Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: erickejah on 19/01/2009 21:43:56
-
Is it true that levitation was used in the mid-40's to create flying machines by the Germans?
[Mod Edit - please format your thread subjects / titles as questions, in line with our forum policy. Thanks]
-
No.
-
No.
Succinct and 100% accurate reply
-
I have no idea what you are getting at erickejah [???] [???].
Maybe you should watch a bit less TV [:)][::)]
-
Probably not.
-
And look below - an ad for Levitation Secrets!
-
[:o]Ok Thanks; I agree that I need to stop watching History channel. [:D] [:D]
-
Yes indeedy! [;)]
-
Anyways, how does the concept of levitation develops [???]
-
It's a magical idea with great appeal. If you ignore the fact that it would involve a brand new force to be discovered, it's a great idea.
-
brand new force to be discovered
I guess is our work to discover it now [8D].
-
Yeah, whatever...
-
This is a very up-lifting thread. (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Flol%2F4.gif&hash=dc0017defb1737ae43c0ff6efcb35b2a)
-
I believe that there have been a few attempts at making non-direct thrust air vehicles, which by virtue of the aerodynamic principle used, makes the craft look like flying saucers, and which would also seem to levitate as they do not use direct-thrust to fly.
Lift, in an aircraft wing, is generated by airflow over the top of the wing, which in turn creates a low pressure region above the wing. The relatively greater air pressure below the wing then tries to equalise the pressure by moving towards the low pressure region and in doing so carries the wing with it. In conventional aircraft the airflow over the wing is created by moving the wing through the air, hence the need for runways to take off and land, but the scheme used in the non-direct thrust aircraft is to move the air over the lifting surface instead.
These designs of vehicle have no wings and instead the craft generally resembles the upper half of a flattened sphere, with a raised central hub, post, or pillar on, or in which the engines are mounted. Air is then drawn from above the craft and blown across the upper surface of the craft to create the low pressure region. Thrust and directional control is achieved by differential airflow.
Afaik, no one has yet managed to make a successful craft using this principle however, even though the idea seems to be sound. The greatest problem, iirc, is maintaining a laminar flow across a large enough proportion of the lifting surface to generate sufficient lift.
I'm sure these things have a proper name but I can't remember it atm.
-
wow, tx for that LeeE, is like my 1st class of aerodynamics. btw ur form of explaining theories is very good. [:D]