Airship including aerodynamic, floatation, and deployable structures

Abstract

An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airship comprising:
 a hull configured to contain a gas;   at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device; and   at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.   
     
     
         2 . The airship of  claim 1 , wherein the hull comprises a support structure, and wherein the at least one propulsion assembly comprises:
 a first propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a first section of the support structure and configured to control a roll motion of the airship;   a second propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a second section of the support structure and configured to control a yaw motion of the airship; and   a third propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a third section of the support structure and configured to control a pitch motion of the airship.   
     
     
         3 . The airship of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the hull comprises:
 a solar energy converting material.   
     
     
         4 . The airship of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one compartment disposed substantially inside the hull; and   at least one transport system configured to lower or raise the at least one compartment out of or into the hull.   
     
     
         5 . The airship of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more containers disposed inside the hull and configured to contain a lighter-than-air gas.   
     
     
         6 . The airship of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more container comprises a self-sealing material. 
     
     
         7 . The airship of  claim 1 , wherein the hull comprises:
 a first envelope; and   a second envelope,   wherein the first and second envelopes define a space therebetween.   
     
     
         8 . The airship of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an empennage assembly operatively connected to a support structure of the hull and configured to provide at least one of stabilization and navigation functionality to the airship.   
     
     
         9 . The airship of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a landing gear assembly operatively connected with a support structure of the hull.   
     
     
         10 . The airship of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aerodynamic component further comprises:
 an upper side aerodynamic component disposed at a top portion of the airship; and   a bottom side aerodynamic component disposed at a bottom portion of the airship.   
     
     
         11 . An airship comprising:
 a hull configured to contain a gas;   at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device; and   at least one floatation structure configured to support the airship during a water landing.   
     
     
         12 . The airship of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one floatation structure further comprises:
 an outboard pontoon; and   a main pontoon.   
     
     
         13 . The airship of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one floatation structure further comprises a deployable pontoon housed inside the hull and configured to be extendable outside of the hull. 
     
     
         14 . The airship of  claim 11 , wherein the hull comprises a support structure, and wherein the at least one propulsion assembly comprises:
 a first propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a first section of the support structure and configured to control a roll motion of the airship;   a second propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a second section of the support structure and configured to control a yaw motion of the airship; and   a third propulsion assembly operatively affixed to a third section of the support structure and configured to control a pitch motion of the airship.   
     
     
         15 . The airship of  claim 11 , wherein an outer surface of the hull comprises:
 a solar energy converting material.   
     
     
         16 . The airship of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one compartment disposed substantially inside the hull; and   at least one transport system configured to lower or raise the at least one compartment out of or into the hull.   
     
     
         17 . The airship of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 one or more containers disposed inside the hull and configured to contain a lighter-than-air gas.   
     
     
         18 . The airship of  claim 11 , wherein the hull comprises:
 a first envelope; and   a second envelope,   wherein the first and second envelopes define a space therebetween.   
     
     
         19 . The airship of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an empennage assembly operatively connected to a support structure of the hull and configured to provide at least one of stabilization and navigation functionality to the airship.   
     
     
         20 . An airship comprising:
 a hull configured to contain a gas;   at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device; and   at least one deployable apparatus housed within the hull and deployable from the hull for operation unrelated to the flight control or landing of the airship.