Patent ID: 8109462

Claim:
An airship comprising: one or more frame members defining a support structure, wherein the support structure supports a hull; the hull comprising at least one envelope configured to retain a volume of a lighter-than-air gas, wherein the envelope is operably coupled to the support structure, and, upon receipt of lighter-than-air gas, defines a substantially oblate spheroid shape; and at least five propulsion assemblies, wherein: a first of the at least five propulsion assemblies is operably coupled to the support structure and located at a foremost portion on a periphery of the hull; a second of the at least five propulsion assemblies is operably coupled to the support structure and located along the periphery at approximately 120 degrees about a central, vertical axis of the hull of the airship with respect to the first propulsion assembly; a third of the at least five propulsion assemblies is operably coupled to the support structure and located along the periphery at approximately negative 120 degrees about the central, vertical axis of the hull of the airship with respect to the first propulsion assembly; a fourth propulsion assembly configured to direct a thrust along an axis substantially parallel to a roll axis of the airship and substantially co-located with the second of the at least five propulsion assemblies along the periphery at approximately 120 degrees about the central, vertical axis of the hull of the airship with respect to the first propulsion assembly; and a fifth propulsion assembly configured to direct a thrust along an axis substantially parallel to the roll axis of the airship and substantially co-located with the third of the at least five propulsion assemblies along the periphery at approximately negative 120 degrees about the central, vertical axis of the hull of the airship with respect to the first propulsion assembly; and wherein one or both of the second and third propulsion assemblies comprises rotatable directing assemblies for directing a thrust associated with the one or more propulsion assemblies.