Abstract
This paper proposes a propulsion cycle to enable an object to perform slow unidirectional sliding on the horizontal ground when an inertial drive, made of contra-rotating eccentric masses, is attached to it. Two masses are driven by one or two synchronized motors, which rotate at a variable angular velocity according to a predefined function with a period of 360 degrees. The aforementioned predefined law of rotation constitutes the proposed propulsion cycle, which when repeatedly followed, allows for an endless forward sliding of the object. It was found that the maximum static friction between the object and the ground is the key factor that offers repeated support for the object to develop linear momentum in the beginning of every new cycle. The simulation is based on closed form analytical solutions of the ordinary differential equations for the unidirectional motion of the object to which the rotating masses are attached.
Highlights
The usefulness of inertial propulsion is well known since the ancient times when Greek athletes used to rotate halteres in order to increase their performance in the long jump [1, 2]
It was shown that a device, which consists of motors transmitting torque to contra-rotating masses located at the ends of two rigid bars, when attached to a rigid object is capable of producing terrestrial sliding in any specific direction
The contribution of this research is the finding that, when the aforementioned rods are guided according to a proposed law that predefines the variable angular velocity during one rotation, the device can cause a continuous and repeatable unidirectional motion of the object
Summary
The usefulness of inertial propulsion is well known since the ancient times when Greek athletes used to rotate halteres (dumbbells) in order to increase their performance in the long jump [1, 2]. Rotating masses have been claimed to be capable of producing vehicle propulsion as well. One of the first inertial propulsion drives of last century was patented in 1933 by the late Italian university professor Marco Todeschini [6], while a second one was patented in 1959 by Norman Dean (a civil service employee residing in Washington DC). Dean applied in-plane contra-rotated eccentric masses (today his concept is known as “Dean drive”) [7] and he claimed for reactionless propulsion; his drive became a matter of debate but it inspired hundreds of new patents [8, pp. Dean applied in-plane contra-rotated eccentric masses (today his concept is known as “Dean drive”) [7] and he claimed for reactionless propulsion; his drive became a matter of debate but it inspired hundreds of new patents [8, pp. 249-261]
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