A hybrid VTOL vehicle having an envelope configured to provide hydrostatic buoyancy, a fuselage attached to the envelope and having at least one pair of wings extending from opposing sides thereof to produce dynamic lift through movement, and a thrust generation device on each wing and configured to rotate with each wing about an axis that is lateral to a longitudinal axis of the envelope to provide vertical takeoff or landing capabilities. Ideally, the envelope provides negative hydrostatic lift to enhance low-speed and on-the-ground stability. A vehicle comprising a first lift device capable of providing hydrostatic lift; a second lift device capable of providing dynamic lift through movement; and a system structured to generate thrust coupled to the second lift device, the second lift device and the thrust generation system capable of rotating together about an axis that is lateral to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle at angles at least in the range of 90 degrees to and including 180 degrees.

An airship utilizing an innovative lift mechanism featuring dynamic and static vacuum chambers. The lift created by the vacuums created in the chambers elevates the ship into the atmosphere, thereby eliminating the need for lighter than air gases.

An airship utilizing an innovative lift mechanism featuring dynamic and static vacuum chambers. The lift created by the vacuums created in the chambers elevates the ship into the atmosphere, thereby eliminating the need for lighter than air gases.

A hinged blimp system is disclosed. A hinged blimp system includes a vectored thrust engine, which may or may not be implemented as part of a remotely piloted airship vehicle (RPAV) subsystem that is coupled to a ground-based subsystem. The vectored thrust engine includes a vectored thrust frame coupled to a support structure that is, in turn operationally connected to a balloon envelope. The vectored thrust frame is coupled to the support structure via a hinge, or knuckle, with a pitch axle and a roll axle.

Systems and methods are described herein for automatically monitoring a status or position of a vehicle component. Both powered and non-powered (or passive) systems are contemplated. The systems and methods utilize a sensor that signals when a vehicle component, such as an arm rest, a tray table, a seat back, or a window shade is in a predetermined position. The signal can be received by a processor and transmitted to a central server that can provide a report of the status of the various vehicle components to an attendant or crew member to quickly apprise them of the status of the various components without requiring manually checking each component.

A vacuum airship includes an envelope and means for creating and controlling vacuum pressure within the envelope. The envelope includes skin and a frame for supporting the skin such that the frame is under compression and the skin is in tension during operation of the airship. The frame includes a plurality of rigid tube-like frame elements.

A vacuum airship includes an envelope and means for creating and controlling vacuum pressure within the envelope. The envelope includes skin and a frame for supporting the skin such that the frame is under compression and the skin is in tension during operation of the airship. The frame includes a plurality of rigid tube-like frame elements.

The purpose of this invention, which is referred to as a vacuustat, is to generate buoyancy in the atmosphere by means of an evacuated or partially evacuated container, rather than by using a lighter-than-air lifting gas such as hydrogen or helium. This particular vacuustat design comprises a flexible airtight membrane supported by a fractal tensegrity internal structure consisting of a relatively small mass of compressive members forced into higher-order buckling modes through use of tension members. The advantages of such a design over conventional aerostats include superior buoyancy control for ascent and descent, greatly increased flight endurance, and cost-effectiveness in operation. This particular vacuustat design has a much greater lifting efficiency than previous designs, and should also be easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.

The purpose of this invention, which is referred to as a vacuustat, is to generate buoyancy in the atmosphere by means of an evacuated or partially evacuated container, rather than by using a lighter-than-air lifting gas such as hydrogen or helium. This particular vacuustat design comprises a flexible airtight membrane supported by a fractal tensegrity internal structure consisting of a relatively small mass of compressive members forced into higher-order buckling modes through use of tension members. The advantages of such a design over conventional aerostats include superior buoyancy control for ascent and descent, greatly increased flight endurance, and cost-effectiveness in operation. This particular vacuustat design has a much greater lifting efficiency than previous designs, and should also be easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.

An airship hull is disclosed. The airship hull comprises a gas-tight shape fabricated from a membrane. The airship hull comprises one or more fibers applied to an outer surface of the gas-tight shape in a continuous manner such that a particular one of the one or more fibers wraps around a circumference of the gas-tight shape multiple times, wherein the applied one or more fibers are affixed to the outer surface of the gas-tight shape.