Abstract:
A vehicle utilizing the force produced between two magnetic fields, a generated magnetic field and an existing magnetic field (such as the Earth&#39;s magnetic field). The magnetic fields are provided at an angle. The vehicle comprises a platform, a partially shielded tube with an interior containing an electrically charged fluid and a circulator operable to move the charged fluid around the tube thereby generating a vehicle magnetic field. The vehicle magnetic field is generated at an angle as compared to the external magnetic field, which produces a force as the cross product of the number of charges in the charged fluid times the velocity of the charges, and the strength of the external magnetic field.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a propulsion device. More particularly, the invention relates to a propulsion device configured to generate a thrust utilizing a magnetic field. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known in the art for vehicles to utilize turbines, propellers or other engines to create thrust and movement. Airborne vehicles lose efficiency because they require moving large volumes of air to generate lift which creates losses due to the friction of that air over vehicle and engine part surfaces. Vehicles require burning expensive and environmentally unfriendly fuels, such as jet fuel. These conventional airborne vehicles can be loud thus requiring extensive insulation to have a quiet interior conducive to conversation. Further, conventional air vehicles do not allow for operation in multiple mediums, for example a single vehicle capable of operating under water, in the air or in the vacuum of space. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device configured to generate a thrust utilizing the earth&#39;s magnetic field is provided. The device includes a platform for supporting structure, a tube forming a closed loop, and a mechanical pump or blower. In one embodiment, the tube is filled with an electrically charged fluid, such as ions. A portion of the tube is shielded so as to contain electro-magnetic forces therein. The mechanical pump or blower is configured to move the charged fluid within the tube, through the earth&#39;s magnetic field where in the movement of the charged fluid that is orthogonal to the earth&#39;s magnetic field a thrust is generated. 
         [0004]    A vehicle having the propulsion device described above is also provided. The vehicle may include sensors and a controller configured to adjust the amount of charged fluids within the tube, as well as change the speed at which the charged fluids flow within the tube and/or control the amount of shielding of the moving charged fluid. The controller is further configured to pivot the tube relative to the platform so as to change the vector of the thrust. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention with a tube and a blower; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the invention with a tube, a blower and an ion generator; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3A-3B  shows different cross-sections of the tube; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tube; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the tube; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device in a vehicle configured to adjust the angular orientation of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    A device  10  for generating a thrust utilizing the earth&#39;s magnetic field is provided. The device  10  includes a tube  12  forming a closed loop, and a circulator  14 . The device may be mounted to a platform  16  for supporting structure. The tube  12  may be filled with a charged fluid, such as ions (as indicated in the hatched section of the tube in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 . The circulator  14  may be a mechanical pump or a blower and is configured to move the charged fluid through the tube  12  so as to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated at an angle relative to the earth&#39;s magnetic field, thus further generating a force, also referenced herein as a thrust, propelling the platform  16 . 
         [0012]    With reference first to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative example of a platform  16  is provided. The platform includes a first surface  18  opposite a second surface  20 . The platform  16  is shown as a generally rectangular body shaped like an automotive vehicle; however, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the platform  16  is shown illustratively and that additional features may be added to the platform  16  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, the platform  16  may include features to increase aerodynamics, such as a rounded front-end portion, or a fin on its back-end portion. The platform  16  may be adapted to accommodate passengers by the inclusion of a seating compartment, or may be configured to carry cargo. These examples are merely exemplary and should not be read as limiting. 
         [0013]    The tube  12  is shown adapted to fit within a bottom recess  22  of the platform  16 . The tube  12  forms a closed loop. It should also be appreciated that the orientation of the tube  12  shown in the drawings is not limiting to the scope of the invention herein. For instance,  FIG. 4  provides an example of different geometrical shapes of the tube, which also serves to propel the platform  15 . The tube  12  in  FIG. 4  provides even force generation along opposing sides of the tube as indicted by the unshielded sides. As will be explained in detail below, the tube  12  may be located or oriented differently and still function to produce a thrust operable to move the platform  16  along a desired vector. 
         [0014]    In a first embodiment, the tube  12  is filled with a charged fluid, or ions having a net positive or negative charge. For instance, the tube  12  may be sealed, so as to prevent ions from escaping. Thus, the tube  12  may be replaced as an entire unit. Alternatively, the tube  12  may be filled prior to the assembly of the device, or may be filled before each use. In such an application, the tube  12  may include a port  24  having a cover  26  operative to open or close the port  24 . The charged fluid may be introduced into the tube  12  through the port  24  in a similar manner as filling a gas tank with gasoline. 
