Apparatus and methods for a spherical assembly
First Claim
1. A spherical assembly comprising:
- a spherical encasing;
a first motor connected to a first weight and the spherical encasing;
a second motor connected to a second weight and the spherical encasing; and
a controller, operatively coupled to the first motor and to the second motor, and configured to;
cause the first motor to rotate the first weight in a first direction at a first rotational speed based on a rotational speed of the spherical assembly;
cause the second motor to rotate the second weight in a second direction at a second rotational speed based on the rotational speed of the spherical assembly; and
cause the first motor to change the first rotational speed of the first weight in relation to the second rotational speed of the second weight to change a direction of travel of the spherical assembly.
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Abstract
A propulsion apparatus and corresponding methods are provided. The apparatus employs weights within a spherical assembly that can rotate within the spherical assembly. Gravity, acting on the weights, causes a moment of a gravitational force to be applied to the spherical assembly, which can cause the spherical assembly to propel. The spherical assembly may also include one or more motors to rotate the weights within the spherical assembly. In some embodiments, the weights include magnetic cores and conductors. The apparatus can include magnetic windings that provide a magnetic flux through which the weights may rotate. The apparatus can also provide an electrical current to the conductors. As the weights with the magnetic cores rotate through the magnetic flux, the apparatus applies a current to the conductors. As such, a magnetic force is applied to the weights, which can propel the spherical assembly.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A spherical assembly comprising:
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a spherical encasing; a first motor connected to a first weight and the spherical encasing; a second motor connected to a second weight and the spherical encasing; and a controller, operatively coupled to the first motor and to the second motor, and configured to; cause the first motor to rotate the first weight in a first direction at a first rotational speed based on a rotational speed of the spherical assembly; cause the second motor to rotate the second weight in a second direction at a second rotational speed based on the rotational speed of the spherical assembly; and cause the first motor to change the first rotational speed of the first weight in relation to the second rotational speed of the second weight to change a direction of travel of the spherical assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A spherical assembly comprising:
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a spherical inner assembly encasing; a first motor connected to a first weight; a second motor connected to a second weight; and a controller, operatively coupled to the first motor and to the second motor, and configured to; cause the first motor to rotate the first weight in a first direction at a first rotational speed based on a rotational speed of the spherical inner assembly; and cause the second motor to rotate the second weight in a second direction at a second rotational speed based on the rotational speed of the spherical inner assembly; and a spherical outer assembly encasing; the spherical inner assembly; and a friction reducer configured to minimize friction between the spherical inner assembly and the spherical outer assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method to propel a spherical assembly comprising:
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causing a first motor to rotate a first weight in a first direction at a first rotational speed based on a rotational speed of the spherical assembly; causing a second motor to rotate the second weight in a second direction at a rotational second speed based on the rotational speed of the spherical assembly; and causing the first rotational speed of the first motor to change in relation to the rotational second speed of the second motor to change a direction of travel of the spherical assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification