Mark Tomion -- Electrodynamic Field Generator

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**Mark TOMION**

**Electrodynamic Field Generator**



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[**http://www.stardrivedevice.com/**](http://www.stardrivedevice.com/)

**phone: (585) 526-5350**   
**fax: (585) 526-5936**   
**e-mail: office@stardrivedevice.com**

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[**http://www.americanantigravity.com/articles/50/1/Mark-Tomion-Interview/Page1.html**](http://www.americanantigravity.com/articles/50/1/Mark-Tomion-Interview/Page1.html)

**<http://www.intalek.com/AV/Mark-Tomion.wma>**

**StarDrive Device**

*Date*: October 28th, 2004   
*File Size*: 1.71mb (11kbps)   
*Format*: Windows Media 10

*Overview*: Inventor and Electrical Engineer Mark Tomion
joins us to talk about his patented StarDrive Device, a modified
SEG that he claims is capable of revolutionizing space-travel.
Tomion holds patent #6,404,089 on an "Electrodynamic Field
Generator".

The primary advantage of Tomion's research is having converted
the otherwise esoteric "Searl Effect Generator" into a
rigorously-researched set of Electrical-Engineering equations,
that he claims can reproduce the effects of the SEG within the
confines of contemporary science & technology.

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![](fig26.gif)

[**http://www.stardrivedevice.com/**](http://www.stardrivedevice.com/)

**Excerpt:  Chap. 11, *StarDrive Engineering***

**"The Quest for Quantum Gravity"**

**by**

**Mark R. Tomion**

"The preceding material will hopefully prepare us for a look at
some very basic trans-light mechanics, for I will acknowledge
myself to be conversant with respect to such an abstract and
complex concept only in general terms! It should be possible,
however, for us to examine certain fundamental principles which
may be involved in the workings of a hyperspace "warp-jump" with
an application of straightforward logic and a couple of basic
relativistic formulas that are actually easy to work with.

"The analytical procedure we'll use in this discussion derives
from the method of breaking the time-light barrier that was
proposed at the end of the last Chapter: whereby a StarDrive
[EDF] Generator will be driven to a speed sufficient to cause
its relativistic mass to very closely approach a level which
would ordinarily correspond to the Chandrasekhar limit [about
1.4 solar masses] in reliance upon its Field electron degeneracy
pressure to prevent the formation of a neutron object or a black
hole. In doing so, it is hoped that an open-ended wormhole will
arise which is navigable by means of the Lorentz transformation,
in accordance with the work of Olexa-Myron Bilaniuk.

"In order to work with the largest values for starship mass and
Field electron velocity (as a function of Field voltage), data
will be supplied for a vessel 100 feet in diameter  which as
I've said is the largest model advisable using this technology.
What we will do first is calculate such a vessel's total
relativistic mass at a velocity which corresponds to its Field
electron collision speed: the reason being that it will be
interesting to see what happens when the starship reaches a
velocity which a reactionary ion-thrusted rocket, having the
same exhaust speed, couldn't possible exceed.

"The next step will be to compute the starship's expected
foreshortening in the direction of travel, according to the
Lorentz contraction\* which is an inevitable consequence of
relativity. This 'shrinking' of the vessel's length along its
axis of velocity may be figured according to the most
fundamental factor or expression in relativity theory, which is
sometimes called the FitzGerald ratio. This factor, usually
designated t (tau), is equal to (1  v2/c2)1/2 and is used in
any calculation of relativistic mass or time dilation.

It must be noted here that while the Lorentz contraction does
not involve any actual subjective physical deformation of an
object with relativistic velocity, it is nevertheless a very
real effect and does indeed involve the non-uniform relative
deformation of the space-time in which such an object is moving.

"Since the computations we will be making here are only
intended to constitute the roughest of approximations, being
largely illustrative and instructional in nature, a related
parameter called the Schwarzschild radius will then be
calculated. This radius defines the physical size at which a
'cold' spherical object cannot avoid becoming a black hole.
Again, this expression is actually very simple: Rs = 2GM/c2,
where c is the speed of light, M is the total mass, and G is the
universal gravitational constant (at 6.6726 x 1011 nt-m2/kg2).

"Our goal in this endeavor is then simply to observe how
closely the ship's foreshortened half-length approaches its
Schwarzschild radius! We will let Lo equal the starship's rest
length, while bearing in mind that it will drive upper-face-on
during space flight, and this "length" (or hull height) is equal
to 2(hz + hf); then, Lr will be the resultant contracted length.
If we assume that one half of Lr will need to approach Rs as
closely as possible in order for a stable wormhole to be
induced, we can state our tentative trans-light or "warp drive"
parameter thusly: Lr/2 > Rs .

The max. net cabin volume available aboard any size StarDrive
vessel is outlined in yellow ? above.

Serious "starship design" enthusiasts should take a look at our
Manned Vessel Design DataSheet   
[weight, displacement, Field voltage, & peak rotor current
for vessels of 40, 60, 80 and 100 feet in dia.; ( [**http://www.stardrivedevice.com/vessel\_design\_data.pdf**](http://www.stardrivedevice.com/vessel_design_data.pdf)
; 2 pgs., 283kB)]

"Using the pdf Hull Configuration Spreadsheet [ <http://www.stardrivedevice.com/hull_config.pdf>
], the hull volume or displacement of the 100ft.-dia. "Toltec"
is 39,168 ft3 and, at a weight/volume ratio of 79.2 lbs/ft3, the
starship's rest mass (Mo) is 1.4071 x 106 kg. And, it turns out
that the value for Lo is equal to 4.205 m. The equations in
steps [1] ~ [4] on pg. 119 (in the 'FIELD POWER OUTPUT'
worksheet) may then be used to calculate the peak Field electron
velocity and a corresponding value for t, but we must first know
the value for peak Field voltage. Using the [standard
specification] method developed in WorkSheet I(a), this Field
voltage value is 4.9383 x 109, or nearly 5 billion volts!

"Accordingly, the peak Field electron velocity is between "8-
and 9-9's light": in other words, 0.999 999 995 c. [It should be
noted that in performing relativistic calculations, you
basically can't use too many decimal places!] The contingent
value for t is then equal to 1.0000 x 104. The ship's total
relativistic mass is equal to Mr = Mo/t, at 1.4071 x 1010 kg;
and, Lr = Lo(t) = 4.205 x 104 m. Computing the rough value for
the 100ft. starship's [theoretical] Schwarzschild radius, we
find that the vessel's Rs = 2.0893 x 1017 m; and, Lr/2 is equal
to 2.1025 x 104 m. So, we can see that the foreshortened
half-length is indeed greater than the absolute minimum safe
value, but by many orders of magnitude instead of only
marginally: in fact, about ten trillion times greater!

"However, if we calculate the critical density of an object of
Chandrasekhar limit mass and Schwarzschild radius, this density
is equal to 9.4 x 1018 kg/m3. Then, if we compute a relativistic
density for the 100-foot starship, neglecting its non-sphericity
and assuming that its hull volume is reduced by the given
Lorentz factor t, we find this relativistic density equal to
3.9845 x 1012 kg/m3. Now, that limit critical density exceeds
the starship's said theoretical relativistic density by "only"
2.36 x 106 or 2.36 million times. To actually achieve a
Schwarzschild critical density, by which time we know a warp
field must be induced, we can merely allow our starship to apply
positive reactionless acceleration a bit longer to raise its
velocity just slightly above Field impulse velocity and lower
its factor t by (2.36 x 106)1/2 or 1,536 times: this will
yield  t  =  6.51 x 108,  and a starship Mr
= 15,360,983 Mo.

"So, it would seem that the latter 'trans-light parameter' will
tend to indirectly verify a StarDrive vessel's ability to induce
a metric warp field, although the first such exercise did not.
And, I can't presently say just how close such a ship must come
to equality with either parameter that we developed above (the
latter being preferred). It also seems reasonable to postulate,
however, that a narrow velocity range will exist within which
the desired wormhole effect is stable: on the lower end of such
a "safety zone", the vessel risks "dropping out of warp" (with a
bothersome loss of time and energy), and on the high end its
mass [Mr] risks a rapid ascent to certain  disaster! This
latter effect I feel would be a consequence of the starship's
magnetic field, which so far we have not even considered. And,
at the levels of charge and velocity we're considering, the
strength of the magnetic field "corridor" associated with such a
vessel will be truly tremendous! Remember what we learned about
'magnetic energy density' in relation to the Tokamak
equation?!...

