Propulsion device

Abstract

This propulsion device comprises a first conducting wire and a second conducting wire that are spaced apart and fixed, and a power source that outputs alternating current. The propulsion device is configured such that the alternating current output from the power source flows to the first conducting wire and the second conducting wire with a phase difference of 90 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for imparting propulsion to a spacecraft in space.

Background Art

[0002] As conventional technologies for accelerating, decelerating, and changing the direction of a spacecraft in space, there are (1) a method of utilizing the reaction force generated by the ejection of a propellant, and (2) a method in which, by passing (flying by) near the rear or front side of the intrinsic motion of a celestial body, momentum and kinetic energy are exchanged between the celestial body and the spacecraft by gravity, and the respective motion vectors are changed before and after passing.

[0003] Specific examples of the method of utilizing the reaction force of (1) include a rocket engine, an ion engine, a thruster, etc. A specific example of the method of (2) is a swing-by.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Regarding the method of (1), in space where the propellant cannot be replenished, once the propellant pre-loaded in the spacecraft is exhausted, acceleration, deceleration, and direction change cannot be performed. If a large amount of propellant is loaded, then correspondingly, other necessary cargo cannot be loaded, so it is desired to minimize the amount of propellant loaded as much as possible.

[0006] (2) Regarding the method, the swing-by using the proper motion of celestial bodies is limited in available locations and timing because celestial bodies that meet the available conditions do not always exist. To change to a planned orbit using a swing-by, a high degree of precision is required for orbit adjustment before entering the gravitational sphere of a celestial body, so control using fuel is necessary to adjust the orbit. Also, care must be taken to meet other conditions such as not changing the direction of the antenna for communication with the Earth.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for obtaining the propulsion force of a spacecraft without using a propellant and without communicating with the outside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to the disclosed technique, a first conductor and a second conductor fixed at intervals, a power supply that outputs an alternating current, are provided, and the alternating current output from the power supply is configured to flow through the first conductor and the second conductor with a 90-degree phase difference. A propulsion device, a first phase shifter that advances the phase of the alternating current flowing through the first conductor by 90 degrees from the phase of the alternating current flowing through the second conductor, a second phase shifter that delays the phase of the alternating current flowing through the first conductor by 90 degrees from the phase of the alternating current flowing through the second conductor, a switching switch that switches between the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter, and further includes A propulsion device is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the disclosed technique, a technique for obtaining the propulsion force of a spacecraft without using a propellant and without communicating with the outside is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments (these embodiments) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0012] In these embodiments, in a space machine, a propulsion device 100 for obtaining a propulsion force capable of accelerating, decelerating, and changing direction by high-frequency power without using a propellant and without interacting with the outside will be described.

[0013] In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the propulsion device 100 is used for a spacecraft. However, the application of the propulsion device 100 is not limited to this. For example, the propulsion device 100 may be used as a power source for a ground vehicle, a ship, or the like.

[0014] (Overall Configuration, Operating Principle) FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the spacecraft 200 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the spacecraft 200 includes a propulsion device 100. The operating principle of the propulsion device 100 will be described below.

[0015] When an electric current flows through a conductor, a magnetic field is generated around the conductor (Ampere's law). When an electric current flows in a magnetic field, a force acts in a direction perpendicular to both the electric current and the magnetic field (Lorentz force). As a result, when a steady current flows through two parallel conductors, one conductor is subjected to a force by the current flowing through the other conductor due to the magnetic field created by the one conductor.

[0016] The above example of the force will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a case where the directions of the electric current 1 and the electric current 2 flowing through the conductor 10 and the conductor 20, respectively, are the same. In this case, the conductors attract each other.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a case where the directions of the electric current 1 and the electric current 2 flowing through the conductor 10 and the conductor 20, respectively, are opposite. In this case, the conductors repel each other.

