RU2452661C2 - Active valve grid - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engines and pumps.

SUBSTANCE: proposed active valve grid consists of grid carcass, valves arranged in carcass openings, drives and control unit. Valves allow simultaneous opening and closing carcass openings to vary grid carcass drag. Grid carcass drive and valves drive incorporated independent mechanical power sources. Control unit processes data received from transducers to generate control signals for drive actuators to adjust their alternate operation.

EFFECT: possibility to vary thrust magnitude and direction by varying propulsor drag.

10 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to propulsors designed to create traction in fluids.

BACKGROUND

The means for moving by repulsion from the fluid are well known, in particular, a propeller, a water screw, a propeller blade, a paddle wheel, a wing wing and oars.

From the prior art, a propulsion device is known, which is a valve grill having: a lattice frame capable of reciprocating (oscillating) movements perpendicular to its surface due to its own drive (engine (7), receiver, clutch, crank (8) and air motor) ; valves (4) located in the openings of the lattice frame (2), capable of simultaneously opening and closing the openings of the lattice frame, changing its largest cross-sectional area; generates a driving force due to the reaction forces of the medium in the process of its own controlled movements and transformations, with the subsequent transfer of this force to the object of movement through its own body (RU 60479 U1, B64C 33/00, 01/27/2007, description page 3, lines 5-23, figure 1-4, 5 C.).

The claimed invention differs from the known one in that the valves are made active due to their own drive containing its own source of mechanical energy. Active valves are capable of simultaneously opening and closing frame openings. Also, the claimed invention is characterized by the presence of a control system that allows you to organize coordinated alternate work of the lattice frame drives and actuators of active valves and allows you to adjust the magnitude and direction of the traction force generated by the active valve grill. The closest analogue to the active valve grille is the machete. The makholet consists of two wings, mirror-mounted on one basic axis and pivotally mounted, having an external frame connected by connecting rods to a drive consisting of a crank and a rocker mechanism. The area of the wing inside the skeleton consists of segments, each segment has an axis in its center, fixed with its ends to the wing skeleton in the frontal and tail parts with the ability to rotate at these ends of the axis together with the segment, the ends of the axes of all wing segments in the frontal part of the skeleton being combined with the help of levers-hinges, which are connected with the mechanism consisting of connecting rods, crank and rocker mechanism in such a way that when the wings move upwards, all segments of the wings rotate through an angle of 90 ° relative to oskosti wings flowing air mass (air flow) formed in the slit, and the motion of the wings down all the segments of the wings are rotated to the starting position, tightly adhering to each other to the segment, and constitute an area for gripping the wings of the air mass.

Makholet works as follows. The initial state of the MLA is horizontally located wings 1. Segments 7 are tightly adjacent to each other by their edges 12. When the cranks 5 are rotated by means of the connecting rods 4, they communicate the main wings 1 with the associated wings 1 downward, capturing the air mass with the entire area of the wings 1 until the crank 5 comes to the lower point. After the transition of this point, the connecting rods 4 begin to lift the wings 1 upward while simultaneously turning the vertical lever 11, the hinges 10, which act on the horizontal levers 9, and through them on the segments 7, turning them 90 ° relative to the plane of the wings 1, opening spaces (slots ) for the passage of air through the wings 1, thereby reducing the resistance of the wings 1 to the air flow. At the upper point of the crank 5, when the connecting rods 4 begin to lower the wings 1 down, the levers 9 and 11, the hinges 10 turn, and with them they return to their original state and the segments 7, turning them on the axes 8, which are snug against each other by the edges 12 and make up the area of the wings 1 for capturing air, creating lift for flight (Source of information: patent RU 2369526 C1, description p. 4-5, Figs. 1-3).

A drive, an energy power device that drives a machine or mechanism.

The drive consists of an energy source, a transmission mechanism and control equipment. The source of energy is an engine or device that delivers pre-accumulated mechanical energy (TSB).

