EP3095696B1 - Device and system for propelling a passenger - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a propulsion system of a passenger so that the latter can move in the air or in a fluid with very great freedom of movement thanks to its agility and its physics.

The invention further provides that the system is very simple to implement and accessible to the greatest number.

Moving in space has always been at the center of man's dreams. Many machines have been developed, all more sophisticated than the others, to reach with more success this dream.

So to try to move with ease in environments as diverse as the surface of the water or in contact with a sometimes hostile environment, a propulsion device as described in the sixties in the documents US 3,243,144 or US 3,381,917 has a body in the form of a harness or seat against which or in which a passenger may sit. Such a body cooperates with a thrust unit in the form in particular of a pair of nozzles for ejecting a fluid under pressure and thus generating a thrust force. To simplify the flight of the passenger and reduce physical effort, the nozzles are disposed above the center of gravity of the body-passenger, more precisely at the shoulders of the passenger. The group further comprises a fluid compression station fed with flammable gases or liquids and positioned in the passenger's back. This station is able to deliver enough thrust to cause the takeoff of the passenger transformed in some way into a human rocket. Low autonomy coupled with dangerousness such devices have maintained these in a relative confidentiality.

More recently, a device as described in the documents US 7,258,301 or US 2008/0014811 A1 is inspired by this teaching by adapting it to reduce the danger of the system. The compression station is now remote and usually dedicated. In addition, the fluid under pressure is water compressed by said station, inspired in this particular by experiments to exploit compressed water to reduce the physical effort of a submarine diver as suggested the document US 3,277,858 . The documents US 7,258,301 or US 2008/0014811 A1 thus propose an air propulsion device similar to its elder adapted so that water under pressure is conveyed from a remote compression station by means of a supply duct such as a fire hose. The configuration of the nozzles and the means for orienting said nozzles to determine the trajectory of the device are deliberately retained to maintain a certain ease of piloting the passenger. The takeoff phases in particular, however, require an initial position of the passenger while standing, feet on a solid support. The physical effort of the passenger reduces to its simplest expression to move comes at the expense of freedom and the variety of movements and displacements on the surface of the water or even under the surface of it. In addition, such a "device + station" system according to US 7,258,301 presents a high cost related to the design of the device comprising articulated nozzles and the design of a dedicated compression station. The fact of being able to move in space presents in itself a playful side. However, the configuration of the nozzles located at above the center of gravity of the device gives the impression of the passenger to be suspended at the level of the shoulders by a virtual crane hook and thus deprived him of many sensations: falls, figures of improvised or acrobatic styles. In addition, the variety of directions and movements is limited. It is not easy for example to move "crab" with a known device or even to instantly move from a straight path on the surface of the water to a diving phase followed by multiple displacements under the surface of the water.

The invention makes it possible to meet all the disadvantages raised by the known solutions. The invention consists mainly in providing a device whose design breaks with the prior art. Such a device comprises mainly a substantially flat platform on which takes place one or more passengers. Takeoff and displacements are generated by a thrust force delivered by a set of at least three nozzles, two of which are free and intended to be held by one of the passengers, said nozzles being all arranged to be positioned below the center of gravity of the set "device-passenger (s)". It is therefore thanks to their physicality and their agility that the passengers of this innovative device manage to control the thrust of the device and to perform displacements, acrobatics with a great freedom and an unparalleled playful side.

To offer a large number of users such sensations, the invention provides the possibility of using motorized watercraft (VNM) known as a remote compression station. The invention does not require a design of dedicated compression stations.

• de mettre à la disposition des utilisateurs un dispositif très ludique qui après apprentissage devient facile à utiliser proposant une large variété d'applications ;
• de minimiser à leur plus simple expression les éléments nécessaires à la fabrication du dispositif de propulsion ;
• d'utiliser des véhicules nautiques à moteur voire terrestres pour délivrer le fluide sous pression nécessaire à la poussée du dispositif ;
• d'offrir la capacité de décoller ou de plonger à partir de toutes conditions totalement ou partiellement immergé, depuis de la terre ferme, etc. ;
• de proposer des applications ludiques (joutes, acrobaties, etc.), de sécurité civiles ou militaires.

Among the many advantages provided by the invention, we can mention that the invention allows:

• to make available to users a very playful device which after learning becomes easy to use offering a wide variety of applications;
• to minimize to their simplest expression the elements necessary for the manufacture of the propulsion device;
• to use motor vehicles or even terrestrial water vehicles to deliver the fluid under pressure necessary for the thrust of the device;
• to offer the ability to take off or dive from all conditions totally or partially submerged, from land, etc. ;
• to propose playful applications (jousting, acrobatics, etc.), of civil or military security.

