Fluid Space Drive (V3) explained.

 

If somebody proposes a method to propel a spacecraft from the inside (without expelling mass) by manipulating a 100k mass so it bumps against the spacecraft’s inner hull, I can knowingly state it is not possible, not by automatically citing a physical law or principle (that would be lazy), but because we can represent all the interaction with a few calculations and the results will be 0.

 

Example:

 

Fig a

 

Fig 1 illustrates 2 masses in a microgravity environment, mass 1 (M1) is a pressurized structure (spaceship), inside the spacecraft there is a 100k mass (M2) positioned at the forward (+X) inner hull.

 

For simplicity we shall assume that M1 and M2 both have a mass of 100k.

 

There is a piston cylinder (fig a) that can exert a strong force pushing M2 in the –X direction when activated.

 

Fig b

 

When the piston cylinder is activated, it gives mass (M2) a push with a force (F2) of 100n, mass M2 will accelerate (a2) 1m/s in the “rear” –X direction (fig b).

 

As for every force there is an equal and opposite reaction, the pressurized structure (M1) will receive a 100n force (F1) in the +X direction gaining a V1m/s. (1) acceleration (fig b).

 

Fig c

 

As mass M2 travels towards the opposite hull (-X) with a constant velocity (V2) of 1m/s, no forces are exerted on mass (M1) therefore it travels in a continuous velocity (V1)

Fig d

 

When M2 collides with mass M1’s “rear” (-X) hull, as the velocity (V2) is unchanged, (1m/s) the force (F4) will be 100n =1m/s * 100k

 

As mass M1 received a 100n force in the +X direction (fig 2) and a 100n force in the –X direction (fig 4) the net change in velocity is 0.

 

The above description(figs a to d) is valid in a vacuum, yet as M1 is a pressurized structure, mass M1’s velocity will decrease slightly affected by the force of air drag, we can increment said force (air drag) by using an air brake such as a parachute or a shape with a high drag coefficient.

 

Effect of drag on M2’s velocity

 

Fig e

 

The instant M2 receives a 100n push, it accelerates to 1m/s in the –X direction, if the following instant an air brake (in this example a parasite) is deployed, M2’s –X velocity will decreases from an initial velocity (Vi) of 1m/s to a final velocity (Vf ) just before the collision.

 

In this example we shall assume Vf =0.9 m/s, in the next segment we shall try to calculate the forces of drag on mass M2 using the drag equation.

 

 

Fig f

 

When mass M2 collides with the spacecraft’s inner hull with a velocity of 0.9m/s it exerts a force of 90n (90n = 0.9m/s * 100k) on the spacecraft.

 

As the spacecraft received a 100n “push” in the +X direction (fig 2) and a 90n force in the –X direction it will gain a 0.1 m/s acceleration in the +X direction.

 

Part II calculations.

Main page

 

The Fluid Space Drive V3 (FSD) is a method of propulsion in microgravity environments that has no need to expel propellant to generate thrust.

It does this by propelling a mass (M2) inside the FSD from one end of the spacecraft  to the opposite end but modifying the mass’s drag coefficient decreasing it’s velocity when traveling to the rear end of the spacecraft (M1)

 

What follows below is a step by step description of the method and the corresponding calculations (you can see a simple “tongue in cheek” description of the method here).

 

First the FSD’s dimensions (for this simulation):

 

Fig 1

Fig 1 shows a pressurized structure (M1) or spacecraft in a micro-gravity environment, inside the spacecraft is a 100k mass (M2) we call Ram Mass Assembly or RMA.

The RMA has freedom to move across the length (not breadth) of the spacecraft.

The pressurized structure (mass M1) is 30m long with a radius of 1,5 meters, the skin is 6mm aluminum (more or less Lunar Lander) (1), M1’s mass will be 808,02 k (2)

 

Fig 2

 

Fig 2 illustrates the RMA (M2), it has a series of flaps attached to servo motors, when the flaps are closed they form the shape of an open cylinder that functions as an air brake increasing the RMS’s drag coefficient (note Dd) therefore slowing it’s relative velocity inside the pressurized structure (M1).

 

Note: The illustration does not show the ideal aerodynamically shape for low drag, see note 3 for a better design

 

Recap

M1 (pressured structure) mass = 808.02 k

M2 (RMS) mass = 100 k.

 

Cycle 1 (forward ramming piston is activated)

Fig 3

The forward ramming piston is activated with a 400n force giving the RMA (M2) a push (F1) in the –X direction (Fig x) accelerating it in the –X direction (a2) with to 4 m/s (formula 1)

 

Formula 1

 

The opposite force (F2) gives the pressurized structure an acceleration in the +X direction (a1) of 0,495 m/s (formula 2).

