Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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I
VECTO~ T~IRUST CONTROL
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vector thrust converter for converting
rotating energy into a thrust in a selected direction.
Background of the Present In~ention
The concept of centrifugal force is well known and such forces are used
for a variety of different implementations, however it is believed there are no
devices based on centrifugal action that convert the centrifugal action directlyinto a vector thrust.
Generally centrifugal force is applied to such devices as gyroscopes or
rotary governors or the like but none operate on the principle of con~ming the
radius rotation so that the weight is extended farther from the axis of rotationon one side of the axis of rotation than on the other thereby to generate a
thrust.
Brief Description of the Present Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for
converting a rotating energy into a thrust in a selected direction.
Broadly the present invention relates to a vector thrust converter
comprising a confining means having a confining surface eccentric to an axis
of rotation, arrn means rotate about said axis of rotation, a weight means
associated with each of said arm means to move relative to said axis of
rotation when said arm means is rotated about said axis of rotation, said
weight means moving on a path corresponding with said confining surface so
that in one annular position each said weight means is positioned farthest
from said axis of rotation whereby rotation of said arm means results in net
thrust in a direction substantially radial to said axis through said angular
position wherein said weight means are farthest from said axis of rotation and
means to rotate said arm means about said axis of rotation.
Preferably said weight means will move radial of said axis along said
arm means as said arm means is rotated.
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Preferably means will be provided to change the position of said axis
of rotation relative to said confining means.
In an alternative embodiment each of said arm means is mounted on
a hub for movement relative to said hub and wherein said weight means is
5 fixed to its respective said arm means.
Pre~erably said arm means are mounted in pairs on said hub, one arm
on one side and the other of each pair on opposite side of said axis of
rotation, said arm means of each said pair being moveable parallel to each
other to extend and retract said weight means.
Blief Description of the Drawings
Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which.
Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration with parts omitted
illustrating the principle of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but wherein arms are mounted
in a different manner to that shown in Figure 1.
20 De~cription of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention comprises a confining
means 10 which is in the form of at least one circular ring 12 having an inner
periphery 13 centred on axis 14.
The ring 12 may be mounted in any suitable manner. In the illustrated
25 arrangement the ring 12 is mounted on lugs 18 which in turn are supported
by wheels 20.
A plurality of arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 (only 4 are show but fewer or
more may be used as desired) are mounted ~or rotation as indicated by the
arrow 30 (which schematically represents a driving means) about the axis 32
30 (only the arm æ has been shown in any detail the other arms 24, 26, and 28
would be essentially the same as the ar~n 22 but have been represented by
dash lines only). The arms may radiate from a single central hub 16 or may
,.
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be mounted on sepnrate huhs. More than one set of arms may be used with
each set spaced axially along axis 32 and cooperating with its respective ring
12.
The arms in the Figure 1 embodiment (only arm æ will be described)
S include a first arm member 22A on one side of the axis 32 and a second arm
member 22B on the opposite side of the axis 32~ These members extend in
a substantially straight line to form the arm 22 extending radially from the axis
32. A weighted roller æc is mounted on each its respective shaft 22D of the
arm members æA and B. The shafts 22D are mounted for sliding movement
along their respective arms 22A and 22B, i~e. radially of the axis 32 on tracks
22E as indicated by the arrow 22F~
The rollers 22C engage the inner surface 13 of the ring 12 and are
forced thereagainst by centrifugal action as the arm 22 rotates as indicated by
the arrow 30 around the axis 32~ In the illustrated arrangement in the
position to the left, the radius rmjn of the centre of the gravity or axis of
rotation 22D of the weight 22C is significantly smaller than the radius r"~", ofthe weight 22C diametrically opposed (on the right hand side of the axis 32)~
Thus centrifugal force generated by the weight at radius r"",~ is significantly
higher than the centrifugal force generated by the weight at radius r" and
there is a net vector force 34 to the right in Figure 1.
Obviously when the weight 22C on the left in Figure 1 is rotated to the
position on the right in Figure 1 it will generate a sirnilar force 34 as will each
of the weights 24C, 26C, 28C as they are rotated about the axis 32~ These
forces will tend to move the whole unit in the direction 34~
When each arm is in the position of the arm 26 with the weight equally
spaced on opposite sides of the axis 32 and substantially perpendicular to the
net vector 34 there ~rill be no component from the weight 26C to the vector
34. In all other positions in the illustrated arrangement the weights will
generate a component of force parallel to the direction of the force vector 34
and thus will contribute to this force 34, i~e. the forces generated by the
weights will result in a positive component in the direction of the force vector34 when the arrns are not perpendicular to the force vector 34 with the arms
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rotating in a circular rotary ring.
The position of the axis 32 relative to the axis 14, i.e. the length of the
offset preferably will be adjustable as indicated by the arrow 0 to provide a
further control (rpm and size of the weights prov;de other controls) of the
S magnitude of force 34. The direction of force 34 may also be changed by
rotating the axis 32 around the axis 14 as indicated by the arrow 36.
The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is essentially the same as that
shown in Figure 1. In this illustration only the arms equivalent to the arms
22 have been shown, but it will be apparent that as many arms as desired may
be included each angularly offset from the other as are the arms 22, 24, 26
and 28. The arms preferably will extend in pairs from a plurality of axially
spaced hubs so that the ring 12 preferably will be an elongated right cylinder.
In the Figure 2 embodiment the arms equivalent to the arms numbered
æA and 22B of the arm. However each of the arm numbered 122A and 122B
is slidably mounted as indicated by the arrows 112 and 114 on the hub 110
which rotates about the axis 32 offset from the axis 14 (like reference
numerals have been used to indicate like parts between the two views however
those that have been modified are indicated with different reference
numerals~.
Another difference between the arms 122A and 122B and the arms
22A and 22B is the fact that no guides are provided on the arms 122A and
122B with the axes 220 of weights or rollers æc being fixed adjacent the free
ends of their respective arms 122A and 122B.
It will be apparent that the hub 110 rotates as indicated by the arrow
30 the position of the weight 22A and 22B is determined by the irmer
periphery 13 of the ring 12 and rotation of the arms 122A and 122B generates
the force 34 in essentially the same manner as the force 34 was generated in
the Figure 1 embodiment.
Example
Using a single arm 22 having weights 22C of 3.7 Ibs each, in a ring 12
with a surface 13 having a diameter g inches and an offset (i.e. offset between
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s
the centre l4 and centre 32) 0 = l 5/8 inches (which resulted in rm~n of 2 7/8
inches and rn""~ of 6 1/8 inches) at an rpm of 189 the output force 34
generated was measured to be between 12 and 14 Ibs. however due to
vibration, i.e. the use of only a single arm, the measurements were difficult to5 make. A theoretical calculation indicates that the force 34 would be
approximately 12 Ibs. for these conditions.
It will be apparent that if the conditions are altered, the force 34 will
be altered as well.
It will also be apparent that the shape of guiding surface 13 need not
10 be circular however care must be taken not to deviate too much from circular
or vibration may become excessive or operation erratic.
Having described the invention modifications will be evident to those
skilled in the art vvithout departing from the spirit of the invention as defined
in the appended claims.
