Track Assembly Electrical Discharge for Ground Vehicle Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy deposition techniques fail to effectively synchronize energy delivery with other processes, limiting their ability to maximize benefits such as reduced drag and increased propulsion efficiency in high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves impulsively heating a portion of a fluid to create a lower density region, synchronizing this with a pulsed propulsion unit to propel an object through the fluid, using techniques like laser-induced filaments and electrical discharges to form and guide energy deposition paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If energy deposition is applied without synchronization to vehicle motion, then some drag reduction effect is achieved, but the benefit is limited and energy efficiency is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by depositing energy into the fluid ahead of the vehicle's position, creating a low-density region in advance. This allows the vehicle to travel through the pre-created favorable flow condition, maximizing drag reduction benefit while maintaining synchronization without complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by using sensors to detect the vehicle's position and motion state, then adjusting the timing and location of energy deposition accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal synchronization between energy deposition and vehicle motion, maximizing energy efficiency while adapting to varying operational conditions.
2Speed
If energy is deposited impulsively to create low-density regions, then drag is reduced and propulsion efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the energy deposition process into discrete impulsive events positioned at specific locations along the vehicle's path. Each energy deposition event creates an independent low-density region, allowing the vehicle to benefit from multiple sequential drag reduction zones without requiring a continuously complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with a combination of sensors, processors, and controllable energy deposition devices. This substitution achieves precise timing and positioning through electronic control and computation, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving synchronization accuracy.
3Power
If energy deposition is synchronized with vehicle motion and transient forces, then propulsion efficiency is maximized, but the control and measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal components that serve multiple functions: sensors detect both vehicle position and fluid conditions, the processor performs both timing calculations and control decisions, and the energy deposition devices create both drag reduction zones and propulsion assistance. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed, simplifying the overall control and measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes self-service by leveraging the vehicle's own motion and the fluid's natural response to energy deposition. The vehicle's movement through the created low-density regions automatically provides propulsion benefit, and the fluid's expansion and flow patterns self-regulate to maintain favorable conditions, reducing the need for complex active control and measurement 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
This approach significantly reduces drag and increases propulsion efficiency by creating a low-density region that allows objects to travel faster with less energy, minimizing acoustic signatures and enhancing vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
directing at least a portion of the object into the lower density region; synchronized with (iii) detonating a reactant in a pulsed propulsion unit propelling the object
Implementation Method 2
impulsively discharging at least a portion of the electrical energy from the ground vehicle to a conducting portion of a track assembly, whereby a portion of air in proximity with the discharged electrical energy expands
Implementation Method 3
a portion of air in proximity with the discharged electrical energy expands to form a lower density region surrounded by a higher density region
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7B
AI summary
A method of reducing drag in a ground vehicle coupled to a track assembly, the method comprising:accumulating a store of electrical energy on board the ground vehicle; and impulsively discharging at least a portion of the electrical energy from the ground vehicle to a conducting portion of a track assembly, said portion positioned in front of the fuselage of the ground vehicle, whereby a portion of air in proximity with the discharged electrical energy expands to form a lower density region surrounded by a higher density region and directing at least a portion of the ground vehicle into the lower density region.