"By far the most important consideration to bear in mind,
however, is that a StarDrive vessel represents an asymptotic
reactionless drive, and therefore the ship's ultimate velocity
is not limited to the velocity of the electrons comprising its
isometric Drive Field. Unlike most forms of rocket, it is free
to accelerate beyond its "exhaust" velocity  and to achieve an
ultimate velocity in space-time which is only infinitesimally
less than that of light. Therefore, an unmanned probe Drive Unit
could be turned loose to accelerate until its relativistic mass
becomes almost astronomical, and it either finds a stable warp
corridor within such a safety zone or is destroyed in the
process".

---

  


**US # 6,404,089**

**( June 11, 2002 )**

**Electrodynamic Field Generator**

**Abstract --** This device is a brushless high-voltage
electrical generator, requiring suitable means of input rotary
torque, for purposes of producing a very-high-energy external
electrodynamic field or continuous quasi-coherent DC corona or
arc discharge of uniform current density which completely
encloses the machine's conductive housing. This housing is
divided into distinct electrical sections and contains a flat
conductive rotor which electrically links separate negative and
positive housing sections and upon which a plurality of toroidal
generating coils are rotatably mounted. Circular arrays of
stationary permanent magnets are affixed within the housing
which induce a constant DC voltage within said coils upon their
rotation. The primary voltage so-generated is electrostatically
impressed across the rotor such that great quantities of
electronic charge may be transported between the opposite
polarity sections of the housing, in such a manner that a much
higher secondary voltage is caused to appear across interposed
neutral sections thereof, and the resulting external breakdown
current once initiated is independent of the generating coils'
ampacity. Ancillary mechanical, electrical, an/or electronic
features may be attached upon or within the housing to aid in
harnessing and controlling the useful effects associated with
the external dynamic electric field produced by the device.   
Inventors:  Tomion; Mark R. (Geneva, NY)   
Appl. No.:  09/621,152   
Filed:  July 21, 2000

**Current U.S. Class:**  310/162 ; 244/23A; 244/23C;
290/1A; 290/1R   
**Current International Class**:  H02N 11/00 (20060101);
H05H 1/24 (20060101); B64C 39/00 (20060101); H02K 001/00 ();
H02K 005/00 ()

**References Cited [Referenced By]**   
**U.S. Patent Documents**

1889208 November 1932 Masterson et al.   
2949550 August 1960 Brown   
3071705 January 1963 Coleman et al.   
3177654 April 1965 Gradecak   
3464207 September 1969 Okress   
3620484 November 1971 Schoppe   
3662554 May 1972 Broqueville   
3774865 November 1973 Pinto   
4733099 March 1988 Hutson, Jr.   
4789801 December 1988 Lee   
4900965 February 1990 Fisher   
5291734 March 1994 Sohnly   
5382833 January 1995 Wirges

**Foreign Patent Documents:**

 GB2312709  May., 1997   
 WO85/03053  Jul., 1985  WO

**Also published as:**  WO0209259 (A1-corr) //
WO0209259 (A1) //  EP1312152 (A0)  //  CN1462500
(A)  // CA2416871 (A1)

**Description**

**FIELD OF THE INVENTION**

The present invention is related in general to rotary direct
current (DC) electrical generators which incorporate permanent
magnet fields, and in particular to similar electromechanical
generating devices whose principal purpose is to produce a
useful continuous high-voltage DC corona discharge. This
invention also pertains to the field of aerospace vehicles which
are capable of propulsion through the utilization of an
ultra-high-voltage corona or arc discharge of a special type and
form.

**DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART**

In order to provide background information so that the present
invention may be completely understood and appreciated in its
proper context, reference is made hereinbelow to a number of
related art patents. These cited references contain certain
similarities to the present invention, primarily related to the
objective of producing electrically-developed thrust. However,
key differences and limitations with regard to achieving this
objective are in evidence.

