초록 ▼

A propeller includes a plurality of propeller blades. Each blade has an adjustable drag coefficient. A plurality of actuators adjusts the drag coefficients of the propeller blades. A controlling unit controls the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjus

A propeller includes a plurality of propeller blades. Each blade has an adjustable drag coefficient. A plurality of actuators adjusts the drag coefficients of the propeller blades. A controlling unit controls the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjusted according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade so that the drag of each propeller blade is maximized at the same point through a course of revolution and minimized throughout the remainder of that revolution.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A propeller comprising: a plurality of propeller blades rotating through a fluid and having adjustable drag coefficients; a plurality of actuators connected to the plurality of propeller blades for adjusting the drag coefficients of the propeller blades; and a controller conn

What is claimed is: 1. A propeller comprising: a plurality of propeller blades rotating through a fluid and having adjustable drag coefficients; a plurality of actuators connected to the plurality of propeller blades for adjusting the drag coefficients of the propeller blades; and a controller connected to the plurality of actuators for controlling the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjusted according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade and such that a lift force is not developed by the plurality of propeller blades at any rotational angle, wherein the propeller is mounted on an airplane. 2. The propeller of claim 1, wherein each revolution of the propeller blades includes a predetermined angle of rotation at which the controller controls the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficient of each propeller blade is maximized, and wherein each revolution of the propeller blades further includes a maximizing range of angles of rotation, which comprises a range of instantaneous angles of rotation from +80° to −80° with respect to the predetermined angle of rotation, and the drag coefficient of each propeller blade is at a minimum outside the maximizing range of angles of rotation. 3. The propeller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of propeller blades are each comprised of a blade pair comprising an upper blade, a lower blade and a hinge connecting the upper blade to the lower blade, and wherein the plurality of actuators rotate the upper blade and lower blade about an axis of the hinge towards each other to a closed position, and also rotate the upper blade and lower blade about an axis of the hinge away from each other to an open position, wherein the plurality of actuators maximizes the drag coefficient of each propeller blade by opening the blade pair and minimizes the drag coefficient of each propeller blade by at least partially closing the blade pair. 4. The propeller of claim 3, further comprising a motor having a rotatable motor shaft defining a central axis of rotation, and at least one arm for connecting each blade pair to the motor shaft, wherein each blade pair rotates about the central axis of the propeller through at least one complete revolution, and wherein the plurality of actuators open each blade pair at least one predetermined point in the revolution, so that each blade pair opens at the same at least one predetermined point; and wherein the plurality of actuators close each blade pair after the at least one predetermined point is passed and do not open the blade pair again until it approaches the at least one predetermined point on the next revolution. 5. The propeller of claim 4, wherein the predetermined point is at a rotational angle of 0 degrees as measured from a start position in the plane of rotation. 6. The propeller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of propeller blades comprise two or more propeller blades. 7. The propeller of claim 3, wherein, during rotation, the blade pair opens and closes in a direction directly facing the oncoming fluid so as to exert a force which pushes the fluid. 8. A propeller comprising: a plurality of propeller blades rotating through a fluid and having adjustable drag coefficients; a plurality of actuators connected to the plurality of propeller blades for adjusting the drag coefficients of the propeller blades; and a controller connected to the plurality of actuators for controlling the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjusted according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade and such that a lift force is not developed by the plurality of propeller blades at any rotational angle, wherein the plurality of propeller blades are each comprised of a blade pair comprising an upper blade, a lower blade and a hinge connecting the upper blade to the lower blade, the plurality of actuators rotate the upper blade and lower blade about an axis of the hinge towards each other to a closed position, and also rotate the upper blade and lower blade about an axis of the hinge away from each other to an open position, the plurality of actuators maximizes the drag coefficient of each propeller blade by opening the blade pair and minimizes the drag coefficient of each propeller blade by at least partially closing the blade pair, the controller