Using vortex rings to deliver gases at a distance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9682388-B2
Application number	US-201414562262-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2014
Priority date	Dec 5, 2014
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

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

What is claimed is:

1. 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.

2. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to aim vortex rings based on the sensor data using the aiming nozzle.

3. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 2 , 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.

4. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 2 , 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.

5. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 2 , 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.

6. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the vortex rings include a fluorescent component.

7. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 6 , wherein the fluorescent component is at least one of visible, non-visible, excitable by ambient illumination, or excitable by dedicated tracking illumination.

8. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , 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.

9. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 8 , wherein the second vortex ring steers the first vortex ring.

10. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 8 , wherein the second vortex ring causes the speed of the first vortex ring to change.

11. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the vortex rings are aimed to be delivered to a specific body part of the intended target.

12. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein vortex rings are launched in a sequence to cause the intended target to make a desired reaction.

13. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 12 , wherein the desired reaction is to lead the intended target in a desired direction.

14. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the delivery of subsequent vortex rings is modified based on the response of the intended target to a first vortex ring.

15. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 14 , wherein the modification comprises changing the aiming of the subsequent vortex rings.

16. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 14 , wherein the modification comprises changing the combination of smellable components in the vortex rings.

17. 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;
wherein a pressure gradient is used to control the launch direction of a vortex ring.

18. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 17 , further comprising an aiming nozzle configured to aim the vortex rings, wherein a direction of the aiming nozzle is mechanically steered.

19. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 17 , further comprising an aiming nozzle configured to aim the vortex rings, wherein the aiming nozzle uses air to steer a vortex ring after the vortex ring is launched.

20. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 19 , wherein the aiming nozzle uses bursts of air to steer the vortex ring.

21. The vortex ring delivery system of claim 17 , wherein the pressure gradient is created by an aiming nozzle.

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A61M16/12

  by mixing different gases · 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

• B05B12/122

  responsive to presence or shape of target (B05B12/124 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61M15/009

  using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08) · CPC title

• B05B7/0458

  the gas and liquid flows being perpendicular just upstream the mixing chamber · CPC title