Acoustic Resonance Thrust Apparatus Using Standing Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating thrust, such as prior art aerodynamic lift, do not effectively utilize acoustic resonance to transfer momentum and energy, limiting their efficiency in propelling objects through gases or liquids.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that employs a medium capable of acoustic resonance, with a barrier of different acoustic impedance and an exciter to resonate the medium at its natural frequency, generating thrust by emitting momentum from nodes and absorbing momentum at anti-nodes, or vice versa, to create a net thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If acoustic resonance is used to generate thrust, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for resonating medium, barrier, and exciter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs acoustic resonance, a form of mechanical vibration, to generate thrust. The exciter vibrates the resonating medium at its natural frequency, creating standing waves with nodes and anti-nodes. This vibration causes transverse pressure variations that generate acoustic radiation pressure on the barrier, producing thrust without traditional propellers or jets, thereby improving propulsion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the medium by inducing acoustic resonance at specific natural frequencies. By adjusting the excitation frequency to match the natural frequency of the medium, the system achieves resonant amplification of pressure variations. This parameter change enables efficient energy transfer from the exciter to the medium, generating thrust with improved productivity despite the added device complexity.
2Force
If transverse pressure variations are exploited to generate thrust, then momentum transfer is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous excitation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic action by exciting the resonating medium at its natural frequency, creating oscillating transverse pressure variations. The exciter applies periodic force that matches the resonant frequency of the medium, causing standing waves to form. This periodic excitation efficiently transfers momentum to the barrier through acoustic radiation pressure at the nodes, generating thrust while minimizing energy loss through resonance amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
By employing mechanical vibration at resonant frequencies, the system achieves efficient momentum transfer. The vibrating medium creates alternating regions of high and low transverse pressure that exert periodic force on the barrier. This vibrational approach generates thrust force more efficiently than continuous non-resonant excitation would require, as the resonant system naturally amplifies the effect of periodic input energy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively generates thrust by exploiting transverse pressure and acoustic radiation pressure, resulting in a net force on the medium or barrier, demonstrating improved propulsion efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the medium resonates at the natural frequency... Acoustic resonance is the tendency of an acoustic system to absorb more energy at a natural frequency of the acoustic system
Implementation Method 2
generates a net thrust by emitting momentum from the node(s) of the resonating medium into the gas or liquid... exploiting transverse pressure and acoustic radiation pressure
Implementation Method 3
a barrier having an acoustic impedance that is substantially different from that of the medium... when the sound waves reach the open end of the tube, the acoustic impedance changes and a portion of the energy of the sound waves is reflected
Implementation Method 4
Sound is a vibration that propagates as a mechanical wave of pressure and displacement through a medium... sound waves will travel through the air within the tube in a direction of sound wave propagation
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustically resonating medium has one or more nodes and anti-nodes. Insulating a first side of a resonating medium at a node from ambient air and exposing the opposite second side of the resonating medium at the node to ambient air results in thrust in the direction of the first side. Insulating the second side of a resonating medium at an anti-node from ambient air and exposing the first side of the medium at the anti-node to ambient air also results in thrust in the direction of the first side.