Abstract:
An internally self-propelled mechanism having a string anchored to a point on a propellable object or on an object requiring power to function and where the string has two or more segments that are pulled in two or more tangential directions from a centrally located brace creating angles so that the tension force effected on the middle string segment causes propulsion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 61/279,836 filed Oct. 27, 2009 by the present inventor and the application is hereto incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    The disclosed invention relates to a novel method and device for propulsion using unbalanced internal forces to cause internal acceleration and linear motion in a mechanism, as an inseparable unit in a specified direction of travel, and more particularly to a method and device that will cause linear propulsion without the use of external force or externally applied energy. 
         [0008]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0009]    The use of external force or external energy to power propulsion is well known in the prior art. Vehicles, planes, boats and machines are powered by a fuel source, electricity or other externally created power means. The cost of externally created power is staggering, resulting in not only economic expense but also depletion of natural resources, dependency on foreign resources and environmental damages. 
         [0010]    The quest for a form of internal energy has never died but is felt by most to be an impossibility. We are all taught from a young age that objects are inert without the application of an external force or energy source. Motion without some sort of external force or power is not recognized as a possibility. Newton&#39;s law specifies that “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” which has further limited the possibilities of internally created propulsion. Rocket propulsion utilizes this law effectively but as a consequence requires a staggering amount of fuel to achieve liftoff. 
         [0011]    In recent years various inventors have developed methods of internally created propulsion using the Coriolis force and/or centrifugal force. Robert Cook was awarded U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,683,707 and 4,238,968 entitled “Device for converting Centrifugal Force to Linear Force and Motion.” Cook&#39;s theory was based on using unbalanced rotators to create a centrifugal force that ultimately resulted in linear motion, achieving, seemingly for the first time, linear propulsion without the use of external force. His prototype, however, required a motor and four rotors. 
         [0012]    In 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,783 was granted to Kangas, et al describing a closed system motor that achieved propulsion by causing fluid to circulate in opposite directions to cause an internal state of unbalanced forces resulting in an energy source. His patent disclosed the requirement of a closed system of circulating fluid which potentially required a pump to circulate the fluid and thus limited the potential applications for the invention. 
         [0013]    Also well known in the art are the use of pulleys and cams in order to utilize leverage to decrease the amount of force needed to propel or lift an object. Pulley and cams use angle tension to achieve their purpose. They still however require an external force to exert a minimum amount of force to initiate movement. 
         [0014]    A simpler and more efficient method and device is needed to achieve propulsion and or power by internally creating force, without the use of centrifugal force or external energy. 
       NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE 
       [0015]    Certain terms are used throughout the following description to refer to particular method components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, design and manufacturing companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. 
         [0016]    In the following discussion, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other intermediate devices and connections. Moreover, the term “method” means “one or more components” combined together. Thus, a method can comprise an “entire method” or “sub methods” within the method. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The disadvantages shown in the prior art are solved by a method and apparatus for using internal energy obtained by internally producing unbalanced forces, without using centrifugal force, within an object&#39;s parts to achieve propulsion. 
         [0018]    It is an objective of the disclosed invention to achieve motion without the use of external force or energy. 
         [0019]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to attach the apparatus to the spokes of a wheel to turn the wheel, providing internal power to the axle of the wheel to operate a Power-Take-Off. 
         [0020]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to power electric generators and a variety of moving mechanisms. 
         [0021]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to power vehicles. 
         [0022]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to lift and accelerate a vehicle no matter whether it is in air, outer space, in water or underground. 
         [0023]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to provide a means to steer a vehicle whether by turning the apparatus within the vehicle or by turning the vehicle relative to an outside point. The turning of the vehicle and/or the mechanism may be accomplished by using smaller propulsion mechanism. 
         [0024]    It is further an objective of the disclosed invention to operate an engine without fuel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The drawings contained herein represent preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope. For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The conservation of momentum theory teaches that the linear momentum of a particle is the product of its mass and velocity, or p=mv. Newton&#39;s second law of motion embodies momentum and can be stated as “the resultant of the forces acting on a particle is equal to the rate of change of the linear momentum of the particle.” When the resultant external force acting on a system of particles is zero, it is thought that the linear momentum of the system remains constant. 
