AirShip Technologies Group

 

For the transportation industry, decades spanning 1960 through today have been watershed years of achievement and a time of enormous global competition.  The decades hold accomplishments in ground transportation, aerospace, space exploration and high-speed rail.  World opinions a hundred years ago would never have imagined the likes of transportation we enjoy as we entered the 21^st Century.  The world can be proud of the technological transportation accomplishments it has afforded society.  And, we should do everything possible to ensure that we maintain a critical leadership advantage in transportation as we enter an era of automotive clean technology and a sustainable green ecology.

 

Leadership and vitality in the transportation industry depends on worldwide commitment to strong research and development and the vision to look beyond the current paradigm of transportation as we know it today.  Our ability to create a new focus on how commuting is accomplished or how people move from one location to another will be vital to the transportation industry's global economic competitiveness in the 21st Century.  The world currently has many of the technological components and people to contribute to advances in

transportation and for improved competitive, profitable and sustainable automotive technology.  The fact is, the science of Green hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) makes business sense!

AirShipTG participated in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE to help support the transformation of transportation.   PI-AXP is the $10 million contest from the X PRIZE Foundation that encourages the creation of a new generation of viable, environmentally-friendly vehicles. Teams compete for multi-million-dollar cash prizes by designing and building super-efficient marketable vehicles that will achieve 100 MPG (2.35 liter/100 kilometer) or its equivalent.

There are two separate competitions: the mainstream class and the alternative class. The mainstream vehicle must seat 4 people and have 10 cubic feet of storage room as well as accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds, be able to drive 200 miles, and achieve a speed of 100 mph in addition to fuel economy of 100 mpg.  The alternative class vehicle must seat at least two people, achieve a speed of 80 mph, be able to drive 100 miles in addition to having a fuel economy of 100 mpg.   The mainstream class has a prize of $7.5 million.  AirShip Technologies Group's Delorean ATG competed as an early letter of intent entrant in the PI-AXP alternative class prize of $2.5 million.

AirShipTG is modeling its Track Sphere invention on the work completed in 2001 at Johns Hopkins University by Dr. Gregory S. Chinkjian,  Dr. David Stein and Dr. Edward R. Scheinerman.  Their work was  “Spherical Motor Allows Ball-Based 3-D Movement” – Magnet-guided Device Could Lead to Cheaper, More Precise Robotic Joints.”   Johns Hopkins University has invented a globe-shaped motor that is capable of rotating in any direction. The device, which uses electromagnets controlled by a computer, could give robotic arms greater flexibility and precision and might even allow the lowly computer mouse to guide the hand of the computer user, instead of the reverse.  These advances are made possible because the new spherical motor permits a wide range of unhindered mechanical motion.  A conventional motor turns on an axis, moving in one direction.  What they developed is a new type of spherical motor. Basically, there's a ball inside, and you can rotate it in any direction you want.  You can also visualize magnetic spherical attributes in 3-D conducting sphere surfaces.

Stator Assembly

Globe & Electro Magnets

Globe & Core Magnet       Pattern

Inside of Rotor

 

 

Using bio-diesel and magnetic levitation-electric powered track sphere propulsion, AirShip Technologies Group’s ground transport vehicle, introduces a new class of transportation system known as the AirShip.  This new vehicle reduces the impact on current transportation energy use because the AirShip technology is designed to exceed the 100 MPG or the equivalent (MPGe) and exceed 100 miles/hour.  The vehicle delivers rewards that propels the world to technological advancement and is in the driver seat of advanced innovative transportation systems.  This vehicle's technology signals increased consumer satisfaction, clean energy commutes, quantum leaps in transportation benefits for cars and long haul trucks, reduction in expendable natural resources, and dramatic changes in the way people travel.

 

The purpose of AirShip Technologies Group is to design and develop a vehicle that capitalizes on sustainable magnetic levitation-electric powered track sphere propulsion.  The designers of the AirShip are taking considerable effort to invent major core competency systems and to make reuse of off-the-shelf subsystems and components.  The group's creative combination of skills and technology core competencies are magnetic-levitation with electric propulsion via computer control, and construction of strong but light weight vehicle body technologies.  To the greatest extent feasible, AirShip Technologies Group will use   Open Technology Manufacturing Innovation processes to team with people and organizations with the desired competencies to provide these major systems based on development of the track sphere motor/drivetrain and other existing products and systems available in the marketplace.

