Rotating Foil Thrust Control via Adjustable Louvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating thrust-producing apparatuses, such as screw propellers and circular foils, are limited in controlling the magnitude of thrust force and direction, as they primarily rely on varying rotational speed, lacking the ability to alter force magnitude or change direction effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control system for a rotating thrust-producing apparatus featuring a rotatable foil with adjustable control surfaces, including louvers, slide blades, and swing blades, which create fluid pressure imbalances by selectively covering and uncovering the foil's fins, allowing for varying thrust force and directional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rotational speed of the foil is increased to increase thrust force, then thrust force is improved, but the system loses the ability to control force magnitude independently of speed
Solution Approach 1:
The control surfaces are made movable relative to the rotating foil, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fluid pressure distribution. This enables independent control of thrust force magnitude without changing rotational speed, as the control surfaces can be positioned to vary the pressure differential acting on the foil while it rotates at constant speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed control surface system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but directional control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent control surfaces that can be moved individually. This segmentation allows different portions of the foil to be controlled independently, enabling directional control while keeping each control surface relatively simple in structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control surfaces are made movable to enable force and direction control, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control surfaces utilize changes in fluid pressure parameters to generate thrust control forces. By positioning control surfaces to alter the fluid pressure distribution around the rotating foil, the system achieves thrust magnitude and direction control through pressure parameter manipulation rather than complex mechanical actuation systems.
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
Enables precise control of thrust force and direction, allowing vehicles to accelerate, decelerate, brake, and change direction by adjusting the position and speed of the control surfaces, enhancing the operational flexibility of rotating thrust-producing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The axial thrust produced by a screw propeller depends upon the degree of vacuum created on the surface of the blade on the side of the direction of its travel because of movement of the blade through the fluid at a certain angle to the general plane of rotation of the blade
Implementation Method 2
the degree of vacuum created on the surface of the blade on the side of the direction of its travel
Implementation Method 3
fluid disposed adjacent to at least one adjustable control surface and radially inward of the fins is redirected from flowing between the fins, such that the fluid is discharged from the spaces between the fins at a rate faster than fluid can be replenished, creating a fluid pressure imbalance and causing the foil to move in the direction of the pressure deficit
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating thrust-producing apparatus having a control system includes a rotatable foil having opposite first and second faces and a plurality of spaced apart fins occupying a periphery thereof. A pressure control assembly includes a first adjustable control surface disposed adjacent to a first face of the foil so as to be selectively movable over the fins of the foil. The pressure control assembly may include a second control surface disposed adjacent to the second face of the foil and which may be adjustable. As the foil is rotated, and the at least one adjustable control surface is moved over fins of the foil, a fluid pressure imbalance is created, causing a thrust in the direction of the pressure deficit.