Inertial Thrust Mass Propulsion System for Vector Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for converting rotational energy into linear motion, such as automotive transmissions, aeronautical propellers, and marine propellers, suffer from inefficiencies, excess energy consumption, and friction wear, with existing devices limiting the direction or magnitude of the thrust vector.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system utilizing freely movable inertial thrust masses constrained to move in a circle, with bi-directional acceleration ramps that increase centripetal acceleration, generating a reaction force for linear motion, allowing directional control of the thrust vector through an impulse body control arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional transmissions and drive trains are used to convert rotational energy to linear motion, then the vehicle can be propelled, but energy loss and friction wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical transmission systems with an inertial reaction mass system. Instead of using gears, belts, and shafts to convert rotational motion to linear motion, the invention uses the centrifugal force generated by rotating inertial masses to directly produce thrust through reaction forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical power transmission components that cause friction and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial masses themselves generate the thrust force through their rotation and the reaction forces they produce. The system does not require external mechanical transmission components to convert motion types, as the rotating masses directly create the propulsive force through their inertial properties, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating frictional losses in transmission mechanisms.
2Power
If propellers are used to convert engine power to vehicle motion, then thrust is produced, but significant energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the propeller mechanism with a system of rotating inertial masses that generate thrust through centrifugal force and reaction forces. Instead of pushing against air or water to generate thrust, the inertial masses create direct reaction forces that propel the vehicle, eliminating the energy losses associated with propeller inefficiency and fluid interaction.
3Power
If jet engines are used to produce thrust, then vehicle motion is achieved, but energy conversion losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal energy conversion process of jet engines with a direct mechanical inertial reaction system. Instead of converting chemical energy to thermal energy to kinetic energy through combustion, the system uses mechanically rotated inertial masses that directly generate thrust forces, eliminating the energy conversion losses inherent in thermal engine cycles.
4Force
If existing devices vary the radius of gyration to produce thrust, then linear force is generated, but the direction or magnitude of the thrust vector is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically controllable inertial masses that can be independently controlled in terms of both magnitude and direction of their reaction forces. The system uses controllable mass acceleration and deceleration phases, along with adjustable mass distribution and rotation characteristics, to dynamically shape the thrust vector in any direction, providing full adaptability in thrust control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the thrust generation function into multiple independent inertial mass units, each capable of producing controllable reaction forces. By segmenting the total thrust into contributions from individual masses, the system can independently control the direction and magnitude of each mass's reaction force, enabling versatile thrust vector control that overcomes the limitations of single-axis or fixed-direction designs.
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 system achieves efficient energy conversion with minimal friction, allowing for directional control of linear motion and reducing power loss, applicable in various transportation modes including terrestrial, aerospace, and marine applications.
Implementation Method 1
the inventor exploited the relationship between the radius of the gyration of movable weights, the centripetal force required to maintain a constant radius of the gyration of movable weights and the effect that varying the radius has on the overall energy balance of the system
Implementation Method 2
the bi-directional acceleration ramps increase the inertial thrust mass's centripetal acceleration at sites about the circumference of the circle about which the movable inertial thrust masses are spun
Implementation Method 3
The acceleration ramps are sized to be placed between the plurality of capture plates for engagement of the plurality of inertia thrust masses positioned within the capture slots of the capture plates. The counter rotation of the upper and lower capture plates causes the thrust masses to sequentially impact the impulse ramp, each impact forcing the corresponding thrust mass into the retracted position
Implementation Method 4
each impact forcing the corresponding thrust mass into the retracted position over the bias of the corresponding spring, whereby forward linear motion is generated
Implementation Method 5
a spring positioned within each of the radial slots, the spring biasing the corresponding thrust mass into the extended position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device that produces linear motion by sequentially and in a continuous sequence accelerating inertial thrust masses at well-defined times towards the axis of counter-rotating disks. The inertial thrust masses are contained in cavities placed equidistantly about the periphery of counter rotating capture disks mounted on a common axle. They are radially accelerated by a bi-directional impulse ramps that can be moved to any position around the periphery of the counter rotating capture plates and into and out of the paths of the gyrating thrust masses to any desired depth within the mechanical range of the impulse ramps which simultaneously engage and radially accelerate the inertial thrust masses of each counter-rotating capture plate.