Metallized flexible laminate material for lighter-than-air vehicles
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsPaul E. Liggett, Dennis L. Carter, Anthony L. Dunne, Dhiraj H. Darjee, Gerald W. Placko, James I. Mascolino, Lowell J. McEowen
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Abstract
A laminate material for lighter-than-air vehicles includes at least one monofilament yarn layer, a polymeric film layer adjacent to the at least one monofilament layer, and a metallized coating adjacent to said polymeric film layer. A clear film cover layer may be adhered to the metallized coating, and one or more fluorescent dyes may be incorporated into the clear film layer.
Claims35
A laminate material suitable for a hull of a lighter-than-air vehicle able to reach tropospheric and stratospheric heights comprising:
- at least one monofilament yarn layer;
- a polymeric film layer adjacent to said at least one monofilament layer;
- a metallized coating adjacent to said polymeric film layer opposite said at least one monofilament yarn layer;
- and
- a clear film cover layer adjacent to said metallized coating wherein said clear film cover layer forms an exterior of the hull, said clear film cover layer comprising a fluorescent dye, wherein said metallized coating reflects solar radiation in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared regions, said clear film cover layer acts as an emitter of solar radiation in the mid to far infrared regions and said fluorescent dye enhances reflectivity so as to minimize heat build-up in the laminate material.
A lighter-than-air vehicle able to reach tropospheric and stratospheric heights constructed with a laminate material, comprising:
- a hull;
- said hull comprising at least one piece of laminate material having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprising:
- a straight ply monofilament yarn layer forming said interior surface;
- a bias ply monofilament yarn layer secured to said straight ply layer;
- a polymeric film layer secured to said bias ply layer;
- a metal coating layer secured to said polymeric film layer opposite said bias ply monofilament yarn layer;
- and
- a clear film cover layer adjacent to said metallized coating wherein said clear film cover layer forms the hull exterior, said clear film cover layer comprising a fluorescent dye, wherein said metal coating layer reflects solar radiation in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared regions, said clear film cover layer acts as an emitter of solar radiation in the mid to far infrared regions and said fluorescent dye enhances reflectivity so as to minimize heat build-up in the laminate material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.