Vehicle direction control with a crosswise fan

Abstract

A directional control system for a land, water or airborne vehicle is provided by thrust generated by a selectively actuatable motor coupled to a propeller to produce thrust laterally and cause rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis. Such thrust, coupled with forward motion of the vehicle will provide directional control left or right, depending upon the direction of rotation of the thrust producing propeller. Controls for operation of the motor driving the thrust producing propeller may be effected by a conventional radio control transmitter and receiver.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application relates to subject matter described in and claims priority to a provisional application entitled “Vehicle Direction Control With A Crosswise Fan”, assigned Serial No.______ and assigned a filing date of______ and describing an invention made by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the field of radio controlled models, whether land vehicles, water vehicles (watercraft) or airborne vehicles (aircraft), directional control about the yaw or vertical axis has been provided by a rudder, steerable wheels and a rudder, respectively. To effect such control, numerous linkages, whether rigid rods or cables, have been employed. Such rods or cables further require coupling devices to interconnect the rod/cable with a motive device, such as a servo (servo mechanism) to actuate movement and further coupling devices to connect the rod/cable with the element to be moved that provides a control function. These devices require numerous parts and careful adjustment, which increases the costs and requires a skill level of installation generally beyond that of children. Moreover, any repairs that may be required due to a mishap of the attendant vehicle are generally beyond the capability of a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Yaw control of a vehicle about its vertical axis is provided by an electric motor turning a propeller to produce thrust in a generally horizontal plane. The thrust will exert a force upon the vehicle to urge rotation of the vehicle about its vertical axis. Coupled with forward motion of the vehicle, the vehicle will turn; depending upon whether the thrust is ahead of or behind the vertical axis of the vehicle, the direction of turning will be opposite to or commensurate with the force of the thrust produced. The control system requires a simple battery operated transmitter transmitting a signal to a receiver in the vehicle, which signal operates a switch to provide electric power to an electric motor that turns a propeller or fan. Additionally, a further control signal transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver may actuate a reversing switch to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor, whereby the direction of thrust produced by the propeller/fan may be reversed. Coupled with forward motion of the vehicle, directional control is obtained without complicated linkages or moving control surfaces.

[0004] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple radio controlled apparatus for controlling the direction of travel of a vehicle.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio controlled system for a vehicle embodying an electric motor and propeller to provide directional control.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a radio controlled control system requiring no linkages or pivoting surfaces for directional control.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller driven by a motor for directional control of the vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio controlled directional control for a toy vehicle.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for directional control of a toy vehicle.

[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the direction of movement of a toy vehicle by controlling the operation of a motor operated propeller to produce lateral thrust.

[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a transmitter for transmitting a control signal;

[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates a radio receiver coupled to an electric motor for turning a propeller;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a land vehicle incorporating the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a waterborne vehicle or watercraft incorporating the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an airborne vehicle or aircraft incorporating the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring jointly to FIGS. 1A and 2B, a radio controlled system for providing directional control to a vehicle will be described. A conventional radio control transmitter 10 may have one or more channels for providing control signals. A control stick 12 provides control signals by moving the stick left, right, up, down or rotatably. Alternatively, the control stick may be replaced by push buttons, a wheel or similar elements for manipulation by a user, as is well known. The transmitter includes an antenna 14 for radiating a carrier conveying a signal 16 containing control information. Necessarily, a power supply, usually in the form of batteries, it is housed within the transmitter. A receiver 20 is mounted on or within the vehicle to be controlled. It includes an antenna 22 for receiving a signal 24 transmitted by transmitter 10. The received signal is decoded within receiver 20 by conventional circuitry to segregate the control signal from the carrier. The control signal is impressed upon an electrical conductor 26 coupled to an electric motor 28.