[0018] Next, consider flowing a high-frequency current through the conductor, in which the direction of the current changes periodically instead of a steady current. As shown in FIG. 4, a high-frequency current is passed through two conductors 10 and 20 fixed at intervals, and it is assumed that the current flows through one conductor with a phase lag of 90 degrees (that is, a lag of one-quarter cycle) compared to the other conductor. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the phase of the current 2 lags 90 degrees behind the phase of the current 1.

[0019] At this time, consider the direction of the force acting on the conductor 10. The magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor 20 causes a time delay during the propagation of the distance between the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the directions of the currents flowing through the two conductors are in a state close to being opposite. When the currents flowing through the two conductors are in opposite directions, since the direction of the force acting on the conductors is repulsive, an upward force is generated on the conductor 10 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0020] Next, consider the direction of the force acting on the conductor 20. The magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor 10 causes a time delay during the propagation of the distance between the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the currents flowing through the two conductors are in a state close to being in the same direction. When the currents flowing through the two conductors are in the same direction, since the direction of the force acting on the conductors is attractive, an upward force is generated on the conductor 20 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0021] The sum of the force acting on the conductor 10 and the force acting on the conductor 20 becomes the force generated on the entire propulsion device 100 including the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. By passing a current as shown in FIG. 4, upward forces act on both the conductor 10 and the conductor 20, so an upward force is generated as a whole.

[0022] That is, when high-frequency currents with a 90-degree phase difference flow through two conductors fixed at intervals within the propulsion device 100, propulsion force can be obtained by high-frequency power without using a propellant and without interacting with the outside.

[0023] (Configuration Example 1 of Propulsion Device 100) FIG. 7 shows a configuration example 1 of the propulsion device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the propulsion device 100 according to the configuration example 1 includes a high-frequency power supply 50 that outputs a high-frequency current, a distributor 40 that distributes the output high-frequency current into two, phase shifters 31 and 32 that impart a phase difference to the two currents, and two conductors 10 and 20 fixed to the propulsion device 100 at a certain interval to obtain propulsion force.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 7, in Configuration Example 1, phase shifters 31 and 32 are used to introduce a phase difference such that the phase of the current flowing through conductor 20 lags behind the phase of the current flowing through conductor 10 by 90 degrees.

[0025] When the phase of the current flowing through conductor 20 leads the phase of the current flowing through conductor 10 by 90 degrees, the force generated by the entire propulsion device 100 will be in the opposite direction (downward) compared to the case of Fig. 7.

[0026] (Configuration Example 2 of Propulsion Device 100) Therefore, in Configuration Example 2, as shown in Fig. 8, two switching switches 35 and 36 are provided to switch the phase difference of the current flowing through conductor 10. Also, the phase shifter 33 connected to the two switching switches 35 and 36 advances the phase of the current by 90 degrees with respect to conductor 20, and the phase shifter 34 delays the phase of the current by 90 degrees with respect to conductor 20.

[0027] When the two switching switches 35 and 36 operate in conjunction to make the phase of the current flowing through conductor 20 lag behind or lead the phase of the current flowing through conductor 10 by 90 degrees, the direction of the propulsion force can be changed by switching the switches.

[0028] In the example of Fig. 8, the two switching switches 35 and 36 are attached to the side of conductor 10, but this is just an example. The two switching switches 35 and 36 may be attached to the side of conductor 20.

[0029] Also, by changing the direction of the propulsion device 100 itself having the configuration of Fig. 8 (or the direction of conductors 10 and 20), a propulsion force in an arbitrary direction can be applied to the propulsion device 100.

[0030] (Detailed Example of Conductors) A detailed example of the conducting wires 10 and 20 used in Configuration Examples 1, 2, etc. will be described. The greater the current flowing through the conducting wires 10 and 20, the greater the generated propulsive force. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the conducting wires 10 and 20 may be bundled in a coil shape respectively (the N-turn coils 15 and 25 shown in FIG. 9). By bundling the conducting wires in a coil shape in this way, the current flowing through the loop formed by the coil substantially increases. That is, in the case of an N-turn coil, the magnitude of the current flowing through the loop becomes N times the current flowing through a single conducting wire.

