Lorentz force propulsion system
Abstract
A plurality of asymmetrical capacitors (10) that develop power in a propulsion system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the capacitor (10) is constructed so as to have an elongated rearward conductive element (22) to provide a relatively long region within which electrons drift. In another embodiment, a plurality of forward emitters (36) are positioned so as to create an ionisation region in front of the capacitor, with a rear conductive element (46) providing a region within which electrons may drift. In all these capacitors, a leaky dielectric region (31) separates the forward (26) and the rearward (22) conductive elements, with electron drift through the leaky dielectric generating motive power. In some instances, this region may simply be an air gap, and in other instances pure or ultra pure semiconductor materials, i.e. materials that exhibit both electron mobility and a dielectric constant, may be used. A plurality of such semiconductor materials may be constructed in layers to form the leaky dielectric layers.
Classifications
F03H1/00 Using plasma to produce a reactive propulsive thrust
WO2002073218A2
WO Application
Find Prior Art SimilarOther languagesFrench InventorJeffery A. Cameron Original AssigneeTransdimensional Technologies, Llcus Priority date 2001-02-20
Family: WO (1)
DateApp/Pub NumberStatus
2002-02-19PCT/US2002/005502
2002-09-19WO2002073218A2Application
2002-11-28WO2002073218A3ApplicationInfoPatent citations (1) Cited by (1) Legal events Similar documents Priority and Related Applications External linksEspacenetGlobal DossierPatentScopeDiscuss
Description
LORENTZ FORCE PROPULSION SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application number 60/270,091, filed 02/ 16/2002.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT The invention as disclosed herein was made without the use of any government support.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to drive systems, and particularly to ones wherein capacitor- like structures employing leaky dielectric materials generate forces that may be used for propulsion, steering, station keeping or similar applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are two force laws of motion in electromagnetism; the Ampere
Force Law and Lorentz Law. This leads to Lorentz-Maxwell equation of motion.
dt ~ j
Here FL is the Lorentz Force applied to particle I and is expressed as
FLlJ = qι (EJ + Ul xBJ)
Ej and Bj are external fields produced by charged particles j. The velocity U, of particle qι is relative to an inertial frame, and as such will have different values in different inertial reference frames. It appears that the Lorentz Forces do not satisfy Newton's Third Law, since This implies that the external forces can perform work whose energy is provided either by the medium or alternate frames of reference. It is important to note that the magnetic part of the Lorentz Force does not perform work on a charged particle. The definition of an inertial frame implies that this frame has at its origin a particle with infinite mass. The mass of any real particle is finite, and it has been shown that external forces exist that can perform work whose energy is provided by a medium or alternate frames of reference. To show the existence of these alternate frames, examine the interaction between two moving charges with forces that appear to violate Newton's Third Law. Lorentz Forces exerted by freely moving charges on one another are not equal and opposite in principle, and it follows that a system of a pair of charged particles in relative motion can change the motion of its center of mass without external influence. As an example, two charges qi and q2 are moving with velocities Ui and U2, relative to a reference frame where the background frame is at rest. There is no change of reference frame. Charge qi exerts a force on charge q2 as F2l = q2(El + U2xB2) where E, and R2 are the electric and magnetic fields produced by qi at the position of q2. Also, charge q2 exerts a force on charge qi, as
Fl2 = ql(E2 + Ul xB2) The two forces can in general have different magnitudes and directions, and are expressed as
^ + ^ = F + F2i ≠ dt dt 12 21
This can be shown by expressing the Lorentz Force in terms of scalar and vector potentials. dA
E = -Vφ — dt
and B = VxA then dA - - - F =gι(Vφ2--j- + UxVxA2) dt dA F2 =q2 - φ -- + U2xVxA) dt and the momentum of the particles is expressed as
P=miγiUi P2=m2γ2U2 where
where γ is a relationship of particle velocity with respect to the speed of light. In relativistic mechanics, the equality of action and reaction is not satisfied and thus is not due to the relativity of simultaneity or the retardation effect. As a result, two charged particles do not constitute a closed system, thus giving rise to the appearance of the violation of Newton's Third Law by Lorentz Forces. It also follows that the conservation of mechanical energy of the system cannot be verified. The classical definition of the center of mass is the only definition physically meaningful, and yields the following.
m
= FG≠0
where FG is the stimulated force.
