Improvements in Aerial Balloons.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
CORT PIE DI DUIFICATION
Improvements in Aerial Balloons.
I, GUSTAV FRICKE, of Friedeburg a/Saale in the Empire of Germany,
Master Baker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to aerial balloons and has for its object to provide a
balloon that is capable of being navigated and controlled readily and easily
notwithstanding the direction of the wind. My invention has also for its object
to obviate the disadvantages in manoeuvring of balloons hitherto used in which
the motive power and controlling mechanism were hung from the air or gas
chamber.
My invention consists in the arrangement hereafter described as applied, and is
illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings where
Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of an aerial balloon made in accordance with
the present invention while,
Figure 2 is an elevation with the mechanism and propeller removed and
Figure 3 is a detail elevation of the mechanism.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a balloon of two chambers A
and B, the one A of a shape similar to that of the end of a cigar, while that of B
being similar to that of the back of a bird, and at the extremity of the balloon
I mount a rudder S of a form similar to that of the tail of a bird, such rudder
being manipulated from the centre of the balloon by any suitable controlling
mechanism and hinging upon the pivot or hinges.
The chambers A and B are
connected together by means of an air tube a which allows the passage of air or
gas from one chamber to the other, such tube a being in communication with a
pump b by which the air or gas from one chamber may be extracted and forced
through to the other, thereby increasing the buoyancy of that end of the balloon
and so altering the direction of motion.
It will be understood that on taking air or gas from the chamber B and forcing
into the chamber A a movement of the balloon in an oblique upward direction
would result, while if air or gas is taken from the chamber A and forced into the
chamber B a motion in an oblique downward direction would result, while the
balloon is so arranged that if a proportionate equal volume of air is maintained in
the respective chambers A and B motion in a vertical direction would result in
combination with the motion due to propulsion in a transverse or horizontal
direction. A chamber or space C is provided within the balloon and between the
chambers A and B wherein the propelling and controlling mechanism may be
provided. Propellers P are mounted upon either side of the balloon upon inde-
pendent shafts which are so arranged and operated as to be capable of an
independent speed of rotation so that the balloon may thereby be capable of
manoeuvring effectively in a horizontal direction so that this function is not solely
dependent upon the rudder S.
Chambers E and D are provided respectively beneath the chambers A and B
into which chambers E and D compressed air may be pumped to any degree in
cither so as to decrease the buoyancy and maintain the balloon at a constant level
or effect its ascent or descent as required. Communication is made between these
chambers E and D by means of an air tube w in communication with a pump r by

page_text: which the air may be forced into each of the chambers, an outlet cock o
being provided to relieve the air pressure from each of the chambers, suitable
cocks or valves being also provided for the release of the air in each chamber if
and when required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. An aerial balloon consisting of two independent chambers such as A and B
having an intermediate space C for the reception of the motor and controlling
mechanism such chambers being in communication by means of a tube a and
provided with a stop valve e as also pump 6 for the purpose of effecting an
alteration of volume in the chambers; which aerial balloon is male in the fore
part of a cigar shape and in the aft part of the shape of the back and tail of a
bird, substantially as described.
2. In an aerial balloon as specified in the preceding claim the arrangement of
two air chambers such as D E beneath the chambers A and B, which
chambers D E being in communication by means of a tube w while an air pump
is provided by means of which the pressure and quantity of gas in each
chamber may be increased, while a valve o may be provided for relief substantially
as described.
3. Improvements in aerial halloons substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated him 20th
A 1007
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.