1519

Item 1519

OTHER: Miscellaneous - Thoughtless Idea - VTOL with Wings and Cables

Objective:

To eliminate the aerodynamic power transfer between engine and wing [engine ->(mechanical)-> propeller ->(aerodynamic)-> wing] by a mechanical means [engine ->(mechanical)-> wing].

Foreplay:

"The overall airplane lift-to-drag ratio can be 10 to 30, depending on the configuration, whereas the maximum a helicopter can do is 4 to 6." ~ Prouty, Rotor & Wing Jan 99

The efficiency of a propeller is around 80%. I.e. 20% of the engine's power is lost as the propeller provides forward motion to the airplane and energy to the wing for lift.

The efficiency of a mechanical transmission is about 95%.

~ This means that an airplane is 200% to 600% more efficient than a helicopter.
~ This means that an elevator is 25% more efficient than an airplane.
~ Therefore an elevator is 250% to 900% more efficient than a helicopter.

No longer is this true.

http://www.unicopter.com/Temporary/Winch.gif

The 'Rope-a-Dope' consists of two wings, which are filled with hydrogen, and a fuselage. A pair of cables are the only means of connecting the three parts together.

When a cable is slack the connected wing will pitch up to vertical and quickly ascend.
When the cable is under tension the wing will pitch down to an angle for gliding descent.
A winch in the fuselage has two drums and each has a cable to one of the wings.

Before takeoff both winches pay out all of their cable.
They then wind the cable in, which raises the fuselage and drags down both wings.
When the cables are partially wound in, one winch will continue to reel-in its cable, while the other winch pays-out its cable and its wing ascends.
The winches then alternate in the winding in and paying-out of their cables.
The aircraft flies forward ~ hopefully.

And now to do the very difficult Reverse-Houdini. Get back into my straight jacket.

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Last Revised: July 22, 2006

The above utility invention is publicly disclosed on the Internet to negate an person from patenting it, to the exclusion of all others whom may wish to use it to commit suicide.