Propulsion device with adjustable thrust mechanism

Abstract

A propulsion device includes a platform with a pair of elbowed tubular thrust nozzles respectively located on opposite sides of the platform. An input end of each nozzle is mounted to the platform and rotatable about a transverse axis that is normal to a longitudinal axis of the platform, and is connected to a source of pressurized fluid. A pair of actuators are respectively connected to the tubular nozzles to rotate the nozzles around the transverse axis and thereby change the orientation of output ends of the nozzles relative to the platform. A processor controls the position of the platform by activating the actuators to rotate the nozzles, and thereby change the direction of thrust emitted by the pressurized fluid at the output ends of the nozzles.

1 . A propulsion device, comprising:
 a platform;   a pair of elbowed tubular thrust nozzles respectively located on opposite sides of the platform, an input end of each nozzle being mounted to the platform and rotatable about a transverse axis that is normal to a longitudinal axis of the platform, and connected to a source of pressurized fluid;   a pair of actuators respectively connected to the tubular nozzles to rotate the nozzles around the transverse axis and thereby change the orientation of output ends of the nozzles relative to the platform; and   a processor for controlling the position of the platform by activating the actuators to rotate the nozzles and thereby change the direction of thrust emitted by the pressurized fluid at the output ends of the nozzles.   
     
     
         2 . The propulsion device of  claim 1 , further including a user interface for providing instructions to the processor to control the position of the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The propulsion device of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is responsive to gestures of a user to provide the instructions. 
     
     
         4 . The propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor activates the actuators independently of one another to control positioning of the platform about the longitudinal axis of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The propulsion device of  claim 4 , further including sensors respectively associated with the thrust nozzles for providing, to the controller, information regarding the rotational orientation of each nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The propulsion device of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is responsive to the information provided by the sensors to automatically activate the actuators to control angular position of the platform about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular thrust nozzles are angled at substantially ninety degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of thrust nozzles are mounted adjacent one end of the platform in the longitudinal direction, and further including at least one additional thrust nozzle mounted adjacent the opposite end of the platform.