Abstract
This paper reviews earlier airship design and present-day trends in the light of modern design practise as exemplified in the construction of large size airships such as the “Akron” and “Macon.”
It is pointed out by the author that a saving in specific deadweight has always accompanied increases in airship size, except in those cases where specifications have been markedly altered or where the designer has deliberately sacrificed a weight advantage for an expected improvement in performance.
The design of bulkheads and main frames is discussed with regard to the restraint of gas cells and the distribution of planar loads. The influence of the number of corridors in strengthening the main frames against torsion and in assisting in the support of the intermediate frames is also discussed.
There have been but few developments in the engine field during the past few years but it does appear that in the matter of power-plant location the “inboard” installations will have the advantage over “outboard” installations for the faster long-range airships now projected for commercial service.
In discussing means of maintaining the ship’s equilibrium under varying conditions the author touches on disposal of ballast and aerodynamic lift to compensate for localized loss of gas, water recovery from the exhaust to replace the weight of the fuel consumed in a ship using liquid fuel, some advantages and disadvantages of gaseous fuels, and general design problems involved in guarding against uncontrolled descent.