 

 

Formula 2

Fig 4

As mass M1 is traveling unhindered (4) in the +X at 0.495 m/s (V1) it’s velocity will remain constant until another force is applied.

 

Mass M2 is traveling in a pressurized environment, the fluid (air) exerts a force (drag) as it encounters the air brake decreasing M2’s –X velocity.

 

The drag force can be calculated by using the drag equation (formula 1).

 

Fd = 0.5 * p * v² * A * Cd

 

Fd= drag force.

P= mass density of fluid (At 20 °C and 101.325 kPa, dry air has a density of 1.2041 kg/m3) in this example we will use 1.2 kg/m3 (x)

V= Velocity in m/s

A = surface of the 1m radius air brake (3.1415 m2)

Cd = drag coefficient for an open cone 2.2 (note Cd)

Formula 3

 

Therefore using the above data we get:

 

Formula 4

 

The 66.350n force pushing in the +X direction will change M2’s velocity by 0.6635 (formula 5) resulting in a final velocity (for this time interval) of 3.3364 m/s (formula 6)

 

Formula 5

 

Formula 6

 

This calculation is to be repeated every time interval until M2 collides with M1’s inner rear hull with a final velocity of 1.4071398

 

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

1

time (s)

 Disp M1

 Disp M2

V M1

V M2

 Drag

2

1

          0.50

        4.00

0.495

3.336496

   66.350437

3

2

          0.99

         7.34

0.495

2.874854

   46.164159

4

3

          1.49

       10.21

0.495

2.532121

   34.273259

5

4

          1.98

       12.74

0.495

2.266237

   26.588441

6

5

          2.48

       15.01

0.495

2.053259

   21.297787

7

6

          2.97

       17.06

0.495

1.878431

   17.482815

8

7

          3.47

       18.94

0.495

1.732107

   14.632358

9

8

          3.96

       20.67

0.495

1.607692

   12.441521

10

9

          4.46

       22.28

0.495

1.500508

   10.718392

11

10

          4.95

       23.78

0.495

1.40714

     9.336855

12

11

          5.44 

      -25.19

0.495

1,325029

    8,211042

 

Column A = time interval (1 second)

Column B = total displacement of mass M1 at time interval.

Column C = total displacement of mass M2 at time interval.

Column D = Velocity of mass M1 at time interval.

Column E = Velocity of mass M2 at time interval.

Column F = Drag on M2 at time interval.

                     Drag change (M2)                                        Velocity change (M2)

Fig 5

For M1 (spaceship)

Elapsed time

11 s

Distance travelled

5.44 m

Fig 6

Recap

After the 400n force is exerted, the elements do the following:

M1 travels in the +X direction at 0.495 m/s constant velocity (formula 2).

M2 travels with an initial velocity of 4 m/s but is slowed by the drag generated by the air brake, it travels for 11 seconds until it collides with M1’s inner rear hull with a final velocity of 1.325 (Fig 5)

End of cycle 1

Cycle 2: M2 collides with M1’s rear (-X) inner hull.

Fig 7

 

The instant M2 contacts M1 an electromagnet (not shown) is activated to prevent any “bounce” insuring the collision is inelastic.

Therefore we have two masses (M1 and M2) that have an inelastic collision, to find the final velocity we use the formula:

Formula 7

 

Where M1 = mass of body 1

M2 = mass of body 2
V1 = Initial velocity of body 1
V2 = Initial velocity of body 2
v = Final velocity of both the bodies

 

The final velocity for inelastic collision is given by:

Formula 8

 

Formula 9

 

Therefore M1 and M2 are traveling in the +X direction at 0.294591 m/s after inelastic collision 1

For simplicity we permit masses M1 and M2 to travel together at 0.294591 m/s for 1 time interval (1 second), traveling at this time a distance of 5.7399 meters in 12 seconds the +X direction.

 

End of cycle 3

For M1 (spaceship)

Total elapsed time

12 s

Distance travelled

5.7399 m

Cycle 4: The rear ramming piston is activated with a 200n force.

Fig 8

 

The rear ramming piston is activated with a 200n force, this gives the RMS (M2) a push (F5) in the +X direction (Fig 8) accelerating it in the +X direction (a2) with to 2 m/s (formula 10)

Formula 10

 

As M2 was traveling with an initial velocity of 0.2945 m/s when the acceleration is added it has a final velocity of 2.2945 m/s

The opposite force (F6) gives the pressurized structure (M1) an acceleration (velocity change) of 0.24752 m/s in the -X direction (formula 11).

