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US 6,606,578 B1Granted
System and method for electromagnetic propulsion fan
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJ. Kirston Henderson, Boyd B. Bushman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromagnetic propulsion fan includes a hub and a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub. The electromagnetic propulsion fan also includes a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate. The rim includes a plurality of magnets coupled thereto. The electromagnetic propulsion fan further includes a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets controllable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause the rim to rotated.
Claims21
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets controllable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause the rim to rotate;
- an electrical source coupled to the electromagnets, the electrical source operable to controllably provide electrical power to the electromagnets, the electrical power facilitating the generation of the magnetic fields of the electromagnets;
- a sensor operable to make detections that facilitate determining the angular position of the rim at various times;
- and
- a computer coupled to the sensor and the electrical source, the computer, based on the detections by the sensor, operable to instruct the electrical source when to provide electrical power to the electromagnets.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades having a first end and a second end, the first end of each fan blade coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the second end of each fan blade such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets controllable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause the rim to rotate;
- an electrical source coupled to the electromagnets, the electrical source operable to controllably provide electrical power to the electromagnets, the electrical power facilitating the generation of the magnetic fields of the electromagnets;
- a sensor operable to make detections that facilitate determining the angular position of the rim at various times;
- and
- a computer coupled to the sensor and the electrical source, the computer, based on the detections by the sensor, operable to determine the rotational speed of the fan blades and instruct the electrical source when to provide a determined amount of electrical power for a determined amount of time to the electromagnets.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets operable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets in order to cause the rim to rotate;
- and
- a computer operable to control the magnetic fields of the electromagnets in order to affect rotation of the rim, wherein controlling the electromagnets comprises specifying one or more time intervals when the electromagnets are to generate the magnetic fields.
3 more elements
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets operable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets in order to cause the rim to rotate;
- and
- a computer operable to control the magnetic fields of the electromagnets in order to affect rotation of the rim, wherein controlling the electromagnets comprises specifying strength and duration parameters associated with the magnetic fields of the electromagnets.
3 more elements
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets operable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets in order to cause the rim to rotate;
- and
- a computer operable to control the magnetic fields of the electromagnets in order to affect rotation of the rim, wherein the computer is further operable to detect a command relating to a rotational speed of the fan blades and, in response to the command, adjust one or more of the magnetic fields of the electromagnets.
3 more elements
An electromagnetic propulsion fan, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub;
- a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate, the rim including a plurality of magnets coupled thereto;
- a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets operable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets in order to cause the rim to rotate;
- a computer operable to control the magnetic fields of the electromagnets in order to affect rotation of the rim;
- an electrical source coupled to the electromagnets, the electrical source operable to selectively provide electrical power to the electromagnets, the electrical power facilitating the generation of the magnetic fields of the electromagnets;
- and
- a sensor operable to make detections that facilitate determining an angular position of the rim at various times, wherein the computer is coupled to the sensor and the electrical source and, based on the detections by the sensor, operable to control the electrical power provided to the electromagnets.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.