Lift assist systems and methods

Abstract

Provides are lift assist systems and methods that employ the angular momentum generated by drive bodies travelling along curvilinear guide tracks to provide a lifting force. The tracks and bodies can be positioned on heavy objects to provide lift reducing an energy requirement associated with moving such heavy objects. The system can use a plurality of connected curved guide portions positioned to maximize lift generated by the track. In various embodiments, one or more drive bodies are moveably connected to the guide track. The drive bodies are configured to accelerate along the guide track increasing the lift generated as the drive bodies traverse the guide track. In some embodiments, the guide track includes a plurality of magnetic sections that operate on magnetic sections of the drive bodies. In one embodiment, the polarity of the track sections can manipulated between positive, negative, and none to manage movement of the drive bodies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.