The invention was made by John M. Vranish as President of Vranish Innovative Technologies LLC and may be used by John M. Vranish and Vranish Innovative Technologies LLC without the payment of any royalties therein or therefore. The work was done by John M. Vranish on his own time and at his own expense.
There is a large and growing presence of objects in earth orbit associated with human activity. There is need to maneuver these objects and to have ready access to them and this requires a practical transportation system that works in earth orbit where vacuum and micro gravity conditions prevail. This, in turn, suggests an action and reaction motor is required that runs on renewable energy.
Rockets are the means currently employed and these are severely limited in their usefulness. The prime means of earth orbit maneuver is hydrazine rocket motors, a World War 2 era propulsion technique that powered the Me 163. Komet. Hydrazine rockets run out of fuel, are corrosive and volatile and lack capability for precision control. Ion engines are emerging as a more modern alternative, but, these also run out of fuel. Ion engines, in their present stage of development, are too low in thrust for practical earth orbit operations because activities would take too long.
A propulsion means is needed that provides a safe, useful level of thrust and that runs on renewable energy without emitting a plume. Three (3) approaches were tried with three different approaches to the physics of propulsion and all three are in different stages of development. Gyromotor is the latest evolution of one of these approaches and has reached the point where it needs patent protection. Any plume-less action and reaction motor is subject to skepticism and controversy and Gyromotor is no exception. The skeptics worry that inertial activities confined to a closed system cannot affect activities outside said closed system. John M. Vranish respects these arguments, takes them seriously and addresses them in the specification of this patent application. Experiment will settle the issue. In the mean time this patent application establishes the origin of the John M. Vranish Gyromotor concept.
The present invention relates generally to action and reaction propulsion motors and more particularly to action and reaction propulsion systems that utilize gyroscopes. The present invention relates generally to gyroscope systems and more particularly to gyroscope systems used in propulsion applications. The present invention relates particularly to electromechanical and motion control systems.
Gyromotor is a type of action and reaction motor which generates thrust without plume ejection. Whereas rockets react equal and opposite to ejected mass momentum, Gyromotor cycles gyroscopes, each mounted on the end of a moment arm, in a back and forth rowing motion to drive a spacecraft, without external mass ejection analogous to rowing a boat. Gyroscope inertial properties are configured to provide maximum resistance torque during the drive stroke and reconfigured to provide minimum torque resistance during the return stroke. The gyroscopes are turned by a moment arm so the torque resistance provides a useful linear force component to drive the spacecraft, with said linear force greater during the drive stroke than the return stroke, analogous to an oar in water during the drive stroke and in air during the return stroke. The space craft moves in reaction to the net linear forces and momentum is conserved. The torques and forces are pseudo and are generated by change of gyroscope spin axis during said moment arm rotation, similar to centrifugal and coriolis effect pseudo forces. The Gyromotor Invention will provide maximum resistance torque and resistance linear force during the Drive Stroke because the gyroscopes are each spinning and are oriented such that the spin axis of each is perpendicular to the axis of moment arm rotation. Maximum net action and reaction force, then depends on minimizing resistance torque and linear reaction force during the return stroke.
Two (2) methods of reconfiguring the gyroscopes to provide minimum torque and linear force during the return stroke are considered. In one method, the spin of each gyroscope is reduced to zero, prior to the Return Stroke, so gyroscope orientation doesn't matter. In an alternate method, the spin axis of each gyroscope is redirected prior to the Return Stroke such that each is parallel to the angular direction of rotation. Thus, there is no change in direction of gyroscope spin during return, with no gyroscope torque resistance and no reactive linear force even though the gyroscopes are spinning.
