Aerodynamic-Enhancing Attachment For A Beverage Can With Launch Capability

Abstract

A device with a plurality of attachments for a beverage can which enhance the aerodynamics of the beverage can, comprising a base assembly adapted for attachment to a beverage can and a nosecone adapted for attachment to a beverage can. The base assembly further comprises a basal member, a peripheral sidewall, a guide unit, a central aperture, and a plurality of stabilizing units. The basal member further comprises an inner surface configured to follow the contour of a beverage can. The inner surface of the basal member contains a central aperture. The central aperture is surrounded by a divergent thrust nozzle, which focuses the beverage contents and increases the pressure of the liquid rivulet that is released. The heightened pressure of the beverage contents increases the thrust of the rocket during launch beyond what the thrust would be in the absence of the thrust nozzle.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to attachments to improve the aerodynamics of a cylindrical shape. The attachments allow a previously flightless object to be launched as a projectile. More particularly, this disclosure concerns attachments for a beverage can.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rockets made from the shell of aluminum beverage cans have become popular with model rocket enthusiasts. However, launching a beverage can previously required emptying the beverage can of its contents and converting the shell for use with fireworks, a compressed air launcher, or other method to propel the empty can.

SUMMARY

The exemplary embodiments describe a device having a plurality of attachments to reduce aerodynamic drag of a cylindrical object. In the exemplary embodiment the base section fits flush to the contour of the bottom of a beverage can. In another possible exemplary embodiment, a thrust nozzle may accompany the base section to direct beverage contents out of the bottom of the can through a central aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an enlarged angled bottom perspective of a base assembly unit according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a nosecone according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a nosecone and base assembly unit coupled to a beverage can according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the base assembly and nosecone coupled to a beverage can to form the beverage can rocket according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5a shows a view of an exemplary launch setup where the beverage can rocket is being inserted into a launch pad according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5b shows a view of an exemplary launch setup where the rocket is airborne after launching according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a launch method for the beverage can, using a launch rod and firing pin according to the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to a device having a plurality of aerodynamic-enhancing attachments to modify a beverage can for launch. This device allows a model rocket enthusiast to take advantage of the natural carbonation present in a beverage can and easily convert the rocket for flight without needing to dismantle the can. Throughout this description, the assembled device will be referred to as a “beverage can rocket.” However, it should be clear from the description that the beverage can component of the beverage can rocket may be substituted out for a different component.

FIG. 1 shows a base assembly 1 attachment for a beverage can. As will be described in greater detail below, the base assembly 1 is configured to be attached to the beverage can to both aid in the flight of the beverage can rocket and to make the beverage can rocket look like a rocket. The base assembly 1 includes a plurality of trapezoidal stabilizing units 2 arranged along a peripheral sidewall 3, a basal member 4 configured to fit the contour of a bottom end of a beverage can, wherein the basal member 4 comprises a central aperture 5, which is surrounded by a thrust nozzle 6. The basal member 4 is described in more detail below. The base assembly 1 further comprises a guide unit 7 that is coupled to the peripheral sidewall 3. An example of a use of the guide unit 7 will also be described in more detail below.

It should be noted that the base assembly 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is only exemplary in a variety of manners. In one aspect, the number of the stabilizing units 2 being shown is only exemplary. In a first example, as discussed above, the base assembly 1 may have four stabilizing units 2. In another example, the base assembly 1 could comprise any number from, for example, two to twenty stabilizing units 2. It is also noted that the stabilizing units 2 may also be referred to as fins. Those skilled in the art will understand that the stabilizing units 2 are generally used to create lift and stabilize the beverage can rocket as it is flying. For example, as the air moves faster over the stabilizing units 2, air pressure may be reduced on the surfaces of the stabilizing units 2, thereby creating lift. The stabilizing units 2 may also be used to correct the flight of the beverage can rocket when it is deflected. Again, for example, when air moves over the top of a deflected stabilizing unit 2, the air travels faster than the air under the fin, creating lift and causing the beverage can rocket to be stabilized by rotating around the center of gravity until it is flying straight again. The trapezoidal shape of the stabilizing units 2 may accomplish this functionality. However, there may be additional shapes of the stabilizing units 2 that may also accomplish the same functionality. Therefore, it should be clear that the stabilizing units 2 may take the form of a different shape. As described above, any number of stabilizing units 2 may be used and the number may be selected based on, for example, the size of the beverage can to which the base assembly 1 is to be attached, the weight of the beverage can to which the base assembly 1 is to be attached, a look to be achieved when attaching the base assembly to the beverage can, etc.

