Aeroscraft Corp., U.S.-based manufacturer of lighter-than-air aircraft, took a major step forward in its its rigid-body, heavy-lift airship design by earning a U.S. patent for the “aerostructure,” which includes the outer shape of the vehicle.
Known as the “Aeroshell,” this component covered under the patent comprises the outer shell of the vehicle, as opposed to the internal frame, which supports the main loads. The Aeroshell also functions as an internal truss system and is flexible enough to accommodate bending of the aircraft.
“The Aeroshell is light, yet counteracts the loads imposed by cargo payloads, aerodynamic lift and pressure, static lift, and shear loading/movement,” the company said in a statement. “The rigid structure design does not rely on lifting gas pressure to maintain structural integrity; the Aeroshell maintains the aircraft hull’s shape under the stress imposed by aerodynamic loads, for increased airspeed relative to traditional lighter-than-air aircraft.”
The design of the Aeroshell, Aeroscraft said, provides aerodynamic stability while increasing lift, compared with the “cigar-shaped hulls of earlier zeppelins.” This design allows the airship to lift heavier payloads, reach greater airspeeds and improve maneuverability, especially in high wind conditions, the company explained.