Fluid propulsion device

Abstract

A propulsion system and pump having inner and outer chambers. The outer chamber is formed by a rigid outer shell and a pair of spaced apart end plate assemblies. The inner chamber is located concentrically within the outer chamber and between the spaced apart end plate assemblies. Each end plate assembly has a drive member. Each drive member has a plurality of arcuate openings extending radially and tangentially outwardly from the center. The outer chamber has at least one outer chamber intake valve located on the one end plate assembly and at least one outer chamber discharge valve located on the other end plate assembly. The inner chamber has at least one inner chamber intake valve located on one end plate assembly and at least one inner chamber exhaust valve located on the other end plate assembly. The inner chamber is formed from a plurality of elongated, overlapping, v-shaped plate members longitudinally aligned between the first and second end plate assemblies. Each v-shaped plate member having a base and two side portions extending angularly from the base, the side portions forming an obtuse angle therebetween. Each end of the end plate assembly is slidably connected to one end of the drive member. The system further includes a power source for rotating the drive members. In use, the drive members are rotated by the power source causing the v-shaped plate members to move radially outward. This results in the volume of said inner chamber expanding which causes fluid to flow into the inner chamber from the inner chamber intake valve. As volume in the inner chamber expands, volume in the outer chamber decreases and thus fluid flows out of the outer chamber from the outer chamber discharge valve. Similarly, when the drive members are rotated by the power source in the opposed direction, this causes the v-shaped plate members of the inner chamber to move radially inward. This results in the volume of the inner chamber decreasing thus causing fluid to flow out of the inner chamber through the inner chamber discharge valve. As volume in the inner chamber declines, volume in the outer chamber increases as fluid is drawn in through the outer chamber intake valve. The continuous flow of fluid through the inner and outer chambers creates a propulsion force for moving a vessel through a volume of fluid. Alternatively, the system may be used as a pump.

1 . A propulsion device comprising: 
 a first end plate;    a second end plate assembly spaced apart from the first end plate;    an outer chamber sealably formed between the end plates and an outer shell, the outer chamber having at least one outer chamber intake valve located on the first end plate and at least one outer chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate;    first and second drive members adjacent to the first and second end plates respectively;    an inner chamber concentrically located within the outer chamber and the first and second end plates, the inner chamber having at least one inner chamber intake valve located on said first end plate and at least one inner chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate assembly, the inner chamber comprising a plurality of elongated, overlapping, v-shaped plate members longitudinally aligned between the first and second end plates, each v-shaped plate member having an apex and two side portions extending angularly from the apex, the side portions forming an obtuse angle therebetween, each end of the v-shaped plate member being slidably connected to the first and second end drive members;    a power source for rotating the first and second drive members, whereby such rotation causes the v-shaped plate members to move radially outward further causing fluid to flow inward into the inner chamber through the inner chamber intake valve, as volume in the inner chamber expands, volume in the outer chamber decreases and thus fluid flows out of the outer chamber through the outer chamber exhaust valve, similarly, the volume of the inner chamber then decreases when the first and second drive members causing the v-shaped plate members of the inner chamber to move radially inward thus causing fluid to flow out of the inner chamber through the inner chamber exhaust valve, as volume in the inner chamber declines, volume in the outer chamber increases as fluid is drawn in through the outer chamber intake valve, the continuous flow of fluid through the inner and outer chambers creates a propulsion force for moving a vessel through a volume of fluid.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each v-shaped plate member includes a first side having a longitudinal tongue thereon and a second side having a groove thereon for receiving the tongue of a corresponding first side of an adjacent v-shaped plate member.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the number of v-shaped plate members is between 4 and 12.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of the device length to maximum inner chamber diameter is between 2:1 to 12:1.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the v-shaped plate members are made of a semi-rigid material.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one side of the v-shaped member includes a flexible portion fixed along the length thereon.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the number of v-shaped plate members is six and the obtuse angle formed by the two sides of the v-shaped member is preferably 180 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the v-shaped plate members are made partially or completely of a self-lubricating material.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise one or more pistons actuated using high pressure air.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise one or more pistons actuated hydraulically.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source is self-contained such as batteries.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise an electric motor.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise a solenoid.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise a worm drive.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chamber may include a straining device so that no particulate matter may enter into the device.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chamber may be reversible so that the fluid flow through the device may be reversed as need to propel the body through a volume of fluid in a reverse direction.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the drive means comprises magnetically charged v-shaped plates that move relative to one another based on a change in polarity.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the number of v-shaped plate members are an even number, and alternately overlap each other such that members form an inner circle of members, the inner circle of members being overlapped by an outer circle of members.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the power source may comprise a ring motor actuating a series of cams where the cams are associated with one or more v-shaped member.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the inner chamber exhaust valve comprises an opening in the second end plate assembly.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein a restrictor plate is fixed to the outer surface of the second endplate such that the restrictor plate has a smaller diameter at its discharge port than at it point of fixation to the second end plate assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the length of the device is 1.5 times the maximum diameter of the outer surface of the outer chamber.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is incorporated into the hull of a shallow water vessel immersed in a body of water.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the intake valve further comprises a length of conduit for directing fluid into the intake valve of the inner chamber from below the waterline and the exhaust valve of the outer chamber includes a length of conduit extending from the exhaust valve of the outer chamber to below the waterline.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second drive members each have a plurality of arcuate openings thereon extending radially and tangentially outwardly from the inner radius of the drive member, wherein the drive members are rotated in a first direction to cause the inner chamber to expand and rotated in a second direction to cause the inner chamber to contract.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 1  where in the first and second drive members each have a continuous track thereon, the track comprising a series of inclining and declining arches extending radially outward and inward from the center of the drive member, the shape of the track and number of arches being determined by the number of v-shaped members used to form the inner chamber, wherein the drive members are rotated in a single direction to cause the inner chamber to expand and contract.  
   
