Patent ID: 8905353
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: B64B,B64C,B64F

Abstract:
1. An airship comprising: a shell having a lateral vertical cross-section bi-convex shape comprising a substantially planar structure configured to resist tension forces of a membrane comprising a first arc and a second arc, such that the planar structure substantially aligns with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the shell, and a width of the shell relative to a horizontal axis differs from a height of the shell, and the shell encompasses a volume; a gas storage system located within the volume, such that the gas storage system comprises multiple cells within the volume, and at least one cell comprises a combination of a lighter than air gas bag within a hot air section, the gas within the gas storage system comprising a lighter than air gas; an air storage system located within the volume, wherein the air storage system comprises a ventilation system, wherein the ventilation system comprises controllable vents and inlet fans; a heating system, wherein the heating system comprises at least one of: a propulsion system, a heater unit, and a heat exchange system connected to a set of heat generating components; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control a temperature of air in the air storage system to: control a buoyancy of the airship, and adjust the buoyancy of the airship to enable the airship to ascend without using aerodynamic lift and without using a vertical thrust component from the propulsion system.