 

Formula 11

 

As M1 had an previous velocity of 0.294591 m/s (formula 9) it’s present velocity (formula 12) is 0.047075 (V1 + V2 = 0.294591 - 0.24752 = 0.047071)

 

 

 

Formula 12

 

As M2 travels inside M1 (fig 9) its velocity is decreased by drag, but because the air brake is deactivated (flaps in open position) its drag coefficient is only 0.3, M2 “catches up” to M1’s inner hull in time interval 29 (29 seconds from start of cycle) with a velocity of 1,6 m/s (M2 velocity of 1.7 – M1 velocity of 0.004)

 

 

A

B

 C

D

E

F

1

time

 Disp M1

Disp M2

V M2

Drag

v1

2

13

   0,04707501

2,047075015

2,023378204

2,369681

0,047075

3

14

   0,09415003

4,070453219

2,000226844

2,315136

0,047075

4

15

   0,14122504

6,070680063

1,977602246

2,26246

0,047075

5

16

   0,18830006

8,048282309

1,955486567

2,211568

0,047075

6

17

   0,23537507

10,00376888

1,933862765

2,16238

0,047075

7

18

   0,28245009

11,93763164

1,912714552

2,114821

0,047075

8

19

   0,32952510

13,85034619

1,892026352

2,06882

0,047075

9

20

   0,37660012

15,74237255

1,871783265

2,024309

0,047075

10

21

   0,42367513

17,61415581

1,851971029

1,981224

0,047075

11

22

   0,47075015

19,46612684

1,832575986

1,939504

0,047075

12

23

   0,51782516

21,29870283

1,81358505

1,899094

0,047075

13

24

   0,56490018

23,11228788

1,79498568

1,859937

0,047075

14

25

   0,61197519

24,90727356

1,776765849

1,821983

0,047075

15

26

   0,65905021

26,6840394

1,758914017

1,785183

0,047075

16

27

   0,70612522

28,44295342

1,741419112

1,749491

0,047075

17

28

   0,75320024

30,18437253

1,724270499

1,714861

0,047075

18

29

   0,80027525

31,90864303

1,707457966

1,681253

0,047075

 

Column A = time interval (1 second)

Column B = total displacement of mass M1 at time interval.

Column C = total displacement of mass M2 at time interval.

Column D = Velocity of mass M1 at time interval.

Column E = Velocity of mass M2 at time interval.

Column F = Drag on M2 at time interval.

                     Drag change (M2)                                        Velocity change (M2)

Fig 9

Fig 10

 

After 17 second of travel (29s from start of cycle fig 3) in the +X mass M2 “caches up” with mass M1 colliding with M1’s forward inner hull (Fig 11)

Fig 11

 

The instant M2 contacts M1 an electromagnet (not shown) is activated to prevent any “bounce” insuring the collision is inelastic.

Therefore we have two masses (M1 and M2) that have an inelastic collision, to find the final velocity we use formulas 13 and 14:

Formula 13

 

Where M1 = mass of body 1

M2 = mass of body 2
V1 = Initial velocity of body 1
V2 = Initial velocity of body 2
v = Final velocity of both the bodies

The final velocity for inelastic collision is given by:

Formula 14

 

Formula 15

 

 For simplicity we permit M1 and M2 to travel together for one time interval (1s), it will advance an additional 0.229931m

 

With this action in time interval 30 (seconds) M2 is in its original position (attached to M1’s forward inner hull) and the propulsion cycle is complete, therefore we have that M1 (the spaceship) has traveled a total of 6.75m in 30s.

 

Parameters at end of cycle For M1 (spaceship)

Total elapsed time

30 s

Distance travelled

6.77 m

 

With the above parameters we can calculate how much M1 (the spaceship) has accelerated using formula 16

 

Formula 16

 

The spacecraft has an acceleration of 0.015044m/s.

 

At first glance that does not seem like much, but as the spacecraft will be able to accelerate continuously as long as electrical power is applied it will soon become the fastest machine humanity has ever constructed.

 

Therefore, if we start with 0 velocity:

 

In one minute it will accelerate to 0.9 m/s

In one hour it will accelerate to 54 m/s

In one day it will accelerate to 1,296 m/s

In a week it will accelerate to 9,072 m/s (in two weeks it will surpass Voyager II’s present velocity of 15,400 m/s)

In one month it will accelerate to 38,880 m/s

In one year it will accelerate to 473,040 m/s

In one decade it will accelerate to 4,730,400 m/s

 

Notes (NOT COMPLETED YET)

 

Note 1: For this simulation an aluminum skin of 0.6 mm is used, for comparison the lunar lander’s walls were 0.012 inches thick (0.3 mm).

It has been pointed out to me that there are better present day materials with improved strength to weight ratio, but we can use aluminum in this document as its properties are well known.

 

Note 2: Calculating M1’s mass

 

M1 length (h) = 30 m

M1 radius = 1.5 m

Thickness of aluminum skin = 0.6 mm = 0.0006 m

 

To calculate the mass of the aluminum “skin” we calculate the volume of a cylinder 30 m by 1.5 m and subtract the volume of a cylinder of the same dimensions – the thickness of the skin.

