Lighter-than-air water dispensing airship for fire control

Abstract

A lighter-than-air airship system, primarily for the purpose of dispensing water over a raging fire, where access by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water, like an artificial rain, over selected areas to control or distinguish the raging fire.

1 . A lighter-than-air airship system for dispersing large quantities of liquid while in a flight mode over defined ground areas, where lift for said airship system is achieved by means of helium confined therewithin, said airship system comprising: 
 a.) a semi rigid, light-weight frame encased within a flexible skin and aerodynamically configured for flying and hovering over selected ground areas;    b.) means for flying said airship system, where said means include a plurality of engines and attitude stabilizing mechanisms to provide 3-axis stability and control; and,    c.) a liquid control and dispensing mechanism disposed primarily within said frame, said mechanism including, 
 i.) a liquid holding tank positioned along the center of gravity of said airship system,  
 ii.) a manifold in liquid communication with said holding tank, where said manifold includes means for controlling the quantity of liquid passing therethrough, and  
 iii.) a liquid distribution, piping and nozzle assembly in liquid communication with said manifold, where said assembly is exposed below said frame.  
   
     
     
         2 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid control and dispensing mechanism further includes a reservoir, open to the exterior of said airship system, for receiving in-flight replenishing of liquid, to feed liquid to said holding tank.  
     
     
         3 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 2 , including a liquid passing conduit extending between said reservoir and said holding tank, and said conduit includes a series of baffle elements to minimize turbulence in the liquid passing therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 3 , including a first debris collecting filtering screen within said reservoir, a second filtering screen between said reservoir and said liquid passing conduit, and a third filtering screen between said holding tank and said manifold.  
     
     
         5 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 2 , wherein said reservoir is defined by an opening and a predetermined depth, and said opening includes a criss-cross grating member.  
     
     
         6 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for flying includes a pilot's cabin of a size to receive operating personnel.  
     
     
         7 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid distribution, piping and nozzle assembly is mounted within a supporting frame assembly secured to the underside of said airship system.  
     
     
         8 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 1 , wherein said manifold includes plural, parallel transmitting conduits, with each said parallel conduit includes means for regulating liquid flow therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . A lighter-than-airship system for dispensing large quantities of liquid while in a flight mode over defined ground areas, where lift for said airship system is achieved by means of helium confined therewithin, said airship system comprising: 
 a.) a semi rigid, light-weight frame encased within a flexible skin and aerodynamically configured for flying and hovering over selected ground areas;    b.) means for flying said airship system, where said means include a plurality of engines and attitude stabilizing mechanisms to provide 3-axis stability and control; and,    c.) a liquid control and dispensing mechanism disposed essentially within said frame, said mechanism including, 
 i.) a liquid containing portable tanker positioned along the center of gravity of said airship system,  
 ii.) a manifold in liquid communication with said portable tanker, where said manifold includes means for controlling the quantity of liquid passing therethrough, and  
 iii.) a liquid distribution, piping and nozzle assembly in liquid communication with said manifold, where said assembly is exposed below said frame.  
   
     
     
         10 . A lighter-than-air airship system for dispersing large quantities of liquid while in a flight mode over defined ground areas, where lift for said airship system is achieved by means of helium confined within an array of gas impervious spheres, said airship system comprising: 
 a.) a sem-rigid, encircling frame support to contain said helium spheres;    b.) means for flying said airship system, and;    c.) a liquid control and dispensing mechanism disposed essentially within said frame, said mechanism including, 
 i.) a liquid holding tank positioned along the center of gravity of said airship system,  
 ii.) a manifold in liquid communication with said holding tank, where said manifold includes means for controlling the quantity of liquid passing therethrough, and  
 iii.) a liquid distribution, piping and nozzle assembly in liquid communication with said manifold, where said assembly is exposed below said frame.  
   
     
     
         11 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 10 , wherein said helium spheres are arranged in a continuous peripheral relationship to define an open space therebetween, and a catch basin within said space open to the exterior of said airship system, for receiving in-flight replenishing of liquid, to feed liquid to said holding tank.  
     
     
         12 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 11 , wherein said catch basin is further defined by a flexible base.  
     
     
         13 . The lighter-than-air airship system according to  claim 10 , including a plenum below said system, where said plenum forms a part of said liquid distribution, piping and nozzle assembly.