Experimental Airship Propulsion: Roy Gibbens

Roy Gibbens, a retired Lockheed engineer, devoted much of his later years to build, refine and promote the use of his design of Cycloidal propellers to motivate airships. Used in marine applications, and proposed to propel airplanes and rotorcraft for decades, Roy alone perfected units capable of revolutionizing buoyant craft motivation and control. Several years before his passing, Roy assembled videos showing their experimental progress over the years. Zrsthemovie’s producer has spliced together a lightly edited version of his VHS tapes for this youtube presentation. Sadly it appears Cycloidal propellers’ use in airships died with Mr. Gibbens, though there are currently a number of efforts to bring similar props to HTA craft.

[@freightgod]

I wonder if this concept is currently incorporated into a drone system? This is a great video, thank you for sharing

[@raphlvlogs271]

this design makes it safer for birds when compared to jet engines or regular helicopters

[@jayytee8062]

Cool

[@JorgeCrespoyMuchomas]

Increíble quizá con 4 motores de esos, podrías tener una precisión de vuelo en zonas urbanas

[@bradmaguire6458]

Fascinating. At the risk of being an armchair quarterback, why not mount the toroidal propellers directly to the side of the dirigible rather than to the gondola? This would provide greater torque, and thus better control, plus the propellers would be a good distance above the ground, making them safer for the ground crews?

[@PeterRowcliffe-e8p]

Possible a new helicopter design blade system

[@monikasaringer1152]

That is cool!

[@HiNickCares]

Great!

[@daveweiss5647]

This is very cool!

[@stevenjaz6358]

Very cool ! But please, Change that terrible music!!!!!. No joke.