AU4373001A - An improved vehicle - Google Patents

Description

JEN1AA cEG *FR 9 "ANEA MOANAVE VEcVELE" Thi ineto.sdsrbdi.teflo igsae et 2 AN IMPROVED VEHICLE THIS INVENTION relates to an improved vehicle in which air is guided to provide or supplement the energy required for driving propeller members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vehicles in general have at least one propelling member for providing motion to move the vehicles to a desired direction. One or more fuel powered engines are coupled to the at least one propelling member for rotating it.

For a land vehicle, the propelling members usually are in the form of ground engaging wheels which also function to support the vehicle on the ground. The wheels are driven by a single fuel powered internal combustion engine. This vehicle generally has a cabin for accommodating a driver and passengers and/or goods. To accommodate such the cabin in the body of the vehicle must have a certain volume of enclosed space. To protect the engine, body also has fenders and a bonnet provided around the engine. An under carriage structure is provided to 15 support the body and the axles to which the wheels are rotatably mounted. The cabin, the bonnet and the fenders present a substantially large wind drag force when the vehicle is in motion. A proportion of the energy from the fuel used to power the engine is spent on overcoming the wind drag. The remaining energy is used to drive the wheels, the alternator and the compressor of an air conditioner unit (if fitted).

Prior art attempts in reducing the wind drag on vehicles have been mainly about designing more aerodynamic shaped vehicles in order to reduce the drag force. These attempts can have only limited success as the vehicle body must have sufficient room to accommodate a driver and passengers in the cabin, and cargo in the boot or goods compartment.

Attempts to reduce fuel usage are mainly in designing more efficient engines or hybrid powered vehicles. While more efficient engines are commendable, a large proportion of available energy is still required to overcome wind drag and to provide power for rotating the wheels. The hybrid vehicles normally use a petrol powered engine and a battery powered motor to provide the energy needed to turn the wheels and other rotatable members in the vehicles. The hybrid vehicles do not address the problem of wind drag and the requirement of a large proportion of available energy to power the wheels.

oooo For marine vehicles the propeller members are in the form of propeller blades extending from a hub driven by a fuel powered engine. As for land vehicles, the energy available from the engine is used to overcome wind drag and to drive the propellers.

15 Air vehicles may be a helicopter type or a propeller plane or a jet plane.

These vehicles also have a cabin and a housing for accommodating engine(s). The engine(s) is used to drive a rotor in the case of a helicopter, or a propeller or turbo fan in the case of a plane. Certain planes have more than one propeller or turbo fan driven by individual engines. The air vehicles also experience the wind drag problem and the need to use fuel powered engine to provide all energy needed to drive the propeller member(s).

4 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to alleviate or to reduce to a certain level one or more of the prior art disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one broad aspect the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a body, one or more powered engine and at least one propeller member controllably coupled to the one or more engine in a manner to drive the at least one propeller member to rotate in a direction and thereby move the vehicle. The body has at least one air inlet opening in communication with air guiding means arranged to guide air entering said least one air inlet opening to flow over the at least one propeller member so as to provide an impact force on at lease one part of the at least one propeller member to move in said direction of rotation.

It should be noted that the term "powered engine" as used throughout this specification is intended to include any fuel powered engine or battery or solar powered motor. The vehicle of the present invention may be a land based vehicle such as an automobile, a sea borne vehicle such as a powered boat, an air borne vehicle such as an aeroplane or a helicopter or an amphibious vehicle.

In preference said at least one propeller member includes at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly rotatably mounted to said body and/or at least one wheel or endless track assembly rotatably mounted under said body, and the air guiding means include an air direction control member(s) arranged to be controllably set to direct air over the at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly and/or the at least one wheel or endless track assembly in a direction(s) of rotation thereof.

The at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly and/or the at least one wheel or endless track assembly may be configured to have a relatively large surface area thereof for impacting by the air in the air guiding means. As an example, the at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly and/or the at least one wheel or endless track assembly is configured with projection members extending in the direction(s) of air flow in the guiding means.

It is further preferred that the air guiding means includes a blade assembly mounted at or behind the or each said at least one air inlet opening for enhancing air flow through said air guiding means.

It is also preferred that the air guiding means includes at least one air outlet opening positioned so that the air moving there through can provide a thrust force for moving the vehicle forward. Said at least one air outlet opening may also have a blade assembly arranged therein.

A controllable air deflection means is advantageously provide atthe or each said at least one air outlet opening so that the direction of the thrust force caused by air exiting the outlet opening(s) can be controlled to control vehicle movement.

The deflection means in one form can be controlled to provide a downward thrust force to allow vertical take off of the vehicle.

An inlet protective means may be provided at the or each said air inlet opening for protecting the air guiding means during adverse weather conditions.