The related art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,949,550 proposes
three attendant objects which are quite similar to certain of
the objects of the present invention: (i) to provide an
apparatus for the direct conversion of electrical potential to
usable kinetic energy; (ii) to provide such an apparatus having
a hollow body or housing which contains a source of high
electrical potential; and (iii) to provide a self-propelling
vehicular apparatus which includes a pair of electrically
conductive body portions joined by an insulative portion,
whereby said conductive portions constitute electrodes. A
further similarity is that the vehicular embodiment proposed
preferably be of a circular disc shape somewhat thicker in its
center than at its edges. The device set forth in this Patent
just cited is noticeably different from the present invention,
however, in that a positive voltage is applied to the housing
periphery and a negative voltage is applied at the central axis.
The proposed arrangement is furthermore limited to operation
within a gaseous dielectric medium, upon which it is reliant for
the production of the claimed motive force, and is to be
operated at a potential gradient less than that which would
produce a visible corona. This device moreover makes no
provisions for the production and/or extraction of vast
quantities of useful thermal kinetic energy, as the present
invention does.

The related art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,705 is based
on three empirical principles of electrostatics which also
figure prominently in explaining the actual shape of the
discharge current field that will be produced by the present
invention: (i) electrostatic lines of force tend to concentrate
on the surface of a charged conductor in those places with the
smallest radius of curvature; (ii) they are normal to the
surface from which they emanate; and (iii) they do not cross but
will bend under the influence of another charged body. The
device set forth in this Patent just cited is in fact quite
similar to that of the Patent cited immediately before, in that
relatively massive positive atmospheric ions and entrained
neutral air molecules are repelled from the positive electrode
toward the negative electrode along a linear axis--thereby
inducing an air flow or "electric wind" which represents the
fundamental source of thrust. It is therefore once again limited
to operation in a gaseous dielectric medium, and does not make
use of a flow of negative and greatly less massive electron
current in the course of thrust production--which may achieve
comparatively enormous acceleration and even relativistic
velocity and specific impulse at a similar given level of
applied potential gradient--as the present invention does.

The related art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,654 actually
addresses the issue of producing electrically-developed thrust
which is not limited to atmospheric operation, and the stated
primary object thereof is to provide a propulsion system for
enabling controlled flight in the atmosphere which may continue
extensively into space without changing the system's basic
operation. One embodiment thereof also proposes a circular
disc-shaped vessel wherein high-voltage electrode elements
ionize atmospheric gases by corona discharge, and a pulsed
electromagnet arrangement causes the ejection of the resultant
plasma from the propulsion chamber--producing thrust by
reaction. This device furthermore addresses the issue of
producing local thrust differential(s) on the body or housing
thereof, for purposes of flight maneuvering and/or directional
control, by providing for a plurality of such pulsed discharge
propulsion units arranged in concentric rings (within the
discoid body) and having individual divergent nozzles. As such,
however, the device set forth in this Patent just cited actually
constitutes an ionized jet propulsion method, requiring the use
of either a gaseous medium like air or the onboard storage and
release of relatively massive ionizable reaction material for
any operational capability in space. Moreover, the pulsed mode
of operation used, which limits the ionizing potential gradient
to a value of less than breakdown field intensity, significantly
restricts the level of power produced as thrust as compared to
the continuous DC discharge field current produced by the
present invention--at voltages which may be greatly in excess of
breakdown intensity. Finally, this said device relies upon an
unspecified source of generated electrical power in operation
which must be assumed would have to be nuclear if conventional
in nature, for said device to avoid otherwise having to carry a
massive and range-limiting onboard store of fuel, and not upon
convenient and protracted-use permanent magnets of high energy
density as the prime energy source (as the present invention
does).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,207 discloses a quasi-corona aerodynamic
vehicle which bears only a limited relationship to the present
invention, but which is referenced nonetheless as being further
indicative of the predominant trend in conceptualization in
relation to devices intended for producing
electrically-developed thrust. This device also relies upon
pulsed corona discharge operation between spaced electrodes at
less than breakdown field intensity, thereby greatly
constraining the propulsive power obtained. It is furthermore
effective only in a gaseous dielectric medium and is based upon
an electric wind pressure gradient arising of an admitted
incompletely-understood mechanism. This same device evidences a
great deal of theoretical complexity and construction material
specificity, which might seem to indicate a narrow range of
feasibility. Such attributes are not uncommon in the field of
electrical aerospace propulsion, and are, to a degree, shared
even by the present invention. Nevertheless, it is interesting
to note that sizeable thrust in the form of an aerodynamic
pressure gradient or lift of up to 30 lbs./ft.sup.2 of external
electrode area or more is asserted to be obtainable from said
same device by utilizing asymmetrical electrodes or electrode
arrays, rather than using electrodes or electrode arrays of
approximately equal area (as the present invention does)--which
therefore present a uniform cross section of discharge current
conduction.

