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
Recommended Citation
Cranston, Brian, and Anthony N. Palazotto. Hexakis Icosahedron Frame-skin Vacuum Lighter Than Air Vehicle. United States Patent 10843783, issued 24 November 2020. https://scholar.afit.edu/patents/27