• au moins une tuyère principale étant fixée à la face inférieure de la plateforme sans présenter de degré de liberté et orientée suivant un axe sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite face inférieure ;
• des moyens pour collecter et distribuer le fluide sous pression à la au moins une tuyère principale;
• les moyens pour collecter et distribuer présentant un bras agencé pour coopérer avec l'une des au moins une une tuyère principale et lui délivrer un fluide sous pression collecté et permettre une rotation libre autour d'un axe sensiblement parallèle à celui du bras.

To this end, it is first provided a propulsion device comprising a body arranged to accommodate a passenger and cooperating with a thrust unit supplied with a fluid under pressure. To solicit the physical and agility of said passenger, the body comprises a substantially flat platform having a lower face and an upper face on which a passenger can sit. The invention further provides that the thrust unit consists of:

• at least one main nozzle being attached to the underside of the platform without having a degree of freedom and oriented along an axis substantially perpendicular to said lower face;
• means for collecting and delivering the fluid under pressure to the at least one main nozzle;
• the means for collecting and distributing having an arm arranged to cooperate with one of the at least one main nozzle and deliver a fluid under pressure collected and allow free rotation about an axis substantially parallel to that of the arm.

According to this embodiment, in order to avoid constraining said duct according to the displacements of the device, the means for collecting and distributing may have a base to which said supply duct is connected, allowing free rotation of said supply duct around a duct. axis substantially parallel to that of the conduit.

To facilitate the balance of the passenger on the platform of a device according to the invention, the latter may comprise means for ensuring the keeping the passenger on the upper face of the platform.

In order for the passenger to be more in control of the propulsion device and to make certain changes of trajectory, a propulsion device according to the invention may comprise means for controlling the fluid compression power of a compression station delivering the fluid under pressure.

To provide playful applications - jousting or watering type - or applications for example related to firefighting, a device may further comprise means cooperating with the platform or the passenger to project a second fluid under pressure.

To protect the elements of the device positioned under the underside of the platform when the device is in contact with the ground or with any other solid environment or to affect the buoyancy of the device, the latter may further comprise projecting means co-operating with the platform and being arranged to prevent shock or direct contact between the underside of the platform and the near non-fluid environment of said lower face.

In order to offer the passenger of a propulsion device according to the invention a great freedom of performance, the device may comprise means for controlling the fluid compression power of a compression station delivering the fluid under pressure.

According to a second object, the invention provides a propulsion system comprising a propulsion device according to the invention cooperating with a remote compression station.

A system according to the invention may comprise a supply duct for the station to deliver said fluid under pressure to said device via said supply duct.

According to embodiments of the propulsion device when it comprises means for controlling the compression power of the fluid, a system according to the invention may comprise communication means for transmitting a command delivered from the means for controlling the device to means for regulating the compression power of a compression station thus adapted.

• la figure 1 présente un dispositif de propulsion conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 décrit une variante de réalisation d'une plateforme d'un dispositif de propulsion conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 3 décrit un mode de réalisation modulaire d'un conduit d'alimentation en fluide sous pression pour dispositif de propulsion conforme à l'invention.

Other features and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the following description and on examining the figures that accompany it, among which:

• the figure 1 has a propulsion device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 discloses an alternative embodiment of a platform of a propulsion device according to the invention;
• the figure 3 discloses a modular embodiment of a pressurized fluid supply conduit for a propulsion device according to the invention.

The figure 1 presents an embodiment of a propulsion device 10 according to the invention. This comprises a main body in the form of a substantially flat platform 11. This platform has an upper face 11a on which a Passenger 1 can take place. Depending on the size of the platform and the power of the device, the invention provides that several passengers can possibly take position simultaneously on the upper face 11a of said platform 11. The platform can be advantageously made from a material or several materials presenting alone or in combination sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the passenger or passengers and thus prevent excessive deformation. A material constituting said platform may be privileged to act on the buoyancy of the device when it is immersed. According to the embodiments, the platform may thus have one or more cavities filled with air or vacuum to improve buoyancy. In a variant, it will be possible to favor the absence of a void or cavity, or even the presence of a ballast or a ballast to facilitate a displacement under the surface of a fluid. Such a platform may consist of one or more elements cooperating with each other or dissociated.

The propulsion device described in connection with the figure 1 has a thrust group cooperating with the platform 11.

Within the meaning of the invention and in this document we use the term "nozzle" to define a profiled pipe element, intended to impose a flow increase a speed fluid. We could also use the term "nozzle" to characterize such an element. This increase in fluid velocity is mainly due to a difference in sections between the input and the output of the element - the section of the output being smaller than that of the input.

