Active drag and thrust modulation system and method

• US 6,793,177 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: The Bonutti 2003 Trust A
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US10/386,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 244/201-209, 244/130, 244/75.R, 114/67.R
• US Class Current: 244/78.1
• 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. If the vehicle is a sailing ship, areas of the sails are selectively roughened or widened to enhance the thrust derived from the wind. Furthermore, the keel or hull of the sailing ship may be modified to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of the sailing ship. If the vehicle is an automobile, the tires or road surface may be selectively heated to improve the traction of the automobile. Furthermore, the energy beams may be used to facilitate atomization of the air/fuel mixture prior to combustion in an internal combustion engine thereby improving the thrust of provided to the vehicle. Energy beams may be used to generate virtual extensions of a vehicle to enhance traveling efficiency.

Claims

1. In a vehicle traveling through an environmental media and experiencing drag as a result thereof, a device comprising:

a first substance dispenser for dispensing a first substance for decreasing the drag; and

a second substance dispenser for dispensing a second substance for increasing the drag,

wherein the second substance is different from the first substance.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an active drag controller for selectively enabling dispensing of said first and second substances.

3. The device according to claim 1 further wherein the first substance further decreases the drag characteristics of the environmental media.

4. The device according to claim 1 further wherein the second substance further increases the drag characteristics of the environmental media.

5. The device according to claim 4 further wherein the first substance further decreases the drug characteristics of the environmental media.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first substance is dispensed in a first location and the second substance is dispensed in a second location.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the first location corresponds to a leading edge of an aerodynamic surface of the vehicle and the second location corresponds to a trailing edge of the aerodynamic surface.

8. The device according to claim 6 wherein the second location corresponds to a leading edge of an aerodynamic surface of the vehicle and the first location corresponds to a trailing edge of the aerodynamic surface.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein either the first or second substance corresponds to either a surfactant or a soap.

10. In a vehicle traveling through an environmental media and experiencing drag as a result thereof, a method comprising the steps of:

dispensing a first substance for decreasing the drag in response to a drag decreasing signal; and

dispensing a second substance for increasing the drag in response to a drag increasing signal, wherein the second substance is different from the first substance.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the first substance is dispensed at a first vehicle location and the second substance is dispensed at a second vehicle location.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein the first vehicle location corresponds to a leading edge of an aerodynamic surface of the vehicle and the second vehicle location corresponds to a trailing edge of the aerodynamic surface.

13. The device according to claim 10 wherein the first and second substances are dispensed at a common vehicle location.