Typically the protective means is in the form of an adjustably retractable shroud 6 arranged at and adjustably movable with respect to the or each said air inlet opening.

Similarly, an outlet protective means may be provided at the or each said air outlet opening.

Advantageously the blade assembly has a set of first blade members which are fixed or removably fixed to a rotatably mounted hub member. The blade assembly may also have a set of second blade members which are fixed to the rotatably mounted hub member so that the blade assembly can continue to function should the first blade members malfunction.

Where the first blade members are removably fixed to the hub member the o.

fixing mechanism is preferably such that the blade members can be easily and manually removed and replaced. The hub member may have a storage space arranged so that a set of replacement blade members can be stored therein.

In one form the replacement blade members are collapsible and are stored 15 in the collapsible state. In this form the replacement blade members may be manually or automatically move out of their storage space and may then expand to their normal state.

Desirably the blade members are shaped to enhance air flow. They may also have apertures to improve air velocity in the air guiding means.

The invention may also provide blade members that are suitable for use in different weather conditions and/or different terrains in which the vehicle may be deployed and/or suitable for a usage. Some of the factors for selecting suitable blade members are as follows: P 4 7 emergency usage weather conditions such rain, snow, wind, etc.

visibility seasons land or sea or air usage terrain such as steepness, rocky, deep valley or gorge The blade members may be arranged to be selectively configurable so that they can be manually or automatically configured for use under different operation condition. In one form the blade members are made from a material that is foldable so that they can be folded into different configurations to suit operation conditions.

One such condition is to maximise impact force or thrust from the air in the air guiding means so that less energy and therefore less fuel is required for powering o.the powered engine.

A cover member with holes arranged therein can be provided at the or each S 15 said at least one air inlet opening to prevent entry of objects that may cause blade failure. One example of the cover member is a steel mesh sheet adapted to be removably fixed at entrance to the or each said at least one air inlet opening.

The or each blade assembly may have a controllable pitch so that the direction of movement of the vehicle can be controlled by varying the pitch.

The air guiding means may be arranged to provide impact force to one or more other rotatable members in the vehicle. Examples of such rotatable members are a flywheel, an alternator, a compressor of an air conditional unit, etc.

The air guiding means may have one or more turbo heads having one air inlet opening and one corresponding air outlet opening. The or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads desirably has one main blade assembly arranged at its inlet opening and/or another main blade assembly at its outlet opening. The or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads advantageously has a number of further blade assemblies arranged about said one main blade assembly and/or about the said another main blade assembly.

The or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads is preferably arranged so that its position relative to said body is controllably adjustable. In one preferred form the vehicle of the present invention includes controllably adjustable *e connection means for connecting the or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads to the body. The connection means is adapted to be controllably adjustable for positioning the or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads in any position between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The connection means may also be adapted to be controllably adjustable for positioning the or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads along the longitudinal axis of the body.

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In another preferred form the or at least one of the said one or more turbo heads is arranged to be controllably adjustable for positioning at an angle within a range of angles to the longitudinal axis of the body.

More preferably the or at least one of said one or more turbo heads is controllably positionable abouta firstaxis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The or at least one of said one or more turbo heads may also be controllably 9 positionable about a second axis parallel to the longitudinal axis so as to provide a gyroscope type movement.

It is further preferred that the or at least one of said one or more turbo heads is controllably rotatable about its long axis. Braces and or gearing members may be used to controllably rotate the or at least one of said one or more turbo heads.

The positioning of the or at least one of said one or more turbo head is typically controlled for maximising air intake into the or each said one or more turbo head and/or for controlling air impact force or thrust and/or for balancing the vehicle.

Where the vehicle is a winged aeroplane the air guiding means may also be arranged to control the wings for changing direction of movement and/or for S: braking. Said wings can have one or more air inlet openings and one or more air outlet openings, in communication with the air guiding means. The one or more air inlet openings and the one or more air outlet openings in the wings are arranged not only to provide impact force on said at least one propeller member but also to control positions of the wings. As described earlier deflection means can be used alone or in conjunction with the controllable pitch of the or each blade assembly for controlling direction of movement including vertical takeoff. Where the vehicle is a helicopter the at least one propeller member is a rotor with a number of rotor arms. The air guiding means provides the impact force on the rotor arms. The guiding means can also be arranged to tilt the arms for controlling direction of movement of the helicopter.

The vehicle may have an engine cutoff arrangement for selectively cutting operation of the powered engine so that the air through said air guiding means alone provides energy to rotate said at least one propeller member. The cutoff arrangement may have a control circuit with a sensing device for sensing vehicle operation condition so that operation of said vehicle can be cutoff only when a predetermined operation condition is sensed. The predetermined condition may include vehicle speed and air velocity in the guiding means.

The guiding means typically include one or more ducts arranged to guide air through said at least one inlet opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing showing one embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention; °o ~Figure 2 is a schematic drawing showing another embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic drawing showing a further embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic drawing showing air flow within an embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic drawing showing an embodiment of a blade assembly in a turbo head; 11 Figure 6 is a schematic drawing showing replacement blade members in a process to be stored in or to be extracted from slots and expanded from the hollow of a hub of the blade assembly shown in Figure Figure 7 is a schematic drawing showing another embodiment of the blade assembly for use in a turbo head; Figure 8 is a schematic drawing showing a blade member of the blade assembly shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a blade assembly in a turbo head;.

Figure 10 are cut away views of components of the blade assembly shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows an example of the controllably adjustable connection means for the turbo head and different blade members that can be used for the blade assembly; and Figures 12 and 13 show gyroscope movements of the turbo head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 there is shown a vehicle of an embodiment according to this invention. The vehicle 10 has a body 12 awhich includes a cabin section 14 for passengers or cargos, a driver or pilot section 16, and a front section 18 which houses an internal combustion engine (not shown).

The driver/pilot section 16 has two access openings which are closeable by two swing doors (shown in the open position in dotted lines). A step ladder 20 is provided at each side of the body 12 for access to the passenger/cargo section 14 and the driver/pilot section 16.

12 The body 12 is supported on an undercarriage structure (not shown). The undercarriage structure also supports one front wheel assembly 22 and two spaced rear wheel assemblies 24 (one only shown). The vehicle 10 can also be provided with a disc or endless track or turbine assembly 26 in addition to or instead of the wheel assemblies 22 and 24. Where a turbine assembly 26 is used the vehicle will maximise air flow energy available as thrust for propelling the vehicle 10. The assemblies 22 and 24, and 26 where provided are arranged to be retractable into the undercarriage.

The body 12 has two wings 28 (one only shown) being arranged one on each side thereof. As shown in dotted lines, the wings 28 are controllably moveable to a position them at different angle to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. Each of the a wings 28 defines a hollow side duct with an air inlet opening 30 accommodating a fan blade assembly 32 (see Figures 5 to 11). The blade assembly 32, the inlet opening 30 and the associated duct form a turbo head 34.

The vehicle 10 as shown in Figure 1 has a rear duct 36 with an air outlet opening 38. A number of air deflection plates (not shown) are positioned at the air outlet opening 38. The air deflection plates are rotatably adjustable for controlling alift and/or thrust of the vehicle. A front air duct (not shown) is provided in the front section 18 of the vehicle 10. The front air duct is in communication with a front air inlet opening 30 accommodating a fan blade assembly 32 (see Figures 5 to 11). The front air duct also other openings arranged for air under the body 12 to enter there into.

13 Each of the air inlet openings 30 and the air outlet opening 38 has an adjustable shroud member (not shown) which can be moved to fully exposed the associated opening to allow maximum air flow or be moved over the associated opening to provide protection from entry of rain or snow.

The wings 28 are arranged so that they can be controllably moved in any of the directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 12, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The applicant affectionately refers to theses directions of movement as movements in accordance to the gyroscope principle since the blade assembly 32 in each turbo head 34 can continue to operate while the turbo head is moved in any desired direction. The turbo head 34 in each wing 28 can be moved to any angular position relative to a first axis 36 and to any angular position relative to a second s.C axis 38. Atthe same timethe associated air ductof the turbo head 34 can be rotated

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about its axis to any position independent of the fan blade assembly 32.

°oo° Each turbo head 34 can also be adjustably and controllably positioned in any @55555

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"ses 15 desired position between an extended position and a retracted position. Figure 11 shows schematically one arrangement for positioning the turbo head 34. As can be ooo.

seen the turbo head 34 is supported by two spaced arms 40 and 42 which are CS GO connected to respective ends of plates 44 and 46. The plates 44 and 46 are in turn so* connected to respective half cylindrical members 48 and 50. The space between the members 48 and 50 is controllably adjustable and each of the members 48 and are rotatable. Accordingly the turbo head 34 can be rotated through 1800. The arms has adjustable sections 52 and 54 which can be actuated for moving the turbo head 34 between the fully extended position and the ful Ily retracted position. The 14 plates 44 and 46 each have an adjustable section 56 for moving the turbo head 34 between the region as shown by the dotted area 58. The turbo head 34 may also has an adjustable brace or gearing 60 for controllably moving the position of the turbo head 34 with relative to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 in according to the gyroscope principle.

