift is obtained from lighter than air gas the disposition and volume of which can be changed. Gas can be expanded in containers within the Aerovehicle, in extendable sections of the vehicle, 3, and in containers outside the vehicle, 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aerovehicle This invention relates to a machine called an "Aerovehicle" which takes off from and lands on the ground or a platform, travels through the air and can be arranged to remain stationary in the air.

The Aerovehicle achieves lift from its shape, from propulsion and from lighter than air gas.

Aeroplanes achieve lift from wings and tilplanes with sections, area and an arrangement which produce lift when propelled through the air. Fig. 1.

The lighter an aeroplane is the further it can go or the more load it can carry.

Airships achieve lift from lighter than air gas contained within their structure. Fig. 2. They are propelled and steered by means of engines and fins attached to the structure. Propulsion engines on an airship do no work with lifting sections other than those which change and maintain height and direction.

According to the present proposal there is provided an Aerovehicle, 1, which carries passengers and goods or other type of load or combination of loads (including those arising from military uses) which takes off from and lands on the ground or a platform and which travels through the air and can remain stationary in the air, and which derives its lift from its shape, from propulsion and from lighter than air gas.

An Aerovehicle has a lifting section. One lifting section, 2, is illustrated against the profile of an airship in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 8.

As shown in Fig. 4 an Aerovehicle designated by the number 1 may be a lifting section extended to contain a volume of lighter than air gas approximating to that within an airship of similar length.

Aerovehicles, 1, of different plan shapes are shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

The lighter than air gas may be utilised to wholly or partially conteract the weight of the loaded vehicle.

The volume of low density gas can be varied in different ways. Gas can be compressed or expanded in containers within the Aerovehicle and in extendable sections of the vehicle, 3. Additional gas can be expanded in containers outside the vehicle, including containers which can be stowed inside the vehicle when they are deflated, 4.

Increasing the volume of lighter than air gas will provide extra lift at take off, when the Aerovehicle is stationary in flight and in case of an emergency.

In Fig. 8 the section of the Aerovehicle is shown, 2, an extension of the Aerovehicle, 3, and a container outside the Aerovehicle, 4, of a type which when deflated may be stowed within the vehicle.

Forward motion and lighter than air gas produce lift. Less energy is needed for propulsion than with an aeroplane of equivalent capacity and there would be less noise on take-off and landing.

The amount of lift from lighter than air gas can be varied. The balance of the Aerovehicle can be controlled by altering the volume of gas in different locations within the Aerovehicle.

Variations in the amount and direction of thrust from engines would also be utilised.

The Aerovehicle would be easy to take off and to land, it would have less side resistance than an airship or aeroplane, it has compact dimensions and is an economical shape for accommodating in rectangular hangers and could be serviced and stored in existing hangers.

It is of a shape which permits a structure of a lower strength to weight ratio than does an aeroplane.

The Aerovehicle has large areas of floorspace at, or close to the same level and there is flexibility in layouts for accommodating goods and passengers.

The shape and composition of an Aerovehicle is less vulnerable to an explosion than an aeroplane or airship. If damaged for any reason, including enemy action, an Aerovehicle would maintain an ability to glide until damage was substantial, in addition to the arrangement for expanding gas in containers outside the vehicle, 3.

1. An Aerovehicle which carries passengers and goods or other types of load including those for military purposes, which takes off and lands on the ground or a landing platform, which travels through and can remain stationary in the air and which derives its lift from its shape, from purpulsion and from lighter than air gas.

2. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there is a low weight to strength ratio and a low energy to weight ratio.

3. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the amount of lift produced by lighter than air gas can be varied.

4. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the balance of the vehicle is changed by altering the volumes of gas in different locations within the Aerovehicle.

5. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the buoyancy, balance and speed of the vehicle can be changed by altering the direction and amount of thrust from engines.

6. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein lighter than air gas can be expanded in extendable sections of the aerovehicle and in containers outside the Aerovehicle, including containers which are stowed inside the vehicle when they are deflated.

7. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the construction and composition is

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Aerovehicle This invention relates to a machine called an "Aerovehicle" which takes off from and lands on the ground or a platform, travels through the air and can be arranged to remain stationary in the air. The Aerovehicle achieves lift from its shape, from propulsion and from lighter than air gas. Aeroplanes achieve lift from wings and tilplanes with sections, area and an arrangement which produce lift when propelled through the air. Fig. 1. The lighter an aeroplane is the further it can go or the more load it can carry. Airships achieve lift from lighter than air gas contained within their structure. Fig. 2. They are propelled and steered by means of engines and fins attached to the structure. Propulsion engines on an airship do no work with lifting sections other than those which change and maintain height and direction. According to the present proposal there is provided an Aerovehicle, 1, which carries passengers and goods or other type of load or combination of loads (including those arising from military uses) which takes off from and lands on the ground or a platform and which travels through the air and can remain stationary in the air, and which derives its lift from its shape, from propulsion and from lighter than air gas. An Aerovehicle has a lifting section. One lifting section, 2, is illustrated against the profile of an airship in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 4 an Aerovehicle designated by the number 1 may be a lifting section extended to contain a volume of lighter than air gas approximating to that within an airship of similar length. Aerovehicles, 1, of different plan shapes are shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The lighter than air gas may be utilised to wholly or partially conteract the weight of the loaded vehicle. The volume of low density gas can be varied in different ways. Gas can be compressed or expanded in containers within the Aerovehicle and in extendable sections of the vehicle, 3. Additional gas can be expanded in containers outside the vehicle, including containers which can be stowed inside the vehicle when they are deflated, 4. Increasing the volume of lighter than air gas will provide extra lift at take off, when the Aerovehicle is stationary in flight and in case of an emergency. In Fig. 8 the section of the Aerovehicle is shown, 2, an extension of the Aerovehicle, 3, and a container outside the Aerovehicle, 4, of a type which when deflated may be stowed within the vehicle. Forward motion and lighter than air gas produce lift. Less energy is needed for propulsion than with an aeroplane of equivalent capacity and there would be less noise on take-off and landing. The amount of lift from lighter than air gas can be varied. The balance of the Aerovehicle can be controlled by altering the volume of gas in different locations within the Aerovehicle. Variations in the amount and direction of thrust from engines would also be utilised. The Aerovehicle would be easy to take off and to land, it would have less side resistance than an airship or aeroplane, it has compact dimensions and is an economical shape for accommodating in rectangular hangers and could be serviced and stored in existing hangers. It is of a shape which permits a structure of a lower strength to weight ratio than does an aeroplane. The Aerovehicle has large areas of floorspace at, or close to the same level and there is flexibility in layouts for accommodating goods and passengers. The shape and composition of an Aerovehicle is less vulnerable to an explosion than an aeroplane or airship. If damaged for any reason, including enemy action, an Aerovehicle would maintain an ability to glide until damage was substantial, in addition to the arrangement for expanding gas in containers outside the vehicle, 3. CLAIMS

7. An Aerovehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the construction and composition is less vulnerable to the effects of an explosion and other damage than is an aeroplane or airship.