IP Library Granted Patent US 7,766,279
Granted Patent B2
US 7,766,279 · App. 11/980,168 · Granted Aug 3, 2010

Vortex ring generator

Assignee: NewPax, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,766,279
App. No.
11/980,168
Granted
Aug 3, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vortex ring generator adapted to be associated with a body subjected to fluid flow, the vortex ring generator being adapted to produce a fluid flow in the form of a vortex ring with the fluid flow moving over the body from the vortex ring generator.

Claims (19)

1. A vortex ring generating system, comprising:

a body subjected to a fluid, the body configured to propel the fluid from a forward portion of the body to a rear portion of the body when the body is in motion; and

a plurality of spiraled surfaces affixed to the body, the plurality of spiraled surfaces alternately configured as concave and convex surfaces, a portion of each of the plurality of spiraled surfaces conforming substantially to a logarithmic spiral, wherein the radius of the logarithmic spiral measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth, the plurality of spiraled surfaces commencing proximate the forward portion of the body and terminating proximate the rear portion of the body, the plurality of spiraled surfaces configured to generate a vortex ring surrounding the body as the body propels the fluid from the forward portion of the body toward the rear portion of the body wherein each of the plurality spiraled surfaces includes one or more vanes, wherein at least a portion of each of the one or more vanes are incident to the fluid.

2. The vortex ring generating system of claim 1 , wherein each of plurality of spiraled surfaces is permanently affixed to the body such that each of the plurality of spiraled surfaces does not rotate independent of the body.

3. The vortex ring generating system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of spiraled surfaces extend without interruption from the forward portion of the body to the rear portion of the body.

4. The vortex ring generating system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vanes each include a surface area conforming substantially to a logarithmic curve, wherein the radius of the logarithmic curve measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth.

5. The vortex ring generating system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spiraled surfaces are configured in a path around and along the body.

6. The vortex ring generating system of claim 5 , wherein the path of the plurality of spiraled surfaces conforms substantially to a logarithmic spiral, wherein the radius of the logarithmic spiral measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth.

7. A vortex ring generator comprising:

a mobile body including a nose and a tail; and

a plurality of vanes extending outwardly from the mobile body, the plurality of vanes commencing near the nose of the mobile body and ending near the tail of the mobile body, the plurality of vanes defining a spiral path around the mobile body, the plurality of vanes alternately configured as concave and convex surfaces, a portion of each surface of the plurality of vanes conforming substantially to a logarithmic spiral, wherein the radius of the logarithmic spiral measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth, the plurality of vanes configured to generate a vortex ring with respect to a fluid incident to the mobile body, the plurality of vanes further configured to propel the fluid from the nose of the mobile body toward the tail of the mobile body.

8. The vortex ring generator of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of vanes is permanently affixed to the mobile body such that the plurality of vanes does not rotate independent of the mobile body.

9. The vortex ring generator of claim 7 , wherein the spiral path of the plurality of vanes conforms substantially to a logarithmic spiral, wherein the radius of the logarithmic spiral measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth.

10. The vortex ring generator of claim 7 , wherein the shape of the mobile body conforms to a shape of a vortex cavitation tube.

11. The vortex ring generator of claim 7 , wherein the mobile body is conical in shape with a hollow centre.

12. A mobile body configured to reduce drag in a flowing fluid, the mobile body comprising:

an axis aligned with a direction of the flowing fluid relative to the mobile body, the mobile body including a nose and a tail; and

a vortex ring generator coupled to the mobile body, the vortex ring generator including a helical vane disposed around a central axis aligned with the axis of the mobile body, the helical vane extending from the nose of the mobile body to the tail of the mobile body, the helical vane having a plurality of surfaces, the surfaces alternately configured as concave and convex surfaces, a portion of the helical vane conforming to a logarithmic curve, wherein the radius of the logarithmic curve measured at equiangular radii unfolds at a constant order of growth, the vortex ring generator configured to induce the flowing fluid to form a vortex ring around the body whereby the drag of the flowing fluid against the mobile body is reduced as the mobile body propels the flowing fluid along the axis aligned with a direction of the flowing fluid relative to the mobile body.

13. The mobile body of claim 12 , wherein the vortex ring generator further projects outward from the nose of the mobile body.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2012
From: CAITIN, INC.
To: PAX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 028496/0584 →
WRIT OF ATTACHMENT Recorded May 25, 2012
From: SUPERIOR COURT, ALAMEDA COUNTY OF CALIFORNIA
To: IMPULSE DEVICES INC.
Reel/Frame 028275/0504 →
CONFIRMATORY PATENT ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jan 13, 2011
From: SONOMA COOL, INC. F/K/A PAX STREAMLINE, INC.
To: CAITIN, INC. F/K/A NEW PAX, INC.
Reel/Frame 025630/0637 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 22, 2010
From: NEW PAX, INC.
To: CAITIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 025178/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2007
From: PAX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
To: PAX STREAMLINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 020253/0115 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2007
From: HARMAN, JAYDEN DAVID
To: PAX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 020123/0228 →
Priority Claims (2)
AU PR9827 · Jan 3, 2002 · national
AU PS1352 · Mar 26, 2002 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 1088403200 · Jul 2, 2004
Continuation PCTAU030000300 · Jan 3, 2003
Related Publication 20080265101A1 · Oct 30, 2008