A mechanism, a system of bodies, designed to convert the movement of one or more bodies into the required movements of other bodies. A solid body that is part of a mechanism is called a link. The connection of two contacting links, allowing their relative movement, is called a kinematic pair (TSB).

From the definition of the drive it follows that for a separate drive you need: a separate source of energy; separate mechanism for converting motion energy; and control unit.

As follows from the description of the mahogany, the rotational energy is supplied to the axis of the cranks 5. And the crank 5 itself, connecting rods 4, wings 1, vertical levers 11, hinges 10, horizontal levers 9, axles 8 and segments 7 are links and constitute kinematic pairs included into a single mechanism for converting the energy of rotation, the first degree of freedom, when the position of one link of the mechanism strictly determines the position of all other links. Moreover, one part of this mechanism is designed to convert the rotation energy, which is supplied to the crank 5, into the flapping movement of the wings 1, and the other part converts the same energy into the rotational movement of the axes 8 of the segments 7.

In contrast to the mahogany, the active valve grill has separate sources of mechanical energy: 1) for moving the lattice frame; 2) for valves that open and close the openings of the lattice frame. Due to this, alternate work of the drive of the trellised frame and the drive of active valves is carried out.

The mahogany has a strict dependence of the movement of the wing segments on the direction of movement of the wing itself. When the wing moves up, the segments open the wing openings, while moving the wing down, the segments close the openings. There is a situation when, when the wings move, the segments occupy an intermediate position relative to the complete opening or complete closure of the wing openings. This reduces the efficiency of generating lift when the wing moves down and increases the resistance to wing movement up. The active valve grille has no such dependence. The process of opening or closing the openings of the trellis frame does not coincide in time with the process of moving the trellis frame. First, the process of opening or closing the openings of the trellis frame occurs, and only then does the trellis frame itself move. Therefore, when the lattice frame moves, when its openings are completely closed, it generates the driving force as efficiently as possible, and when the frame openings are completely open, it experiences minimal resistance to its movement, which also has high efficiency.

The active valve grille is capable of inverting the direction of the generated traction force. Depending on whether the openings of the lattice frame open or close before it moves in one direction or another, the direction of the generated thrust force also changes. This is achieved thanks to the control unit, which changes the opening and closing moments of the openings to the opposite. Makholet does not have the ability to invert the generated traction force.

Thanks to separate drives with sources of mechanical energy, as well as the use of many actuators - actuators, the active valve grille has a greater margin of safety (reliability) relative to the fringe. Even with the simultaneous failure of several actuators, it will not lead to tragic consequences, but will only affect the power of the generated traction force.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

For definiteness, the terms and expressions used in this text are given the following meaning and scope.

Valves (dampers, sashes) - active controlled elements that open / close gaps in the path of fluid flow.

The lattice frame (frame, frame) is a supporting structure equipped with openings, having little resistance to the fluid (with a large passage section of the openings).

A drive (actuator) is a device that drives active valves or a lattice frame due to its own source of mechanical energy or due to its physicochemical properties.

The remaining terms and expressions are used in the meaning that is known to specialists in this field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a propulsion device in which the hydraulic resistance of an active valve grill can be controlled to vary depending on its direction of movement.

The problem is solved due to the fact that in the process of coordinated oscillations of the lattice cage and the operation of the valves, the reaction forces of the medium arise, which provide a non-zero thrust vector of the propulsion device, and the use of high-speed actuators for valves and the lattice cage and their alternating work allow to increase the frequency of oscillations of the cage and, therefore developed by the propulsion force of traction. Using the principle of alternating operation of valve actuators and lattice frame provides maximum efficiency in the development of traction. The ability to reverse the traction force vector by changing the opening and closing moments of the lattice frame openings to opposite allows the active valve grill to perform the braking function. The active valve grille is capable of generating traction force, located in any direction of space, even in the direction of gravity.