In another example, the peripheral sidewall 3 is shown as having a series of ridges. These ridges are only exemplary and are not required. For example, the peripheral sidewall 3 may be a flat surface or may include any design.

The base assembly 1 is configured and of such size that the beverage can will be received into the basal member 4 and peripheral sidewall 3 to form a friction fit to secure the beverage can 1 within the base assembly 1. However, the friction fit is only exemplary and other methods of securing the base assembly 1 to the beverage can or vice versa may also be used. For example, an adhesive or other material may be used to secure the beverage can to the base assembly 1, the base assembly 1 may include a compression ring that is tightened when the beverage can is received into the base assembly 1, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the basal member 4, including the thrust nozzle 6 that surrounds the central aperture 5. This figure also includes the exemplary guide unit 7 and associated ridges along the peripheral sidewall 3. The guide unit 7 allows the base assembly 1 to be attached to a vertical launch rod 9 on a launch pad 10, to increase the upward thrust of the beverage can rocket during launch (see FIGS. 5a and b). However, the beverage can rocket may be launched using a different method that does not include a launch rod 9.

The base assembly 1 is configured such that central aperture 5 of the basal member 4 is generally centered on the end of the beverage can when the base assembly 1 is attached to the beverage can. As will be described in greater detail below, it is assumed that the beverage can will be punctured through the central aperture 5 to cause the under pressure contents (e.g., the propellant) to be released from the beverage can. By having the central aperture 5 centered on the end of the beverage can, the propellant may be released at the center of gravity of the beverage can rocket (e.g., the point in the beverage can rocket where the weight is evenly balanced). By having the propellant be ejected at this point, it is more likely that the beverage can rocket will launch and will be stable when it is flying.

In this embodiment the divergent form of the thrust nozzle 6 focuses the beverage contents (e.g., the propellant) through the thrust nozzle 6 toward the exhaust, thereby increasing the velocity of the stream of liquid that is released. This increased velocity augments the thrust of the beverage can rocket during launch. In a different exemplary embodiment, the thrust nozzle 6 could also be made longer than it appears in the illustration. In another exemplary embodiment, the thrust nozzle 6 may be moveably mounted to the basal member 4 such that the thrust nozzle 6 may be adjusted to provide thrust in a desired direction.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the nosecone 11. Similar to the base assembly 1, the nosecone 11 is configured to be attached to the beverage can to both aid in the flight of the beverage can and to make the beverage can rocket look like a rocket. In the exemplary embodiment the nosecone is hollow and contains a lip 12 along the inner circumference. The lip 12 allows for a friction fit between the nosecone 11 and a first end of a beverage can. The attachment of the nosecone 11 via a friction fit is only exemplary, and alternative manners may be used to attach the nosecone 11 to the beverage can. For example, the inside of the nosecone 11 may be provided with an adhesive that may be activated to attach to the beverage can, the nosecone 11 may be provided with compression ring that could be tightened when the nosecone 11 is attached to the beverage can, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the nosecone 11 of a rocket is usually shaped to minimize air resistance or drag. The nosecone 11 is shown as including such a shape. However, other shapes that accomplish this functionality may also be used. The nosecone 11 should be shaped such that, when flying, the beverage can rocket does not experience turbulent airflow. Examples that may cause turbulent airflow include a crooked nosecone 11 or a nosecone 11 that is larger than the beverage can, whereby a ridge is formed where the nosecone 11 and beverage can are joined. Thus, this should be taken into consideration when selecting the shape of the nosecone 11.