[0031] In the case of the high-frequency current used in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the capacitors 16 and 26 are installed such that the inductance L of the coil and the capacitance C of the capacitor resonate at the frequency f of the flowing current, a larger current can flow. At this time, the relationship 2πf = 1 / √LC is satisfied.

[0032] (Regarding the propulsive force by the coil) Here, the propulsion device 100 by this high-frequency current can be considered from another aspect. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when a current flows through the coils 15 and 25, a magnetic field is generated in the vicinity of the coils, and the coils repel or attract each other due to the magnetic field. FIG. 12 shows the change in the magnetic field in the image of a magnet having an N pole and an S pole.

[0033] Here, in the configuration of FIG. 11, consider the direction of the force acting on the coil 15. The magnetic field created by the coil 25 undergoes a time delay while propagating the distance between the coil 15 and the coil 25, and as shown in FIG. 13, it becomes a state close to the polarities of the magnetic fields generated by the two coils being opposite. When the polarities of the magnetic fields generated by the two coils are opposite, since the direction of the force acting on the coil is the repulsive direction, an upward force is generated on the coil 15.

[0034] Next, consider the direction of the force acting on coil 25. The magnetic field generated by coil 15 has a time delay while propagating the distance between coil 15 and coil 25, and as shown in Fig. 14, it becomes a state close to the situation where the polarities of the magnetic fields generated by the two coils are in the same direction. When the polarities of the magnetic fields generated by the two coils are in the same direction, since the direction of the force acting on the coils is an attracting direction, an upward force is generated on coil 25.

[0035] The sum of the force acting on coil 15 and the force acting on coil 25 becomes the force generated in the entire propulsion device 100 including coil 15 and coil 25.

[0036] That is, when high-frequency currents with a 90-degree phase difference flow through two coils fixed at intervals in the propulsion device 100, propulsion force can be obtained by high-frequency power without using a propellant and without interacting with the outside.

[0037] For the coil, in order to increase the magnetic flux density, a magnetic core made of a magnetic material may be inserted as shown in Fig. 15. As the magnetic material, ferromagnetic materials such as iron and nickel, and ferrite with low loss at high frequencies are used. However, the magnetic material is not limited to these.

[0038] (Configuration Example 3 of Propulsion Device 100) Fig. 16 shows the configuration of the propulsion device 100 using coils as Configuration Example 3 of the propulsion device 100. As shown in Fig. 16, the propulsion device 100 of Configuration Example 3 includes a high-frequency power supply 50 that outputs a high-frequency current, a distributor 40 that distributes the output high-frequency current into two, phase shifters 61 and 62 that give a phase difference to the two currents, and two coils 15 and 25 (conductors 10 and 20 having a coil-like structure) fixed at a certain interval to obtain propulsion force. Also, in the example of Fig. 16, a magnetic core is inserted into the coil.

[0039] As described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14, with the configuration shown in Fig. 16, propulsion force can be applied to the propulsion device 100.

[0040] (Configuration Example 4 of Propulsion Device) Fig. 17 shows a fourth configuration example of the propulsion device 100. As shown in Fig. 17, the propulsion device 100 includes switching switches 65 and 66 that switch the phase difference of the currents flowing through the two coils 15 and 25.

[0041] When the two switching switches 65 and 66 operate in conjunction to make the phase of the current flowing through the conductor 20 lag or lead by 90 degrees compared to the current flowing through the conductor 10, the direction of the propulsion force can be changed by switching the switches.

[0042] In the example of Fig. 17, the two switching switches 65 and 66 are attached to the side of the conductor 10, but this is just an example. The two switching switches 65 and 66 may be attached to the side of the conductor 20.

[0043] Also, by changing the orientation of the propulsion device 100 itself (or the orientation of the coils 15 and 25) having the configuration of Fig. 17, a propulsion force in an arbitrary direction can be applied to the propulsion device 100.

