Movable Nozzle Biasing for Personal Propulsion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal propulsion devices lack effective control systems that allow for adjustable and stable flight maneuvers, making it difficult for inexperienced operators to maintain control, especially in preventing unintended turning or rolling.
Innovation Solution
The personal propulsion device incorporates a movable fluid discharge nozzle with adjustable biasing components such as magnets, springs, and elastomeric components, allowing for selective adjustment of the nozzle's position and movement, along with a control arm system that provides tactile feedback and adjustable gearing or sensor-motor control for precise control input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is made movable to enable flight maneuvers, then the device's maneuverability is improved, but the device becomes harder to control and less stable
Solution Approach 1:
A spring mechanism is pre-configured to automatically return the nozzle to its neutral position when the operator releases the control. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the nozzle's tendency to remain in displaced positions, providing automatic stability and reducing control difficulty while maintaining maneuverability during active control input.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to exert a restoring force on the nozzle, preparing the system in advance to counteract any displacement. This preliminary action ensures that the nozzle automatically returns to neutral without requiring active counter-control from the operator, simplifying operation while preserving flight maneuverability.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle is biased towards a neutral position to improve stability, then the device becomes easier to control, but the device loses maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biasing mechanism provides dynamic control characteristics where the neutral position is maintained during idle states for stability, but the nozzle can be freely displaced from neutral when the operator applies control input for maneuvers. The system transitions between stable and maneuverable states based on operator action, resolving the contradiction between stability and maneuverability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the range of motion is increased to improve maneuverability, then the device's adaptability is improved, but the device becomes less stable and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism continuously exerts a restoring force toward the neutral position, counteracting the destabilizing effect of increased range of motion. This preliminary anti-action ensures that while the nozzle can traverse a wide range of positions for maneuverability, it automatically returns to and stabilizes at the neutral position when control input is released, maintaining flight stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable biasing components are added to tailor device operation for various users, then the device's adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjustable springs or magnets allow modification of the biasing force parameter to accommodate different user preferences and flight styles. By changing only the biasing force parameter rather than the overall control architecture, the system achieves user adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 solution enables operators to tailor the device's operation for various flight modes, including hovering, forward motion, and ascent/descent, while preventing unintended movements, thereby improving control and safety for both experienced and inexperienced users.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle may be biased towards a neutral position by a spring, magnet, elastic component, elastomeric component, and/or dampening component
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle may be biased towards a neutral position by a spring, magnet, elastic component, elastomeric component, and/or dampening component
Implementation Method 3
The nozzle may be biased towards a neutral position by a spring, magnet, elastic component, elastomeric component, and/or dampening component
Data Source
AI summary
A personal propulsion device adapted to achieve flight by discharging a fluid, including a passenger assembly adapted to support an individual person; at least one fluid discharge nozzle coupled to the passenger assembly, where the nozzle is movable with respect to the passenger assembly to define a range of motion, and where the nozzle is biased towards at least one position in the range of motion.