US5383802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Propulsion system
Assignee: Maelstrom Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-17
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-11-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a fluid propulsion system having an outer shell which provides bearing support, ducting and streamlining for a hollow inner propulsion rotor. The rotor includes vanes having a plurality of blade sections which are supported and evenly spaced on an inner surface of the rotor parallel to the rotational axis. Rotation of the rotor with respect to the outer shell draws air/gas into the fluid medium via a venturi effect. The blade sections are designed so as to maintain contact with the fluid molecules passing through the fluid propulsion system and thus is able to provide additional energy to the molecules which are already placed in motion by the blade sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh B. Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H11/00; B63H11/02; B63H11/04; B63H11/08; B63H1/00; B63H1/02; B63H1/12; B63H1/14; B63H1/16; B63H2001/165; B63H23/00; B63H2023/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to permit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; said first blade section is located at said first section of said tubular member and extends from an entrance of said tubular member to the second section of the tubular member for driving air/gas and fluid to said second blade section, said second blade section overlaps the first and third blade sections, and said second blade section extends from said first section to said third section of said tubular member, said third blade section extends from said second section to said third section of said tubular member and extends substantially to an exit of said tubular member; and said second and third blade sections guide the fluid received rom the first blade section through the tubular member, apply a centrifugal force to the fluid and draw in additional air/gas to the fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
313 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to permit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; said first blade section is located at said first section of said tubular member and extends from an entrance of said tubular member to the second section of the tubular member for driving air/gas and fluid to said second blade section, said second blade section overlaps the first and third blade sections, and said second blade section extends from said first section to said third section of said tubular member, said third blade section extends from said second section to said third section of said tubular member and extends substantially to an exit of said tubular member; and said second and third blade sections guide the fluid received rom the first blade section through the tubular member, apply a centrifugal force to the fluid and draw in additional air/gas to the fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said second and third blade sections are substantially hollow and comprise ducts for permitting air/gas introduction and increasing fluid acceleration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising means for driving said tubular member relative to said support member
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A propulsion system according to claim 3, wherein said drive means comprises gear means formed around a circumference of said tubular member which engages with an endless belt for rotatably driving said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said second begins at a point along the tubular member where further restriction by the tapering first section would inhibit fluid flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
286 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to premit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; a first part of the first blade section is spaced from said interior surface of said tubular member so as to define a slot between said interior surface of said tubular member and said first part of the first blade section; a surface of said first blade section comprises grooves which lead toward said rotational axis; and rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into said slot and said grooves lead said air/gas and fluid from a high pressure area at said slot to a pressure area lower than said high pressure area at said rotational axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
286 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to premit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; a first part of the first blade section is spaced from said interior surface of said tubular member so as to define a slot between said interior surface of said tubular member and said first part of the first blade section; a surface of said first blade section comprises grooves which lead toward said rotational axis; and rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into said slot and said grooves lead said air/gas and fluid from a high pressure area at said slot to a pressure area lower than said high pressure area at said rotational axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein said second and third blade sections are substantially hollow and comprise ducts for permitting air/gas introduction and increasing fluid acceleration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A propulsion system according to claim 6, further comprising means for driving said tubular member relative to said support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A propulsion system according to claim 8, wherein said drive means comprises gear means formed around a circumference of said tubular member which engages with an endless belt for rotatably driving said tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A propulsion system according to claim 6, wherein said second section begins at a point along the tubular member where further restriction by the tapering first section would inhibit fluid flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
239 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to permit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; and an end portion of said second blade section and third blade section extends beyond said support member, said third blade section having a first lobe member which extends to a position substantially equal to an outside diameter of said support member and a second lobe member radially located between said rotational axis and said first lobe member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
239 words
A propulsion system comprising: a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within said support member and being adapted to permit a fluid flow therethrough, said tubular member defining first, second and third sections extending along a longitudinal direction of said tubular member, said first section of said tubular member slightly tapering inwardly in a direction toward a rotational axis of said tubular member for restricting said fluid flow therethrough, said second section extending radially outwardly in a direction away from said rotational axis, and said third section extending in a direction which is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and vane means attached on an interior surface of said tubular member and comprising blades which extend in a direction toward said rotational axis such that rotation of said tubular member and the vane means attached thereon draws air/gas and fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member; wherein: said blades of said vane means define first, second and third blade sections which extend along the longitudinal direction of said tubular member; and an end portion of said second blade section and third blade section extends beyond said support member, said third blade section having a first lobe member which extends to a position substantially equal to an outside diameter of said support member and a second lobe member radially located between said rotational axis and said first lobe member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A propulsion system according to claim 11, wherein said second and third blade sections are substantially hollow and comprise ducts for permitting air/gas introduction and increasing fluid acceleration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A propulsion system according to claim 11, further comprising means for driving said tubular member relative to said support member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A propulsion system according to claim 13, wherein said drive means comprises gear means formed around a circumference of said tubular member which engages with an endless belt for rotatably driving said tubular member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A propulsion system according to claim 11, wherein said second section begins at a point along the tubular member where further restriction by the tapering first section would inhibit fluid flow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |