Advanced propulsion system providing reduced drag and higher speed

Abstract

An apparatus and process for substantially reducing water drag while increasing speed and fuel economy for both underwater and surface watercraft. The apparatus and process also provides a means to approach super-cavitation speeds without explosive acceleration which is damaging to equipment and passengers by strategically reinventing the thrust mechanisms.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus and method for the reduction of water friction on surface and/or underwater craft consisting of: 
 an effluent source which can be uniquely created for the purpose or simply be the exhaust of a thrust producing combustion or gaseous expansion process; and    an effluent directing system to direct the effluent over the surface to be protected from friction in a direction generally opposite the desired motion of the craft    such that the effluent is directed to make use of the effluent force for propulsion while simultaneously covering the surface area to be protected from friction thus reducing the amount of water in viscous, friction creating contact with the surface to be protected.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus and method applicable to surface and/or underwater craft that uses selectively directed effluent to drastically reduce the turning radius of the craft consisting of: 
 a gaseous or liquid or mixed effluent source which can be uniquely created for the purpose of thrust or simply be the exhaust of a thrust producing combustion or gaseous expansion process; and    an effluent directing array positioned along the craft to selectively direct the effluent    such that sharper turning can be effected by providing more thrust on the side opposite the direction of turn desired and/or reverse thrust can be applied on the side of the desired turn and/or both and/or the fore effluent directors on the side opposite the desired direction of turn can apply forward thrust while the rear effluent directors on the side of the desired turn apply reverse thrust and/or any obvious subset or combination of the above techniques using the above assembly such that very tight turns even including static turns are practical and safe.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus and method as in  claim 2  further comprising: 
 computing means operatively connected to effluent directing means; and  
 position sensing means operatively connected to computing means; and  
 programmatic means operatively connected to computing means capable of prompting and receiving user input and/or autopilot directions including such possible examples as speed, yaw or location to be achieved and/or pre-programmed maneuvers (such as 90 degree static turn or absolute stop or maintain position/“software anchor”, etc.)  
 such that the position sensing means is polled and the assembly and process above responsively directs effluent port direction along the arrayed (a minimum of 4 positions) effluent port direction means to achieve and/or maintain the desired control.  
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus and method for reduction of water drag on watercraft by treating the friction area and/or effluent consisting of: 
 an effluent source which can be uniquely created for the purpose or simply be the exhaust of a thrust producing combustion or gaseous expansion process; and    an effluent directing system to direct the effluent over the surface to be protected from friction in a direction generally opposite the desired motion of the craft; and    electrostatic means applying a charge to the effluent directed over the friction area opposite to the natural or power aided charge of the friction area effecting a polar attraction between the effluent and the friction area to increase the proximity of the effluent to the friction area and the persistence of the protective effluent over the friction area.