Inertial Propulsion Research Articles

Inertial Propulsion Devices: A Review

Google Scholar produces about 278 hits for the term “inertial propulsion”. If patents are also included, the number of hits increases to 536. This paper discusses, in a critical way, some characteristic aspects of this controversial topic. The review starts with the halteres of athletes in the Olympic games of ancient times and then continues with some typical devices which have been developed and/or patented from the second quarter of the twentieth century to the present day.

Inertial Propulsion of a Mobile Platform Driven by Two Eccentric Bodies

In recent decades, enthusiasts and researchers from all over the world have invested a lot of energy and time in trying to develop linear propulsion systems using the inertial force generated by two masses revolving in opposite directions. The authors present an original concept for the propulsion system of a mobile platform by using the inertial force generated by two eccentric bodies that are revolving in opposite directions. Based on this approach, a wheeled vehicle was designed, built using additive manufacturing techniques, and finally tested. Validation of the concept and verification of the analytically derived kinematic parameters were carried out by 3D modeling and motion simulation performed in SolidWorks 2023. It was concluded that the initial position of the eccentric bodies determines the direction of movement. Moreover, a favorable correlation of the eccentric bodies’ masses with the entire platform mass is able to ensure the movement at an oscillating but permanently positive speed.

Kinematic and dynamic investigation of a novel inertial propulsion drive

Today there is a great deal of controversy over the operation of inertial propulsion drives (IPD), as they challenge the laws of Newtonian mechanics. Starting with the last decades of the previous century, many devices that use the centrifugal force to generate linear propulsion were patented. Regrettably, whether we are talking about the initial, or the most recent attempts, only a few of these systems passed the patent stage and were involved for practical applications.The aim of this paper is to present an IPD, developed by the authors, which uses for generating linear motion the kinetic energy of several masses, placed in the articulation points of the links of a chain drive. The masses placed equidistantly along the half-length of the chain perform a complex movement, consisting of the specific displacement of the chain elements and a rotation around an axis, that is parallel to the line which joins the centres of the chain wheels. After deducting the equations of the geometric coordinates of the masses, the total propulsion force was computed. The obtained results are supporting the ability of the IPD to generate propulsive force and linear motion.

Development of an inertial propulsion drive by using motion simulation

Beginning with the last century, visionaries and researches from all over the world have invested o lot of energy and time in the development of various drives for generating propulsion force. The present paper is dedicated to the kinematic and dynamic investigation of an inertial propulsion drive using the facilities of the Motion module from SolidWorks (SW) software. Following elements were considered: positional analysis, velocities and acceleration simulation, force generation and power consumption. As the obtained simulation results showed a good closeness to the analytical outcomes, the authors are optimistic regarding the possibilities to develop and improve the system.

A Multibody Inertial Propulsion Drive with Symmetrically Placed Balls Rotating on Eccentric Trajectories

Starting with the last century, a lot of enthusiastic researchers have invested significant time and energy in proposing various drives capable to generate linear propulsion force. Regrettably, only a few of these devices passed the patent phase and have been practically materialized. The aim of this paper was to simulate the dynamic behavior of an inertial propulsion drive (IPD) developed by the authors, to demonstrate its functionality. The core of the IPD consists of two symmetric drivers that each performs rotation of eight steel balls on an eccentric path. We propose three solutions for the element which maintain the off-center trajectory of the balls. For the simulation, we used the multibody system approach and determine the evolution of the displacement, velocity, and power consumption. Further, we analyze the collisions between the elements of the system and the influence of this phenomenon on the dynamic behavior of the IPD. We found that collisions generate impact forces which affect the ball acceleration values achieved by simulation. We have concluded that the developed system is capable to generate linear movement. In addition, in terms of velocity and power consumption, the best constructive version of the retaining disk is that which has a cylindrical inner bore placed eccentric relative to the rotation center of the balls.