 

AirShip Technologies Group has several team members and their biographies.

Management: AirShip Technologies Group began operation in January 1993 in Northridge, California.  Ben Lee Berry and Benjamin Lawrence Berry are the owner principals who have designed the AirShip's System Development and Technical Specifications. Together, these inventors have over 50 years in development of high-technology products which include the following patent work and science engineering conference.

 

Berry Zero Hydrocarbons Engine Patent Application, United States Patent Application and Trade Mark #20060174605; The Berry Zero Hydrocarbons Engine is a new and useful type of engine which does not require the internal combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. This engine invention offers the opportunity for reduced environmental impacts, and it ushers in a new type of transportation power unit.

 

Track Sphere Wheel Assembly.  United States Patent pending application for Track Sphere Wheel Assembly that opens up new possibilities for drivetrains.  This is a spherical wheel and electric motor combination in a single unit, which is capable of moving in any direction.  This invention is invented for the Green Environment where the drivetrain consists of the use of electric motors for the principal propulsion sources.  The time has come for a paradigm shift to a new spherical wheel and motor concept in the automotive industry that will open up possibilities of new drivetrains that can accommodate individual electric motors applied directly to a free floating sphere that replaces the automotive wheel.

 

 Innovation through AirShip Technology, AirShip Technologies as summarized in the PICMET - Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology, July 25 – 29, 1999.

 

Ben Lee Berry has a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California and has worked throughout the aerospace industry with program engineering roles in NASA's Apollo Space Program and the USAF's X-15 Program.  He is a former Tuskegee Airman.

 

Benjamin Lawrence Berry,  As co-owner and creator, is a computer systems executive and has held positions in transportation, aerospace and defense with Hughes Aircraft Company (Hughes Electronics) and the International Airports in Saudi Arabia.  He received his B.S. in Life Science (Bio-Technology) from the University of Portland and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.  He has 25+ years in computer software program management, computer graphics design, and systems development for defense and commercial applications, both in the U.S.A. and international.  In addition, he has participated in automotive parts synchronous/reengineering for Delco Electronics, another General Motors subsidiary. 

     

REINVENTION IS RELISHING THE IDEA OF LOOKING FOR a new way of doing something, so you present something that's fresh.  Exercising your creative abilities is one of the most important aspects of a human being -- or organization.  The more you explore looking at things differently and creating another way to look at things, the more choices you'll have to invent a new framework, a new environment.  Consequently, you'll be able to do something others have not.             

                                               Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock, April 2008

 

In their 2007 book, Clean Tech,  Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder refer to "Clean Tech"  as any product, service, or process that delivers value using limited or zero nonrenewable resources and/or creates significantly less waste than conventional offerings.  The Open Technology Manufacturing Innovation (OTI) process that has created AirShipTG's Magnetic Levitation Track Sphere invention just might be one of the most elegant solutions that changes everything in oil dependency and climate change.  Now there is nothing physically touching the transit spheres!  That's important because it eliminates friction in the spherical wheel.  For Track Spheres, we install permanent magnets under the rubber tread in a constant pattern, and embed coordinates-based electro-magnets in the adjacent hub.  We can send an electric current through the hub's electro-magnets which are under computer control.  This causes the Track Spheres themselves to serve as four large and efficient electric motors.  Without this, it would be easier just to place air bearings alone or regular tires on the vehicle to get rid of their drag. But with computer controlled drive-by wire, the Track Spheres move in the desired direction and speed.  The hub-based motors serve as a means of regenerative drive and regenerative braking for re-charging the on-board Lithium-ion battery packs.  Electricity is generated at all times as the Track Spheres turn and are surrounded by the induction coils embedded in the lower base of the Track Sphere Hub.  Of course, two sets of hub coils are required  -- one set for induction coil energy return and one set for electro-magnets to act directly on the Track Spheres.  All of the magnets are protected from wear by being embedded in the track sphere's hub as well as the rubber tread surfaces surrounding the magnetic pods that make up the sphere's snap frames.  The two coils do not interfere with the interactions of the magnetic fields.  Considering the eloquence, simplicity and functional advantages of Track Spheres, this magnetic levitation is doing for modern ground transportation what MagLev has done for super fast magnetic trains!   

 

In the case of conventional trains, which run on wheels, friction between the wheels and the rails means that their speed is limited to 350 kilometers per hour. If they were to go faster, the rails would suffer severe wear, and the noise would be too much. In contrast, the maglev train rises off the tracks at a speed of about 120 kilometers per hour, so its speed is not hampered by concerns about strain on the rails, noise, and vibration, because these are greatly reduced. Moreover, the maglev train does not rely on friction, so it can glide easily up slopes.  AirShipTG's Delorean ATG is track-free and is designed to operation on regular road surfaces be they clear road surfaces or one with snow, dirt, water or snow.

3.  Use Magnetic-Levitation (maglev) technology to rotate, turn, and control spheres.  Some corrective adjustments will result in “power-in” situations that can add back to the total conservation of the system (all solid angles – 3D).  Also, keep in mind that items 3, 4, 5, and 6 are all very closely related and all work off the exact same maglev power and control concept and design configuration.  See Track Sphere drawing and Rotary Induction Motor.  The drawing shows the radial positioning of the magnets and electromagnets and we only show a 2D arrangement of magnets/electromagnets; however, a 3D arrangement is probably necessary.  The sphere magnets are represented as positive pole towards outside of sphere (all blue).  The electromagnets are represented as follows: white – off, blue – positive, red – negative; and can be cycled between those three states in rapid succession (thus controlling the sphere rotation parallel to the vehicle movement and rotation around a center vertical axis.  Note: The drawing has not represented the vertical axis rotation as we have not yet decided on a 360 solid angle magnet distribution or parallel arrangements of decreasingly smaller diameter circles as we move away from the center of the sphere and hub towards the interior and exterior of the vehicle.  The colors represented in the drawing show the status of the electromagnets required for the indicated sphere magnet locations (at that exact point in time) in order to continue rotating the sphere counterclockwise.  White has no effect (yet will act to send current into the vehicle power system as the magnets rotate past); Red will pull the magnets towards them (opposites attract); and Blue will push the magnets away (likes repel).  If you look at the Rotary Induction Motor you can see this concept in action (view in presentation mode and the press enter to cycle automatically.  After proceeding to slide 2, we represent electromagnets and magnets in a liner arrangement because a radial arrangement is difficult to animate.  Rotation and braking are both represented in the presentation.

 

                          Track Sphere with Air In-Take Drawing

(Shows one snapshot in time of the “rotary induction motor” electro magnet states and a primitive rendering of the hub/sphere pressure generation system.)

4.  Braking needs to avoid use of friction  Friction creates heat and wastes energy, except for parking breaks.  We will make use of the maglev system that also supports energy conservation measures.  The exact electromagnets that would be toggled to off/positive/negative will shift slightly as the spheres rotate and thus repositions its inner magnets.  Looking at the Rotary Induction Motor you can see this concept in action (view in presentation mode and the press enter to cycle automatically after you proceed to slide 2).  Represented are the electro magnets and magnets in a linear arrangement as a radial arrangement was much too difficult to animate.  Rotation and braking are both represented in the presentation.

 

5.  Repulsive status to direct Track Sphere will result in “current in” (supports energy conservation measures).  This has yet to be drawn because it is a difficult concept to represent (requires 3 D) and has some design considerations yet to be developed.

6. Use Magnetic-Levitation to support vehicle until forward motion air damper and air compression engages. The electromagnets near the lower bottom of the hub are set to negative to attract the inner sphere "+" magnets while the electromagnets at the top of the hub are set to positive to repel the "+" magnets within the sphere.  The result is to push the sphere down towards the ground thus lifting the vehicle body and maintaining a frictionless air space cushion.  Please see Track Sphere Suspension Drawing.
                

Running all of these sub-processes in parallel will of course complicate things, but with an intelligent computer control algorithm utilizing the proper feedback loops, this can all be accomplished simultaneously.  Each 360-degrees of motion can be directed by numeric equations on all four track spheres that seemlessly allow the driver to control the vehicle's direction of movement.  Keep in mind that we have graphically represented these concepts in a 2D format though the final work includes an entire spherical array of magnets (Track Sphere) and electromagnets (Hub).