According to figure 1 , such a group consists of a pair of main nozzles 12a and 12b fixed against the lower face 11b of the platform 11. Alternatively, a single main nozzle substantially fixed to the center of the lower face 11b of the platform could be preferred to the pair 12a, 12b. It is thus possible to increase the playfulness of the use of the device by a passenger. In general, the invention would not be limited to the number of main nozzles located under the lower face 11b of the platform 11. The thrust unit thus comprises at least one main nozzle cooperating with said lower face.

Said at least one main nozzle 12a, 12b is fixed by any means to the platform without having a degree of freedom. To promote the flight of the device, the orientation of any main nozzle advantageously follows an axis A preferably substantially perpendicular to the underside of the platform so that a main nozzle expels a fluid under pressure near the bottom face 11b from platform 11 to the distance of this one. To increase the maneuverability of the device, the thrust unit of a device according to the invention may further comprise two secondary nozzles 13a and 13b. These are free and intended to be respectively held by a passenger 1 at the forearms or hands. The assembly "platform, thrust group and passenger (s)" has a center of gravity CG when said assembly is erected vertically as indicated by the figure 1 . Unlike the prior art for which thrust group thrusters are necessarily positioned above said CG center of gravity to minimize the physical effort of the passenger and simplify their movements, the main and secondary thrusters of the thrust group of a device 10 according to the invention are positioned below said center of gravity CG. A passenger of such a device 10 has the task of positioning and orienting the secondary nozzles 13a and 13b with his hands and arms and the main nozzle or nozzles 12a and 12b by playing with the inclination of the platform via his feet, legs, pelvis, torso to control the propulsion device . The agility of the passenger and his physical ease maximize the sensations provided and allow all movements, all trajectories and all desired acrobatic figures or fortuitous.

To provide a sufficient thrust force and allow flight and displacement, the device 10 further comprises means for collecting and delivering a fluid under pressure (eg water) to the main nozzles (s) and secondary. Such a fluid is preferably conveyed by means of a flexible supply duct 2 from a remote compression station - not shown on FIG. figure 1 . Such a supply duct may be made from a fire hose or any other material having the necessary resistance to the pressure exerted by the fluid under pressure. A supply duct of diameter substantially equal to 110 millimeters may advantageously be preferred. Too small or too large a diameter would cause a significant loss of thrust force with respect to the compression capacity of the compressor station. A collector 14 may thus have a base 14c to which is connected a tip 2a of a supply duct 2 for example by means of a groove adapted to receive said duct 2. The diameter of said base 14c will be adapted to the diameter of the tip 2a of the supply duct 2. According to the figure 1 the manifold 14 may have a shape close to one of a "T" to collect from the base 14c and distribute via the arms 14a and 14b the pressurized fluid respectively to the main nozzles 12a and 12b. The collector 14 can be connected to the main nozzles via an optional connecting bend 15 in order to orient the main nozzles along an axis A substantially perpendicular to the lower face 11b of the platform 11. The arms can alternatively , being connected to said main nozzles - via the optional bend 15 - in a pivot connection at the arms 14a and 14b. Such an arrangement allows a free rotation r1 along an axis F substantially parallel to the arms 14a and 14b of the collector 14. Thus, said collector can describe an almost free rotation r1 about said axis F, modulo the stop that represents the lower face 11b of the platform 11 at an excessive inclination of the latter. A relative rotation of the collector around the axis F with respect to the plane of the lower face of the platform 11, consecutive rotation of the connection of the manifold with the supply conduit 2, does not cause rotation of the platform 11 In the same way, the invention provides that the tip 2a of the supply duct 2 can advantageously cooperate with the collector 14 at its base 14c in a pivot connection to allow a free rotation r2 about a C axis substantially parallel to the duct 2. The device can thus pivot freely about said axis C without generating excessive loops or stresses on the supply duct 2.

The "T" configuration - as described by way of a preferred example in connection with the figure 1 - Collector 14 having a base 14c and two arms 14a and 14b diametrically opposite may be obviously different in the case of a device 10 which would have such a single main nozzle. The collector 14 would have in this case the configuration of a bend such as a "┌" to collect - from a base 14c - and deliver - via an arm 14a - the pressurized fluid from the feed pipe 2 to the main nozzle through a possible connecting elbow 15 cooperating on the one hand with the collector arm and on the other hand with the main nozzle. Advantageously pivot connections at the level of the base 14c and the single arm 14a of the collector 14 are advantageously preferred for the reasons previously expressed.

