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US 12,000,336 B2Granted
Variable geometry thruster
AssigneeJetoptera, Inc.
InventorAndrei Evulet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.
Claims9
A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the propulsion system comprising:
- a diffusing structure;
- a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a first passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the propulsion system for the introduced primary fluid;
- a first constricting element disposed adjacent a first wall, the first passage being defined by the first wall and the first constricting element;
- and
- an actuating apparatus coupled to the first constricting element and configured to urge the first constricting element toward the first wall, thereby reducing a cross-sectional area of the first passage,
- wherein the actuating apparatus comprises:
- a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally;
- and
- a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and the first constricting element,
- wherein movement of the first translating component rotates the first rotational component, thereby urging the first constricting element toward the first wall.
7 more elements
A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the propulsion system comprising:
- a diffusing structure;
- an intake structure coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, the intake structure including a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a first passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the propulsion system for the introduced primary fluid and the introduced secondary fluid;
- a first constricting element disposed adjacent the wall, the first passage being defined by the first wall and the first constricting element;
- and
- an actuating apparatus coupled to the first constricting element and configured to urge the first constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing a cross-sectional area of the first passage,
- wherein the actuating apparatus comprises:
- a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally;
- and
- a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and the first constricting element,
- wherein movement of the first translating component rotates the first rotational component, thereby urging the first constricting element toward the first wall.
7 more elements
A vehicle comprising
- a primary-fluid source;
- a diffusing structure;
- a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a first passage a primary fluid produced by the source, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the vehicle for the introduced primary fluid;
- a first constricting element disposed adjacent a first wall, the first passage being defined by the first wall and the first constricting element;
- and
- an actuating apparatus coupled to the first constricting element and configured to urge the first constricting element toward the first wall, thereby reducing a cross-sectional area of the first passage,
- wherein the actuating apparatus comprises:
- a first translating component configured to engage the first constricting element and configured to move translationally;
- and
- a first rotational component coupled to the first translating component and the first constricting element,
- wherein movement of the first translating component rotates the first rotational component, thereby urging the first constricting element toward the first wall.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.