Lockheed Corporation

Mark H Wexler

Edsel R Glasgow

John Burton Kalisz

Robert S Cuccias

James K Arnold

David E Carlile

Robert R Cuccias

The invention is an attachment fitting for use on the flexible wall of a structure. In detail, the fitting includes a slot in the wall of the structure. A first flexible member is included having a center portion folded over its self forming a loop extending through the slot from a first side of the wall and out from the second side, and outer fan shaped portions on each end of the center portion bonded to the first side of the wall of the structure adjacent to the slot. The first flexible member further includes a plurality unidirectional reinforcing filaments in a matrix material with the filaments being parallel to each other in the center portion and fanning out from each other in each of the outer portions. A second flexible member having a periphery extending about the slot and the outer portions of the first flexible member is bonded thereto and to the first side of the flexible wall of the structure.

Attachment fitting for a wall of a flexible structure

The invention is a propulsion system for a lighter-than-air vehicle, the vehicle having a longitudinal, lateral and vertical axis. In detail, the propulsion system includes a thrust producing assembly rotatably mounted on the vehicle, the assembly rotatable about an axis of rotation in a plane at an acute angle to the vertical axis of the vehicle, the assembly rotatable in the plane from a position wherein the thrust axis of the assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis to a position at least plus or minus ninety degrees thereto. A powerplant assembly is coupled to the thrust producing assembly to provide power thereto. The powerplant assembly includes a fuel efficient powerplant assembly mounted within the vehicle having sufficient power for cruise conditions, the fuel efficient powerplant having a output drive shaft coupled to the thrust producing assembly. A light weight, high power powerplant assembly is mounted directly to the thrust producing assembly having sufficient power for docking conditions. A first clutch is provided for de-coupling the fuel efficient powerplant from the thrust producing assembly and a second clutch means for decoupling the light weight, high power powerplant from the thrust producing assembly. An actuation system is provided for rotating the thrust producing assembly about the axis of rotation.

Propulsion system for a lighter-than-air vehicle

Lighter-than-air vehicle

The invention is a ballonet system for a lighter-than-air-vehicle, the vehicle having a lift producing gasbag and a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the ballonet system includes a plurality of ballonets located within the gasbag positioned along the longitudinal axis and on each side of the vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the ballonets include a flexible sheet joined at its periphery thereof to a portion of the wall of the gasbag. A ballonet pressurization system is coupled to each ballonet for pressurizing them with air that includes the portion of the wall of the gasbag forming the ballonet having a plurality of holes therethrough. A manifold having an inlet port is joined to the wall covering the holes therein and is adapted to diffuse the pressurized air entering therein. Also included is at least one fan having an inlet port coupled to ambient atmosphere and an outlet port coupled to the inlet port of the manifold for providing pressurized air to the interior thereof. A check valve located in the outlet port of the fan is provided for preventing air from flowing from the interior of the manifold out the inlet port of the fan. A ballonet venting system is included for venting the interior of the ballonet to ambient atmosphere.

Ballonet system for a lighter-than-air vehicle

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Studio City, CA, United States of America

Mark H Wexler