GB2055728A

GB2055728A - Improvements in airships

Info

Publication number: GB2055728A
Application number: GB8025388A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Boothroyd M W
Current assignee: Boothroyd M W
Priority date: 1979-08-10
Filing date: 1980-08-04
Publication date: 1981-03-11
Also published as: GB2055728B

Abstract

An airship (50) is provided with a load carrying platform (6), and means (16, 17, 19, 22) for lowering the platform from the airship to the ground. A ball joint device (13) allows the airship to pivot about the platform so as to face the prevailing wind. The platform (6) can be releasably secured to the ground, so as to provide a temporary mooring as well as a load transfer platform. The airship is provided with a rigid frame member (2) disposed in the lower part of the airship. A movable portion of the frame member (2) comprises the load support platform (6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to airships Background to the invention This invention relates to airships and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with airships for carrying loads such as freight.

Summary ofthe invention The present invention comprises an airship provided with a load carrying platform, and means for lowering the platform from the airship to the ground.

Means are preferably provided whereby, whilst still attached to the airship, the platform can be releasably secured to the ground, so as to provide a temporary mooring as well as a load transfer platform.

The temporary mooring so provided may be supplemented by other temporary moorings if required during the loading and unloading operations.

Advantageously the airship is provided with a rigid frame member disposed in the lower part of the airship, with a movable portion of the frame member comprising the load support platform. The platform can be made captive in the said lower part of the airship by coupling means which are releasable so as to allow the platform to be lowered to the ground.

Anchorage means can then be provided which secure the platform when the latter is in contact with the ground so as to form a temporary mooring during loading of the platform. Means are also provided for raising the platform and returning it to within the rigid frame member.

Brief description ofthe drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa side view of an airship, partly in medial section, Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view of part of the rigid frame member, including the load support platform, Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure illustrated by Figure 2, Figure 4 is an end view in section, taken on the lines IV-IV of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the airship in a moored condition during loading operations.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment With reference first to Figure 1, an airship 50 is shown which comprises a frame structure covered by a fabric envelope 1. The airship 50 houses a number of buoyancy compartments filled with helium gas and attached (by conventional means, not shown here) to an elongate rigid frame member 2 disposed in and extending along the major portion of the lower part of the airship. The frame member 2 is secured at its ends to fore and aft bulkheads 3, 4. A midships portion 5 of the member 2 is formed as a hollow box section, the floor of which forms a load-carrying platform 6. The platform 6 is movable relative to the remainder of the member 2 so that it may be lowered to the ground, when the airship 50 is hovering at a convenient height, to provide a temporary anchorage as well as a load-transfer facility.The platform 6 is raised and lowered by a pulley and cable system described hereinafter with reference to Figures 2,3 and 4.

The airship 50 is propelled by ducted fan units (not shown) as disclosed by co-pending Application ,which claims priority from earlier U.K.

Application No. 79.27223.

The platform 6 is normally made captive within the member 2 so as to be substantially flush with the lower external surface of the airship 50. Coupling means comprising pneumatically operated locking pin units 60 (Figure 2) are provided for securing the platform 6 to the remainder of the frame 2. The coupling means 60 are releasable so as to allow the platform to be lowered from within the airship 50 to the ground.

Airship loading operation is effected by firstly bringing the airship 50 into close proximity to the ground, releasing, (i.e. uncoupling), the platform 6 from the frame 2 and then lowering it vertically into contact with the ground whereupon the platform 6 may be anchored to the ground by ground crew employing holdfasts or other suitable securing devices. (See Figure 5).

The anshored platform 6 thus forms a temporary mooring forthe airship 50. Once loaded, the platform 6 is disconnected from the ground and the platform, together with its load, is winched up into place within the airship. The platform 6 is then recoupled to adjacent parts of the frame member 2.

The anchorage means may be carried by the platform 6 itself. Such an apchorage means could comprise steel pickets drivable into the ground by self-contained picket driving devices, for example, pneumatic rams 51 carried by the platform 6. (See Figure 5).

With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the spaces to be occupied by the load are shown shaded. The frame member 2 is in the main a simple box section of aluminium alloy sections riveted together at junction points 2a. (Figure 3 only). The central five bays of the (midships) box portion 5 section are formed by an open framework to accommodate the load, the floor of portion 5 comprising the platform 6.

As the weight of the platform 6 plus any load it is carrying is taken by the member 2, the two vertical and upper horizontal members of it are strengthened by additional bracing, as shown at 10a and 10b respectively in Figure 4.

The pulley and cable system provided for raising and lowering of the platform 6 relative to the remainder of the member 2 and thereby relative to the airship 50 will now be described, with reference to Figures 2,3 and 4.

Two pulley groups, each comprising six pulleys 16, are supported by the member 2 (see Figure 4), and two complementary groups, each comprising six pulleys 17, are mounted on platform 6 itself.

(Figure 2). On the frame member 2 a crosspiece 12 extends between, and is supported by, the mid points of the horizontal beams 10b, 1 Oc of the central one of the five central bays. Pivotable connection means comprising a ball joint device 13 are provided. The device 13 is fixed to the underside of the crosspiece 12 and the articulated portion of the device 13 is mounted on the apex of an "A" frame 15 so that the frame 15 depends from and can rotate relative to the crosspiece 12. The frame 15 carries the two upper groups of pulleys 16 for the platform hoist referred to above. The lower groups of pulley blocks 17 are mounted on upstanding cheekplates 18 fixed to each side of the platform 6. (Figure 2). Outside the plates 18, but also on the platform 6, are mounted two hoist motors 19 with output shafts 20 driving pulleys 21.The motor/pulley units 19/21 are mounted one on each side of the platform 6. The cables which reeve all the pulleys are indicated at 22.

In each case, the cables 22 pass over the associåted driving pulley 21 and over a pair of rollers 23 on the platform 6 before passing over the complimentary pairs of pulleys 16,17.

When the platform 6 is anchored to the ground, the ball joint device 13 allows the airship 50 to pivot about the platform, weather-cock fashion, so as to face the prevailing wind. It will be appreciated that this pivotal movement can take place without the cables 22 being subjected to twisting or snarling.

In a non-illustrated modification, and as an alternative to anchorage means which couple the platform 6 with the ground, the platform can be provided with removable ballast means whe -eby the effective weight of the platform 6 can be varied.

Water may be used as removable ballast. The water can be carried in tanks on the platform 6 and provided with filler caps and drain cocks.

In operation, to take on a load, the ballasted platform 6 is lowered to the ground whereupon the weight thereof serves to anchor the airship 50. After the load has been transferred to the platform 6, an equivalent weight of ballast is removed from the platform.

Claims

1. An airship provided with a load carrying platform, and means for lowering the platform from the airship to the ground.

2. An airship as claimed in Claim 1, provided with a rigid frame member disposed in the lower part of the airship, the frame member having a movable portion which comprises the load support platform.

3. An airship as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the platform is retractable into the body of the airship.

4. An airship as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the means for lowering the platform include means enabling the airship to pivot relative to the platform when the platform is on the ground.

5. An airship as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the means for lowering the platform comprise pulley and cable arrangements attached to the body of the airship by way of pivotable connection means.

6. An airship as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, provided with platform anchorage means carried by the platform and operable to secure the platform to the ground.

7. An airship as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the platform is provided with removable ballast means whereby the effective weight of the platform can be varied.

8. An airship substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.