Abstract

A vacuum lighter than air vehicle (VLTAV) includes a rigid frame of rods connected together to form a hexakis icosahedron. A membrane skin covers the rigid frame and defines therewith a vessel configured to hold an internal vacuum that allows the vessel to float in the air. The plurality of rods and membrane skin have weights and dimensions that result in a neutral and/or positive buoyancy for the vessel while preventing geometric instability.

Document Type

Patent

Status

Issued

Issue Date

11-24-2020

Patent Number

US 10843783 B1 [ 10,843,783 ]

CPC Classification

B64B1/58

Application number

15/843540

Assignees

Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US)

Filing Date

12-15-2017

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