Method of and apparatus for moving a mass
OwnerDerek A. Tidmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mass located in a track defined by a closed, continuous path is gradually and smoothly accelerated or decelerated by controlling movement of the track so a portion of the track where the mass is sensed to be located is moved inwardly (for acceleration) or outwardly (for deceleration) along a local radius of curvature of the track.
Claims55
A method of gradually and smoothly accelerating or decelerating a mass located in a track having a closed, continuous smooth path comprising the steps of:
- determining the position of the mass in the track, and controlling movement of the track so a portion of the track where the mass is determined to be located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
Apparatus for gradually and smoothly accelerating and/or decelerating a mass to a high speed comprising a track having a closed continuous smooth path, the track being arranged and constructed to receive the mass so the mass can traverse the path;
- means for deriving a signal indicative of the position of the mass relative to the path;
- and means responsive to the derived signal for moving the track so a portion of the path where the mass is located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
A method of accelerating or decelerating a mass located in a circular track having a radius R having an end point remote from the track and close to an axis about which the track is rotated, the method comprising rotating the track so (i) the end point is maintained a fixed distance r from the axis and (ii) a portion of the track where the mass is located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
A mass adapted to be launched from a guide tube including a closed continuous smooth path defining a track, the tube having an outer wall portion, the mass comprising a sled having a wall adapted to mate with an outer wall of the guide tube, a projectile releasably attached to the sled, the sled including a DC power supply connected to a levitating coil assembly, the power supply energizing the coil so that the mass is levitated in the guide tube in response to a magnetic force derived from the coil interacting with an electrically conducting non-magnetic mass on the outer wall portion of the guide tube.
A method of smoothly moving a mass located in a track having a closed, continuous smooth path comprising the steps of:
- determining the position of the mass in the track, and controlling movement of the track so a portion of the track where the mass is determined to be located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
Apparatus for smoothly moving a mass comprising a track having a closed continuous smooth path, the track being arranged and constructed to receive the mass so the mass can traverse the path;
- means for deriving a signal indicative of the position of the mass relative to the path;
- and means responsive to the derived signal for moving the track so a portion of the path where the mass is located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
A method of moving a mass located in a circular track having a radius R having an end point remote from the track and close to an axis about which the track is rotated, the method comprising rotating the track so (i) the end point is maintained a fixed distance r from the axis and (ii) a portion of the track where the mass is located is moved substantially radially along a local radius of curvature of the track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.