The Kinematic and Dynamic Study of an Inertial Propulsion System Based on Rotating Masses

The Kinematic and Dynamic Study of an Inertial Propulsion System Based on Rotating Masses

Analytical investigation of an inertial propulsion system using rotating masses

The paper proposes an inertial system capable of generating a propulsive force from the rotation on an eccentric circular path of 8 steel balls placed between two rotating discs constructed with a radial slot system. In addition to a detailed description of the mechanical components of this proposed device, particular attention is paid to the theoretical treatment of the innovative principle upon which the device is based. The paper begins by detailing the equations of motion of the steel balls, from which the propulsion force of the system is computed. Furthermore, the influence of the ball radius on the propulsion force is investigated. The obtained findings support the capability of the proposed system to achieve a linear propulsive force.

The Characteristic Research of Inertial Mechanism under the Condition of No Friction Contact

Inertial propulsion is a kind of special drive converting rotating motion to a one-way movement. This triggers a lot of attention, but also causes many controversies. This paper researches the inertial mechanism under the condition of no friction contact. Mathematical model is established, equations of motion are got, influence of impact force of the eccentric mass during the process of start to steady state is analyzed, movement simulation is made, and the experiment on the water is done through ultrasonic sensor. The conclusion is that the inertial mechanism we researched can only do reciprocating movement under no friction contact and one-way movement cannot be realized.

On the inertial propulsion of floating objects using contra-rotating masses

This paper demystifies the mechanics involved in the propulsion of a floating object in the water due to attached rotating masses. It is shown that a device made of contra-rotating masses may induce adequate water resistance that is capable of offering support to move the object in calm water. The resistance is split into two main components, the former being due to Blasius effect and the latter due to harmonic oscillation. Neglecting the wave-making resistance, a computer model reveals that the maximum distance travelled by the floating object is proportional to the square root of motor speed and highly depends on the cosine of the initial polar angle of the eccentric masses.

Dynamics and Solutions for Multispacecraft Electromagnetic Orbit Correction

In this paper, the dynamics analysis, inertial propulsion force allocation, and magnetic moment solution for multispacecraft electromagnetic orbit correction, which are especially valuable with potential applications to disabled spacecraft deorbit missions, are investigated. The dynamics analysis of the coupled absolute orbit motion correction and spacecraft relative motion keeping, the allocation of the inertial propulsion force, and the coordination design between inertial propulsion force and intercraft electromagnetic force are challenging and have not been resolved. This paper first analyzes the actuation and coordination problems of these coupled forces, and it derives the relative motion dynamic models of spacecraft with respect to the mass center of spacecraft cluster and one spacecraft with respect to the other. Then, taking a three-craft cluster, for example, the magnetic moment solutions for collinear and triangular static equilibria are given, which are possible rigid configurations for orbit correction. Based on these configurations, the orbit correction performance is analyzed and evaluated. Finally, the numerical simulation of a geostationary orbit collinear configuration is carried out that, combined with the theoretical deduction, validated the feasibility of dynamics and solutions for the multispacecraft orbit electromagnetic correction.

Unidirectional motion using rotating masses along figure-eight-shaped trajectories

This paper revisits the notorious Dean’s drive, aiming at causing unidirectional motion when attached to an object at rest (inertial propulsion). Instead of the usual circular path along which lumped eccentric masses move, a novel figure-eight-shaped curve is proposed. It is generally shown that the rotational kinetic energy accumulated in the rotating masses produces an equivalent linear ‘initial’ velocity to the object, and therefore, it further works like an oscillating projectile within the gravitational field. Conditions for the variation of the angular velocity, in order to achieve a ‘very short-time hovering’, are derived. The study does not consider any elastodynamic effects and reduces only to rigid-body analysis. Further improvements such as the spinning of the entire mechanism about its axis of symmetry are discussed.