The base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 may be made of the same or different materials. In one example, the base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 are constructed of a plastic material by, for example, injection molding. In such an embodiment, each of the base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 may be a unitary body. However, it is not required that the base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 each be a unitary body. In addition, the base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 may be constructed of different materials, metal, wood, composites, paper, cardboard, etc.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the base assembly 1 and nosecone 11 coupled to a beverage can to form the beverage can rocket. An arrangement of the nosecone 11 on the top of the beverage can and the base assembly 1 coupled to the bottom of the beverage can is typical, however this is only one exemplary embodiment. It would be possible to rearrange the nosecone 11 and base assembly 1 when they are being coupled to the beverage can. With reference to FIG. 3, the substructures of the base assembly 1 are visible in this figure, including inner surface of the basal member 4. It can be seen that the inner surface of the basal member 4 follows the contour of the bottom of the beverage can. That is, when the beverage can is received into the base assembly 1, there should be very little space between the bottom of the beverage can and the inner surface of the basal member 4. If there were a significant amount of space, when the beverage can is punctured to release the contents, the contents may be spread out over the entire bottom of the beverage can and not be focused as desired for maximum thrust. However, when there is very little space between the bottom of the beverage can and the inner surface of the basal member 4, the contents of the beverage can are released and focused through the central aperture 5 and the thrust nozzle 6. Additionally, the stabilizing units 2 show how the base assembly may rest on a launch pad or the flat surface when the beverage can rocket is fully assembled.

FIGS. 5a and 5b shows a side view of an exemplary launch set-up. FIG. 5a shows a launch set-up that comprises a launch rod 9, a launch pad 10, a launch lever 13, a firing pin 14, and a plurality of side rails 15. In FIG. 5a, the base assembly 1 of the beverage can rocket is coupled to the launch rod 9 by inserting the launch rod 9 through the guide unit 7 on the base assembly 1. The beverage can rocket may then be guided over the launch rod 9 in the downward direction such that the base assembly 1 may rest on the flat surface of the launch pad 10. The stabilizing units 2 allow the base assembly 1 to balance on the level surface of the launch pad 10. In this exemplary embodiment, when the bottom of the stabilizing units 2 are resting on the launch pad 10, the firing pin 14 is arranged such that it is below the central aperture 5.

FIG. 5b shows the rocket airborne after a launch lever 13 on the launch pad 10 moves the firing pin 14 upward. For example, a person may press the launch lever 13 down (e.g., with their hand or foot), thereby moving the firing pin 14 upward. The upward movement of the firing pin 14 moves the firing pin 14 through the central aperture 5 and punctures the bottom of the beverage can. The contents of the beverage can are then released through the central aperture 5 and the thrust nozzle 6 to provide upward thrust for the beverage can rocket. The beverage can rocket moves vertically as the beverage can rocket is constrained by the launch rod 9 which aids in keeping the beverage can rocket moving in the vertical direction and not going off course. However, the side rails 15 are also included to provide an extra safety measure so that the rocket does not immediately go sideways and possibly hit a nearby person or object. Once the beverage can rocket clears the launch set-up, the beverage can rocket may fly until it is out of fuel. Again, it is noted that this is only one exemplary launch set-up and one exemplary manner of launching the beverage can rocket. Other launch set-ups and launch manners may also be used.

In one exemplary embodiment, the base assembly 1 or the nosecone 11 may also include a parachute such that the beverage can rocket may float down to the ground rather than come crashing down when it is out of fuel. This may allow the base assembly 1 and the nosecone 11 to be reused multiple times as they are less likely to be damaged when the beverage can rocket returns to the ground. In one exemplary embodiment, the parachute is located in the hollow portion of the nosecone 11. This arrangement would allow the beverage can rocket to come down in an upright orientation and avoid damage to the tip of the nosecone 11.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method of launching the rocket. In this embodiment, a launch rod 9 and firing pin 14 are used. In step 100 the rocket is assembled by attaching the base assembly 1 and nosecone 11 to each end of the beverage can. In step 101, the beverage can is shaken, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide gas within the can. In step 102, the guide unit 7 is lined up with and slipped over the launch rod 9. In step 103, the beverage can is punctured through the central aperture 5 in the base assembly 1 by a firing pin 14 located on the launch pad 10. In step 104, the opening in the can decreases the pressure inside the can, increasing the volume of the carbon dioxide gas, which pushes the beverage contents out of the opening. In step 105, the beverage contents are directed downward by the basal member 4 and thrust nozzle 6, allowing the beverage can to launch.

It should be noted that the diameter of the central aperture 5 and the puncture area may depend on the particular beverage can (e.g., absolute size, weight, diameter, etc.) and contents of the beverage can (e.g., energy drink, soda, beer, etc.). In addition, depending on the manufacturing process used to fill the beverage can, the pressure inside the can may vary. Other factors may also effect the can such as the temperature of the can inside a refrigerator versus being held at room temperature can affect the pressure inside the can and whether the can is shaken may also have an effect on the pressure inside the can. These factors may be considered when creating the size of the puncture hole (that will be made through the central aperture 5) in relation to the pressure inside the can.

In typical 250 ml sized energy drink embodiment, a puncture hole that is larger than 1 cm wide is generally too big in relation to the amount of pressure that can be generated inside the can. The contents of the can would spurt out but not at a regular or constant enough rate in relation to the can size to afford any stability or enough thrust to make a difference. A hole less than 1 mm wide also is negligible depending on the amount of pressure inside the can. A 1 mm hole cannot provide enough stability or thrust that would noticeably affect the can's trajectory or velocity on a 250 ml size can. Thus, in this embodiment, the size of the puncture hole (and the corresponding central aperture 5) should be in the range of 2 mm—less than 1 cm. However, a smaller can under high pressure may be affected noticeably by a 1 mm hole. In one embodiment, it has been shown that for a room temperature, shaken, carbonated beverage can being punctured and providing stability and thrust is in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

It should also be noted that the central aperture 5 diameter does not need to be exactly the same as the desired puncture hole. The central aperture 5 may be slightly larger than the desired puncture hole to allow the device that is puncturing the can to be inserted and removed.

It should also be noted that while the exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the contents of the beverage can being the propellant for the beverage can rocket, it is also possible to equip the beverage can rocket with a supplemental thrust source. The supplemental thrust force may be, for example, one or more Estes-type model rocket motors that may be included within the base assembly 1, may be strapped to the side of the beverage can, etc.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalent.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a nosecone configured to be coupled to a first end of a beverage can, wherein the nosecone comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall including a lip around a circumference of the nosecone, the lip configured to couple the nosecone to the first end of the beverage can via a friction fit; and

a base assembly configured to be coupled to a second end of the beverage can.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base assembly further comprises:

a basal member configured to enclose a second end of a beverage can;

a peripheral sidewall configured to surround a portion of a sidewall of the beverage can when the base assembly is coupled to the beverage can; and

a plurality of stabilizing units, coupled to the peripheral sidewall, wherein the stabilizing units are configured to create lift and stabilize the apparatus when in flight.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the stabilizing units have a trapezoidal shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the peripheral sidewall further includes a guide unit, wherein the guide unit extends from the peripheral sidewall in a radial direction with respect to the sidewall of the beverage can.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the basal member comprises a central aperture.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a thrust nozzle surrounds the central aperture.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the basal member is configured to follow a contour of the second end of the beverage can.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein when the base assembly is coupled to the beverage can, the basal member is adjacent to an end of the beverage can, such that when the end of the beverage can is punctured the beverage contents are released through the central aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the beverage contents that are released through the central aperture provide some of the thrust for the launch of the beverage can.

12. A base assembly configured to be coupled to a can, comprising:

a basal member configured to enclose a second end of a beverage can;

a peripheral sidewall configured to surround a portion of a sidewall of the beverage can when the base assembly is coupled to the beverage can; and

a plurality of stabilizing units, coupled to the peripheral sidewall, wherein the stabilizing units are configured to create lift and stabilize the apparatus when in flight.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stabilizing units have a trapezoidal shape.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the peripheral sidewall further includes a guide unit, wherein the guide unit extends from the peripheral sidewall in a radial direction with respect to the sidewall of the beverage can.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the basal member comprises a central aperture.

16. (canceled)

17. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of stabilizing units include at least one flat side configured to allow the apparatus to stand in an upright direction such that the flat sides are at a bottom most position in the upright direction, wherein the at least one flat side is in a plane that is parallel to a radial plane of the beverage can and is displaced from the second end of the beverage can in a longitudinal direction.