Patent GB-191419898-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Motor Driven Air-ships.
Inventor: FORLANINI ENRICO
IPC: B64B1/60
Filed: 1914-09-17
Granted: 1915-10-18
Abstract: 19,898. Forlanini, E. Sept. 17, 1913, [Convention date]. Aerial machines with aerostats; aerostats. - A dirigible balloon having transverse partitions is provided with a number of longitudinal diaphragms radiating from the axis of the balloon or from meridians on the lower inner surface, and connected to the transverse partitions by tightening - strips, the lifting-power of the gas being concentrated in the said axis or meridians and transmitted therefrom to a rigid girder, so that the shape of the balloon is maintained by the gas pressure without other rigid bracing. The balloon may have an outer concentric envelope secured to it by a laced equatorial belt with or without distance-pieces. Figs. 3 and 4 show cross and longitudinal sections of the balloon having transverse partitions t and longitudinal diaphragms l radiating from the axis of the balloon. The lower edges of the diaphragms are bounded by cords arranged in catenary curves, so that the lift of the balloon is concentrated at the centre of each partition t, from which cords r lead to the envelope at A, where the girder is attached. The centres of the partitions t are connected by a longitudinal cable, the ends of which may be secured to upturned ends on the girder. A flexible partition p separates the gas from the air at the lower part of the balloon and may be supported by elastic cords e to maintain the pressure of the gas. Instead of the cords e, horizontal elastic cords may connect transverse points beneath the partitionp. Fig. 7 shows the modification in which the diaphragms l radiate from two meridians A. In this case, the catenary cords terminate in the transverse partitions at the points a to allow for movements of the partition p, simple tension lines leading to the points of attachment of the girder along the meridians A. The joints between the envelope and the transverse and longitudinal partitions l, t are formed by T and X shaped pieces of rubbercovered canvas lap-jointed to the fabric so as to form air-tight joints. An outer envelope kept filled with air may surround the balloon and be held concentric by means of an equatorial belt consisting of two strips of leather &c. secured edgeways to the inner and outer envelopes and laced together, the lower part of the inner envelope in this case being bounded by the partition p. Similarly - formed short distance pieces may be placed at intervals along other meridians. The girder, which supports the car, propelling, and steering mechanism, may be wholly or partly within the outer envelope and may extend to the front and rear to form observation or like cabins. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) comprises also the following modifications. The diaphragms l, instead of being bounded by catenary cords, form complete partitions united together at the longitudinal axis, from which two canvases bounded by a series of catenary cords lead to the points of attachment of the girder. In a further modification, a single vertical canvas depends from the longitudinal axis and has catenary cords connected by cords to the apex of a triangular girder arranged wholly within the balloon. The partition p in these cases is divided and connected at its inner edges to the longitudinal axis. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.