Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – heavier-than-air – Beating wing sustained
Patent
1978-10-13
1981-04-14
Barefoot, Galen
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, heavier-than-air
Beating wing sustained
244 25, 244 64, 244 96, 244 31, 244125, 55521, 55512, 239 2R, B64C 3300, B64D 104
Patent
active
042615348
ABSTRACT:
An aircraft is constructed of an airfoil shaped inflated involucrum of lightweight gas-impervious plastic film. The airfoil is maneuverable to attain forward self-propulsion upon ascent as well as descent. The gases contained in the involucrum are heated by solar radiation to reduce craft density with the upper surface of the airfoil being translucent and the lower surface of the airfoil interior mirrored for concentration of the radiant energy upon an interior cylindrical black spar. A honeycomb reradiation barrier is provided beneath the translucent surface. In one embodiment a large volume involucrum is changeable in camber to maximize forward propulsion. The craft may be utilized to suspend a large fog broom for the purpose of condensation of water vapor. In a further embodiment a manpowered inflatable craft is formed with a flexible longitudinal medial fold which separates the airfoil into wing segments. Each segment includes a passive trailing zone. When the wing segments are oscillated about the medial fold, the craft is propelled by ciliary thrust.
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patent: 3944169 (1976-03-01), Bede
patent: 4018211 (1977-04-01), Barr
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