Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: erickejah on 19/01/2009 21:43:56

Title: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post 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? 


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Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: MonikaS on 19/01/2009 22:15:15

No.

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 19/01/2009 23:04:59

Quote from: MonikaS on 19/01/2009 22:15:15

No.

Succinct and 100% accurate reply

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 20/01/2009 01:09:13

I have no idea what you are getting at erickejah [???] [???].
Maybe you should watch a bit less TV [:)][::)]

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Karsten on 20/01/2009 01:21:45

Probably not.

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Karsten on 20/01/2009 01:23:24

And look below - an ad for Levitation Secrets!

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: erickejah on 20/01/2009 01:34:06

 [:o]Ok Thanks; I agree that I need to stop watching History channel. [:D] [:D]

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 20/01/2009 01:35:35

Yes indeedy! [;)]

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: erickejah on 20/01/2009 21:34:38

Anyways, how does the concept of levitation develops [???]

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: lyner on 21/01/2009 08:57:57

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.

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: erickejah on 21/01/2009 18:49:32

Quote from: sophiecentaur on 21/01/2009 08:57:57

brand new force to be discovered

I guess is our work to discover it now  [8D].

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/01/2009 01:41:49

Yeah, whatever...

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: Don_1 on 22/01/2009 07:45:44

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)

Title: Re: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: LeeE on 22/01/2009 08:45:24

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.

Title: Has "levitation" been used in the past to create flying machines?
Post by: erickejah on 22/01/2009 23:22:38

wow, tx for that LeeE, is like my 1st class of aerodynamics. btw ur form of explaining theories is very good. [:D]