Analysis of the Effect of External Factors to the Propulsion by Inertial Centrifugal Force of Rotating Mechanism

The idea of inertial propulsion using rotating parts is always attractive, but great controversy also exists. Some researchers even completely negate this idea in principle, they think it would never be possible to create directional movement by the inertial force. Theory and experimental results show that, in certain conditions, directional movement can be realized by the internal inertia force of the device. In this paper, the influence of the friction condition between the propulsion devices which using rotating eccentric mass to generate inertia force and the external supporting surface on the effect of propulsion has been analyzed. The results show that, when there is friction between the device and the supporting surface, the rotary of eccentric mass in the device will allow the device to produce motion in a given direction; if the parameters of propulsion device (eccentric mass and eccentricity) and the rotary speed of the eccentric mass are given, the friction condition between the device and the support surface will affect the characteristics of directional motion.

Disturbance compensating control of orbit radially aligned two-craft Coulomb formation

This paper investigates the orbit radial stabilization of a two-craft virtual Coulomb structure about circular orbits and at Earth–Moon libration points. A generic Lyapunov feedback controller is designed for asymptotically stabilizing an orbit radial configuration about circular orbits and collinear libration points. The new feedback controller at the libration points is provided as a generic control law in which circular Earth orbit control form a special case. This control law can withstand differential solar perturbation effects on the two-craft formation. Electrostatic Coulomb forces acting in the longitudinal direction control the relative distance between the two satellites and inertial electric propulsion thrusting acting in the transverse directions control the in-plane and out-of-plane attitude motions. The electrostatic virtual tether between the two craft is capable of both tensile and compressive forces. Using the Lyapunov’s second method the feedback control law guarantees closed loop stability. Numerical simulations using the non-linear control law are presented for circular orbits and at an Earth–Moon collinear libration point.

Do small swimmers mix the ocean?

In this communication we address some hydrodynamic aspects of recently proposed drift mechanism of biogenic mixing in the ocean [K. Katija and J. O. Dabiri, Nature (London) 460, 624 (2009)10.1038/nature 08207]. The relevance of the locomotion gait at various spatial scales with respect to the drift is discussed. A hydrodynamic scenario of the drift based on unsteady inertial propulsion, typical for most small marine organisms, is proposed. We estimate its effectiveness by taking into account interaction of a swimmer with the turbulent marine environment. Simple scaling arguments are derived to estimate the comparative role of drift-powered mixing with respect to the turbulence. The analysis indicates substantial biomixing effected by relatively small but numerous drifters, such as krill or jellyfish.

The cybernetics of inertial propulsion

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a study of inertial propulsion.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the theory of inertial propulsion under dry friction and under viscous friction is developed.FindingsAs inertia propelled devices do not have any external moving parts; the propelling mechanism is completely enclosed inside the device. For inertial propulsion under dry friction, the equations of movement are explicitly derived and provided in closed form, so that such a device can be designed with its parameters computed exactly. For inertial propulsion under viscous friction, on the other hand, there is no closed form for the equations of movement, its dynamics are provided so that a device can be designed using a computer algebra system, as illustrated in the paper.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that an inertia propelled device under dry friction moves in the opposite direction than the same device under viscous friction.

Evolution and Status of D-3He Fusion: A Critical Review

Advanced fuels for nuclear fusion - of which deuterium and 3 He mixture is the leading candidate - could reduce tritium inventory, neutron fluence, structural damage, and activation in future reactors as well as allow for direct energy conversion. The feasibility of D- 3 He fusion is assessed based on recent developments in the areas of fuel resources, fusion and plasma physics, magnetic and inertial reactors, space propulsion, reactor safety, and waste disposal. It appears that D- 3 He fusion is not well suited to the conventional tokamak design (β ∼ 10%) because of excessive synchrotron loss and closed field topology. High-beta and/or non-Maxwellian plasma configurations are promising but at present lack a sufficient experimental database to predict reactor-relevant behavior. Space propulsion appears to be a most advantageous application of D- 3 He fusion.

Efficiency Differences Between Resonant Oscillating Tools and Those Driven by Inertial Propulsion

Efficiency Differences Between Resonant Oscillating Tools and Those Driven by Inertial Propulsion

Performance of a Subsoiler Incorporatin Repeating Inertial Propulsion Drive

Performance of a Subsoiler Incorporatin Repeating Inertial Propulsion Drive