ballonet

American  

[bal-uh-ney] / ˌbæl əˈneɪ /

noun

1. an air or gasbag compartment in a balloon or airship, used to control buoyancy and maintain shape.

---

ballonet British  

/ ˌbæləˈnɛt /

noun

1. an air or gas compartment in a balloon or nonrigid airship, used to control buoyancy and shape

---

Etymology

Origin of ballonet

From French, dating back to 1900–05; see origin at balloon, -et

Example Sentences

To secure the necessary inclination of the balloon while in flight, air can be transferred from one of the compensators, say at the fore end of the ship, into the ballonet in the aft part.

From The Mastery of the Air by Claxton, William J.

The buckling of the aluminium envelope resulted in ballonet after ballonet collapsing under the pressure of water.

From The Airship "Golden Hind" by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

The chief interest in his design, though it never materialized, lies in the fact that it provided for a double envelope and was the precursor of the ballonet.

From Aviation in Peace and War by Sykes, Frederick Hugh, Sir

Her main feature is that she has a ballonet at each end.

From Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1913 by Various

Ballonets are usually equivalent in volume to rather less than a quarter of the total volume of the air-ship—giving a maximum ballonet height of 6000 to 7000 feet.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various