In terms of the Coulomb gauge, there are no external source terms, so Vφ = 0, andV-Ji = 0. Then the forces become
Fi2 = -qt —- R2 211 = _ -q f2 — dt dt
Substituting in for Fi
dA2 dλ - dγ, - dγ 2 . dt dt dt dt
Rearranging, -- ) - - ( ,) ≠ — (w.C/.r,) + —(m2U2γ2) dt dt dt dt
It can be seen that field theory attributes momentum to the electromagnetic field to allow a particle to interact only with fields at the position of the particle. This precludes possible instantaneous particle interaction except as an approximation. The interaction between particles proceeds as a transfer of momentum from one particle to the field. Then the field transports the momentum at the speed of light to the position of the second particle, where it can be transferred from the field to the other particle. This is not symmetric. To take the fields into account does not change the fact that there is a stimulated motion of the center of mass. For small accelerations, it is possible to only take into account the velocity fields at the simultaneous positions π and r2 of the particles. The expression for the electric fields in terms of velocity is given as
R2 (1 - R,2 sin2 θ) 3/2
E2l - k a7 \ - BΪ
R2 (1 - B2 sin2 θγ
where B = U/c the particle velocity with respect to the speed of light,
R = r2 - π, n - = — & , and _■ Λ , = 1
R 4πεn
The velocities are small with respect to the speed of light (U<<c), so the expressions for the electric fields can be expanded as
El » k-&r ((cc2 +-Uf --(£/, - n )ή c2R- 2 ' .2(0. . -^
E2 « -k^ ψ-{cc22 ++--UU2 22 ----((fUr2 ■ n =^)2)n= c2R2 2 2 2 Also, the magnetic fields are expressed as
R, = Ul x E, B2 = U2 x E2
The Lorentz Force for the particles is El2 =ql(E2 +Ui XB2)
= ql(E2+Ulx(U2xE2))
and
p2l=g2(El+U2xBl
= q2(E,+U2x(UlxEl))
The stimulated force Fc is
FG = E:2+E21≠0 FG = q(E2 + Ui x(U2 xE2)) + q2(Eλ + U2x(U x E,))
Substituting for E, and E2 , and let q = qi = -q2, V = U2 - Ul ,and U = U2, where V is the relative velocity and U is the absolute velocity. Here it is assumed that V « U . The expression for the stimulated force becomes
FG = -k- →( - V)n- (J- ή)(V- ή)n + φ- n)V-(V- n)U) clRl
Multiply both sides by ή . For example (FG • ή = FG) .
Then EG = -k -^ (UV -3UV + UV- VU)
The stimulated force becomes
These expressions of the stimulated force depend upon an absolute velocity U that is defined with respect to a preferred reference frame. This can be generalized by considering a cluster of N particles that are closed to one another and use the Jacobi coordinates in order to calculate the stimulated force for the cluster. It is important to obtain an expression that will depend on the absolute motion (J of the center of mass of the cluster with respect to a preferred reference frame. The earth is moving through the universe at some velocity. This motion of the earth with anisotropy shows up as a small thermal shift. For ?=U/c< l, the temperature measured by a moving observer is
T0 * Ts(l - cosθ)
where θ is the angle between the direction of motion and the direction of measurement, T0 is the reference temperature, and Ts is the temperature shift. The ±3.5mk° m/sec in the direction of the constellation Leo. For an example of the application of stimulated force, consider the following. The expression contains charge q2, which can be readily obtained by capacitance and voltage
q2 = (cV)2
A basic capacitor consists of two conducting metal surfaces with a dielectric sandwiched therebetween. The metal surfaces contain conduction electrons, and as the capacitor moves through a background reference frame, these electrons will be accelerated differently, lagging behind with a relative drift velocity V . v = ϋ, -ϋ. where Ui is the ion velocity with respect to the background reference frame, and ϋeis the electron velocity with respect to the background reference frame.