The key features of an active valve grille (for brevity, “mover”), according to the invention, are:

(a) the presence of a lattice frame having openings for the fluid;

(b) the presence of active (with its own actuator), controlled valves capable of changing the passage size of the said openings;

(c) the presence of the drive of the said lattice frame, forcing it to perform periodic (in particular, reciprocating or oscillatory) movements;

(d) the presence of a control system, which includes: controlled facilities; Sensors a unit for receiving, processing, storing information and generating control signals (control unit); amplifiers for control signals; executive elements (drives). The control system provides a consistent, alternating operation of the valve actuator with the operation of the trellised frame drive.

The mover contains: a housing to which the drive of the trellised frame is fixed, forcing the frame to make reciprocating (oscillatory) movements; lattice frame with openings and active shutters installed in them with their own drive; position sensors and a control unit form a drive control system. The housing of the mover serves to connect it to the object, driven into motion, and transfer to it traction. The dampers open and close the frame openings by means of their own drive or due to their physicochemical properties. The operation of the dampers is synchronized so that the opening or closing of all openings of the frame occurs simultaneously. When the shutters open the carcass apertures, the fluid can pass through it relatively freely (carcass). With open apertures, the frame has a small area of the largest cross section and, when moving in a medium, experiences little resistance. When the frame openings are closed, it is impervious to the fluid. At this moment, the frame has the minimum cross-sectional area, which is the minimum possible for its construction, and when it moves in a medium it experiences the strongest resistance. Thus, opening and closing the openings of the frame, the flaps change the area of the bore and its coefficient (frame) of drag.

Making movements in one direction, the frame has the maximum possible, and when moving in the opposite direction, the minimum possible area of the passage section. The mover is equipped with a control system by means of which a coordinated, alternate operation of the damper drive and the frame drive is carried out. The management system includes:

a) controlled objects (shutters, lattice frame).

b) sensors for collecting information about the work (position) of controlled objects. Depending on the type of quantity being monitored, various sensors can be used in the sensors.

c) a control unit that is designed to receive all information signals, store and process them, and depending on the totality of the incoming information, generate control signals for actuators.

d) amplifiers of control signals. They are used to transmit signals from the control unit to actuators using extraneous energy sources.

e) executive devices (drives, actuators) - devices that change the position of controlled objects due to their own sources of mechanical energy or due to their (physicochemical properties).

Thanks to the control system and the presence of separate actuators for the frame itself and active valves, the alternate operation of these actuators is carried out, maximizing the efficiency when generating traction. Thus, the frame, performing periodic (reciprocating or oscillatory) movements, experiences the action of the reaction forces of the medium, different in magnitude and direction, the resultant of which, averaged over time, is directed in one of two directions, depending on how exactly moments of valve response with the direction of movement of the frame.

The mover contains a controlled, movable lattice frame, in the openings of which are controlled shutters. Controlled flaps are able to change the size of the passage section of the frame openings. Opening and closing the frame openings, the flaps change its throughput ranging from complete impermeability to almost unhindered passage of fluid through it. Opening and closing the openings in the frame, the flaps change the area of the largest cross section and the drag coefficient of the propulsion. The control system coordinates the alternate operation of the damper and frame actuators. The mover has a housing by which the traction force generated by the frame is transmitted to the propelled object.

In a particular embodiment, linear high-speed servos can act as drives.

In one particular embodiment, devices capable of converting rotational motion to reciprocating can act as drives.

In yet another particular embodiment, the crankshaft mechanism, the cam mechanism or the vibratory drive can act as drives.

In another particular form of implementation, the actuators can be made on the basis of electric motors.

In a private form of implementation, the drives can be made on the basis of carbon nanotubes.

In one particular embodiment, the actuators can be made on the basis of bimorph plates.

In one particular embodiment, the actuators can be made based on piezoelectric elements.

The mover will be widely used in the manufacture of vehicles of land, air, water, underwater and mixed classes.

The essence of the above invention is clearly illustrated by the figures of drawings 1-10 on the example of specific forms of embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 show a frame 1 with shutters 2 made on the basis of a bimorph drive.