In order to distribute the fluid under pressure to the secondary nozzles 13a and 13b, the invention provides, by way of example and as indicated by figure 1 , that secondary ducts 18a and 18b - in the advantageous form of flexible pipes - deliver from the collector 14 said fluid under pressure to the secondary nozzles. To avoid disturbing the passenger 1, said secondary pipes can be guided along the back to the shoulders by the use of holding means 19 (straps, harnesses, etc.). The invention provides that the device offers the possibility to a passenger to use means to constrain the secondary nozzles at its forearms. So and in connection with the figure 1 , an assembly 20a and 20b of elements comprising a body for cooperating with a forearm and a secondary nozzle and / or a secondary duct supplying said secondary nozzle may be fixed by means of straps or any other type of attachment to each before 1. The holding of a secondary nozzle is facilitated for the passenger.

The invention further provides that the platform 11 may have means for holding a passenger on the upper face 11a of said platform. Thus, according to the preferred position of a passenger on the platform of a device according to the invention, said holding means may consist - as indicated by figure 1 - in a pair of slippers or fastening boots of a type similar to what can be found for example in the practice of wakeboarding . Other types of holding means may be preferred depending on whether it is desired to help a passenger leg positions flexed, kneeling or even sitting.

To promote the flight and in general the use of a device according to the invention, the main nozzle or nozzles and the secondary nozzles may be arranged so that the thrust group thus formed delivers a majority of force thrust at the main nozzle or nozzles at the expense of secondary nozzles. For this, the configuration of the nozzles (sections of the respective inlets and outlets of said nozzles) may be chosen to preferentially deliver about 80% of the thrust force at the main nozzle or nozzles. Thus, by way of example, a main nozzle may be made with respective inlet and outlet sections substantially equal to 50 and 40 millimeters in diameter and a secondary nozzle may be made with respective inlet and outlet sections. substantially equal to 40 and 25 millimeters in diameter. According to this preferred embodiment, a secondary duct 18a and 18b may have a section of the order of 40 millimeters in diameter. A collector 14 may have in turn a section of 120 millimeters in diameter near its base and a section of 80 millimeters in diameter at an arm. The section of a possible connecting bend 15 between a main nozzle and a manifold arm can advantageously adapt the respective sections of the arm and the inlet of the nozzle. Any other configuration of the thrust unit could be chosen to adapt the distribution of the thrust force between the main and secondary nozzles.

The figure 2 discloses a preferred embodiment of a platform 11 for a propulsion device according to the invention. Such a substantially flat platform 11 has - on its upper face 11a - two spaces for respectively accommodate the feet of a passenger shown in dashed lines. Such a platform 11 is arranged so that its lower face 11b cooperates with projecting means 17 themselves arranged to provide protection to the elements - not shown on the figure 2 - Of the device located under the bottom face 11b of the platform 11, non-exhaustive: the main nozzle (s) (s), the means for collecting and distribute a fluid under pressure. Such means 17 can thus materialize support points and constitute a protective cage for said elements. Any inadvertent shock or other direct contact between said elements and their near non-fluid environment can thus be prevented especially during a take-off or landing from the land or even a landing from shallow waters.

The choice of the material or materials for producing the projecting means 17 may be dictated by the desired level of shock prevention, the resistance to weight exerted by the passenger (s) present on the platform during takeoff, landing or landing phases. . The projecting means 17 may further interact on the buoyancy of the desired device according to their structure and configuration.

A passenger of a propulsion device according to the invention can achieve an unmatched number of movements (in the air, under the surface of an aquatic environment, etc.). We can mention that a flight can be triggered - during the supply of pressurized fluid of said device - if the passenger holds the secondary nozzles, arms stretched towards the back of his body, back arched. A dive may for example be controlled by said passenger by bending his head body forward, etc.

To facilitate piloting of the passenger and to give it greater autonomy of action, the invention provides that a propulsion device may further comprise means for controlling the power of the compression station. Thus, in reception of a command delivered by such means and conveyed by suitable wire or radio communication means, the station can modulate the compression power of the fluid that it delivers to the propulsion device. The passenger can thus control for example its flight or further refine its movements by modulating the pressure of the fluid flowing in the supply duct connecting it to the compressor station.

Furthermore, according to the applications or uses of a propulsion device according to the invention, the latter may further comprise means 15 (for example in the form of a nozzle) for projecting a fluid under pressure distinct from that used. to move the device or derived from it. These optional means advantageously cooperate with the platform 11 or alternatively with the passenger (at the level of a shoulder, the waist, etc.). The objective here is to propose a civil security application of the firefighting type, for example, or water games: third party watering, a new game where the jet of the second fluid materializes a non-solid lance preventing the risk of injury while retaining its function to destabilize an opponent ...