 

Volume of cylinder a = pi * r * r * h = 3.141592654 * 1.5 * 1.5 * 30 =     212.057504145

 

Volume of cylinder b = pi * (r – 0.3 mm) * (r – 0.3 mm) * h = 3.141592654 * (2 - 0.0006) * (2 – 0.0006) * (30 – 0.0012) = 211.8794166

 

Volume of skin = Volume of cylinder a - Volume of cylinder b = 212.057504145 - 211.8794166 = 0.178087590 m3

 

We shall increment the skin’s volume to 0.459784403 m3 (taking into account the decimals) just to be on the safe side.

 

Mass of the skin = 0.178087590 m3 by mass of 1m3 of aluminum (2700k) = 480.83649 k.

 

To calculate the mass of the air in the aluminum cylinder we multiply the volume of the inner cylinder 211.8794166 by the mass of 1m3 of air 1.26 k.

 

Mass of air in cylinder = 211.8794166 by 1.26 = 226.968064916 k.

 

 

Total mass of FSD = Mass of the skin + Mass of air in cylinder = 480.83649 + 226.968064916 = 707 k.

 

NOTE: we will increment the total mass to 808k just to be on the safe side.

 

So the mass we will use in this document for mass M1 is 808.02 k

 

Note 3 RMS improved design.

 

 

Note 4: (see note Cd)

 

Before we chant “Alpha Centauri here we come” conceder what percentage of the force excreted by the air drag on M2 is transmitted to the spaceship’s hull (nullifying the effect)

 

Let us include a factor pt (momentum transmitted) if pt=1 we will understand that all the force slowing M2 is transmitted to the spaceship’s hull, and if pt=0 no force is transmitted to the spacecraft.

 

The true pt value has to be determined by experimentation (just as the drag coefficient of various shapes is deduced by experiments), if pt has any value that is less than 1, then the method described in this document works as a practical method of propulsion in microgravity.

 

Assessment 1, decreasing M2 velocity by direct contact with the spacecraft (fig 7)

 

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Fig 7

 

If M2 is slowed by the friction created by direct contact with the spacecraft’s inner hull (fig 7), all the force (F4) that is slowing M2 will be transmitted (F5) to the spacecraft (M1) and regardless of M2’s final velocity we can assume the spaceship (M1) will not gain any acceleration (therefore the pt factor is 1)

 

Assessment 2, decreasing M2’s velocity by air brake when diameter of spaceship is almost identical to air brake’s diameter (tight fit) (fig 8).

 

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Fig 8

 

If the air brake’s diameter is a tight fit with the spacecraft’s diameter, it will act like a piston in a cylinder compressing the air in the –X side and come to a full stop before reaching the –X inner hull, and it is a logical assumption that the spacecraft will not gain acceleration in any direction.

 

Assessment 3, decreasing M2’s velocity by air brake when diameter of spaceship larger than the air brake’s diameter by a factor of X2 or more (fig 8).

 

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Fig 8

 

If we increase the spacecraft’s diameter with relation to the air brakes, there will be sufficient space for the air to flow around M2 without greatly affecting the spaceships velocity, we can assume  that the pt factor is less than one, and if we continue increasing the spaceship’s diameter (fig 9) the pt factor will decrease.

 

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Experimentation on a test bed that contains an airtight box 50cm X 50cm by 3 meters have demonstrated that a “air brake” composed of a rigid flat 40cm by 40cm surface is successful in slowing the inner mass’s ( costume made dry ice pluck) velocity without affecting the box’s initial velocity (1)

 

This has only been tried at relative low velocities (not more than 1.4 m/s). It has been pointed out that by modifying the parameters described in this document, specifically increasing the force exerted by the forward ramming piston on M2 so that its initial velocity is incremented will greatly increase the acceleration created at the end of the propulsion cycle, that may be true on paper but I have no idea (as yet) at what velocity (supersonic?) the air may behave in a different manner so as to become counterproductive.

 

Although test with different masses and higher velocities are being programed, at the present time high velocity (near supersonic) test are not in the works.

 

 

 

Note: Cd

The drag coefficient of a shape is determined through experiments, and it depends on parameters, such as the body shape, Reynolds number and surface roughness. The values of the drag coefficient for basic body shapes in gas are available from various sources in literature and online.

 

Drag coefficient of shapes used in this document have been obtained by information made available by Nasa, and other sources.

 

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/shaped.html

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0231.shtml

 

The table at right is work of Mohammad Sadraey, Associate Professor at Daniel Webster College’s Department of Engineering and Computer Sciences.

 

 

http://faculty.dwc.edu/sadraey/Chapter%203.%20Drag%20Force%20and%20its%20Coefficient.pdf

 

 

This document is a work in progress

 

William John Elliott S.

February 2014