[0019] Control systems of this type are well known in the field of radio control of models of various types. The control signal energizes electric motor 28 and also determines the direction of rotation of the electric motor. The electric motor includes an output shaft 30 supporting a propeller 32 or fan. Rotation of shaft 30 in response to actuation of motor 28 will rotate the propeller in one direction or the other. The resulting rotation of the propeller will provide thrust in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction of rotation of the propeller. As is conventional, a power supply 34, which may be a battery or a bundle of batteries, is coupled to receiver 20 through an electrical conductor 36 to provide power to the receiver. An on-off switch 38 may be disposed in conductor 36 or may be otherwise coupled with receiver 20 through an electrical conductor 40, as is conventional.

[0020] In summary, movement of control stick 12 in transmitter 10 will generate and transmit a signal 16 imposed upon a carrier at a frequency specified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The carrier and the signal imposed thereon, is received by receiver 20. Through decoding, a control signal is conveyed via electrical conductor 26 to motor 28. Depending upon the control signal, the motor will be caused to rotate in one direction or the other. Such rotation will result in rotation of propeller 32 in a commensurate direction to produce thrust.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a wheeled land vehicle 50 having a body 52 supported upon a plurality of wheels, such as three wheels 54, 56 and 58 as shown. One or more of these wheels may be coupled with an electric motor or other motive means mounted in vehicle 50 may be used to provide forward motion. An electric motor 28 is mounted at the rear end of vehicle 50 through a brace 60 or the like. A propeller 32 is supported upon a shaft extending from motor 28. Upon actuation of motor 28, propeller 32 will rotate to produce thrust in one direction or the other. The location of electric motor 28 is at a distance from the vertical axis of the vehicle. Thereby, the force generated by the thrust produced by propeller 32 will urge the rear end of the vehicle to move in a direction opposite to the thrust produced. Such urging will cause the vehicle to rotate about its vertical axis and result in a change in direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is underway. By reversing the direction of rotation of propeller 36, the vehicle will be urged to turn in the opposite direction. It is to be understood that receiver 20 and the components associated therewith are mounted on or within vehicle 50.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a waterborne vehicle or watercraft 60, which in this case is a sailboat. However, it may also be a motorboat, hydrofoil, etc., as is conventional. The sailboat includes a hull 62, keel 64 and possibly a rudder 66. Forward motion of the sailboat is provided by a sail 68 supported by a mast 70 and a boom 72. Thereby, in the presence of a breeze, the sailboat will move forwardly as a result of the wind acting upon sail 68, as is conventional. An electric motor 28 is mounted upon a pedestal 74 at stem 76 of the sailboat; it is to be understood that the motor may also be mounted at bow 78 of the sailboat.

[0023] Electric motor 28 includes a shaft 30 supporting a propeller 32. On actuation of the motor, the propeller will turn and produce thrust. The force of the thrust will act upon stern 76 to urge movement of the stern in one direction or the other. As the stern is urged to move laterally, coupled with forward motion of sailboat 60, the direction of travel of the sailboat will change. By reversing the rotation of shaft 30, the direction of the thrust produced by propeller 32 will be reversed, resulting in the stern being urged to move laterally in the opposite direction. Such movement of the stern, coupled with forward motion of the sailboat, will cause the sailboat to move in the other direction. It is to be understood that receiver 20 and its components may be mounted within or upon hull 62 to provide power and control to electric motor 28.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4 there is illustrated an airborne vehicle or aircraft 80 in the form of a powered airplane 82. The airplane includes a body 84 supporting a wing 86, horizontal stabilizer 88, and a vertical stabilizer 90. If the airplane is a powered airplane, it may include a propeller 92 actuated by a motor (not shown) to provide thrust to urge airplane 82 forwardly. It is to be understood that the airplane may also be a glider in which event propeller 92 and its motor would be absent. Furthermore, the airborne vehicle could be a lighter than air vehicle having motive means for providing forward motion.