A propulsion device according to the invention, for example such that the device 10 described as example in connection with figures 1 and / or 2, can be powered by any remote fluid compression station from the moment when it is able to deliver a fluid whose pressure is sufficient for the operation of the propulsion device. This may be dedicated to this use at the risk of increasing the overall cost of a propulsion system comprising a propulsion device according to the invention, a remote compression station and a supply duct cooperating with said device and station for conveying the fluid under pressure.

To reduce such a cost, the invention also provides that the remote compression station may be an apparatus whose original main function is different from the supply of a fluid under pressure of a propulsion device. For example, the invention provides that a land or water fire engine can be operated as a remote compression station if it has a sufficient fluid compression capacity. It is thus possible to take advantage of the natural compression capacity of a fluid of a motor vehicle (VNM) such as for example the RUNABOUT MZR 2011 edition of the manufacturer ZAPATA RACING .

Whatever the compression station used, the invention provides that said station may comprise means for regulating the power of compression from a remote control. Thus, it is possible to make the means interact to control the power of a compression station possibly remote from a propulsion device according to the invention with said means for regulating the power of a station thus adapted. Via means of communication (wired or radio) to convey a control signal from the propulsion device and to the compressor station, a passenger of said device can remotely control the power of the station and thus adapt its movements made with the propulsion device.

As the figure 3 , a supply duct 2 - intended to be connected respectively to a propulsion device and to a remote compression station such as for example a VNM - may be modular. It may comprise a plurality of elements 2i interconnectable by means of 2ib connectors or free ends 2ia. Thus, it is possible to play along the length of the supply duct 2 according to the desired use. It is also possible to connect on demand a propulsion device to which a first conduit element 2i1 is off and already connected to a remote compression station having a first length of supply conduit 2i2 for delivering a fluid under pressure. The packaging and transport of the elements of a propulsion system according to the invention are thus facilitated.

A large number of fun applications or civil and / or military services are allowed through a propulsion system according to the invention. For example, it is possible to provide a VNM carrying a propulsion device and a supply duct so that the driver of the VNM can on request become a passenger of the device.

The invention would not be limited by the use examples cited.

Accessories to further improve the playfulness or the operating conditions of such a system could also be provided: lighting, navigation means, etc.

Claims (10)

1. A propulsion device (10) comprising:

   - a body arranged to accommodate a passenger (1), wherein said body has a substantially flat platform (11) having a lower face (11b) and an upper face (11a) on which a passenger can take place (1);

   - a thrust group cooperating with said body, wherein said group is suitable to be supplied with pressurized fluid and comprises at least one main nozzle (12a, 12b) being fixed to the platform without having any degree of freedom and oriented along an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to said lower face (11b);

   - means (14) for collecting (14c) and distributing (14a, 14b, 18a, 18b) the pressurized fluid to the at least one main nozzle having an arm arranged to cooperate with one of the at least one main nozzle and supply it with a pressurized fluid;

   said device being characterized in that said at least one main nozzle is fixed to said lower face of said platform, and in that said arm is also arranged to allow free rotation (r1) about an axis (F) substantially parallel to that of said arm (14a, 14b).
2. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the means (14) for collecting and distributing have a base (14c) arranged to connect to the device a supply pipe (2, 2a) supplying pressurized fluid and to allow free rotation (r2) of said supply pipe (2) about an axis (C) substantially parallel to that of the pipe.
3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (16) for ensuring the passenger (1) to be held on the upper face (11a) of the platform (11).
4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for controlling the fluid compression power of a compression station delivering the pressurized fluid.
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (21) cooperating with the platform (11) or the passenger (1) for projecting a second pressurized fluid.
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising protruding means (17) cooperating with the platform (11) and being arranged to prevent shock or direct contact between the at least one main nozzle and/or the means for collecting and distributing and the non-fluid close environment of the device.
7. Propulsion system, characterized in that it comprises a propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 cooperating with a remote compression station.
8. The system according to the preceding claim, comprising a supply pipe (2i) connected on the one hand (2ia) to the device and, on the other hand (2ib), to the remote compression station for the latter to deliver the pressurized fluid to said device (10) via said supply pipe (2i).
9. The system according to claims 7 or 8, where the device is in accordance with claim 4 and where the station comprises means for controlling the compression power from a remote control, wherein the system comprises communication means for transmitting a command delivered from the means for controlling the device (10) to the means for controlling the compression power of the station.
10. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the remote compression station consists of a motorized water vehicle comprising a hull, propulsion means compressing by turbine a fluid entering through an inlet and expelling said fluid, thus pressurized, from a fluid outlet.

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