In Fig. 1, the mover is depicted at the stage of the working cycle, when the bimorph plates 2 are tightly pressed against the wall of the frame 1.

In Fig.2, the mover is shown at the stage of the working cycle, when the bimorph plates 2 under the influence of electric voltage are bent, closing the openings in the frame 1.

Figure 3 and 4 shows the frame 1, in which the plates 3 serve as shutters, made with the possibility of rotation in its openings.

In Fig. 3, the mover is shown at the stage of the working cycle when the plates 3 do not close the openings of the frame 1.

In Fig. 4, the mover is shown at the stage of the working cycle, when the shutters 3 close the openings of the frame 1.

Figures 5 and 6 show a frame with shutters made on the basis of carbon nanotubes 4.

In Fig. 5, the mover is depicted at the stage of the working cycle, when the active element 4 has a minimum size and does not close the openings of the frame 1.

In Fig.6, the mover is shown at the stage of the working cycle, when the shutters based on carbon nanotubes 4 have a maximum width and close the openings of the frame 1.

7 and 8 depict one of the private forms of embodiment of the invention. Position 1 indicates the lattice frame, and positions 4a and 4c indicate its drive. The drive 4a and 4b is made on the basis of carbon nanotubes. Position 6 indicates the housing of the mover. Position 7 indicates the control unit, with the position sensor 8 of the frame, and the position sensor 9 of the dampers. Arrows "A" and "B" show the direction of movement of the frame 1.

Fig.9 depicts a propulsion device when the openings of the frame 1 are open.

Figure 10 depicts a mover when the openings of the frame 1 are closed. Position 6 indicates the housing of the mover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following examples are given only to illustrate the general concept of the invention. Nothing in this section of the description should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

In one particular embodiment of the propulsion device, plates 5 are used as shutters; as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Turning, these plates open or close (Figs. 7 and 8, respectively) the openings of the carcass 1. At the moment when the plates open the openings of the carcass 1 (see Fig. 7), the fluid can freely pass through it. At this moment (see Fig. 9), the frame 1 has the maximum possible passage area. At the moment (see Fig. 8), when the plates 5 close the openings of the frame 1, the latter becomes practically impermeable to the fluid. At this moment, the frame 1 (see Fig. 10) has the minimum passage area for its construction.

The rotation of the plates in the trellis frame 1 is carried out by electric motors (not shown). Array of frame 1, which gives it oscillatory movements, are arrays of carbon nanotubes enclosed in an elastic sheath 4a and 4b. When arrays 4a under the influence of control voltage acquire their maximum volume, and arrays 4c their minimum volume, then the frame 1 is in its lowest position (see Fig. 7). At this moment, the sensor 8 of the frame sends a signal to the control unit about the lowest position of the frame and the control unit 7 generates a control signal for the flaps, forcing them to open the openings of the frame 1. After the openings of the frame 1 are open, the sensor 9 of the flaps will work and the control unit 7 gives control signals to the frame 1 drive, and then the elements of the drive 4c increase in volume, and the elements 4a decrease. As a result of this, the frame 1 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow “A” until it reaches its extreme upper (according to the diagram) position. In the process of moving the frame in the direction “A”, its openings are open, and the fluid passes through it almost unhindered. At this moment, the frame 1 has the maximum possible area of the passage section and when moving in a medium it experiences insignificant resistance. When the frame 1 (see Fig. 8) reaches its extreme upper position (according to the diagram), the sensor 8 trips and sends an information signal to the control unit about the highest upper position of the frame 1. Then the control unit 7 starts to generate control signals for the dampers 5, forcing them close the openings of the frame 1. After the shutters close the openings, the sensor 9 is activated and the control unit starts to generate control signals to drive the frame 1. In this case, the elements of the drive 4a increase in volume and the elements 4b decrease, forcing the frame 1 move in the direction of arrow "B". When the shutters 5 close the openings of the frame, it becomes practically impervious to the fluid. At this moment, the frame 1 has the minimum flow area for its design and experiences strong resistance when moving in a fluid. Thus, opening and closing the openings of the frame 1, the flaps change the area of the passage section and its coefficient (frame) of drag. Making movements in one direction, the frame 1 has the maximum possible, and when moving in the opposite direction, the minimum possible cross-section. Performing reciprocating (oscillatory) movements, the frame 1 experiences the action of the reaction forces of a fluid, different in magnitude and direction. The time-averaged resultant of the forces acting on the frame 1 turns out to be directed only in one direction, which leads to the appearance of a directed traction force. Through the drive of the frame, the traction force through the housing 6 is transmitted to the object, driven. When constructing propulsors based on the above-described active valve grille, in order to increase work efficiency and reduce the mass of the propulsion housing, it is advisable to use an even number of lattice frames when one half of the frames moves in one direction and the other in the opposite. Two groups of carcasses, identical in mass, oscillating in antiphase relative to the center of mass, alternately generate a driving force and transmit it through a common body to an object that is set in motion.