Figure 11 also shows three different forms of blade members 62 that can be used for the blade assembly 32. Selection of the form of the blade member 62 is based on weather condition, terrain in which the vehicle 10 is to be used, and purpose of usage such as commuting, emergency rescue, etc. The three different 10 forms shown in this Figure are identified as 1, 2 and 3. Form 1 is best for windless or relatively still condition and it has ribs extending radially from the hub 64. The 0 ribs allow the blade members 62 to provide a better bite than a smooth blade surface and they therefore allow the blade assembly 32 to function more efficiently 0* under the windless or relatively still condition. Form 2 is best for rainy or snow S. 15 condition and it has apertures to reduce weight of the blade assembly 32 and to allow rain water or melted snow to flow through the apertures. Form 3 is also best for windless or relatively still condition. Instead of ribs it has an array of rows of o o protruding elements arranged to provide efficient bite for air over the blade member. The hollow of the hub 64 can be covered with a material with the configuration similar to the form 1 or 3 blade member.

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the blade assembly 32 in each turbo head 34 has a hollow hub 64 arranged with slots through which the blade members 62 extend.

Each of the blade members 62 has a large end 66and a narrow end 68.The narrow end 68 is slightly curved so that this blade member 62 cannot be completely pulled out of the hollow hub 64. The blade members 62 are foldable so that they can be folded into any desired shape for use under different operation condition. Two different shapes are shown in Figures 6 and 7. The configurable blade members 62 allow them to be folded for insertion through the slots into the hollow of the hub 64. The hollow in the hub 64 is such that spare blade members can be stored therein.

The narrow end is shaped so that the blade members 62 are normally held by the slots. To remove blade member 62 from its slot one simply needs to tilt the blade member 62 downwardly as shown in Figure 8 and to lift the narrow end 68 out of the slot.

Each turbo head 34 may also has a number of mini turbo heads 70 arranged there in for enhancing air flow into the head 34. The blade members in these mini o. *C .turbo heads 70 are also configurable.

15 Figures 9 and 10 show one particular embodiment of the turbo head 34 with mini heads 70. The blade members 62 in the blade assemblies 32 in this embodiment are configured into a different shape for a particular operation .0.0 o.o condition as compared to the blade members 62 shown in Figures 5 to 8.

The mini turbo heads 70 arranged as shown in Figure 10 are also provided at the outlet opening 38.

Referring again to Figure 1, the left and right wings 28 can be controlled to move independently as described above so that they can be used to balance the vehicle 10 and to control direction of movement.

16 Figures 2 is a schematic drawing showing another embodiment of the vehicle 10 according to the present invention. The vehicle 10 of this embodiment is substantially the same of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Accordingly only features that are not in the Figure 1 embodiment are described below. This vehicle 10 has a number of sets of wheels 80 rotatably driven by an internal combustion engine (not shown). The wheels 80 also have projections (not shown) arranged to project into air ducts 82 connected to a side turbo head 84. Air through the front turbo head 34 and the wing turbo heads 34 is also directed into the ducts 82 for providing an impact force onto the projections of the wheels 80. The wings 28 in 10 this embodiment can be positioned adjacent to the body 12 so that the vehicle can operate in a narrow space. The wings 28 can be positioned to the position as shown in the dotted lines. A second outlet opening 86 is provide in the rear for improving available thrust. The vehicle 10 can be provided with a rotating rotor assembly 88 for allowing the vehicle to hover and lift off vertically like a helicopter.

15 Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the vehicle 10 which is substantially similar to the Figure 2 embodiment apart from the shape of the body 12. The wing 28 in this embodiment are rotatable about a vertical axis and can be placed in a range of tilted positions. The turbo heads 34 can also be rotated relative to the associated ducts.

Figure 4 shows air flows through various air ducts in the vehicle In normal operation of the vehicle 10 according to the present invention the internal combustion engine is started to provide energy to turn the at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly rotatably mounted to said body and/or at least one 4 17 wheel or endless track assembly and to set the vehicle 10 in motion. As the vehicle has a number of air inlet openings it experiences less drag force. Accordingly less energy is expended to overcome drag.

The air entering through the inlet openings is directed to do useful work on the at least one propeller or turbo-fan assembly rotatably mounted to said body and/or at least one wheel or endless track assembly, and on other moving members in the vehicle 10. The configurable blade members 62 allow the vehicle 10 to be manually or automatically configured to provide maximum power from the air.

Accordingly less fuel energy is needed to turn these moving members. Further the turbo heads 34 are adapted to be controllable adjustable for maximising amount of I°e air into the ducts. The energy from the air may be sufficient to maintain motion of the vehicle 10 without operating the internal combustion engine. Therefore the vehicle 10 can be provided with an automatic switching arrangement for periodically cutting the operation of the engine yet maintaining motion of the 15 vehicle The vehicle 10 is therefore highly economical to operate as air is free and is ::.:highly manoeuvrable due to the movements of the turbo heads 34.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.

DATED this 2 2 d day of March 2001 JEAN MOANA MCVEIGH By her Patent Attorneys

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