IMPROVEMENTS IN BALLOONS FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BALLOONS FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION." A communication
from abroad by Count Antoine Apraxine, of Paris, France.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. *" IMPROVEMENTS IN BALLOONS FOR AERIAL
NAVIGATION." A communication from abroad by Count Antoine Apraxine, of Paris,
France.
The object of my Invention is to provide means for maintaining balloons at any
given height, and for determining their descent at will without discharge of gas.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawing represent in elevation and plan
the simplest form of the arrangement on which my Invention is based.
In these Figures a is an annular ballon of impervious tissue mounted on a frame-
work of any suitable description, with which are connected on one hand the netting
(or other attachments) of a secondary balloon b, and on the other hand the sus-
pending attachments of the car c.
The capacity of the principal balloon a is calculated to develope an ascensional
force corresponding with the maximum weight to be raised. The capacity of the
secondary balloon b varies according to circumstances, but should always be sufficient
to determine the ascension and the maintainment in the air of the principal balloon
a with its charge. In the type shown in the Drawing the capacity of the balloon b
is indicated at about one-tenth of that of the balloon u.
To the netting of the balloon b is secured a cord d, the free end of which is pro-
longed to the car.c, within reach of the aeronaut. The car c being charged with
the weight corresponding with the capacity of the main balloon a, its ascension is
determined by the secondary balloon b, which is attached thereto at the required
moment.
On reaching the desired elevation the aeronaut maintains himself thereat by
drawing in or slackening the cord d, so as to decrease or increase the distance

page_text: between the balloons a and b. When the descent is to be effected he draws down
the secondary balloon b so far as to completely slacken the cordage or net attach-
ments, and the ascensional power being thus to a certain extent neutralised the
descent gradually takes place without necessity for the discharge of gas.
In the preceding description I have confined myself to the application of my
principle to an aerostat composed of two balloons only, but it will be understood
that this arrangement may be varied according to circumstances; thus, for instance,
the number of balloons a, b, may be increased, and the form, dimensions, and general
arrangement thereof may be modified at will, so long as the capacity of the secondary
balloon be limited to the controlling power of the aeronauts, and that the main
balloons be charged to such a point that their ascension shall be efficiently deter-
mined by the action of the said secondary balloon.
•
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and. the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, the adjunction to ordinary aerostats, as at a, of the secondary balloon
or balloons, as at b, so arranged as to be actuated by the aeronaut or by a mechanical
equivalent in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and
shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of Juno, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.