Electro-mechanical devices and systems essential to performing the Gyromotor functions are described. These include a system for rotating said moment arms, a system for spinning gyroscopes, a system for cancelling gyroscope precession in the preferred embodiment and a method for cancelling the effects of changing the orientation of each spinning gyroscope in said alternate method. Also included in this description are representative form, fit and function numbers to provide expected performance information and construction and operating particulars needed to achieve said performance.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and man of its attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
a and 1b illustrate the base components of a Gyromotor and show how said base components move during said Gyromotor drive and return strokes:
a and 2b show how a pair of spinning gyroscopes, on the end of a turning moment arm, creates an inertial reaction force with a linear component useful for powering a vehicle.
a details how Gyromotor applies directional inertial force to said vehicle during said Drive Stroke and
a illustrates a configuration whereby a motor gear drive can operate through an idler gear to rotate said gyroscopes on the end of a moment arm.
a illustrates a configuration whereby idler gears can be configured in coaxial pairs to independently spin the gyroscope pairs and rotate the moment arm on which the gyroscopes are mounted from a top view perspective.
a illustrates the Alternate Drive Cycle Drive Stroke wherein said directions of gyroscope spin are oriented to maximize inertial drive force on said vehicle.
a illustrates the inertial torque reacted to said vehicle by changing the spin direction of said gyroscopes at the end of said Alternate Drive Cycle Drive Stroke, preparatory to said Alternate Drive Cycle Return Stroke.
a Illustrates the mechanical parts used to perform said Alternate Drive Cycle Stroke and their arrangement. A top down section view of said mechanical parts is presented in the region where they interface with said gyroscope pair.
b Illustrates said mechanical parts used to perform said Alternate Drive Cycle Stroke and their arrangement. A side section view of said mechanical parts is presented in the region where they interface with said gyroscope pair.
In accordance with the present invention, a Gyromotor includes: 1. a Gyroscope Arm System, 2. A Motor Control System to control and motivate said Gyroscope Arm System, 3. a Housing for 1 and 2. The Gyroscope Arm System includes a Left Arm System and a Right Arm System n which each of the two arm systems contains a pair of co-axial gyroscopes mounted on the end of a moment arm. The Motor Control System includes a Left Motor Control System and a Right Motor Control System. The Left Motor Control System rotates the Left Moment Arm and attached gyroscopes and, independently, spins the Left Arm System gyroscopes at angular velocities equal and opposite to each other. The Right Motor Control System rotates the Right Moment Arm and attached gyroscopes and, independently, spins the Right Arm System gyroscopes at angular velocities equal and opposite to each other. For linear travel, the Left and Right Arm Systems are rotated towards and away from each other in a coordinated back and forth rowing motion. The gyroscopes are spinning during the Drive Stroke and are not spinning during the Return Stroke, with the spin axis of each gyroscope oriented perpendicular to the axis of its moment arm rotation. The Left Motor Control System contains a motor and gear system and controller and the Right Motor Control System contains a mirror image motor and gear system and controller. The Housing contains said Gyroscope Arm and Motor Control Systems. The preferred embodiment is configured and operated according to
Two (2) moment arms are counter-rotated back and forth in opposition to each other in a cyclic manner as per
During the Drive Stroke, the gyroscopes are spinning and oriented as shown in
We know a spinning gyroscope has an angular momentum vector of
mR2ωS{right arrow over (a)}ωs={right arrow over (L)} (I1)[1][2]
And, when {right arrow over (L)} is changed with respect to time a torque {right arrow over (τ)} is generated such as:
d{right arrow over (L)}/dt={right arrow over (τ)}=d(mR2{right arrow over (ω)}S)/dt=mR2d{right arrow over (ω)}S/dt (I2)[3]
For each gyroscope pair, the torque generated by turning the +{right arrow over (L)}, and −{right arrow over (L)}, vectors add.
