Vortex attractor for planar and non-planar surfaces
US6619922B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C27/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects, with the improvement of being able to removably adhere to non-planar surfaces, e.g., concave or convex surfaces and/or inside and outside corners. Generally, the apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow in the form of a helical or spiral-shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.