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US 2015/0021427 A1Published application
Airship launch from a cargo airship
OwnerStephen B. Heppeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for launch of an airship includes connecting a cargo airship to a second airship that is not positively buoyant at the launch site, launching the cargo airship, transferring lifting gas from the cargo airship to the second airship where said lifting gas is carried by the cargo airship while aloft; and releasing the second airship from the cargo airship. A high-altitude airship launch system is also provided.
Claims24
A method for launch of an airship comprising:
- connecting a cargo airship to a second airship which is not positively buoyant at the launch site, the cargo airship comprising propulsive and maneuvering capabilities;
- launching the cargo airship, the cargo airship carrying the second airship aloft and traveling to a predetermined location using the propulsive and maneuvering capabilities of the cargo airship;
- while aloft, transferring lifting gas from the lifting volume of the cargo airship to the lifting volume of the second airship;
- and
- releasing the second airship from the cargo airship.
2 more elements
A high-altitude airship launch system comprising:
- a high-altitude airship comprising:
- a hull;
- and
- an inflation tube comprising a first end connected to a gas source and a second end terminating in the high-altitude airship;
- and
- a cargo airship comprising:
- propulsive and maneuvering capabilities;
- a lifting gas reservoir;
- a releasable mass;
- and
- a commandable valve;
- in which the cargo airship transports the high-altitude airship aloft and travel to a predetermined location using the propulsive and maneuvering capabilities and inflate the high-altitude airship while in controlled flight by opening the commandable valve and passing lifting gas from the lifting gas reservoir through the inflation tube into the high-altitude airship.
9 more elements
A cargo airship comprising:
- a payload bay;
- a retractable payload door on an upper surface of the cargo airship;
- a lifting gas reservoir;
- a releasable mass;
- and
- a commandable valve to control transfer of gas from the lifting gas reservoir to a high-altitude airship.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.