Using vortex rings to deliver gases at a distance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016158399-A1
Application number	US-201414562262-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 5, 2014
Priority date	Dec 5, 2014
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for delivering vortex rings to an intended target includes a vortex ring generator, one or more component storage containers, and a component additive mechanism. The vortex ring generator is configured to deliver and air vortex rings. The component additive mechanism is configured to remove a component from at least one of the one or more component storage containers, generate a gas from the component, and to add the gas to a vortex ring after the vortex ring is generated by the vortex ring generator.

First claim

1 . A vortex ring delivery system, comprising:
a vortex ring generator configured to deliver and aim vortex rings; one or more component storage containers; and a component additive mechanism configured to remove a component from at least one of the one or more component storage containers, generate a gas from the component, and to add the gas to a vortex ring after the vortex ring is generated by the vortex ring generator.

2 - 3 . (canceled)

4 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more component storage containers are configured to store at least one of a solid, liquid, or gaseous component.

5 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises at least one of a fluorescent component, a smellable component, a smell-canceling component, a medicinal component, and a hormonal component.

6 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a component additive mechanism configured to add one or more components to the vortex rings before or during the generation of the vortex rings.

7 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism is configured to add smellable components to the vortex rings before the vortex rings reach the intended target.

8 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the smellable components are pheromones.

9 - 13 . (canceled)

14 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism includes a nozzle configured to add one or more components to the vortex rings by injecting gas into air through which the vortex rings will travel.

15 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism includes a mesh containing smellable components, wherein the vortex rings travel through the mesh before the vortex rings reach the intended target.

16 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism is configured to add multiple components to the vortex rings.

19 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism is configured to add smell-canceling components to the vortex rings before the vortex rings reach the intended target.

20 . (canceled)

21 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 19 , wherein the smell-cancelling components include a maskant.

22 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism is configured to add medicinal components to the vortex rings before the vortex rings reach the intended target.

23 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the component additive mechanism is configured to add hormonal components to the vortex rings before the vortex rings reach the intended target.

24 . A vortex ring delivery system, comprising:
a vortex ring delivery module configured to deliver and aim vortex rings, the vortex ring delivery module including a vortex ring generator, one or more component storage containers, and an aiming nozzle; a sensor configured to acquire sensor data regarding the tracking of the vortex rings and an intended target; and a control module configured to control operation of the vortex ring delivery module based on the sensor data.

25 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the control module is configured to aim vortex rings based on the sensor data using the aiming nozzle.

26 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 25 , wherein the control module controls operation of the aiming nozzle to direct a first vortex ring based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding the trajectory of the first vortex ring.

27 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 25 , wherein the control module controls operation of the aiming nozzle to direct a second vortex ring based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding the trajectory of a first vortex ring.

28 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 25 , wherein the control module controls operation of the aiming nozzle to direct a second series of vortex rings based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding the trajectory of a first series of vortex rings.

29 . (canceled)

30 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the vortex rings include a fluorescent component.

31 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 30 , wherein the fluorescent component is at least one of visible, non-visible, excitable by ambient illumination, or excitable by dedicated tracking illumination.

32 - 52 . (canceled)

53 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the system is configured to launch a second vortex ring on a trajectory such that the second vortex ring intercepts and modifies a first vortex ring.

54 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 53 , wherein the second vortex ring steers the first vortex ring.

55 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 53 , wherein the second vortex ring causes the speed of the first vortex ring to change.

56 . (canceled)

57 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the vortex rings are aimed to be delivered to a specific body part of the intended target.

58 - 59 . (canceled)

60 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein vortex rings are launched in a sequence to cause the intended target to make a desired reaction.

61 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 60 , wherein the desired reaction is to lead the intended target in a desired direction.

62 - 64 . (canceled)

65 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the delivery of subsequent vortex rings is modified based on the response of the intended target to a first vortex ring.

66 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 65 , wherein the modification comprises changing the aiming of the subsequent vortex rings.

67 - 68 . (canceled)

69 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 65 , wherein the modification comprises changing the combination of smellable components in the vortex rings.

70 - 81 . (canceled)

82 . A vortex ring delivery system, comprising:
a vortex ring generator configured to deliver and aim vortex rings; a sensor configured to acquire sensor data regarding the trajectory of the vortex rings and an intended target; and a control module configured to control operation of the vortex ring generator based on the sensor data.

83 - 132 . (canceled)

133 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 82 , wherein a direction of the aiming nozzle is mechanically steered.

134 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 82 , wherein the aiming nozzle uses air to steer a vortex ring after the vortex ring is launched.

135 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 134 , wherein the aiming nozzle uses bursts of air to steer the vortex ring.

136 . (canceled)

137 . The vortex ring delivery system of claim 82 , wherein a pressure gradient is used to control the launch directi

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Brav Ehren J
• Duncan William D
• Hyde Roderick A
• Wood Jr Lowell L

Classifications

• A61L9/14 Primary

  using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes} · CPC title

• B05B7/0483

  with gas and liquid jets intersecting in the mixing chamber · CPC title

• B05B7/04

  with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge (mixing in general B01F, e.g. B01F25/00; mixing valves F16K11/00) · CPC title

• A61L9/02

  using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion · CPC title

• A61M2206/16

  Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows · CPC title