comprises a base having a guide track formed in a surface thereof, the plurality of actuators each comprise a control link assembly and at least one guide bearing connected to the control link assembly, wherein the control link assembly is attached to the blade pair, and the at least one guide bearing is attached to the control link assembly and travels in the guide track, and the control link assembly extends and contracts as the at least one guide bearing travels along the guide track to close and open the blade pair thereby altering the drag coefficient of the blade pair. 9. The propeller of claim 8, wherein the guide track includes a flat portion oriented perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the propeller and at least one dip at a predetermined location where the guide track deviates from the flat portion such that the at least one guide bearing moves when it encounters the at least one dip so as to extend the control link assembly, causing the blade pair to open and thereby increasing the drag coefficient of the blade pair. 10. The propeller of claim 3, wherein the plurality of propeller blades comprises at least two propeller blades which are spaced 180 degrees apart, so that when a first propeller blade is in an open position the opposite second propeller blade is in a closed position. 11. An airplane comprising one or more of the propellers of claim 1. 12. An airplane comprising two counter-rotating propellers of claim 1, wherein the propellers are arranged on parallel axes. 13. An airplane comprising two counter-rotating propellers of claim 1, wherein the propellers are arranged on titled axes. 14. An airplane comprising one or more pairs of counter-rotating propellers of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the propellers occurs above and/or under a wing surface of the airplane and/or at least partially inside a fuselage of the airplane. 15. A method for propelling a vehicle or vessel through a fluid, comprising the steps of: rotating a propeller of one or more blades; and adjusting the drag of each of the one or more blades according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade, wherein a lift force is not developed by any propeller blade at any rotational angle, wherein the vehicle or vessel is one of an airplane, a boat, an airboat, a flying boat and a submarine and the fluid the vehicle or vessel is propelled through is at least one of water and air. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein each revolution of the one or more blades includes a predetermined angle of rotation at which the drag of each of the one or more blades is adjusted such that the drag of each blade is maximized, and wherein each revolution of the one or more blades includes a maximizing range of angles of rotation, which comprises a range of angles of rotation from +80° to −80° with respect to the predetermined angle of rotation, and the drag coefficient of each of the one or more blades is at a minimum outside the maximizing range of angles of rotation. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the drag coefficient of each propeller blade is maximized by spreading open a hinged upper blade and lower blade of the propeller blade and the drag coefficient of each propeller blade is minimized by closing or at least partially closing the hinged upper blade and lower blade of the propeller blade. 18. The propeller of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the plurality of actuators such that drag coefficient of each propeller blade is at a minimum for at least 200 degrees per 360 degree revolution of the propeller. 19. The propeller of claim 8, wherein: the guide track comprises a top guide surface and a bottom guide surface, the top guide surface and bottom guide surface are parallel to each other and oriented perpendicular to the axis rotation of the propeller in the flat portion of the guide track, and the plurality of actuators each comprise at least a top guide bearing and a bottom guide bearing, wherein the top guide bearing is in contact with the top guide surface and the bottom guide bearing is in contact with the bottom guide surface when each actuator is in the flat portion of the guide track. 20. The propeller of claim 19, wherein a distance between the top guide surface and bottom guide surface is fixed in the flat portion of the guide track but varies in a portion of the guide track including the at least one dip, such that at least one of the top guide bearing and bottom guide bearing is not in contact with the top guide surface or bottom guide surface, respectively, in the portion of the guide track including the at least one dip. 21. The propeller of claim 8, wherein the control link assembly includes at least a control rod attached to the at least one guide bearing, a first control link pivotally attached at a first end to a distal end of the control rod and pivotally attached at a second end to an upper blade of a blade pair, a second control link pivotally attached at a first end to the distal end of the control rod and pivotally attached at a second end to a lower blade of the blade pair, the control link assembly being configured to move the blade pair to the closed position when the at least one guide bearing moves the control rod towards the blade pair. 22. The propeller of claim 21, wherein the blade pair is in the closed position when the at least one guide bearing is in the flat portion of the guide track.