Therefore the stimulated force will exist if there is a drift velocity between electrons and the ions. Also, a leakage current (leaky dielectric) will greatly enhance the force. This is due to the fact that the electron drift velocity V is related to the current density J by j = pV , where p is the charge density of the material. The geometry of the capacitors can be long and planar, cylindrical, and combinations of planes, cylinders, and spheres. The surfaces can be constructed of most readily available metallic materials, such as copper and aluminum. The dielectrics can be made of most plastic based materials and polyamide films. The capacitances will vary from 500 picofarads to a few picofarads. The distances between the metallic surfaces can vary from a few tenths of an inch to almost 12 inches and the corresponding potentials can range from 10,000 volts DC to 100,000 volts DC. The electron drift velocity of most metals is on the order of 0.02 meters/ sec and the ions have an absolute velocity of 400,000 m/sec (Earth frame) toward the constellation Leo. The stimulated force FG can range from a few newtons to a few micronewtons. The key to extremely large stimulated forces is based on three requirements. The first is the interaction of all of the conduction electrons in the metallic surfaces. For conductors the number of available electrons is expressed a
„ - NoP μw
where iV0 is avagodros number M is the molecular weight p is the density ξ is the number of free electrons/atoms Vvol is the volume of the material
For copper n/Vvoι ~ 8 x 1022 electrons /cm3. Here it can be seen that with available materials, the stimulated force RG can approach 100,000 newtons.
The second requirement is the purity of the materials. As the purity is increased, the drift velocity of the electrons is increased. It is possible to achieve thin film purities that would allow the electrons to become almost ballistic in the conductors, thus increasing the drift velocity Ve by almost a
factor of 1000. The third requirement is a dielectric material that has a good dielectric constant and electron mobility. This allows for charge storage and leakage at the same time. Combinations of semiconductors and alloys would satisfy this requirement. With these requirements working together it is theoretically possible to achieve stimulated forces EG on the order of 10 x 106Newtons (2 x 106 lbf) in a volume of 1 meter cubed with a voltage of 50,000 DC at a current of 0.001 ampere. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus and method for generating propulsive forces are disclosed. First and second conductive elements of a highly conductive material are provided with a leaky dielectric disposed therebetween. A high voltage DC power supply provides a high voltage potential of opposite polarity between the first and second conductive elements so that electrons leak through the leaky dielectric. In some instances, motive force is developed in one of the first and second coductors, and in other instances motive force is developed in the leaky dielectric material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side view of a capacitor of the present invention. Fig. la is a sectional view illustrating an electrical field of the capacitor as shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of a lifting apparatus using a capacitor similar to that shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side planar vide of another capacitor of the present invention. Fig. 3a is a planar front view of the capacitor shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3b is a planar rear view of the capacitor shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is another demonstration apparatus illustrating feasibility of the invention.
Fig. 5 is a cut-away view showing layered construction of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 is a view of one embodiment of a foil of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring initially to Fig. 1, one example of a capacitor 10, which is a planar capacitor, of the present invention is shown. Here, a generally rectangular frame or structure 12 is constructed of a thin, i.e 1 /8 to 1 / 16 inch or so, non-leaky dielectric material, such as epoxy compounds, plastics, ceramics or other materials having a high dielectric constant. A cutout region 14 forms two legs 16, 18 in a rearward portion 20 of frame 12, with a thin, rear conductive element 22 mounted in cutout 13 between legs 22, 24. Conductive element 20 is basically a sheet or foil on the order of a few thousandths of an inch thick, and may be constructed of copper, lead, iron, aluminum, bismuth/ gold, doped polymers, doped polymide films or any other conductive composite or elemental material suitable for this application. Ideally, with this type construction, the more conductive the material from which element 22 is constructed, the more force is generated, so that in some instances element 22 may be constructed of ultrapure materials. In addition, it has been observed that more force is generated as element 22 is made thinner. As a result, element 22 may be particularly constructed so as to provide a relatively long, elongated or narrow volume within which electrons may drift toward a forward region 24, thus allowing development of as large a stimulated force as possible.
