WO2010043834A1

WO2010043834A1 - Lift machine

Info

Publication number: WO2010043834A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/003468
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikolas Andrew Corbas
Original assignee: Nikolas Andrew Corbas
Priority date: 2008-10-14
Filing date: 2008-10-14
Publication date: 2010-04-22

Abstract

The lift Machine' is an isolated mechanism which generates lift using the 'Magnus- Effect' to Lift it's own weight, if necessary, under certain operating conditions, in an induced fluid-flow. The Lift Machine can work in any fluid. The device consists of : Source (f) for inducing fluid flow. Duct (b) which may contain conditioning elements. At least one rotating body (c) on which the fluid flow induces lift. Power source (m) for providing rotary motion where necessary. Structure (s) to hold the mechanical elements together. The machine can operate independently of other fluid flow sources and does not rely on any other lift devices for operating. Any number of machines may be attached to other equipment in any number to lift the said equipment if the lift provided is sufficient. The Lift Machine may be oriented in any direction.

Description

LIFT MACHINE

DESCRIPTION

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field applicable to this mechanism is mechanical engineering.

2. BACKGROUND ART

The device uses the Magnus-Effect, outlined below: Fluid: Any liquid or gas.

Fluid-flow: Herein, 'fluid-flow' refers to the flow of any liquid or gas. Flow: Fluid-flow (a)

Magnus-Effect: Generally: a rotating body subjected to a fluid-flow, will generate lift perpendicular to the fluid-flow. Lift: A force acting on the rotating body, in any direction, (d)

3. SUMMARY

The 'Lift Machine' is an isolated mechanism which generates lift using the 'Magnus- Effect' to lift it's own weight, if necessary, under certain operating conditions, in an induced fluid-flow. The Lift Machine can work in any fluid.

The scope of this document is to outline the elements that go together to form a Lift Machine.

The requirements for the lift Machine are described in fig.l. One practical example is illustrated in fig.2.

4. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Referring to fig.l, the constituents of the Lift Machine are: a, b and c to generate d, where:

(a) Fluid-flow. (b) Duct to channel fluid-flow.

(c) Rotating body: one or more in series. (d) lift: The lift is upwards (as shown in fig.1), with the rotation of c clockwise and flow from the left. If the cylinder rotates in an anti-clockwise manner, the lift would be downwards. Both cases are applicable here. (n) Total number of rotating bodies.

αi A fluid-flow (a) is required. Examples of sources for the fluid flow will be: i) Induced by a fan or other fluid moving device, ϋ) Delivered from stored compressed fluid.

b} A duct (b) helps direct the flow to c.

The duct incorporates vanes and screens to condition the flow.

The follow may initiate from the inlet of the duct or from within the duct.

gi The number of rotating bodies (c) can from n=l upwards (n=l+x).

The rotating bodies can be of any cross-sectional shape. In fig.1 a generic circular cross-section is shown.

d} The resulting lift (d) will normally be perpendicular to the flow (a) but may vary depending on operating conditions.

EXAMPLE

Fig.2. Typical Lift Machine A typical Lift Machine comprises of the elements shown in the fig.2, which are coupled together to form the Lift Machine. This is described below.

A fan (f) induces a flow (a) into the duct (b) by rotating clockwise. The duct contains elements to reduce the turbulence of the flow, such as: screens, guide vanes, as appropriate. The flow from the duct passes over the single (n=l) clockwise rotating cylinder (c) to generate a hit force (d). The fan and the cylinder are driven by a motor (m), or other stored energy device. The solid mechanical elements of this system (b, f ,c and m) are held together by the structure (s). The combination allows the flow (a) to generate lift (d). When the lift generated by the cylinder is greater than the sum total weight of the components used in the Lift Machine, the device will be capable of lifting itself. The centrifugal fan can be replaced with an axial fan or other thrust generating device.

The fan and cylinder may be driven by independent motors or stored energy device.

The motors /stored energy device may provide direct drive to the fan and cylinder or may be driven through a transmission system.

5. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

There are many permutations and combinations of mechanical components which could be used to build such a machine. The choice would dependent upon where the machine is applied for use.

6. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The machine can be mounted to other equipment to lift the said equipment. Any number of machined may be used together and may be mounted in any direction.

Some relevant areas of industrial applicability are the following, although the list might not be exhaustive:

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Shipping

• Entertainment • Construction

• Sub-sea equipment.

Claims

Claims 1. The 'Loft Machine' is an isolated mechanism which generates lift using the "Magnus-Effect' where the lift generated can exceed the machine's weight.

2. Lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein a fluid moving device is connected to the structure.

3. Lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein the moving fluid can be of any type of liquid or gaseous substance.

4. Lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein there exists at least one rotating lifting body, of arbitrary cross-section, connected to the structure.

5. Lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein there is a duct to channel the fluid flow to the rotating body.

6. lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein there exists in the duct, described in claim 5, conditioning elements to render the flow more laminar and direct the flow.

7. lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein there exists a means of imparting rotary motion to the rotating body described in claim 4.

8. Lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein the machine can operate independently of other fluid flow sources.

9. lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein the machine can operate independently of other lift devices.

10. lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein any number of lift Machines can be connected to other equipment to lift the said equipment.

11. lift Machine as claimed in claim 1: wherein the Lift Machine can be oriented in any direction.