Circular Mass Accelerator with Rotating Tether
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rocket-propelled launch vehicles require massive quantities of propellant to achieve sufficient velocity for payload delivery, leading to high costs and limited launch rates, necessitating alternative approaches to reduce energy and infrastructure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal acceleration system using a vacuum chamber and a rotating tether within a circular mass accelerator structure, where a motor spins a tether and launch vehicle to achieve high launch speeds, with the vehicle released through a tangential exit port, allowing onboard rockets to provide final velocity for orbital insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rocket-propelled launch vehicles use massive quantities of propellant to achieve sufficient velocity, then payload delivery capability is improved, but launch costs and infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rocket propulsion system (chemical energy conversion) with a centrifugal acceleration system using a rotating tether. The motor-driven rotation of the tether generates centrifugal force to accelerate the payload to orbital velocity, substituting mechanical rotation for chemical rocket propulsion. This eliminates the need for massive propellant quantities while achieving the same launch velocity objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic rotation of the tether to accelerate the payload. The motor rotates the tether in a cyclic manner, building up velocity through repeated rotational cycles before releasing the payload. This periodic mechanical action replaces the continuous combustion process of traditional rockets, allowing velocity accumulation without proportional increases in propellant consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional rocket systems are used to achieve orbital velocity, then payload delivery is possible, but energy consumption and power generation requirements become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the high-power chemical combustion process with a more energy-efficient mechanical rotation system. The motor-driven tether rotation converts electrical energy directly into kinetic energy of the payload through centrifugal acceleration, bypassing the inefficient thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion of rocket engines. This reduces both energy consumption and power generation requirements while achieving the same payload delivery objective.
3Productivity
If rocket-propelled vehicles are used for frequent launches, then payload delivery rates improve, but infrastructure complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex rocket launch infrastructure with a simpler centrifugal acceleration system. The rotating tether mechanism can be reset and reused for multiple launches without the need for rebuilding propellant systems, allowing frequent launches with reduced infrastructure complexity. The system achieves high productivity through rapid reset capability and elimination of propellant handling infrastructure.
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 significantly reduces launch costs by sourcing energy from ground-based electricity, achieving high launch speeds without massive power generation or infrastructure, and enabling efficient delivery of payloads into orbit.
Implementation Method 1
A motor may rotate a hub coupled to the tether in a circular motion inside the chamber, the rotating causing the projectile to accelerate until it reaches a desired launch speed
Implementation Method 2
An exemplary system may comprise a chamber at vacuum pressure. At least a portion of air within the chamber may be removed to create a vacuum condition within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A mass accelerator for launching objects, such as a payload, via rotational acceleration is disclosed. The system may comprise a chamber maintained at near vacuum pressure, a motor that rotates a hub attached to a tethered projectile in a circular motion inside the vacuum chamber, accelerating the payload until the payload reaches a desired launch speed. The payload may be released from the tether upon reaching the desired launch speed and may exit the chamber through an exit port that is opened briefly to allow the payload to exit. In various embodiments, the circular mass acceleration system can be used to launch a payload into space orbit. By employing rotational acceleration via a mechanical approach, the acceleration system provides a cost-effective reusable system for launching objects.