Lifting platform with energy recovery
AssigneeAvionic Instruments, Inc.
InventorLewis Illingworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lifting platform is disclosed that utilizes means for energy recovery in order to maximize efficiency. Prior lifting platforms described by the inventor have utilized partial toroidal vortices in order to create a high pressure region below the platform. The present invention, however, improves on the prior lifting platforms by utilizing a complete toroidal vortex. Thus, a great deal of the energy expended is recovered by the recirculation of the fluid. The vortex fan must only supply the energy needed to overcome friction.
Claims17
A lifting platform comprising:
- flow means for generating a fluid flow having a rotational component and tangential component, said tangential component directed toward a surface;
- straightening means for substantially eliminating said rotational component of said fluid flow;
- platform structure for arranging said flow means and said straightening means such that said fluid flow travels through said straightening means, toward said surface;
- torus structure, coupled to said straightening means, circumferentially surrounding said platform structure, said torus structure having an outer peripheral channel in which said fluid flow travels, said channel having an opening in the substantial vicinity of said surface;
- wherein said fluid flow, having flowed through said channel of said torus structure creates a complete toroidal vortex surrounding said platform structure and thereby efficiently generating lift.
A lifting platform according to claim wherein said torus structure has a circular cross section.
A method for creating a lifting force comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluid flow having a rotational component and a tangential component, said tangential component directed toward a surface;
- eliminating said rotational component of said fluid flow;
- and
- guiding said fluid flow such that it generates a complete toroidal vortex flow;
- wherein the interaction of said complete toroidal vortex flow and said surface generate a positive pressure region thereby producing said lifting force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.