[0025] An electric motor 28 may be supported from a bracket 94 extending from the vertical stabilizer. The vertical stabilizer may include a circular opening 96 commensurate in diameter with the length of propeller 32 coupled to motor 28 through shaft 30. Thereby, the propeller may rotate in a plane essentially commensurate with the plane of the vertical stabilizer. Upon actuation of motor 28, propeller 32 will be caused to rotate in one direction or the other. Such rotation will produce thrust and the thrust will urge the tail of the airplane to move in the opposite direction. Upon forward motion of the airplane through the air, the thrust produced by propeller 36 will urge the tail to swing left or right about the vertical axis of the airplane. The resulting movement of the tail of the airplane will cause a change in direction of flight of the airplane. By reversing the rotation of motor 28, the thrust produced by the propeller will be in the opposite direction and the aircraft will turn and travel in the opposite direction. Thereby, directional control of the airplane is provided. It is to be understood that receiver 20 and its components may be mounted in or upon body 84 of the airplane.

[0026] In summary, a land, water or airborne vehicle having receiver 20, its components, and motor 28 driving propeller 32 mounted therein, will have its direction of travel controlled by an operator manipulating control stick 12 of transmitter 10.

[0027] With respect to airborne vehicle 80, which is free to operate in three axis, the axis of rotation of shaft 30, and hence the direction of the thrust produced by propeller 32 may be at an angle other then horizontal to compensate for the P-factor (precession) due to the motor rotating propeller 92 to provide forward motion. Furthermore, depending upon the decalage, dihedral and moments attendant the aircraft, the thrust of propeller 32 providing directional control may be other than in the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft in order to provide an acrobatic capability.

Claims

1. Radio controlled apparatus for controlling the direction of travel of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising in combination:

a) a transmitter for transmitting a control signal;

b) a receiver for receiving the control signal;

c) an electric motor being responsive to said receiver for turning a propeller to create thrust; and

d) a mounting for said motor on said vehicle, said mounting being adapted to orient the thrust to act about the vertical axis of said vehicle.

2. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a power supply for said vehicle to energize said receiver and said motor.

3. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transmitter includes a control for controlling the direction of rotation of said motor.

4. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a land vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the rear of said vehicle.

5. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a waterborne vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the stern of said vehicle.

6. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is an airborne vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the tail of said vehicle.

7. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said vehicle includes a vertical stabilizer having an opening therein and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted within said opening.

8. A radio controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said propeller comprises a fan.

9. A forwardly movable vehicle having a vertical axis and including a radio control receiver responsive to an operator operated radio control transmitter, said vehicle comprising in combination:

a) an electric motor operatively responsive to the receiver;

b) a propeller rotatably responsive to said electric motor for producing thrust; and

c) a mounting for said electric motor adapted to orient the direction of the thrust produced by said propeller about the vertical axis of said vehicle to urge rotation of said vehicle about the vertical axis of said vehicle.

10. A forwardly movable vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle is a land vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the rear of said vehicle.

11. A forwardly movable vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle is a waterborne vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the stem of said vehicle.

12. A forwardly movable vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle is an airborne vehicle and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted at the tail of said vehicle.

13. A forwardly movable vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle includes a vertical stabilizer having an opening therein and wherein said propeller is rotatably mounted within said opening.

14. A forwardly movable vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said propeller comprises a fan.

15. A method for controlling the direction of travel of a forwardly moving vehicle having vertical, longitudinal and lateral axes, said method comprising the steps of:

a) transmitting a control signal from a radio control transmitter;

b) receiving the control signal with a radio control receiver located at the vehicle;

c) conveying the control signal to an electric motor to cause rotation of a shaft of the electric motor; and

d) producing thrust about the vertical axis of the vehicle with a propeller operatively responsive to rotation of the shaft of the electric motor to urge the vehicle to rotate about its vertical axis.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the vehicle is a land vehicle and wherein said step of producing is carried out at the rear of the vehicle.

17. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the vehicle is a watercraft and wherein said step of producing is carried out at the stem of the watercraft.

18. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said vehicle is an aircraft and wherein said step of producing is carried out at the tail of the aircraft.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the aircraft includes a vertical stabilizer having a hole therein and wherein said step of producing is carried out within the hole.

20. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said step of producing provides thrust about the vertical axis and about the lateral axis of the aircraft.