Patent ID: 8342442
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: B64B

Abstract:
1. An airship comprising: a bluff airship hull; a venting duct extending through said bluff airship hull from a bell-mouth fairing forming an intake opening to an exit opening having a diameter less than said bell-mouth fairing; a propulsor mounted along said venting duct and disposed therein to direct a flow of air through said venting duct for expulsion from said exit opening to provide thrust, said expulsed air from said exit opening disrupting a wake of said airship hull and thereby reducing drag; a series of duct branches extending from said venting duct toward outlets located in the sides of said bluff airship hull, wherein a portion of said flow of air can be diverted into said duct branches; and control means for vectoring said expulsed air at said exit opening and for vectoring said diverted air at said outlets of said duct branches as needed to generate control moments for the operation of said airship.