The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2001
Reginald H. Hillsdon, Northamptonshire, GB;
Advanced Technologies Group Limited, Bedfordshire, GB;
Abstract
A method of launching inflatable airship apparatus ( ) for subsequent ascent to high altitude for operation as an airship having a hull ( ) formed from an inflated flexible gas containment envelope ( ), payload ( ), drive motor ( ) mounted at the stern of the hull and cables ( ), for supporting the payload ( ) within the hull ( ), connected to the drive motor ( ) and to the hull at, or adjacent to, a nose portion of the hull. The method comprises partially inflating the gas containment envelope ( ) with a lighter than air gaseous medium to cause the nose portion to rise within a vertical launch enclosure ( ) to position the partially inflated gas containment envelope ( ) in a launch position, and subsequently releasing the partially inflated gas containment envelope ( ) from its launch position through an open top of the vertical enclosure so that the envelope ascends clear of the vertical enclosure ( ) and lifts the payload means ( ) and drive motor ( ) by means of the cables. The invention also relates to inflatable airship apparatus ( ) and to a launch station ( ) for launching inflatable airship apparatus.