Efficient RF Electromagnetic Propulsion System With Communications Capability

• US 20100326042A1
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David R. Mclean, John P. Mclean
• Original Assignee: David R. Mclean, John P. Mclean
• Inventors: McLean, David R., McLean, John P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,459,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/202
• CPC Class Codes: F03H 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

An electronic propulsion engine that creates a propulsive force or thrust using electromagnetic forces or electrostatic forces, with an effect that is similar to the thrust of a jet or rocket engine. Forces are generated using electromagnets or capacitor plates that are separated by dielectric spacer cores and are operated with two modulated currents. The two modulated currents are synchronized, but with a relative phase such that the forces on the two magnets or capacitor plates are not balanced. Included are techniques to reduce circuit impedance and control electric-magnetic field dispersion, such as tuned LCR circuits, dielectric core materials between the magnets or capacitor plates, and RF superconductors result in high propulsion efficiencies. The system operates at RF frequencies and can also be used as a communication device.

Claims

1. An electronic propulsion engine that creates a propulsive force using electromagnetic forces, which forces can be used to propel space, air and vehicles, the electronic propulsion engine comprising:

at least two electromagnetic transducer circuits, each containing a transducer in a linear, coaxial configuration, fixed relative to each other and separated by a predetermined distance;

an electronic signal generator that produces at least two distinct waveform signals which are applied to the electromagnetic transducers to produce an electromagnetic field therebetween, the two waveforms having a wavelength and a relative phase difference between signals selected to provide a maximum linear force;

a medium, located in the space between the electromagnetic transducers, that efficiently propagates the electromagnetic field present between the two electromagnetic transducers; and

an electrical power supply which supplies electrical power to each of the at least two electromagnetic transducer circuits.

2. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the at least two electromagnetic transducer circuits comprise at least two electromagnet coils which are powered by a signal generator, a phase shifter, and two high efficiency amplified circuits that result in two distinct wave form signals having the same frequency, but with one 90 degrees out of phase with the other.

3. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 2, wherein the distinct waveform signals which are produced by the signal generator are selected from among the group consisting of a single frequency sine wave waveform, pulsed waveform or complex waveform signal.

4. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the medium which is present in the space between the electronic transducers increases the propagation efficiency by reducing the propagation velocity of the electromagnetic field present between the transducers.

5. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 4, wherein the medium which is present in the space between the electronic transducers is barium titanate.

6. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the at least two spaced transducers circuits comprises a single transducer array, and wherein the engine includes multiple transducer arrays in a stacked configuration.

7. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic transducers present in the transducer circuits act upon the electromagnetic field which is created in the space between the transducers in the circuits, and wherein the medium which is located in the space between the electronic transducers includes an element which acts to focus the electromagnetic field to prevent excess dispersion of the electromagnetic field.

8. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic transducer circuits which are present in the electronic propulsion engine use a selected technique to increase the efficiency of the engine, and wherein the technique which is utilized is to provide reduced electrical impedance in the transducer circuits as a result of circuit tuning.

9. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic transducer circuits which are present in the electronic propulsion engine use a selected technique to increase the efficiency of the engine, and wherein the technique which is utilized is mutual impedance coupling.

10. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic transducer circuits which are present in the electronic propulsion engine use a selected technique to increase the efficiency of the engine, and wherein the technique which is utilized comprises minimizing operating frequency dependency losses in the circuits.

11. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic transducer circuits which are present in the electronic propulsion engine use a selected technique to increase the efficiency of the engine, and wherein the technique which is utilized is reduced dispersion of the electromagnetic field as a result of field control and guiding.

12. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, further comprising a cooling system for cooling the transducer circuits.

13. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, further comprising a structural housing for the transducer circuits, the housing being formed of a lightweight synthetic material.

14. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein electrostatic transducers and electrostatic fields and forces are used for propulsive force generation.

15. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein a combination of electromagnetic and electrostatic transducers, and electromagnetic and electrostatic fields and forces are used for propulsive force generation.

16. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein a single electromagnetic or electrostatic transducer and reflector lens element is used for propulsive force generation.

17. The electronic propulsion engine of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal is modulated in a scheme for radio communications purposes.