Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a propulsive force to a dynamic body without having to interact with an external mass. The technique is based on an internal exchange of kinetic energy working in concert with the influence of an ancillary force such as gravity to produce a net momentum change in the body. In one embodiment a body may be rotated through space without having to expel propellant or otherwise resort to an interaction with an external mass. In another embodiment, the invention can be used to dampen a swaying motion or vibration of a body such as a tall, earth-bound tower or a beam in a space station when there is no convenient external mass to which the body may be anchored.

Abstract: A propulsion system (10) which is designed to be used on a payload platform (90) such as a spacecraft, satellite, aircraft or an ocean vessel. To operate the system (10) electrical power is required. However, during operation the system (10) does not require fuel or other mass be expelled into the environment to move in space. The system (10) is designed to operate in two operational modes: in Mode I the system (10) incrementally moves the payload platform (90) forward with each operational cycle. In this first mode, the velocity imparted to the payload platform (90) is not additive. In Mode II the payload platform (90) accelerates forward a discrete increment of velocity during each operational cycle. In this second mode the increments of velocity are additive.

Abstract: A propulsion and positioning system for a vehicle comprises a first gyroscope mounted for precession about an axis remote from the center of said gyroscope. A support structure connects the gyroscope to the vehicle. Gyroscopes are used to cause the first gyroscope to follow a path which involves at least one precession-dominated portion and at least one translation-dominated portion, wherein in the precession-dominated portion, the mass of the first gyroscope is transferred and associated movement of the mass of the remainder of the system in a given direction occurs, and, in the translation-dominated portion, the mass of the first gyroscope moves with an associated second movement of the mass of the remainder of the system in substantially the opposite direction, wherein the movement owing to the translation-dominated portion and is larger than the movement owing to the precession-dominated portion of the motion, hence moving the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting rotational movement into linear movement in vehicles comprises a flywheel rotated about a center by a rotary motion producing motor. The flywheel has rotatably mounted thereon a plurality of weighted members which rotate about an axis associated therewith with each axis being spaced from the flywheel center. Each of the weighted members has a center of gravity which is spaced from the rotational axis associated therewith. Rotation of the weighted members is synchronized with rotation of the flywheel such that when the weighted member is on one side a non-rotating coordinate system, the distance between the center of gravity associated with the respective weighted member is further spaced from the flywheel center then when the weighted member is on an opposite side of the coordinate system such that an overall center of gravity of the rotating apparatus is always positioned on one side of the coordinate system.

Abstract: A thrust producing apparatus comprising a gyrostat having a gyrostat wheel, apparatus for supporting the gyrostat, apparatus for toppling the gyrostat creating precessional force in a predetermined direction against the supporting apparatus, and apparatus for rotating the gyrostat into an orientation whereby it can again be toppled while avoiding the creation of precessional force in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Controlled unidirectional movement of the apparatus based on gyrostatic precession is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A gyroscopic apparatus (100), having application as a prime mover, comprises a pair of discs (102) disposed opposite one another with arms (104) rotatably supporting the discs (102) connected at a pivot point, the pivot axis thereof lying in a plane midway between the discs (102). A drive arrangement (124, 126, 180) operates to spin the discs (102) in opposite directions while simultaneously rotating the whole assembly of discs (102) and arms (104) about a second axis in the same plane as, but perpendicular to, the pivot axis. A camming arrangement (144, 146, 152) working in conjunction with the rotation about the second axis periodically forces the spinning discs (102) to pivot about the pivot axis to thereby generate a force along the second axis which can be used to perform useful work.

Abstract: A flywheel having a hollow rotatable structure which is driven for rotation on a predetermined axis and presents a cam surface eccentrically surrounding that axis, a guide arrangement inside the rotatable structure presenting a plurality of slideways extending outward from that axis to the cam surface, and rollers slidable along those slideways and engageable with the cam surface. The rotatable structure is rotatable with respect to the guide arrangement. The rollers provide the only coupling between the rotatable structure and the guide arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal propulsion powerplant and impulse drive unit having a uni-directional linear impulse output for accelerating, lifting, guiding and braking land, water, air and space vehicles. The propulsion powerplant, being a self-contained unit, comprises a rotary source of torque, an impulse drive unit for receiving and converting torque from the rotary torque source into a uni-directional linear impulse output, a clutch means for coupling the rotary torque source to the impulse drive unit, a means for changing the magnitude of the uni-directional linear impulse output and a means for changing the direction of the uni-directional linear impulse output. The impulse drive unit comprises pairs of conjugate contra-rotating energy cells for converting torque into the uni-directional linear impulse output of the powerplant wherein mass members move along endless paths in defined planar orbits around the rotational axes of the cells.

Abstract: A device for generating a unidirectional force comprises a rotary body carrying around its periphery a plurality of pivotal pendulum masses mounted on shafts parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary body. As the body rotates the masses are moved inwardly to a retracted position by a cam surface and then are free to swing outwardly at an abrupt end of the cam surface. Each pendulum mass is associated with a leaf spring which rotates with the rotatable body and carries a roller on an outer end thereof for engaging a side of the pendulum mass so as to bias the pendulum mass back to the retracted position. The spring thus acts to control the flinging movement of the pendulums as they move outwardly and to gradually return them to the retracted position for reengagement with the cam surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a propulsion force comprises a pair of counter-rotating externally geared flywheels which are mounted on shafts for rotation in a housing and are balanced for high speed rotation. Each flywheel carries a mass slideable thereon in a radial slot but constrained to rotate angularly with the flywheel. The mass is constrained to rotate eccentrically of the flywheel by a stationary cam surface surrounding the path of rotation of the mass. The cam surface is provided on a plate slideable relative to the flywheels to adjust the degree of eccentricity of the cam track relative to the flywheel. A vibration isolation unit is connected between the housing of the flywheels and the frame of the device including a pair of airbags positioned between plates so as to communicate only the net unidirectional force from the housing to the chassis.

Abstract: A prime mover is connected by a series of universal joints to a crank which reciprocates a weight. The joints are arranged in such manner that the weight moves substantially faster in one direction than in the opposite direction causing a force to be applied to the structure in the first direction. When the structure is mounted on a vehicle the vehicle is caused to move in the first direction.

Abstract: A propulsion device comprises two symmetrical wheels mounted in the same plane for rotation about parallel axes at right angles to the plane and driven synchronously in opposite directions. Each wheel carries a pair of gearwheels which rotate around the axis of the wheel with the wheel and support eccentrically a pair of planet masses. The masses are arranged such that their distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel increases and decreases under control of the gearwheels. At a position immediately prior to the maximum distance of the planet from the axis, an electromagnetic device restrains outward movement of the planet mass so that when released the planet mass provides whip-like action inducing a resultant force in a direction at right angles to the plane containing the axes of the wheels.

Abstract: A propulsion system for converting rotary motion into unidirectional motion and consisting of a frame, a pair of counterrotating lower members rotatably mounted to the frame and containing damping elements, a pair of upper members containing damping elements and rotatably mounted to the frame and positioned above the lower members, each at an angle to the lower member so that each contacts a surface of the member below it at a single point, and a motor and drive train for driving the lower members. Each lower member includes a pair of studs mounted at its periphery which engage radially extending posts mounted to its corresponding upper cylinder so that rotation of the lower member causes the upper member to rotate in the same sense and at the same angular velocity. The superposition of the damped upper members upon the damped lower members generates unbalanced centrifugal forces which create a constant unidirectional resultant force.

Abstract: A propulsion system for converting rotary motion into unidirectional motion and consisting of a frame, a pair of counterrotating lower members rotatably mounted to the frame containing damping elements, a pair of upper members containing damping elements rotatably mounted to the frame and positioned above the lower members, each at an angle to the disk so that each contacts a surface of the member below it at a single point, and a motor and drive train for driving the lower members. Each lower member includes a pair of studs mounted at its periphery which engage radially extending posts mounted to its corresponding upper cylinder so that rotation of the lower member causes the upper member to rotate in the same sense damped and at the same angular velocity. The super position of the damped upper members upon the damped lower members generates unbalanced centrifugal forces which result in a constant unidirectional resultant force.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting rotary motion from a source of power which may be of constant speed into a rectilinear force includes a coupling arrangement for driving an eccentrically unbalanced flywheel at a cyclically varying rotational speed and linkages for altering the timing of the cyclical variation of speed of the eccentrically unbalanced flywheel. The apparatus comprises a cam element which is driven at a constant rate of speed about an output axis which is perpendicular to its face. The cam element has a slot extending diametrically across its face, configured for slidably engaging a pin which is located on a cam follower. The cam follower is freely rotatable about an input axis that is offset from the output axis by an amount which allows the pin to remain in the slot when the elements are rotated. The cam follower in turn drives the flywheel at a cyclically varying rotational speed.

Abstract: A system for propelling a vehicle which includes a frame within which at least one shuttle is mounted for reciprocal movement along a linear path of travel. An oscillating body is attached to the shuttle that is capable of delivering a series of alternating opposed force pulses to the shuttle with the pulses acting in a direction generally along the shuttle's path of travel. A rectifying means periodically locks the shuttle to the frame when the force pulses act in a first direction whereupon the forces are transmitted to the frame and unlock the shuttle when the forces act in the opposite direction, whereupon the shuttle is caused to move in the opposite direction. A return mechanism is operatively connected to the shuttle for restoring the shuttle to its original starting position after it has been driven a predetermined distance over the path of travel.

Abstract: A device to employ centrifugal force for use as linear motion utilizing a pair of counter rotating arms about a common axle. One arm contains a mass splitable and transferable to the other arm and back again at one hundred and eighty degree intervals. The device may include a surface travel system or two of such devices may be employed in tandem for any mode of travel.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for varying the radius of gyration of a plurality of gyrating masses and for selectively changing the direction of the resultant unbalanced force produced by these gyrating masses. The improved mechanism is comprised of a pair of normally non-rotating, eccentrically disposed, circular cams which engage a pair of cam followers which are attached to connecting rods which in turn are connected to the gyrating masses. The direction of the resultant unbalanced force is selectively changed by simply rotating, in unison, the pair of normally non-rotating cams.

Abstract: Orbital propulsion apparatus which has a rotor drivable by an electric motor and upon which is mounted a plurality of mass members for movement radially of the axis of the rotor, each mass member having a rocket motor mounted thereon which, when fired, moves its associated mass member outwards against a compression spring mounted on the rotor so that at a predetermined angular velocity of rotor the mass members rotate in a common circular orbit, the rockets being controllable so that they can be fired through an arc of predetermined angularity so as to move each mass member radially outwards of its circular orbit to increase the centrifugal force of each mass member across the arc while the electric motor operates to maintain constant angular velocity of the rotor.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices that convert rotary motion into unidirectional motion by varying the radius of gyration of a plurality of gyrating masses which gyrate in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. An improved mechanism, comprised of a normally stationary crank-like shaft, is disclosed for changing the direction of the resultant force and for continuously varying the radius of gyration of the gyrating masses. Also an improved means of support for the gyrating masses is disclosed which permits the use of linear motion bearings in order to substantially reduce the friction and wear of the slidable gyrating masses and their associated supporting structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices that convert the centrifugal forces produced by rotating masses into a propulsive force acting in one direction and which is comprised of a movable supporting structure in which identical sets of masses rotate in opposite directions about an axis which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel and a mechanism for continuously varying the radius of gyration of each mass during its cycle of revolution.