         [0015]    The tube  12  includes a shielded portion  28  and an unshielded portion  30 . The shielded portion  28  may form ⅕ of the circumference of the tube  12 , however the shielding provided is merely exemplary and it is anticipated that the tube may be shielded otherwise. For instance,  FIG. 5  shows a tube  12  wherein substantially ¾ of the tube is shielded. The tube  12  is shown as having a generally rectangular shape. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tube  12  may be shaped otherwise. It should also be appreciated that the diameter and length of the tube  12  may be dimensioned so as to produce a desired flow rate for the charged fluid, and thus the Figures shown herein are illustrative and not limiting. 
         [0016]    The shielded portion  28  is configured to prevent electro-magnetic forces from interfering with/countering the electro-magnetic forces generated by the unshielded portion  30 . Any electro-magnetic shield currently known and used, may be adapted for use herein, illustratively including a Faraday cage. Accordingly, the shielded portion  28  may be formed from a material such as iron, copper, steel, or any other electrically conductive material that would shield/reflect electromagnetic waves. 
         [0017]    The interior of the tube  12  is generally a smooth surface so as to maximize the efficiency of fluids flowing within the tube  12 . The tube  12  may also be configured to prevent deionization of the charged fluid flowing within the tube  12 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that preventing deionization increases the efficiency of the propulsion device  10  by reducing the frequency that the ion generator must be actuated, or the speed at which the ions are propelled within the tube  12 . Deionization may result from a charged particle reacting with the inner surface of the tube  12 , and from the product of out-gassing from the tube  12 . As used herein, out-gassing refers to the act of gasses or ions escaping through the tube  12 . Accordingly, the tube  12  may be configured to prevent the ions from interacting with the inner surface walls  32  of the tube  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3   a , and  3   b . For instance, the tube  12  may be vacuumed baked so as to remove the gases from the tube, and thus will have outgassed. Alternatively, the tube may be treated with a solution  32   a  configured to prevent ions from interacting with the inner wall of the tube. Such materials are currently known and used in the art and illustratively include PolyBenzImidazole, Polyimide, PolyAmide-Imide, filled PTFE, PolyChloroTetraFluoroEthylene, PolyEtherEtherKetone and the like. 
         [0018]    The circulator  14  is fluidly coupled to the tube  12 . The circulator  14  is configured to move the charged fluids within the tube  12 , circulating the charged fluids between the shielded and unshielded portions  28 ,  30 . Thus, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as the charged fluid flows through the unshielded portion  28 , a force is generated. Specifically, the force is produced as the cross product of the earth&#39;s magnetic field vector and the direction of motion of the charged fluid as it flows through the unshielded portion  28  of the tube  12 . Preferably, the circulator  14  is configured to produce a force sufficient to blow the charged fluid at a speed up to 10,000 miles per hour (as is known to be used in plasma cutting tools) but would classically be at the supersonic speeds of about 1,000 miles per hour. Any circulator  14  currently known and used in the art may be adapted for use herein, illustratively including centrifugal fans and axial flow fans and utilizing nozzles and venturi systems. 
         [0019]    The device  10  may include a controller  34  configured to adjust the operation of the circulator  14  and the orientation of the tube  12 . This may be done by adjusting the orientation of the platform  16  (such as through the use of a thruster  36 ) itself or the tube  12  may be rotatably mounted to the platform  12 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the amount of force produced by the device is based upon the density of charged fluids within the tube  12 , and the velocity of the charged fluids. In the instant case, the tube  12  is filled with a predetermined amount of charged fluid, and thus variation of the speed at which the charged fluid flows along the unshielded portion  30  will determine the amount of force produced as the earth&#39;s magnetic field is generally constant. Such a relationship may be surmised in the following equation: 
         [0000]        {right arrow over (F)}= ( q{right arrow over (v)} )× {right arrow over (B)}   Equation (1)
 
         [0000]    Wherein F is the force generated by the movement of the particle across the earth&#39;s magnetic field, q is the charge in coulombs of the particle(s), v is velocity of the particle in the field, and B is the strength of the magnetic field. 
         [0020]    The controller  34  may be further configured to pivot the tube  12  or the platform  16  so as to adjust the angle at which the charged fluid passes the earth&#39;s magnetic field. In such a manner, the controller  34  is operable to tune the vector of the force, and thus propel the platform  16  in numerous directions. The device  10  may include a drive  38  configured to change the position of the tube  12  relative to the platform  16 . The controller  34  may be electrically coupled to the drive  38  so as to rotate the tube  12 . 