For the gyroscopic orientation shown in the Drive Stroke (
d{right arrow over (ω)}S/dt=ωSd({right arrow over (a)}ωS)/dt=ωSωR{right arrow over (a)}ωR (I3)
And
mR
2ωSωR{right arrow over (a)}ωR={right arrow over (τ)}(where: WR=forced angular velocity of rotation) (I4)
This torque must be provided by the motor and gear systems labeled 2a and 2b in
B. Return Stroke (
For the Return Stroke the spin is zero so {right arrow over (L)}=0 and:
The torque produced in turning the gyroscopes (labeled 1a1 and 1a2 in
Σ{right arrow over (M)}=0 (I6)
But, each motor and gear system supplying the torque and the gyroscope pair reacting the torque are separated by a moment arm RT (labeled 1a3) so a force {right arrow over (F)}O must be induced on the end of that moment arm such that:
PORT=TR(gyroscope reaction torque)=it(motor input torque) (I7)
This force {right arrow over (F)}O must be reacted with an equal and opposite {right arrow over (F)}O exerted by each motor and gear system on the Housing (or Drive Vehicle) labeled 3 in
The forces and torques for an inertial lever arm terminated by a gyroscope must obey:
ΣFX=0 (I8)
And:
ΣMZ=0 (I9)
(The forces in Y and Z are always self cancelling by the symmetric construction technique of using two (2) counter-rotating sets of identical Drives.)
This relationship between system geometry and forces and torques can be interpreted in a lever arm equivalent diagram as shown in
1
a
1=the front gyroscope and 1a2=rear gyroscope of gyroscope pair 1a.
1a3=Moment arm length RT.
2a=Motor Gear System for Left Arm System.
FG=Gyroscopic force opposing turning.
RG=Distance between gyroscope spin axis and radius of gyration.
TG=Gyroscope torque opposing turning.
TO=Torque provided by motor gear system.
FR=Force equivalent response to TO.
TR=Torque from motor gear system being reacted into Housing labeled 3.
The Right Arm System (1b) mirrors the Left Arm System and each adds thrust in the X direction.
a and 3b show the Drive Stroke and Return Stroke for both Moment Arm Systems 1a and 1b.
1
b
1=the front gyroscope and 1b2=rear gyroscope of gyroscope pair lb.
1b3=Moment arm length RT.
2b=Motor Gear System for Right Arm System.
And remaining construction and operation details of Right Moment Arm System replicate and mirror those of the Left Arm System. Similarly a lever arm equivalent diagram can be set up for the Right Moment Arm System that mirrors that shown in
In
The concept of an action and reaction motor in which no plume is ejected is counter-intuitive and is considered by many to be impossible. These concerns will now be addressed. We begin by considering the Vehicle (labeled 3) as a Space Craft operating in earth orbit. Returning to
Because a torque is added to the ends of the moment arm RT during the Drive Stroke but, is absent during the Return Stroke, the net Drive Force remains to drive the Space Craft in return. This net drive force will now be determined.
Equal and opposite torque operating on opposite ends of a moment arm is mathematically equivalent to equal and opposite forces operating perpendicular to the moment arm such that:
{right arrow over (τ)}={right arrow over (F)}X(RT)=F(RT) sin θ{right arrow over (a)}X+F(RT) cos θ{right arrow over (a)}Y (I10)
The Y components cancel each other and we are left with
{right arrow over (τ)} is constant when {right arrow over (ω)}R and {right arrow over (ω)}S are constant. When the Spin Axis is oriented in the direction of tangential instantaneous velocity the torque generated at each gyroscope is:
R=RG (gyroscope radius of gyration)
For a gyroscope set on the end of each of two (2) oars we have a torque of 2{right arrow over (τ)} and a linear force of:
We know ∫t1t22m{dot over ({right arrow over (V)}Xdt=2 mVX{right arrow over (a)}X(momentum in X) (I14)[4]
We also know:
So:
With an X direction momentum from the Inertial Oars provided to the Boat of:
By conservation of momentum the Boat acquires an X direction velocity of
The Zero-Sum inertial stalemate has been broken by changing inertial mass properties and conditions have been created to drive a Space Craft using internal inertial means only.
The gyroscopes are operated in back to back counter rotating pairs as per
{right arrow over (τ)}={right arrow over (Ω)}P×{right arrow over (L)}G (I19)[3][5]
{right arrow over (τ)}=torque
{right arrow over (Ω)}P=angular velocity of precession
{right arrow over (L)}G=angular momentum of gyroscope
In
Thus, in the back to back configuration net:
Σ{right arrow over (Ω)}P=0. (I20)
The torque from gyroscope 1a1 and the torque from gyroscope 1a2 add. The bevel gear drive 1a31 causes the gyroscopes to counter-rotate at equal and opposite speeds. The forces generated by turning the gyroscopes acts at RG as shown in
A Gyromotor can be constructed according to
A construction method is illustrated in
We choose one (1) 4490 . . . B Micromo dc servo motor, 11,000 rpm, 390.533 oz-in. stall torque, with a gear box of 40/1 to perform the Drive and Stroke rotation. This provides:
At a speed of:
We stay with the same motor for gyroscope spin up and spin down and reserve judgment on the gear box for the moment.
