Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – lighter-than-air – Airships
Reexamination Certificate
2004-10-29
2008-12-16
Dinh, Tien (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, lighter-than-air
Airships
Reexamination Certificate
active
07464895
ABSTRACT:
A lighter-than-air aircraft includes a gas envelope for containing a buoyant gas, and a solar panel is carried by a predetermined portion of the gas envelope. A solar sensor is used for determining a direction of the sun. A propulsion system carried by the gas envelope orients the gas envelope so that the solar panel is oriented in the direction of the sun based upon the solar sensor. A navigation controller cooperates with the propulsion system to move the lighter-than-air aircraft along a desired flight path while the solar panel is oriented in the direction of the sun.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist
Dinh Tien
Harris Corporation
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