The forward capacitor conductive element may be a conductive wire 26, which is relatively thin and constructed of copper or other similar conductive wire. In this instance, a high DC potential from a DC power supply 28, on the order of about 10,000 volts or more, is applied between rear capacitive element 22 and wire 26, forming a corona around wire 26. In water, capacitor 10 may be enclosed by an air or gas -containing shell or envelope as shown by dashed lines 28, thus providing a region wherein ionization and a corona can occur and be supported. Examples of gasses that may be contained within the envelope are dry nitrogen and normal atmospheric gasses in a normal atmospheric proportion, and which may be pressurized. While it is believed that pure, easily ionizable gasses such as argon, neon, etc. would not work because they would have too low a dielectric constant and would be subject to arcing too easily, such gasses may be used in a higher concentration than in the atmosphere, such as about 10% to 25% or so to lower ionization potential of a mixture of gasses, thus allowing more electrons to be transferred through the leaky dielectric at a lower voltage. As shown, a cutout 30 is provided in frame 12, forming legs 32 and 34, with wire 26 mounted between the ends of legs 32 and 34. This forms an enclosed region 31 behind wire 26 that serves as a leaky dielectric wherein some charge differential may be maintained thereacross, yet allows current leakage via ionized air particles (atoms and molecules). In addition, and during operation, region 31 serves to allow formation of an intense electrical field around conductive element 26, which may result in a visible corona around conductor 26. Dimensions of capacitor 10, and power supply 27, would depend on a required magnitude of force generated by the device. In general, the capacitor 10 may be scaled to any practical size necessary, with an applied voltage potential being just below a potential at which arcing between the forward conductive element 26 and rearward element 22 would otherwise occur. To this end, high voltage power supply 27 may be particularly constructed so as to regulate the high voltage potential so that when excessive current is drawn, such as a shorted condition or an arc, or a condition leading to an arc, such as a preliminary current surge indicative of a "leader" arc, electrical potential is reduced or the power supply temporarily deenergized until the short is eliminated or the "leader" dissapates. As stated, in an underwater environment, a watertight enclosure may be provided to house and protect the capacitor, and possibly contain an ionizing gas. In space, materials of the conductive elements may be such that cold cathode emission occurs, transferring electrons directly therebetween. In other non-atmospheric applications, the non-leaky dielectric region between conductive elements 22 and 26 may be replaced with a semiconductor material or a material with a high electron mobility and high dielectric constant, such as indium arsenide, indium antimonide or other similar materials.
