초록 ▼

An airship (1) comprising gas envelope means for providing in use a hull (2) with a generally longitudinally extending longitudinal axis (20) and solar cell array means (3) arranged in use to be mounted on the outside of the hull (2). The solar array means (3) are arranged in use to extend around on

An airship (1) comprising gas envelope means for providing in use a hull (2) with a generally longitudinally extending longitudinal axis (20) and solar cell array means (3) arranged in use to be mounted on the outside of the hull (2). The solar array means (3) are arranged in use to extend around only a part of the circumference of the hull (2) and are turned about the longitudinal hull axis (20) to control the amount of incident solar radiation collected by the solar cell array means (3).

대표청구항 ▼

1. An airship (1) comprising gas envelope means for providing in use a hull (2) with a generally longitudinally extending longitudinal axis (20) and solar cell array means (3) arranged in use to be mounted on the outside of the hull (2) so as to extend around only a part of the circumference of the

1. An airship (1) comprising gas envelope means for providing in use a hull (2) with a generally longitudinally extending longitudinal axis (20) and solar cell array means (3) arranged in use to be mounted on the outside of the hull (2) so as to extend around only a part of the circumference of the hull (2), wherein weight transfer means (6-10) are provided for turning, in use, the solar cell array means (3) about the longitudinal hull axis (20) to control the amount of incident solar radiation collected by the solar cell array means (3). 2. An airship according to claim 1 wherein said solar array means (3) is mounted so as to be turned to a position which maximizes the amount of incident solar radiation collected. 3. An airship according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell array means (3) is rigidly attached to the airship hull (2). 4. An airship according to claim 3, wherein the solar cell array means (3) extends along a sufficient length of the hull (2) to provide the required area of array for the basic power requirements of the airship. 5. An airship according to claim 1, wherein the weight transfer means for effecting turning of the solar cell array means (3) includes movable weight means (5), the centres of gravity of the solar cell array means (3) and the weight means (5) being positioned on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis (20) or buoyancy axis of the airship. 6. An airship according to claim 5, wherein the weight means (5) comprises a payload module of the airship which can be laterally offset to counter the weight of the array means (3). 7. An airship according to claim 6, wherein the payload module (5) is contained completely within the hull (2). 8. An airship according to claim 1, wherein said weight transfer means (6-10) includes cable and winch means. 9. An airship according to claim 8, wherein the cable and winch means comprises a series of winches for pulling in and paying out cables (6, 7, 9) that make up suspension means for suspending weight means (5) from the airship hull (2).