[0044] In each of the above-described configuration examples, the high-frequency currents flowing through the conductor 10 and the conductor 20 are examples of alternating currents. An alternating current having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency may also be referred to as a high-frequency current.

[0045] Also, in each of the above-described configuration examples, the phase difference between the high-frequency currents (alternating currents) flowing through the conductor 10 and the conductor 20 is set to 90 degrees, but it does not have to be exactly 90 degrees. For example, even if it deviates from 90 degrees within a certain threshold range, it may be regarded as "90 degrees".

[0046] Also, in each of the above-described configuration examples, a distributor and a phase shifter are used to provide a phase difference to the alternating currents flowing through the conductor 10 and the conductor 20, but using a distributor and a phase shifter is just an example. Any means may be used as long as a phase difference can be provided.

[0047] Also, with regard to the distance between the conducting wire 10 and the conducting wire 20 and the distance between the coil 15 and the coil 25, they may be determined according to the frequency of the alternating current used so as to have the phase relationship described in FIGS. 5 and 6, FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0048] (Effects of the Embodiment) According to the technology of this embodiment, it is possible to realize a propulsion device that can generate a propulsion force capable of accelerating, decelerating, and changing the direction of a spacecraft by high-frequency power without using a propellant and without communicating with the outside.

[0049] Since no propellant is required, more cargo can be loaded onto the spacecraft accordingly, enhancing the spacecraft's carrying capacity. Also, if power can be secured using solar cells or the like in space, acceleration, deceleration, and direction changes can be performed semi-permanently.

[0050] (Supplementary Note) This specification discloses at least the propulsion devices of the following respective items. (Item 1) A first conducting wire and a second conducting wire fixed with a gap therebetween, and a power source that outputs an alternating current, A propulsion device configured such that the alternating current output from the power source flows through the first conducting wire and the second conducting wire with a 90-degree phase difference. (Item 2) A distributor that divides the alternating current output from the power source into two, and a phase shifter that imparts a 90-degree phase difference between the two alternating currents divided by the distributor The propulsion device according to Item 1, further comprising. (Item 3) A changeover switch for advancing or delaying the phase of the alternating current flowing through the first conducting wire by 90 degrees from the phase of the alternating current flowing through the second conducting wire The propulsion device according to Item 2, further comprising. (Item 4) The first conducting wire and the second conducting wire are each bundled in a coil shape The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Claim 5) Each of the first conductor and the second conductor includes a capacitor that resonates with the inductance due to the coil-like structure at the output frequency of the power supply. The propulsion device according to claim 4. (Claim 6) Each of the coil-like structure formed by the first conductor and the coil-like structure formed by the second conductor includes a magnetic core made of a magnetic material on the central axis. The propulsion device according to claim 4 or 5.

[0051] As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 100 Propulsion device 200 Spacecraft 1, 2 Currents 10, 20 Conductors 15, 25 Coils 16, 26 Capacitors 31, 32, 33, 34, 61, 62, 63, 64 Phase shifters 35, 36, 65, 66 Switching switches 40 Distributor 50 High-frequency power supply

Claims

1. a first conductor and a second conductor fixed at intervals; a power supply that outputs an alternating current, and a propulsion device configured such that the alternating current output from the power supply flows through the first conductor and the second conductor with a 90-degree phase difference, a first phase shifter that advances the phase of the alternating current flowing through the first conductor by 90 degrees from the phase of the alternating current flowing through the second conductor; a second phase shifter that delays the phase of the alternating current flowing through the first conductor by 90 degrees from the phase of the alternating current flowing through the second conductor; a switching switch that switches between the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter and further comprising a propulsion device.

2. The first conductor and the second conductor are each bundled in a coil shape The propulsion device according to claim 1.

3. The first conductor and the second conductor each include a capacitor that resonates with the inductance due to the coil-like structure at the output frequency of the power supply The propulsion device according to claim 2.

4. The coil-like structure formed by the first conductor and the coil-like structure formed by the second conductor each include a magnetic core made of a magnetic material on a central axis The propulsion device according to claim 2 or 3.

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