Electric Rag and Tube

[kasper]

Spacey,

 

just use an ecs.  
What you are effectively describing is the old mechanical motor controllers as used in trams and trains through to the late 80’s.  You get jumpy power moves and your described system of segregating batteries is even worse because you’re leaving capacity in batteries not in the circuit and available if needed.  Plus if course mechanical switching is sparks-r-us on contactors. 
 

just use an ecs and all of the issues with your proposed system go away and you get full smooth power and access to every drop of battery capacity.  

[danny_galaga]

You will probably find it would be lighter and more efficient to have an ESC than something mechanical. You can have a series/parallel switch easily enough, plus another solenoid for on/off. But at half voltage it probably wouldn't be enough power for straight and level. Also with an ESC you will get a little bit of generative braking when descending, which is nice 🙂

[Garfly]

 

And now an electric rag and tube type that can haul 100 tons:

 

 

 

 

 

Google Co-Founder Plans Longest U.S. Airship Since 1930s

 

https://www.flyingmag.com/google-co-founder-plans-longest-u-s-airship-since-1930s/

 

 

 

[onetrack]

The Europeans are getting in on the airship deal, too, with plans for rigs able to lift up to 400 tonnes. The Europeans are utilising a rigid frame airship. 

 

http://www.euroairship.eu/

[facthunter]

As were the zeppillins. (sp) Nev

[onetrack]

The Zeppelins were abandoned after the horror of the Hindenburg disaster. But if the Germans had chosen Helium instead of Hydrogen, the Zeppelins might still be around today.

The construction of the Zeppelins framework was nothing less than astounding, with duralumin the secret to their great strength and lightness.

In the first 2 years of WW1, the Zeppelins wreaked havoc on Britain, until the British got the upper hand and exploited their weaknesses with both explosive and incendiary bullets combined.

 

https://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/defeating-zeppelins/

[kgwilson]

How about the flying BUM.

 

https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/overview/news/new-aircraft-shape-revealed/

[onetrack]

I can recall sighting a big-bum hot air balloon in the 1988 Centennial Across-Australia Balloon Race. 

[kgwilson]

The flying Bum (Airlander 10) has been around for a few years as a prototype & now they have a production version which is currently undergoing certification. It has a 10 ton payload 4000nm range, can remain airborne for 5 days at up to 20,000 feet. The current version is turbine powered but they plan to electrify it fully by 2030. Their next model has a 50 tonne payload & can carry 6 ISO 20 foot containers plus 40 passengers or 200 passengers.

[Ian]

On 01/06/2022 at 12:19 PM, onetrack said:

The Zeppelins were abandoned after the horror of the Hindenburg disaster. But if the Germans had chosen Helium instead of Hydrogen, the Zeppelins might still be around today.

The problem with helium is that it a finite resource and literally disappears into space.

While lots of airships might seem like a good idea it would tap out all reserves pretty quickly. Unless we start making it using fusion but that's pretty unlikely.

Recently the price for helium has been about $20L up from a couple of dollars a decade ago so this might kybosh the option of more airships in the future.

 

[facthunter]

The problems with Zeppelins are the same as they were 100 years ago. Time has stood still for them.. Nev