         [0035]    The disclosed invention is a method and device capable of propulsion using only internal forces. The disclosed invention is a complete mechanism with a force being exerted between the parts of a mechanism so as to exert a tension on a string while the string is positioned in a loop around a brace and extending as two separate string segments in two tangential directions from the brace so as to pull on the two separate tethers that are attached to the frame in tangential direction from each other&#39;s pull. The entire string has the same tension. These forces in the two tangential directions cause force against the frame which are not in the opposite direction. The forces against the tether are equal but not in opposite directions. The results of the forces application causes the frame and entire mechanism to move. 
         [0036]    Turning to the illustrations,  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, showing a flat platform  10  with a pole  20  attached perpendicularly to Platform  10  with string  50  consisting of string segments  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c  tethered to the pole  20 , at its uppermost end and extending at the angle approximately 67° downward, as shown in the drawing, and sideward and rearward to the flat surface of the platform, with the platform  10  making up the main frame of the mechanism. The string  50  hooks around a brace and under the first raised portion  40  of the brace  25 . Force against the brace  25  holds it downward to rest just above the platform  10  and to force the brace  25  sideward against the string  50 . 
         [0037]    The string segment  50   b  will extend backward under the second raised portion  30  of the brace  25 , and at this portion of the brace  25 , the string  50  is pulled sideward to become string segment  50   a  where the string segment  50   a  extends backward and sideward to the point it is anchored to platform  10 . 
         [0038]    Only downward and sideward force is exerted against the brace  25  at the corners  30  and  40  of the brace. The forward force that is exerted against the string  50  at the brace corner  40  and the rearward force exerted on the string at corner  30  of the brace  25  will equal each other. However, the force exerted forward on the platform  10  by string segment  50   a  at the point where it tethers to the platform  10  is greater than the rearward force exerted by string segment  50   c  against the post  20  at the tether of string segment  50   c . Therefore, the platform  10  will receive a net forward acceleration. No net balancing force will be exerted in the opposite direction against platform  10 . The result is that platform  10  will be moved by the unbalanced force within the mechanism. It is assumed that the portions where the brace  25  makes contact with the string  50 , that the contact is frictionless. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is uniquely different from  FIG. 1 , because it is equipped with a separated lateral brace  32  which is mounted so as to lie across string  50  and sideward against the descending portion of string  50  so that as the brace  32  is forced downward and sideward it is pushed into the bend in string  50  so that when the movable brace  36  is forced sideward across the platform  10 , the brace  36  will force string  50  sideward and backward, and will force the lateral brace  32  sideward and forward against the string  50 . The angles against brace  36  is 45° rearward and 45° forward and thus are in balance. The tension on the string  50  remains constant throughout the entire length of string  50  and due to the greater angle forward than rearward where string  50  is tethered at the front pole  20  of platform  10  the greater unequal forward force will cause the acceleration of the platform  10  in a forward direction. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3-4 , show the same platform as it appears in separate stages of action steps. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 3 , string segment  50   a  is attached at the rear of the platform and extends sideward and forward around brace  60 , after which string segment  50   c  exits from under the front edge of brace  60 . It extends forward, sideward and upward to its tether at the top of pole  20 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 4 , stage  2  of the action, there is no tension on the string. The forward to rearward, moveable brace,  65  is forced downward against the string  50  and sideward against brace  60  to force the string sideward and downward. This causes the string segment  50   c  to be forced downward and sideward at a slope from its tether on pole  20  to the brace  65  just above the platform. String segment  50   a  extends only sideward and forward from its tether on the platform  10  and forces only sideward and forward on the platform  10 , while string segment  50   c  not only forces sideward and rearward, but also downward. Now, with the same tension on  50   a  and  50   c , a greater force is exerted forward and sideward on  50   a  than is exerted sideward and rearward on line segment  50   c . The rearward and sideward force against the tether on pole  20  is made up for by the downward force against the tether on the pole  20 . This extra force exerted by string  50   a  to pull the platform  10  forward is unbalanced and causes the platform  10  to accelerate. The contacts where the string  50  touches braces  60  and  65  are frictionless so that the only forward or rearward force exerted against the platform is exerted by the tension on the string. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a duplication of  FIGS. 3-4 , with one addition. The addition is a second string and brace system. In  FIG. 5  the cross brace  65  is forced sideward across the platform  10  and consequently exerts a force to push the string  50  sideward and downward, while, at the same time the upper cross brace  67  is forced sideward and upward to push string  70  sideward and upward. Brace  60  transfers force from brace  65  to string  50  and force from brace  65  to string  70 . In the resulting angle of the string segment  50 , the string segment is taunt at a forward angle that is greater than the rearward angle of string segment  50 B and the resulting angle of string segment  70 A is taunt at a forward angle that is greater than the rearward angle of string segment  70 B so that greater forward force is exerted against the platform. In each string the tension is the same from one end to the other. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a platform  10 , with a string  72 , and tethers  72   a  and  72   b  that are attached in the same manner as the string in  FIG. 1 , with only one difference. That difference is that the loop in string  72  is forced downward and sideward by two separate movable braces. Brace  76  forces downward, sideward and forward on string  72  and brace  78  forces backward and sideward on string  72 . The force direction arrows (1) and (2) indicate the direction that the force is exerted across the platform. Segment  72  is tensioned between the tether  72   a  and extends to the brace  76  where, after it extends underneath of brace  76 , it makes a 90° angle to extend upward past brace  78 . The front part of the string  72  is tethered to the top of the pole  21  and extends downward to become string segment  76 . At the same time string segment  76  comes up from under brace  76  to become segment  72   b . All contacts in the apparatus are frictionless. 
         [0045]    In this simple apparatus the many angles and magnitude of forces can be accommodated and adapted to demonstrate this to be the point of the paradigm. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is an exact duplicate of  FIG. 1 , except it depicts two units operating in line with each one common string, and in operating in line they provide the addition of one more equal force than was shown in  FIG. 1 . Hooked brace  21  is mounted to post  20  so that the string  50  slides freely past post  20  and the hooked brace  21 . This causes the tension on segments  50   c  and  50   d  to be the same. In this unit increasing the tension on the string causes an increase in acceleration on both portions of the unit. So in this combination of two equal units the same tension doubles the acceleration. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  also operates as  FIG. 7  to double the acceleration of the unit. Both  FIGS. 7-8  use the same frame as  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 8  the hooked brace  21  allows the string  50  to freely skip past the post  20  and, as in  FIG. 7 , the acceleration is doubled. 
         [0048]    Therefore, the platform  10  will receive a net forward acceleration. No net balancing force will be exerted in the opposite direction against the flat platform  10 . The result is that the flat platform  10  will be moved by the unbalanced force within the mechanism. 
         [0049]    The method and device disclosed herein achieve significant advantages over the prior art in that linear motion in the disclosed invention is achieved by using only internal forces. Those internal forces are created by creating an imbalance of tension internally by creating string segments pulled tangentially at angles. There is no need to have a motor or liquids to create centrifugal force as in the prior art. 
         [0050]    This remarkable breakthrough uses the simplest of all technologies, tension force achieved by strings pulled at angles to propel an object without the use of external force. The applications for such simple, inexpensive yet powerful technology are limitless. The technology could be used to power vehicles on the ground, vehicles or planes traveling through the air, boats, submarines and literally any other mechanism where linear propulsion or even motor operation is desired. Because of the simplicity of the technology, it could be used on a nano scale in the smallest of mechanisms. 
         [0051]    Many of the units can be used on one object to achieve greater effect, whether the desired result is acceleration or power. Furthermore, a large number of separated units could be placed on or to work in conjunction with one object, each operating independently from the other, either by pre-programmed instructions, manual operation, or radio operation, to work together to accomplish a task. 
         [0052]    While the disclosed method and apparatus has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof, many changes, modifications, alterations and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention should therefore not be limited to the particular preferred embodiment disclosed but should include all embodiments that could fall within the scope of the claims. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described in detail above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set forth below.