Fig. la illustrates operation of the capacitor as shown in Fig. 1. In the atmosphere or presence of an ionizable gas, the intensity of the electrical field around wire 26, as indicated by density of field lines F, is such that air particles therearound are ionized by picking up one or more electrons from wire 26, thus becoming positively charged. The positively charged particles then are drawn along field lines F toward conductive element 22 under the influence of the strong negative charge impressed thereon, where the particles each give up their extra electrons. At that point, the electrons, being conduction electrons in conductive element 22, are free to migrate or drift under the influence of the electrical field gradient in conductive element 22 created by the electrical potential between the two conductive elements 22, 26. While electrons are generally characterized as particles, they also carry a negative charge, which while manifested as a field, may also be considered to be in the form of a charge cloud around the electron. Free electrons move through a conductor with difficulty (resistance) because the charge cloud of those electrons that are fixed, i.e tightly bound to atoms of the conductor, interferes with movement of the charge cloud of the moving electrons. Thus the charge clouds of free, or conductive, electrons in a conductor impinge upon and squeeze past charge clouds of fixed electrons, with a resulting transfer of momentum from the charge clouds of moving electrons to the charge clouds of fixed electrons. Here, purity of some conductors determines the ease with which free electrons are able to move. In the presence of contaminant atoms, electrons are forced to take a more circuitous path around the contaminating atoms toward a positive potential, which wastes momentum as the electron moves in directions other than directly toward the positive potential. Conversely, in the absence of these contaminating atoms the free electrons may take a more direct path toward the positive potential, transferring more momentum to the electron charge clouds of electrons lying along the path to the positive charge. Thus, Applicant proposes that, by establishing an electrical field gradient in a very narrow, elongated conductor (element 22) a very large number of conductive electrons are caused to drift or migrate toward an intense positive charge (element 26) lying in the plane of element 22, developing a net motive force in element 22 toward the positive charge. To this end, it is apparent that in this embodiment, anything that enhances strength of the electrical field gradient in conductor 22, or anything that accelerates electron drift through element 22 or enhances electron transfer from wire 26 to element 22 increases magnitude of the resultant motive force.
To demonstrate this principle, Fig. 2 shows apparatus 10a that lifts and hovers when a high voltage is applied thereto. Apparatus 10a is triangular in shape, and is constructed of an insulative balsa wood frame Fa of three upright members M rigidly attached to transverse connecting members T forming the triangular structure. A continuous broad skirt 22a of conventional aluminum foil is connected to and depends from transverse members T, and extends around upright members M. Here, it was found that a commercially available aluminum foil made by Reynolds Aluminum™ having a purity of about 95% aluminum exhibits greater lifting force than other commercially available aluminum foils that are less pure. A copper wire 26a is attached to an upper end of uprights M, and is tensioned so as to be directly above and lie in the plane of the aluminum foil. A high voltage DC power supply 27a provides a potential of from 10,000 to 70,000 volts DC between wire 26a and aluminum foil 22a, with wire 26a receiving the positive potential and foil 22a receiving the negative potential. Wires transferring this potential are run along strings that tether the apparatus to a table. The apparatus of Fig. 2 may be scaled to any size, and many such triangular structures may be integrally constructed to form larger structures. In addition, rectangular or square lifting structures may be constructed.
Another embodiment of a capacitor of the present invention is shown in Figs. 3, 3a and 3b. This capacitor is of a cylindrical construction, with a forward region 30 and a rearward region 32 separated by a gap that serves as a leaky dielectric. At the forward region 30 a plurality of conductive emitters 36 are provided, and are supported by a circular conductive support 38. An insulated stand-off 40 constructed of a non-leaky, high dielectric material, such as epoxy, plastic, ceramic or other material in turn is mounted between support 38 and the rearward portion 32, and extends through leaky dialectic region 34. In addition to stand-off 40 being constructed of a non- leaky, high dielectric material, a housing 42 also constructed of a non-leaky, high dielectric material encloses the front region 44 of a rear conductive element 46. Element 46 is of cylindrical, annular construction, and for reasons as stated is as thin as feasibly possible. A central region 48 of conductive element 46 may be filled with a support material, such as a foam, epoxy, or plastic material, or may be left hollow. In this instance, housing 42 may extend at 43 to cover an inner end portion of conductor 46, with openings in housing 42 adjacent standoff 40. Thus, ions would be able to flow toward and transfer electrons to an inner region of conductor 46 not covered by housing 44. With this construction, the curved, pointed emitters create an ionization region in front of the forward capacitor conductive element 38 to enhance transfer of ions to rear conductive element 46. The electrical field migrates into the leaky dielectric region 34 to generate the stimulated force, causing the capacitor to generate force in the direction of arrow 50.