   
       27 . A pump comprising: 
 a first end plate;    a second end plate spaced apart from said first end plate;    an outer chamber sealably formed between the end plate assemblies and an outer shell, the outer chamber having at least one outer chamber intake valve located on the first end plate and at least one outer chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate;    an inner chamber concentrically located within the outer chamber and said first and second end plate assemblies, the inner chamber having at least one inner chamber intake valve located on said first end plate and at least one inner chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate, the inner chamber comprising a plurality of elongated, overlapping, v-shaped plate members longitudinally aligned between the first and second end plate assemblies, each v-shaped plate member having a base and two side portions extending angularly from the base, the side portions forming an obtuse angle therebetween, each end of the v-shaped plate member being slidably connected to the first and second end plates;    a drive means for moving the v-shaped plate members between a contracted position and expanded position, whereby movement of the drive means moves the v-shaped plate member radially outward which causes the volume of fluid within the inner chamber to increase causing fluid to move into the inner chamber through the inner chamber intake valve, as volume in the inner chamber increases, volume in the outer chamber decreases and thus fluid flows out of the outer chamber through the outer chamber exhaust valve, similarly, when the drive means moves the v-shaped plate members radially inward, the volume of the inner chamber then decreases thus causing fluid to flow out of the inner chamber through the inner chamber exhaust valve, as volume in the inner chamber decreases, volume in the outer chamber increases as fluid is drawn in through the outer chamber intake valve.    
   
   
       28 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein each v-shaped plate member includes a first side having a longitudinal tongue thereon and a second side having a groove thereon for receiving the tongue of a corresponding first side of an adjacent v-shaped plate member.  
   
   
       29 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the number of v-shaped plate members is between 4 and 12.  
   
   
       30 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the ratio of the device length to maximum inner chamber diameter is between 2:1 to 12:1.  
   
   
       31 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the v-shaped plate members are made of a semi-rigid material.  
   
   
       32 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein one side of the v-shaped member includes a flexible portion fixed along the length thereon.  
   
   
       33 . The pump of  claim 29  wherein the number of v-shaped plate members is 6 and the obtuse angle formed by the two sides of the v-shaped member is 120 degrees.  
   
   
       34 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the v-shaped plate members are made partially or completely of a self-lubricating material.  
   
   
       35 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein drive means may comprise one or more pistons actuated using high pressure air, hydraulics, or the like.  
   
   
       36 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the drive means includes a self contained power source such as batteries.  
   
   
       37 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein drive means may comprise an electric motor.  
   
