System and method for electromagnetic-based propulsion
First Claim
1. A method comprising the step of:
- energizing one or more of a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about a first region of a structure to attract a substance contained and movable within a second region of the structure to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the structure, wherein the substance is selected from the group of substances consisting of a magnetic substance and a magnetizable substance.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method may include energizing one or more of a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about a first region of a structure and de-energizing other of the electromagnets to attract a substance contained and movable within a second region of the structure to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the structure. The structure may be disposed on a surface or within a liquid, where energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnets causes the structure to move about the surface or within the liquid in a desired fashion. The substance may be a magnetic or magnetizable substance. Energizing and de-energizing the electromagnets may be performed by a controller responsive to a signal received from a sensor or transceiver.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising the step of:
energizing one or more of a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about a first region of a structure to attract a substance contained and movable within a second region of the structure to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the structure, wherein the substance is selected from the group of substances consisting of a magnetic substance and a magnetizable substance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising the step of:
energizing one or more of a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about a first region of a rigid structure and de-energizing one or more other of the plurality of electromagnets to attract a substance contained and movable within a second region of the rigid structure to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the rigid structure, wherein the first region is physically separated from the second region, wherein the substance is selected from the group of substances consisting of a magnetic substance and a magnetizable substance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a structure comprising an outer shell and an inner shell, the space between the outer shell and the inner shell defining a first region and the space within the inner shell defining a second region; a plurality of electromagnets contained within and fixedly distributed about the first region; a controller operatively coupled to each of the electromagnets; and a substance contained within the second region, wherein the controller is configured to energize one or more of the plurality of electromagnets and de-energize one or more other of the plurality of electromagnets to attract the substance to the energized electromagnets and change the center of gravity of the structure, wherein the substance is selected from the group of substances consisting of a magnetic substance and a magnetizable substance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification