Lifting platform with positive horizontal stability

• US 6,520,449 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DMR Holding Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Vortex Holding Company
• Inventors: Illingworth, Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US09/906,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 244/12-- 1, 244/23-R-, 244/199, 180/116-120
• US Class Current: 244/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/001 Shrouded propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/48 Units of two or more coaxial propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/00 Influencing flow of fluids

Abstract

A novel means of stability for a lifting platform utilizing toroidal vortex airflow through air guide means. A toroidal vortex created by the airflow means efficiently maintains a raised air pressure zone beneath the lifting platform or body. Airflow is directed downwards by means of air guides, which serve to produce lift and control rotational motion of the lifting platform to achieve stability of the body during operation. The system can also be easily modified to function as an attractor device. Overall, the present invention explores the uses of vortex airflow towards maintaining rotational stability.

Claims

1. A lifting platform having automatic roll correction comprising:

toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means wherein the speed of said toroidal vortex fluid flow is constant along the periphery of said lifting platform;

and further wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow comprises substantially no rotational component;

and further wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generates pressure differentials along the periphery of said lifting platform effecting a high pressure region between said lifting platform and said surface wherein the magnitude of said pressure differentials are inversely proportional to the radii of curvature of said toroidal vortex;

and further wherein when said lifting platform is nonparallel to said surface, the center of pressure of said high pressure region shifts to stabilize said lifting platform.

2. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises an impeller.

3. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises a propeller.

4. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises a gas turbine engine.

5. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises a centrifugal pump.

6. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises fluid guides circumferentially surrounding said lifting platform.

7. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 6 wherein said fluid guides are cylindrically shaped.

8. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toroidal vortex fluid flow generation means comprises flow straightening means.

9. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 8 wherein said flow straightening means comprises flow straightening vanes.

10. A lifting platform having automatic roll correction comprising:

fluid guides;

fluid flow means for generating a fluid flow through said fluid guides such that the speed of fluid flow is substantially constant along the periphery of said lifting platform; and

flow straightening means, wherein said flow straightening means eliminate the rotational component of said fluid flow;

wherein upon exiting said fluid guides, said fluid flow forms a toroidal vortex radii of curvature located proximally along said periphery of said lifting platform;

and further wherein said toroidal vortex creates pressure differentials along the periphery of said lifting platform that maintain a high pressure region between said lifting platform and said surface such that said lifting platform maintains a distance from said surface;

and further wherein said pressure differentials are inversely proportional to said radii of curvature;

and further wherein when said lifting platform is nonparallel relative to said surface, said radii of curvature of said toroidal vortex are altered, thereby altering said pressure differential along the periphery of said lifting platform such that the center of pressure of said high pressure region is shifted such that said lifting platform is stabilized.

11. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid flow means comprises an impeller.

12. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid flow means comprises a propeller.

13. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid flow means comprises a gas turbine engine.

14. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid flow means comprises a centrifugal pump.

15. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid guides circumferentially surround said lifting platform.

16. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fluid guides are cylindrically shaped.

17. A lifting platform in accordance with claim 10 wherein said flow straightening means comprises flow straightening vanes.

18. A method for providing roll correction for an apparatus which maintains a distance from a surface comprising the steps of:

generating a fluid flow;

eliminating the rotational component of said fluid flow; and

guiding said fluid flow into a toroidal vortex having radii of curvature located proximally along the periphery of said apparatus such that said toroidal vortex creates pressure differentials along the periphery of said apparatus effecting a high pressure region between said apparatus and said surface;

wherein said pressure differentials are inversely proportional to said radii of curvature;

and further wherein the speed of said fluid flow is constant along the periphery of said apparatus;

and further wherein when said apparatus is nonparallel relative to said surface, the radii of curvature of said toroidal vortex alter, thereby stabilizing said apparatus.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the altering of said radii of said toroidal vortex shifts the center of pressure of said high pressure region.