As shutters, closing and opening the openings of the frame, as well as, as the drives of the frame, causing its periodic movement, bimorph plates can serve. Bimorph plates made of piezoceramics are widely used in industry. Bimorph consists of two thin piezoceramic plates glued together with a gasket between them or without it. Most often, the thickness of the plates is 0.3 ÷ 0.5 mm, the length is 4 ÷ 60 mm, but it is possible to produce a bimorph of any geometry. Piezoceramic bimorph plates provide movement up to 5 mm and are capable of developing a force of up to 5 N.

Currently, developments are underway on the manufacture of bimorph plates based on nanofibre nanofubes with vacuum annealing. These bimorph plates exceeded the properties of bucky paper-based bimorph plates, which developed forces of 0.75 MPa with a displacement of the end of the plate by several millimeters. Also, a new material constructed from bundles of carbon nanotubes can serve as shutters and drives of the lattice frame. If an electric voltage is applied to such a material, it creates a charge of the same name on nanotubes, causing them to mutually repel each other. By changing polarity, nanotubes are attracted to each other. The material reversibly expands, tripling in size, and contracts in the same volumes. To date, a nanotube drive is able to expand and contract with a frequency of 1 kHz. Also, plates made of light and durable materials can act as shutters. The rotation of the plates in the openings of the frame 1 can provide electric motors or nanomuscles. Xcelorin brushless motors were widely used in modeling technology. Xcelorin engines are capable of speeds up to 10,250 rpm. The nanomuscle from NanoMuscle changed its length by 12–13% with a force of 4000 times greater than the human muscles and at a speed of 0.1 seconds.

In the manufacture of a mover and its parts such as the body, frame, shutters, it is advisable to use light and durable materials, such as: aluminum alloys, fiberglass, composite nanomaterials, etc. In this case, titanium can be used to make the dampers. As the drive of the trellis frame 1, to give it reciprocating (oscillatory) movements, one can use linear high-speed servos, a crank mechanism, a cam drive, a vibration drive, and other mechanisms suitable for converting rotational motion into reciprocating. Also, as a drive of the lattice frame 1, piezoelectric actuators can be used, which can develop a force of up to hundreds of thousands of Newtons, carry out movement from microns to millimeters with a frequency of up to thousands of Hertz.

It should be clear that the average specialist can use the distinguishing features of the present invention and make equivalent replacements to achieve the technical task; such substitutions are included in the scope of protection in accordance with the following claims.

Claims (1)

An active valve grille, belonging to the class of propulsors, characterized in that it contains: a lattice frame provided with openings, in the openings there are active controlled valves made with the possibility of them (openings) opening and closing simultaneously to change the hydraulic resistance of the lattice frame; separate actuators with their own sources of mechanical energy for the lattice frame and for valves; sensors for collecting information, a control unit for processing incoming information and generating control signals for actuators (actuators), which ensures coordinated, alternate operation of the actuators of the said valves and lattice cage, depending on the required direction and the amount of generated traction force.

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