GB2434784A

GB2434784A - A vehicle with a rotational mass providing lift

Info

Publication number: GB2434784A
Application number: GB0701837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Arthur Leeson
Original assignee: MICHAEL K BATES
Current assignee: Bates Michael K; LEESON PHILIP A
Priority date: 2006-02-02
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2007-08-08
Also published as: GB0701837D0; GB0602094D0

Abstract

A vehicle (10, figure 1) has a plurality of lift generating apparatuses (14) mounted thereon. Each lift generating apparatus comprises an annular array of electrical battery cells 36, with turbine blades 38 on the periphery, a fan or airscrew 21 concentrically and coaxially therewithin, and two interacting arrays of magnetic armatures 30, 32 between the array of battery cells 36 and the fan or airscrew 21, to provide electromagnetic coupling. The battery cells provide a rotational mass which is capable of being rotated at high speed to produce lift effects of the type associated with rotation of a fly wheel or gyroscope. An airstream from the fan 26 can be directed via ducts and directional nozzles so as to provide a propulsive force, and the turbine blades 38 are adjustable to control the rotational speed of the mass so as to act as a braking device.

Description

* Vehicle Raving Novel Lift and Propulsion Apparatus and Lift and

Propulsion Apparatus Therefor This invention relates to a vehicle having a novel lift and propulsion apparatus, and to a lift and propulsion apparatus for the vehicle.

The majority of vehicles run with wheels, or in the case of sleds, runners, in contact with the surface of the ground. Except for specially adapted vehicles, using for example tracks or specially designed tyres, most of these vehicles are in practice restricted to operating on firm road surfaces. In order to provide a "go anywhere" capability, air-cushion vehicles were developed wherein fans providing a powerful down-draught are positioned under the vehicle to provide a cushion of air to provide a friction free support, propulsion of the vehicle then being provided by aircraft type :. engines such as airscrews, or turbo-fans. The limitation of air-cushion vehicles is that * *.. ***

the air cushion has to be confined by a surrounding skirt, and damage to the skirt can * . render the vehicle inoperative.

15 Such vehicles are therefore generally used in an amphibious role, as ferries ::. and assault craft, and as runabouts in swampy terrain. *

S..... . . . . * * It is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle, and lift and propulsion apparatus for vehicles which will enable a vehicle to operate without the hindrances entailed by the necessity for a confining skirt as with air-cushion vehicles.

According to the invention, a vehicle is provided with a lift generating apparatus which incorporates a rotatable mass which is capable of being rotated at high speed to produce lift effects of the type associated with rotation of a fly wheel.

The rotatable mass preferably comprises an annular array of battery cells.

The apparatus preferably also includes a propulsion fan or airscrew which is mounted co-axially and concentrically of the rotatable mass, and which is preferably driven by being magnetically coupled to the rotatable mass.

The magnetic coupling may be achieved by an electromagnetic apparatus which may be mounted concentrically within the rotatable miss, and about the fan or a.u.i...i w.

The magnetic apparatus may comprise inner and outer concentric arrays of windings which interact respectively with permanent magnet armatures on the outer periphery of the fan casing, and with further permanent magnet armatures on the inner periphery of the annular battery cell array. The rotatable mass is thus cause to rotate by appropriate actuation of the outer array of windings, accelerating from rest to the rotational rate required to produce inertial flywheel or gyroscopic effects which lead to the production of lift. Similarly the fan propeller can be rotated to produce an air * stream of sufficient strength to be effective as a propulsion source, and means may be S..

* 15 provided to direct the air stream as required, which may be achieved by use of ducts and directable nozzles.

S.....

* The outer surface of the rotatable mass may be provided with adjustable turbine blades which are useable to control the rotational speed of the mass, acting as a braking device.

A vehicle according to the invention is preferably equipped with a plurality of such lift generating apparatuses, preferably symmetrically arranged to achieve an even distribution of effects. For example, a generally rectangular vehicle may be equipped with four lift generating apparatuses disposed towards the corners of the rectangle.

A preferred embodiment of vehicle according to the invention and of a lift and propulsion apparatus according to the invention for use in such a vehicle will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a complete lift generating and propulsion apparatus for use in the vehicle of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 2 in its housing; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 2, taken along a diameter thereof.

Referring first to Figure 1, a vehicle according to the invention comprises a base frame 10, and a body shell 11 the latter housing a forward control position, and a * . * I, passenger saloon, for use for example as a public service vehicle. The rear of the body shell mounts a ducted fan 12 which acts as a stabilising impeller. ***

Below the base frame 10 are mounted four nacelles 14 which each contain a * I lift and propulsion apparatus according to the invention which will be described more * fully below. The undersides of the nacelles 14 are provided with means for standing, when the vehicle is parked, such as skids or wheels. The nacelles 14 are located towards the four corners of the generally rectangular base plan of the vehicle and thus provide for an even distribution of the lifting effect of the drive apparatus.

One drive arid lift apparatus according to the invention, and as used in each of the nacelles 14 of the vehicle, is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4. The apparatus comprises an axial shaft 20 upon which an upper fan or airscrew 21 and a lower fan or airscrew 22 are rotatably mounted by means of hub bushes 23, 24 (see Figure 4). The fans comprise blades 25, the inner ends of which are joined to the respective hub bushes 23, 24 and the outer ends of which are connected to respective upper and lower peripheral rings 26, 27.

The peripheral rings 26, 27 carry on their outwards faces permanently magnetised plates 28, 29, spaced about the rings which form armatures which interact with inner electromagnets 30, 31. These in turn interact with outer eiectromanets 32, 33.

This double ring of electromagnets is surrounded by an annular rotatable body 34, which comprises a rotatable mass which when rotated rapidly, provides the gyroscope/flywheel effects which give rise to the lifting force. The body 34 comprises a ring of metal, in which is formed an array of cylindrical bores 35.

:... Each cylindrical bore 35 accommodates one or more battery cells 36. The *Ss* battery cells 36 provide the power required to energise the electromagnets 30, 31 and 32,33.

The inner face of the body 34 is provided with permanently magnetised plates * * 37 which act as armatures which interact with the outer electromagnets 32, 33 to ****** * provide rotational force to the annular body 34.

The outer face of the body 34 is provided with an array of turbine blades 38 which can be feathered to provide variable retardation to the body when rotating in order to control the spin rate of the body and act as a variable braking means.

Figure 2 shows that the rings of electromagnets are retained by a multi-armed spider 39 at each side, one above and one below, with radial arms 40 which extend from a hub ring 41 about the centre shaft 20.

* As shown in Figure 3, the entire assembly is contained within a housing comprising a peripheral wall 45 with openings 46 spaced thereabout to admit air to the space about the body 34 in which the turbine blade 38 are located, and a cover 47 (these also being a similar cover below the assembly) with a central aperture for the shaft 20, and elliptical apertures 48 which allow passage of air to or from the fan.

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iu upcIauuII Ui uic appa.Lau ucpcuu vu uic uucivu LiUIIC uw a rotating body of high inertial mass, when rotated at a sufficient rotational rate, will exhibit gyroscopic precession effects which tend to act against gravity, producing so-called "fly wheel" effects and appearing to provide an antigravitational thrust.

In each of the units provided, one in each nacelle 14 of the vehicle, and according to the drawings, and above description, the body 34 provides a massive annular member due to the weight of the battery cells, and of the metal forming the **.* body enclosing the bores 35 in which the battery cells are located.

*.*. The body 34 can be rotated at between 100 to 500 rpm, whilst the * 15 electromagnets rotate at from 100 to 1900 rpm. The fans 21, 22 may rotate at from to 14 rpm.

****** * The electromagnets can conveniently be composed of laminar windings for compactness.

Suitable ducting arrangements may be provided to direct the air jet from the fans to a propulsion outlet at the rear of each respective nacelle 14.

Alternative or supplementary propulsion units, such as turbo-fans may be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle if required.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle provided with a lift generating apparatus which

incorporates a rotatable mass which is capable of being rotated at high speed to produce lift effects of the type associated with rotation of a fly wheel.

I hft vnrctiic fr g ii-I lnnar2tlI i1wnmArItinC, l -. -ri----, 1 0 -rotatable mass which is capable of being rotated at high speed to produce lift effects of the type associated with rotation of a fly wheel.

3. Apparatus according to claim I or 2 wherein the rotatable mass comprises an annular array of batteiy cells.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 which also includes a propulsion fan or airscrew which is moulded coaxially and concentrically of the rotatable mass.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the propulsion fan or airscrew is driven by being magnetically coupled to the rotatable mass. S..

* 15 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the magnetic coupling is achieved by an electromagnetic apparatus which is mounted concentrically within the * rotatable mass, and around the fan or airscrew.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the magnetic apparatus comprises inner and outer concentric arrays of windings which interact respectively with permanent magnet armatures on the outer periphery of the fan casing, and with further permanent magnet armatures on the inner periphery of the annular battery cell array.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein means are provided to direct an airstream from the fan or propeller comprising ducts and directable nozzles.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8 wherein the outer surface of the rotatable mass is provided with adjustable turbine blades which are useable to control the rotational speed of the mass, acting as a braking device.

10. A vehicle according to claim 1, including lift generating apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 9 which vehicle is equipped with a plurality of such lift generating apparatus syzrmici icaily arranged to achicvc an even distribution of effects 11. A lift generating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. * * * *.* **.. * * **. ** * * ** * ** * ***

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