We select gyroscopes with flywheels of 0.5 ft radius, weighing 5 lbs and spinning at 600 rpm=20π rad/sec. We select a moment arm of 0.75 ft. and rotate it at 15 (rad/sec).
600 rpm means #4490 . . . B can support a spin up MA of:
We use 15=MA to be conservative.
This Spin up torque provides a spin up angular acceleration (d{right arrow over (ω)}S/dt) as per:
Which requires a time from zero to 600 rpm of:
With the knowledge our motor gear box combinations can meet our arbitrary design requirements, we calculate an estimated performance.
We estimate that start up from rest to full rotation speed takes (π/4)rad as does slow down from full rotation speed to stop. We also choose LT=0.75 ft and, conservatively say 1 cycle per second can be performed. Thus we have:
This means our 10 lbs of gyroscope rest mass (2 arms with 5 lbs of gyroscopes each) would acquire a speed increase on a per cycle basis of:
For a 2,000 lb space craft this equates to:
With a cycle rate of one (1) cycle per second, within 20 sec the 2,000 lb object will acquire a speed of 11.84768783509 ft/sec. These speed values are encouraging.
0.75 ft moment arm
0.5 ft radius of gyration
1.25 ft radius for gyro ring mounted on a moment arm=2.5 ft dia foot print.
[5 ft diameter for two (2) Drivers]
[Height >1.5 ft+Electric Motor]
5 lb gyro ring weight
Micromo Brushless DC Servomotor 4490 . . . B, 1.732 in. dia, 3.543 in. length wt 750 g [750 grams=1.65346696638658 lbs. If we double the size to include the gear box, we get approx 6.5 lbs of motor and gear box weight for one (1) Drive Arm system and approximately 13 lbs. for the entire system.]
These are rough estimates but, the values are encouraging especially for a motor to drive a Space Craft of 2,000 lbs.
The Return Stroke can also produce zero torque if the gyroscope spin axis vectors do not change direction during the return stroke as shown in
This leaves the problem of switching the orientation of the gyroscopes at the end of the Return Stroke so torque can be generated during the Drive Stroke and switching gyroscope orientation again before the Return Stroke. Each orientation switch produces a torque as shown in
Σ{right arrow over (τ)}SH=0 (IV2)
The orientation switching method appears a viable alternative to spinning down and spinning up the gyroscopes.
a, 10b, 11 illustrate a mechanical arrangement capable of performing the Alternate Drive Method. This arrangement is an extension of the arrangement shown in
1. The Gyromotor concept appears to work. It seems possible to generate useful reaction thrust from a motor that performs an internal cycle to generate external thrust and/or force and that uses renewable energy. It seems possible to do so by changing the inertial properties of parts internal to the motor while leaving the rest mass of each unchanged. This, in turn, seems possible to accomplish by using gyroscopes in novel ways. Newton's Laws of Motion seem not to be violated.
2. The construction of a practical Gyromotor seems straight forward and well within current art.
3. The performance and thrust to weight of a Gyromotor seems useful for applications in micro-gravity, such as low earth orbit and space beyond. The form, fit, function factors also seem favorable. The thrust to weight is not sufficient to provide lift-off against earth gravity.
4. Gyromotor presents an important opportunity to further performing useful work in low earth orbit and space beyond and this Gyromotor paper establishes a preliminary and tenuous level of credibility.
5. The technical community needs to prove out the concept up or down. They could start with a credible simulation and from there move to hardware and developments as results determine.
The U.S. patent application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/400,613 filed on Jul. 30, 2010.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61400613 | Jul 2010 | US |