Ultrasonic communication and drag modification

• US 7,755,519 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US11/687,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20070158502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/384.1, 340/999, 244/130, 244/198, 244/204, 244/201, 244/75
• US Class Current: 340/999
• 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 use of materials, e.g. to reduce surface friction C09K3/00
• 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

A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may provide either a chemical, acoustic or electromagnetic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow or in the direction of a crosswind in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. Where the energy beams are acoustic or ultrasonic, some or all of the beams may be used to generate an audible signal, in a directional manner, outside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for communicating, including:

means for combining an ultrasonic signal with an audio signal; and

,

means for transmitting said combined ultrasonic signal from a first moving vehicle to a second moving vehicle;

wherein said audio signal is audible within said second moving vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1, further including means cooperative with a second vehicle for separating said audio signal from said ultrasonic signal.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for separating includes glass.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for combining include a parametric array.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for combining include a modulator.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said audio signal includes at least one spoken word.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said audio signal indicates an alert to said second vehicle.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said audio signal indicates said first vehicle is decelerating.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein when said first vehicle is decelerating, said transmitting is directed rearward to said second vehicle.

10. The device of claim 1, further including a microphone in said first vehicle, wherein said audio signal includes input from said microphone.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for combining and transmitting are provided in said first and said second vehicles, enabling a conversation.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a horn switch, wherein said audio signal is operative to represent a horn.

13. A method for communicating between at least two vehicles, including:

generating an audio signal;

combining said audio signal with an ultrasonic signal;

transmitting said combined signal from a first vehicle to at least one other vehicle in a particular direction;

wherein said audio signal is heard within said at least one other vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of directing said ultrasonic signal into a transitional section between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow of a boundary layer adjacent to a surface of said first vehicle.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selecting an audio signal and a direction of transmission based on whether said first vehicle is accelerating, decelerating, or braking.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least two vehicles generate, combine, and transmit, wherein at least two way communication is enabled.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of generating includes using a microphone.

18. A method for modifying drag and communicating between at least two vehicles, including:

generating an audio signal;

generating an ultrasonic signal using at least one transducer;

directing said ultrasonic signal into a transitional section between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow of a boundary layer adjacent to a surface of a first vehicle;

combining said ultrasonic signal with said audio signal;

transmitting said combined signal from said first vehicle to at least one other vehicle;

wherein said audio signal is audible within said at least one other vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, further including the steps of:

locating at least one transducer in a location where said combined ultrasonic signal strikes said transitional section, and reflects from the vehicle body.

20. The method of claim 18, further including the steps of:

in said step of generating, using at least two transducers; and

,

selectively combining said audio signal with less than all of said transducers.