MODIFICATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE IN A FLUID MEDIA

• US 20130306177A1
• Filed: 06/12/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US13/916,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20130306177A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/803
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/00 Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/34 by reducing surface friction
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2039/068 the foils having a variable cross section, e.g. a variable camber
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/06 Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2230/02 by using acoustic waves generated by transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 23/005 by other means not covered by groups B64C23/02 - B64C23/08, e.g. by electric charges, magnetic panels, piezoelectric elements, static charges or ultrasounds
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 27/08 by sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/041 having vibrating means for atomizing the fuel, e.g. with sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/0075 comprising electromagnetic or electrostatic means for influencing the state of the fluid, e.g. for ionising the fluid or for generating a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/12 by influencing the boundary layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/10 Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0391 Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/206 Flow affected by fluid contact, energy field or coanda effect [e.g., pure fluid device or system]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2191 By non-fluid energy field affecting input [e.g., transducer]

Abstract

Drag experienced by a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. Environmental media may be adjusted by microwave, chemical, ultrasonic, acoustic (including subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic), or electromagnetic energy. One or more energy beams may be directed toward a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow, at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind.

Claims

1. A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:

a surface having a leading portion and a trailing portion; and

a transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the transducer being configured to emit an energy beam at an angle with respect to the surface,

wherein the transducer is configured to provide an acoustic disturbance in the fluid media.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is forward of the leading portion.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is above or below the surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is rearward of the trailing portion.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the acoustic disturbance increases suction in the fluid media rearward of the surface.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the acoustic disturbance creates a virtual vehicle or trailing structure following the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following a wing.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following of an engine or propeller.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the angle is adjustable to increase or decrease drag.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein surface has a profile that is adjustable.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer is selectively activatable.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to a velocity or acceleration of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to an air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, or altitude of the fluid media.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid media substantially comprises air, water, or a combination thereof.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a pressure sensor, altimeter sensor, temperature sensor, or wind direction sensor.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy beam includes a pulsed or continuous wave pattern.

17. A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:

a surface having a leading portion and a trailing portion;

a first transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the first transducer being configured to emit a first energy beam at a first angle with respect to the surface; and

a second transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the second transducer being configured to emit a second energy beam at a second angle with respect to the surface,

wherein the first and second transducers are configured to provide an acoustic disturbance in the fluid media.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first and second transducers are configured so that the first and second energy beams intersect.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is forward of the leading portion.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is above or below the surface.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is rearward of the trailing portion.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the acoustic disturbance increases suction in the fluid media following the surface.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein the acoustic disturbance creates a virtual vehicle or trailing structure following the vehicle.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following a wing.

25. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following an engine or propeller.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein the angle is adjustable to increase or decrease drag.

27. The system of claim 17 wherein surface has a profile that is adjustable.

28. The system of claim 17 wherein the transducer is selectively activatable.

29. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to a velocity or acceleration of the vehicle.

30. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to an air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, or altitude of the fluid media.

31. The system of claim 17 wherein the fluid media substantially comprises air, water, or a combination thereof.

32. The system of claim 17 further comprising at least one of a pressure sensor, altimeter sensor, temperature sensor, or wind direction sensor.

33. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy beam includes a pulsed or continuous wave pattern.

34. A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:

a surface having a first portion and a second portion;

a first transducer at or near the first portion, the first transducer being configured to emit a first energy beam to increase or decrease acoustic disturbance at or near the first portion;

a second transducer at or near the second portion, the second transducer being configured to emit a second energy beam to increase or decrease acoustic disturbance at or near the second portion;

wherein the first and second transducers selectively increase or decrease acoustic disturbance in the fluid media at or near the first and second portions of the surface.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the first and second transducers are configured so that the first and second energy beams intersect.