         [0021]    With reference now to  FIG. 2  the device  10  may include an ion generator  40 . The ion generator  40  is configured to generate a charged fluid, such as ions. The ion generator  40  may be used to augment existing charged fluids within a tube  12  pre-loaded with a charged fluid. Alternatively, the ion generator  40  may be used to fill the tube  12  with ions. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the amount of ions within the tube  12  affects “q” of the equation provided above. Accordingly, a desired force and vector, collectively “F”, may be achieved by adjusting the ion generator  40 , orientation of the tube  12 , and operation of the blower. The controller  34  may be further operable to actuate the ion generator  40  so as to achieve a desired amount of charge, “q” within the tube  12 . 
         [0022]    There are numerous ways in which the ion generator  40  may generate ions. In one example, the ion generator  40  may be configured to deliver a high voltage input to ionize air molecules (or other fluid molecules) within the tube  12 . In another example, lasers may be used to ionize the internal fluid. Yet another example may be to produce a highly ionized fluid in an external process and contain that highly ionized fluid in the tube  12 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are illustrative of ways in which the ion generator  40  may take form, and should not be limiting to the scope of the invention. The power required to actuate the ion generator  40  may be provided by a power supply, such as a gas or electric engine, or a battery. 
         [0023]    The ion generator  40  is fluidly coupled to the tube  12 . It should be appreciated that the introduction of additional ions into the tube  12  increases the charge density of the charged fluid in the tube  12 . In one embodiment the ion generator  40  produces a negatively charged fluid containing anions by introducing excess electrons into the fluid inside the tube  12 . Alternatively, the ion generator  40  may produce a positively charged fluid containing cations by removing electrons from the fluid introduced to the tube  12 . The charged fluid is held at approximately atmospheric pressure, and may be generated by many atmospheric pressure plasma generation devices, such as Capacitive discharge using RF ion generator  40   s . Other, known atmospheric pressure plasma generators include corona discharge ionizers and dielectric barrier discharge ionizers. However, it should be appreciated that the use of low pressure or high pressure plasma is perfectly acceptable as long as high ionization is achieved in the fluid. 
         [0024]    The controller  34  may be configured to actuate the ion generator  40 , and blower, and control the angular displacement of the tube  12  with respect to the platform  16 . The controller  34  may be linked to a driving control system (not shown) such as a pedal assembly and a steering wheel or a flight stick similar to one found in the cockpit of a jet. Thus, the controller  34  may be operable to propel the platform  16  in a desired direction and at a desired speed based upon the output from the drive control system. 
         [0025]    As shown in the figures, the device  10  may be fully integrated to function as the drive for an automotive vehicle  50 . The platform  16  is shaped like an automotive vehicle body. The platform  16  may include seats, an engine housing, and a cargo space. The vehicle  50  is shown as a two passenger vehicle, and the cargo space is approximately the same size as the passenger space. However, it should be appreciated that the platform  16  may be modified for group or cargo transportation. 
         [0026]    The vehicle  50  further includes a tube  12  forming a closed loop. The tube  12  includes a shielded portion and an unshielded portion. The shielded portion is configured to prevent electro-magnetic forces from interfering with/countering the electro-magnetic forces generated by the unshielded portion. Any electro-magnetic shields that are currently known and used may be adapted for use herein, illustratively including a Faraday cage. Accordingly, shielded portion may be formed from a material such as copper, steel, iron, and any electrically conductive/reflective material. 
         [0027]    The tube  12  is shown as having a generally rectangular shape. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tube  12  may be shaped otherwise. It should also be appreciated that the diameter and length of the tube  12  may be dimensioned so as to produce a desired flow rate for the charged fluid, and thus the Figures shown herein are illustrative and not limiting. 
         [0028]    The interior of the tube  12  is generally a smooth surface so as to maximize the efficiency of fluids flowing within the tube  12 . The tube  12  may also be configured to prevent deionization of the charged fluid flowing within the tube  12 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that preventing deionization increases the efficiency of the propulsion device  10  by reducing the frequency that the ion generator  40  must be actuated. Deionization may result from a charged particle reacting with the inner surface of the tube  12 , and from the product of out-gassing from the tube  12 . As used herein, out-gassing refers to the act of gas being released by the tube  12  into the charged fluid that would increase the de-ionization (or recombination) of the charged fluid in the tube  12 . Accordingly, as described above, the tube  12  may include a layer  12   a  formed from a material configured to prevent the ions from interacting with the inner surface walls of the tube  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a , and  2   b . Such materials are currently known and used in the art and illustratively include PolyBenzImidazole, Polyimide, PolyAmide-Imide, filled PTFE, PolyChloroTetraFluoroEthylene, PolyEtherEtherKetone and the like. Alternatively, the tube  12 , or a layer of the tube  12   b , may be treated to prevent ions from interacting with the inner wall of the tube  12  as described above. In another embodiment, the tube includes a layer  12   a  formed of material configured to prevent ions form interacting with the inner surface wall of the tube  12 , as well as a layer treated to prevent ions from interacting with the inner wall of the tube  12 . Yet another layer  12   c  of the tube may be treated with a solution which prevent ions from interacting with the inner wall of the tube  12 . 
         [0029]    The vehicle  50  further includes an ion generator  40 , and a circulator  14 . The ion generator  40  is powered by a power supply such as a battery, a gas engine, or the like. The ion generator  40  is configured to introduce a charged fluid into the tube  12 . In one embodiment, the charged fluids are ions having either a net positive or negative charge. The ion generator  40  may be used to augment existing charged fluids within a tube  12  loaded with a charged fluid. Alternatively, the ion generator  40  may be used to fill the tube  12  with ions. 
         [0030]    The circulator  14  is fluidly coupled to the tube  12 . For illustrative purposes, assume that the circulator  14  is a blower  14   a  and is configured to blow the charged fluids within the tube  12 , circulating the charged fluids between the shielded and unshielded portions  28 ,  30 . Thus, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as the charged fluid flows through the unshielded portion  30 , a force is generated. Specifically, the force is produced as the cross product of the magnetic field vector formed by the charged fluid flow through the unshielded portion  30  of the tube  12  and the external magnetic field. Preferably, the blower  14   a  is configured to produce a force sufficient to blow the charged fluid at a speed of up to 10,000 miles per hour (super sonic). Any blower  14   a  currently known and used in the art may be adapted for use herein, illustratively including centrifugal fans and axial flow fans. 
         [0031]    The vehicle  50  includes a controller  34  configured to actuate the ion generator  40  and blower so as to produce a desired thrust. The vehicle  50  may further include a positioning drive  52  operatively mounted to the tube  12 . The positioning drive  52  is configured to pivot the tube  12  with respect to the platform  16 . As shown, the positioning drive  52  includes a plurality of pneumatic cylinders  52   a  configured to adjust the position of the tube  12  with respect to the vehicle  50 . Thus, by extending one of the pneumatic cylinders  52   a , the vector of the force may be adjusted to propel the vehicle in a desired direction. Thus, it should be appreciated that the vector of any force produced may be adjusted, and in such a manner the direction of the vehicle is adjusted. 
         [0032]    The vehicle may further include a driving control system such as a pedal assembly and a steering wheel. The controller  34  is in electrical communication with the drive control system. The actuation of the pedal assembly and the steering wheel is transmitted to the controller  34 , wherein the controller  34  may actuate the ion generator  40 , blower and the positioning drive  52  so as to increase/decrease the charge within the tube  12 , the rate at which the charged fluid flows through the tube  12 , and the direction at which the force is generated. Thus, the controller  34  may be operable to propel the platform  16  in a desired direction and at a desired speed based upon the output from the drive control system. 
         [0033]    The vehicle may further include a sensor  54  configured to detect the magnetic field in which the vehicle  50  is operating. Such sensors are currently known and used in the art and illustratively include a sensor  54  commonly referenced as a magnetometer. The sensor  54  and the controller  34  are in communication with each other. As shown in the equation above, the magnetic field will affect the force produced by the charge and velocity of the charged particle. 
         [0034]    For example, the vehicle may operate in the Earth&#39;s magnetic field. A commonly accepted average value of the Earth&#39;s magnetic field is approximately 30 μT. The blower  14   a  is actuated so as to move the charged fluids at a speed of Mach 1, approximately 340 meters per second. The ion generator  40  may be actuated so as to produce a charged fluid having an ionization density of 10 28  charged atoms per cubic centimeter. Equation 1 represents the force produced by the charged fluid moving at an angle to the external magnetic field. 
         [0000]        {right arrow over (F)}= ( q{right arrow over (v)} )× {right arrow over (B)}   Equation (1)
 
         [0000]    For this illustrative example the unshielded fluid flow will be assumed to be at a right angle to the Earth&#39;s magnetic field, and the shielding will be assumed to be completely effective. Equation 2 works out the force produced by the example values. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0035]    In operation, the air in the tube  12  is charged by the ion generator  40  forming a charged fluid, and the blower is actuated so as to move the charged fluid at a desired speed, wherein the positioning drive  52  is actuated so as to pivot the tube  12  at an angle to the external magnetic field so as to create a force in a desired vector. 
         [0036]    The invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples and embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus, compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the vehicle may have a tube  12  filled with a predetermined amount of charged fluids so as to have a desired charge. In such an embodiment, it is conceivable that the vehicle does not include an ion generator  40 , and that the desired force produced is achieved by actuation of the blower and orientation of the tube  12 .