Linear propulsor with linear motion
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorCarl Phillip Gusler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention comprises a scalable, configurable “propulsor” system. A propulsor system is an assembly of individual propulsors that act in concert to form a substantially continuous control surface that undulates in a working fluid. Each propulsor is driven and configured by computer-controlled actuators so that the control surface undulates in various wave forms. Optional actuators that may refine the surface shape include an “orientation” actuator that drives rotation about the propulsor's longitudinal axis, and a “geometry” actuator that controls each propulsor's geometric configuration.
Claims25
A machine that acts in a working fluid such that the machine action causes a reaction movement of the fluid or the machine, the machine comprising:
- a mounting surface;
- a plurality of propulsor elements mounted on the mounting surface, each propulsor element independently controllable by a computer and comprising
- a bar having a base and a control tip;
- a primary actuator coupled to the base for causing the bar to reciprocate;
- and
- a geometry actuator coupled to at least one propulsor element having an adjustable surface;
- wherein the computer synchronizes the primary actuators so that the plurality of control tips form a substantially continuous control surface that undulates in the working fluid;
- wherein the control tip of at least one propulsor element comprises an adjustable surface;
- wherein the computer is operable to control the geometry to alter the shape of the substantially continuous control surface.
A propulsor element comprising;
- a bar having a control tip and a base;
- a geometry actuator coupled to the bar for altering the shape of the control tip and
- a primary actuator independently controllable by a computer and coupled to the base of the bar for interfacing with a power source to cause the bar to reciprocate;
- wherein the computer is operable to control the geometry actuator in order to alter the shape of a substantially continuous control surface by altering the shape of the control tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.