BOB SPARKS
Pilots at Franklin St, Slatington, PA
License number
Pennsylvania A2267079
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
300 E Franklin St, Slatington, PA 18080
Professional information
Airships Having Simplied Construction And Improved Maneuverability
US Patent:
2002013, Sep 19, 2002
Filed:
Mar 13, 2001
Appl. No.:
09/730870
Inventors:
Bob Sparks - Slatington PA, US
Richard Schriebmaier - Sugarloaf PA, US
Richard Schriebmaier - Sugarloaf PA, US
International Classification:
B64B001/58
US Classification:
244/128000
Abstract:
An improved airship that is uniquely constructed so as to be inexpensive yet easy to pilot and highly maneuverable includes an outer skin that defines a nose portion and a tail portion of the airship and an internal envelope. At least one gas bag is contained within the envelope. A gondola is secured to and positioned beneath the outer skin. Most advantageously, a propulsion mechanism is positioned proximate to the tail portion and is constructed and arranged to create propulsive thrust that is vectored so as to be substantially colinear with a centerline of the airship that extends through the nose portion and the tail portion of the airship. The airship also may include a ballonet-free internal pressurizing system that introduces outside air into a location between the outer skin and the gas bag when pressure at that location has reached a predetermined minimum pressure. As a result, the envelope is sufficiently pressurized to maintain its outer shape without use of a ballonet. The airship may further include a system for maintaining trim that operates by transferring gas between a first gas bag that is located proximate the nose of the airship and a second gas bag that is located proximate to the tail of the airship.