Fig. 4 shows another test apparatus demonstrating feasibility of the capacitors in generating force. In this test, a capacitor 52 such as the one shown in Fig. 1, which has a mass of 0.634 kg and a capacitance of about 1.9 pf was suspended as shown by nylon lines 54 having a length of 1.56 meters. Electrical wires were hung along the suspension lines, and provided a DC potential of about 70 kilovolts to the capacitor. With this potential, power consumed by the capacitor was about 50 μa, and resulted in a displacement from vertical of 7xl0"3 meters.
The stimulated motive force Fg is related to displacement of the capacitor in the manner of a pendulum, except the capacitor is held in the displaced position as long as the DC potential is applied to the capacitor. Here, where M is the mass of the capacitor, and Mgsinθ is the horizontal component of tensions of the nylon line, the stimulated force is:
Fg= Mgsinθ Where for small angles sinθ ~ Θ=X/L, so
Fg=MgX/L = 2.78xl0-2 Newtons. Energy stored in the capacitor is CV2 which is Ecap= 4.65 nanojoules. When power is removed from the capacitor it returns back to its original, non- displaced position, allowing energy in the system to be recovered. Existence of stimulated force Fg is observable because energy in the capacitor cannot be otherwise translated into mechanical energy with an asymmetry through the center of mass of the capacitor. The mechanical energy is: Em= MgX2/L = 195 micrqjoules
Thus it is seen that energy stored in the capacitor is about 4.2% of the force causing displacement of the capacitor. As should be apparent, this displacement may be amplified by alternately energizing and deenergizing the suspended capacitor in time with the oscillation period of the capacitor. In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, alternating layers of conductive and semiconductive materials, such as cloth 60 soaked in linseed oil and layers of aluminum foil 62, may be stacked so that there are many layers of linseed oil-soaked cloth 60 each separated by a layer of aluminum foil 62, each layer of foil separated by the oil-soaked cloth forming a capacitor with a leaky dielectric therebetween. The layers are stacked so that the top and bottom layers are aluminum foil. A high voltage DC potential from power supply 64 is applied between the top and bottom layers of aluminum foil, with the electric field extending downward through the stack. As electrons migrate through the stack, each capacitor in the layer becomes charged, with a leakage current flowing through the linseed oil-soaked material. Electrons drifting upward through the material impart momentum to fixed electrons as described, causing a net upward lift in the entire structure! In this embodiment, conductive layers 62 that serve as capacitor plates become charged in accordance with the electrical gradient across the entire stack.
In another embodiment, layers of metals may be stacked or bonded to form a capacitive stack that lifts in directions normal to capacitive layers in the stack. Here, layers of ultrapure magnesium, gold, silver, aluminum and other high conductive elements and alloys may be used as capacitive plates, with elements or alloys characterized by high electron mobility and relatively high dielectric constant, such as ultrapure bismuth, indium arsenide, indium antimonide and other semiconductors being sandwiched between the layers of conductive materials. These metallic films may be successively constructed by vapor deposition or sputter deposition techniques, with the layers being from a few microns to tens of microns thick, with any number of layers being possible up to practical limits defined by design constraints. Here, thickness of a composite structure of these layers may be from about inch up to an inch or more thick. As stated, plastic films may also be used, these films doped or otherwise formulated so as to have characteristics of a leaky dielectric and sandwiched between conductive layers.
