This is a mini jet/rocket engine contained in a prop. It is intended to be simple, lightweight, and disposable. A standardized connector allows various devices to control the flight of the device, depending on application. The basic module would provide steering based on the position of the operator – holding left will cause the device to circle counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise, widdershins, yes) around the user. Payload can include lights, a shortwave repeater, or a digital camera.

The most compact form of the device is pair of straight blades, each containing a slab of solid fuel. The leading edge of the blade contains a channel for the oxidizer. This channel curves over the end of the fuel slab, and a nozzle extends past the edge. Rotating the blade around the oxidizer channel adjusts pitch; a cone on the leading edge and flaps on the trailing edge adjust the shape.

A beam slightly longer than the diameter of the prop can be attached for more complex payloads. With one prop mounted to the center and small flaps on the ends, the beam provides a non-rotating mount for camera, rope, and remote controlled arms. Two props can be mounted, one at each end, for greater payload capacity and better stability.

A larger capacity design would have the whole device in the shape of an S, with segmented flaps. An even larger and safer design would be a ducted fan, with the fuel in the duct, and the oxidizer in the blades. With the nozzles on the inside of the duct, this design may be safe enough to deliver rope or supplies in a rescue operation.

The specifics of the device depend on the types of fuel available. I would like it to be an air breathing device, using a rocket start. The prop would naturally act as a compressor once it spun up, needing no moving parts except the valves to control output. As far as I know, there is no solid fuel which will work like this. I might be possible with liquid fuel, but this complicates the device. Perhaps a solid fuel would work with a mix of oxidizer and air.
-- tiromancer, Jan 12 2005

McDonnell XV-1 Convertiplane http://www.nasm.si....ft/mcdonnel_xv1.htm
This baby had rotor-tip jets [ConsulFlaminicus, Jan 14 2005]

Sketch http://tiromancer.e...ign.com/rcprop.html
If this doesn't look like anything to you, picture a fusion of the illustrations in the following links. [tiromancer, Jan 14 2005]

Ramrocket http://www.nas.nasa...BI104.HTM#ramrocket
Comprehensible illustration of an air breathing solid fuel ramjet. [tiromancer, Jan 14 2005]

COMPREACTIVE PROPELLER http://shulga.tripo.../compreactive/E.htm
I think this is a similar idea, but in a more traditional application. [tiromancer, Jan 14 2005]

1. Picture, please.

2. I think you will need 2 propellors no matter what. They would need to push against each other. Otherwise you will wind up rotating your axis in the opposite direction, fins notwithstanding, and the thing will fall.
-- bungston, Jan 14 2005


I'm not sure what you mean, [bungston]. The beam has fins on it to prevent it from rotating; its only purpose of the beam is to provide a mounting point which does not rotate. Without the beam -- which is how the device would be flow recreationally -- the entire device rotates as a single unit.

Are you saying that attaching the beam will prevent the device from flying? Or that it cannot, under any circumstances, fly?

...did I illustrate the right thing here?
-- tiromancer, Jan 14 2005


Much better with the drawing. Control would be a challenge.
-- FarmerJohn, Jan 15 2005



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