   
       38 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the drive means may include a solenoid.  
   
   
       39 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the drive means comprises magnetically charged v-shaped plates that move relative to one another based on a change in polarity.  
   
   
       40 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chambers may include a straining device so that no particulate matter may enter into the device.  
   
   
       41 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chamber may be reversible so that the fluid flow through the device may be reversed.  
   
   
       42 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chambers are tricuspid valves.  
   
   
       43 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the intake and exhaust valves of the inner and outer chambers are bicuspid valves.  
   
   
       44 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the fluid is water, oil, gas or blood.  
   
   
       45 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the fluid flow in the inner chamber is in opposite direction to the fluid flow in the outer chamber.  
   
   
       46 . The pump of  claim 27  further comprising a flexible, expandable liner removeably attached to the interior of the inner chamber and in fluid communication with the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the inner chamber.  
   
   
       47 . The pump of  claim 27  further comprising a flexible, expandable liner removeably attached to the interior of the outer chamber and in fluid communication with the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the outer chamber.  
   
   
       48 . The pump of  claim 27  further comprising a rotary cutting element mounted proximate to the intake valve for the inner chamber.  
   
   
       49 . The pump of  claim 48  further comprising a filter element in association with the outer chamber intake valve.  
   
   
       50 . The pump of  claim 27  wherein the drive means further comprises first and second drive members each have a plurality of arcuate openings thereon extending radially and tangentially outwardly from the inner radius of the drive member, wherein the drive members are rotated in a first direction to cause the inner chamber to expand and rotated in a second direction to cause the inner chamber to contract.  
   
   
       51 . The pump of  claim 27  where in the drive means further comprises first and second drive members each have a continuous track thereon, the track comprising a series of inclining and declining arches extending radially outward and inward from the center of the drive member, the shape of the track and number of arches being determined by the number of v-shaped members used to form the inner chamber, wherein the drive members are rotated in a single direction to cause the inner chamber to expand and contract.  
   
   
       52 . A propulsion system comprising 
 a plurality of propulsion units, the first unit comprising 
 a first end plate,  
 a second end plate spaced apart from the first end plate;  
 an outer chamber sealably formed between the end plates, the outer chamber having at least one outer chamber intake valve located on the first end plate and at least one outer chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate;  
 first and second drive members adjacent to the first and second end plates respectively;  
 an inner chamber concentrically located within the outer chamber and the first and second end plates, the inner chamber having at least one inner chamber intake valve located on said first end plate and at least one inner chamber exhaust valve located on the second end plate, the inner chamber comprising a plurality of elongated, overlapping, v-shaped plate members longitudinally aligned between the first and second end plates, each v-shaped plate member having an apex and two side portions extending angularly from the apex, the side portions forming an obtuse angle therebetween, each end of the v-shaped plate member being slidably connected to the first and second end drive members;  
 a power source for rotating the first and second drive members;  
   a central channel; 
 second and succeeding propulsion units connected in series, each such unit comprising,  
   a first end plate;    a second end plate spaced apart from the first end plate;    an outer chamber sealably formed between the end plates and an outer shell, the outer chamber having at least one outer chamber intake valve located on the exterior surface of outer shell and at least one exhaust valve in fluid communication with the inner chamber intake valve of the succeeding propulsion unit;    first and second drive members adjacent to the first and second end plates respectively;    an inner chamber concentrically located within the outer shell and the first and second end plates, the inner chamber having at least one inner chamber intake valve in fluid communication with the outer chamber exhaust valve of the preceding unit and at least one inner chamber exhaust valve in fluid communication with the central channel, the inner chamber comprising a plurality of elongated, overlapping, v-shaped plate members longitudinally aligned between the first and second end plates, each v-shaped plate member having an apex and two side portions extending angularly from the apex, the side portions forming an obtuse angle therebetween, each end of the v-shaped plate member being slidably connected to the first and second end drive members;    a power source for rotating the first and second drive members,    whereby the discharge from the inner chamber exhaust valve moves into the central channel and the discharge of the outer chamber exhaust valves move into the intake valve of the succeeding unit causing the velocity of fluid throughout the units in series to substantially increase thereby increasing the system's effectiveness without a significant increase in noise or vibration.