Applications of Applicant's capacitors extend to many fields. In lifter technologies, heavy-lift devices, such as fork lifts, and vehicular conveyances are among some possible applications. Here, panels of layered materials, for example as shown in Fig. 5, may cover a structure or body of a vehicle or other lifting device, with the panels being selectively energized as necessary for lift, directional control, stationkeeping and other functions. In other applications, devices such as windmill or other blades 70 (Fig. 6) may be constructed having a plurality of layers 72 of conducting material sandwiching layers of leaky dielectric material, with the layers disposed generally normal to a plane of blade 70. Conductors 74 imbedded in the leading and trailing edges are coupled as described to a high voltage power supply, and establish a voltage gradient across the layers to generate force that moves the blades to generate power or perform other work such as pumping water or oil from/ to wells. Here, as an enhancement to Applicant's invention, and as shown in Fig. 6, leading edges 76 of an airfoil may be covered by a thin layer of highly conductive material such as aluminum, and seeded with or otherwise provided with beta emitters B. A wire 78 is supported by pylons 80 in front of and in spaced relation with the leading edges, and a voltage potential is impressed between the thin conductor and wire as described above. In this instance, the beta radiation from these emitters allows air or other gasses to be more easily ionized, which in turn means that a lower voltage potential may be used to transfer ions between the wire and leading edges, such as on the order of hundreds of volts DC instead of thousands of volts DC.
Having thus described my invention and the manner of its use, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous incidental changes may be made thereto that fairly fall within the scope of the following appended claims, wherein I claim:
Claims
CLAIMS 1. A propulsion system having no moving parts and using Lorentz forces comprising: a first conductive element characterized by high electron mobility, a second conductive element characterized by high electron mobility, a dielectric element positioned between said first conductive element and said second conductive element, said dielectric element being a leaky dielectric in that said dielectric element passes a large quantity of electrons between said first conductive element and said second conductive element and also allows an electrical charge to accumulate between said first conductive element and said second conductive element, a high voltage DC power supply providing a high voltage differential between said first conductive element and said second conductive element.
2. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conductive element is in the form of a wire, and said second conductive element is in the form of a broad, thin plate or foil, with said leaky dielectric being a gap containing at least one gas therebetween.
3. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a container housing said first conductive element, said second conductive element and said gap therebetween, said container filled with at least one gas.
4. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said gas is pressurized within said container.
5. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said gas includes atmospheric gasses.
6. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said atmospheric gasses include at least one easily ionizable gas in a higher proportion than found naturally.
7. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conductive element and said second conductive element are constructed of thin sheets of a highly conductive material, and said dielectric element is a semiconductor material.
8. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first conductive element and said second conductive element each comprise ultrapure aluminum foil, and said leaky dielectric comprises a fabric material moistened by a non-evaporating conductive liquid.
9. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first conductive element and said second conductive element each comprise an ultrapure conductive metal, with said dielectric element comprising at least one element of the 2, 4 semiconductor grouping.
10. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said dielectric element comprises ultrapure bismuth, and said first conductive element and said second conductive element are ultrapure magnesum.
1 1. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first conductive element, said second conductive element and said dielectric element together comprise a single propulsive unit, with a plurality of such propulsive units forming a panel, with an upper layer of said panel being a said first conductive element and a lower layer of said panel being a said second conductive element, with one high voltage potential from said high voltage DC power supply coupled to said upper layer and another, opposite potential from said high voltage DC power supply coupled to said lower layer.
12. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 11 wherein layers of said first conductive element, said dielectric element and said second conductive element are fabricated to construct said panel by using a vapor deposition or sputter deposition technique.
13. A propulsion system as set forth in claim 1 1 wherein a plurality of panels are mounted to a vehicle.
14. A method for generating propulsive forces comprising the steps of: constructing a first layer of very thin, ultrapure conductive material, constructing a second layer of very thin, ultrapure conductive material, imposing a layer of leaky dielectric material between said first layer and said second layer to form a single power cell, establishing a strong electrical field between said first layer and said second layer.
15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of constructing a plurality of power cells together to form a stack, and establishing said strong electrical field between an upper layer of said stack and a lower layer of said stack.
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US3544733A *1967-06-151970-12-01Minnesota Mining & MfgElectrostatic acoustic transducer
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US7182295B22002-11-122007-02-27Scott D. RedmondPersonal flight vehicle and system
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