PCT Application WO 85/03053 discloses a flying apparatus whose
primary similarity to the present invention is that it
incorporates a hollow annular flywheel which provides gyroscopic
stability and encircles a relatively stationary central cabin
and/or payload area. The device set forth therein also provides
free-rolling means to center and stabilize the flywheel or rotor
within a discoid housing, and addresses the issue that
horizontal flight maneuvering and/or directional control may be
accomplished by altering the local angular acceleration of the
rotor--as does the present invention. This said other device,
however, relies upon the questionable concept that the very
large angular momentum of the rotating flywheel is somehow able
to compensate the potential energy caused by gravitation and
that the overall weight of the apparatus may thereby be
annulled. Vertical lift must then be provided for said device in
operation by atmospheric thermal updraft means, and no
electrical discharge means are utilized to produce a force of
lift or thrust.

The device set forth in UK Patent GB 2 312 709 A is a flying
craft which is essentially disc- or saucer-shaped and which has
a central axial post electrode and a spaced enclosing ring
electrode whereby an electrical arc may be struck between the
two, to either ignite fuel introduced via nozzles or greatly
heat an exhausted air flow produced by fan means. Thus, this
device actually provides hybrid jet or turbo-fan means for
producing propulsive thrust, and utilizes direct electrical
discharge not as the primary source of thrust but to enhance
thrust produced by other means. To this end, said device must
therefore operate solely in a gaseous atmosphere and/or carry
onboard a range-limiting store of combustible fuel. This same
device does, however, utilize powerful magnetic fields to impart
a rotational and de-randomizing aspect to the arc discharge,
thereby promoting a more uniform distribution of the arc
discharge field's energy, as does the present invention.

In summary, a number of similar or significant electrical,
magnetic, and mechanical features of the several related art
devices have been examined but, whatever the precise merits and
advantages thereof, none of said devices achieve the correct
combination of such features required to fulfill the purposes of
the present invention. In this respect it may be stated that
none of these related art devices attain the distinction of
being able to operate extensively in the vacuum of space without
the onboard storage of relatively massive reaction material for
the production of thrust. Furthermore it would appear that none
of these same devices utilize a charged conductive housing
comprising suitably disposed electrodes and/or electrode arrays
to create and control an asymmetrical electromotive field of
force on itself without expelling a reaction mass, whether in a
gaseous dielectric medium or the vacuum of space, to achieve a
propulsive object as the present invention does. Finally, it is
observed that none of the aforementioned related art devices can
develop this type of useful thrust-producing electrodynamic
field in a manner which allows more than one objective function
to be fulfilled thereby, such as the production of useable
thermal kinetic energy and/or the development of potential
signal communications capability.

**SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION**

The present invention is a brushless permanent magnet
electrical generator which produces a useful ultra-high-energy
external electrodynamic field, or continuous quasi-coherent DC
corona or arc discharge of uniform current density, that
completely surrounds and encloses the machine's symmetrically
disc-shaped conductive housing and tends in consequence toward a
balanced bihemitoroidal shape.

The invention incorporates a uniform arrangement of stationary
electromagnetic armatures which may be employed as a group to
impart a holistic and de-randomizing rotational force to the
external discharge current that acts to inhibit the formation of
concentrated arc streamer or channel phenomena, and thus to
assist in rendering the electrodynamic field quasi-coherent in
nature. The arrangement of electromagnetic armatures in said
generator acting as a group simultaneously also contribute a
portion of the machine's required input rotary torque upon the
current-carrying rotor assembly thereof.

This invention provides a permanent magnet high-voltage
generator wherein the primary DC voltage induced within its
rotating coils is electrostatically impressed across the
conductive rotor assembly thereof, in a brushless manner
utilizing vacuum tube cutoff bias techniques, such that a
secondary DC corona or arc discharge current is thereby
initiated about the housing thereof which is orders of magnitude
larger than the operating current through the said coils.

The said high-voltage primary generator of the invention then
has a housing or hull which is divided into separate negative
(emitter), neutral, and positive (collector) electrical
sections, such that the continuous external flow of such
discharge current is best facilitated and conducted internally
by the proximal rotor, and wherein suitable means to circulate
one or more form(s) of liquid coolant through any one or more of
said housing sections may be employed for purposes of extracting
an extremely high level of recoverable thermal energy (arising
from such discharge current)--which is intended principally for
use in the large-scale production of electrical power and/or
distilled or desalinated water.

This invention as an electrodynamic field generator also
provides an appreciable and practical level of
electrically-developed thrust, from the relativistic impulse of
an induced ultra-high-voltage external DC arc discharge current
incident upon its positive (collector) housing sections, which
may be rendered variably non-isometric in nature and therefore
directionally propulsive by means of selectively controlling:
(i) the resistance of the brushless electrical linkages between
the positive housing sections and the proximal current-carrying
rotor; and/or (ii) the magnetic flux output of the various
stationary electromagnetic armatures.

The invention as an ultra-high-energy field generator
furthermore presents a unique yet practicable method of
producing a variable electromagnetic and/or gravimetric signal,
by means of which useful information may be both transmitted to
and received by a separate similar device, in further harnessing
the effects associated with the device's external electromotive
field. The relationship of said field effects to quantum
potential vacuum fluctuation theory just now being studied,
which may allow the devising of such a signal having an
unconventional nature, is referred to again below.

In any event, the electrodynamic field generator described may
be feasibly manufactured and marketed in various sizes according
to need or desire in pursuit of its remarkable objects; may be
operated either in a gaseous dielectric medium or in the vacuum
of space; and may incorporate ancillary mechanical, electrical,
and/or electronic features upon or within its housing to
accomplish all the objects set forth hereinabove.

Briefly, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention, first provided is a flat annular segmented rotor of
very high conductive ampacity which is rendered capacitive in
nature by the attachment of suitably paired electrode rings.
Alternating in placement amidst such capacitive ring pairs are
also attached on the rotor a series of toroidal generating coils
of very large mean radius relative to the cross-sectional radius
thereof. The resultant composite rotor assembly is then
rotatably mounted within a sectional conductive housing. The
potential energy inherent in the fields of ring-shaped
stationary permanent magnets, which are affixed in concentric
circular arrays within the housing, is utilized to electrically
polarize the rotor across its radial annular width by means of
the "primary" DC voltage created upon relative rotational motion
between such coils and magnets. The thereby polarized rotor is
electrically linked on one hand (about its positive inner
circumference) to two axially-central collector housing
sections, by electrostatic induction via a system of
plane-parallel electrode elements, and on the other hand (about
its negative outer circumference) to two radially-peripheral
emitter housing sections across an evacuated space charge
chamber. The rotor's subsequent transportation and storage of
electronic charge between the proximal opposite-polarity
sections of the housing causes a much higher "secondary" voltage
to appear across interposed neutral sections thereof and results
in a continuous ultra-high-energy DC discharge current flow
about the housing externally and across the rotor internally.

**BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS**

The benefits and advantages attendant to the invention and its
objects as discussed hereinabove are best illuminated through
the following drawings and description.

**FIG. 1** shows a side sectional view of the invention's
peripheral and principal working structure, comprising a rotor
assembly as well as frame-mounted elements.

![](fig1.jpg)

**FIG. 2** shows a top sectional view of a 30.degree. radial
sector of that same working structure.

![](fig2.jpg)

**FIG. 3** shows a side view of the invention's symmetrical
housing or hull configuration.

![](fig3.jpg)

**FIG. 4** shows a top view or bottom view of that same
housing/hull configuration.

![](fig4.jpg)

**FIG. 5** depicts a small radial sector of the basic rotor
assembly construction, in top view, details of the rotor
segments, inter-segment insulators, and field emitters.

![](fig5.jpg)

**FIG. 6a and 6b** show side and top views, respectively, of
one of the invention's conductive rotor field emitters.

![](fig6.jpg)

**FIG. 7** shows a simplified schematic representation of
the invention's two "primary induction ring" electrode arrays,
in relation to the rotor electrical circuit.

![](fig7.jpg)

**FIG. 8** shows a schematic of one symmetrical half of the
primary power system circuit of the invention, in a
"single-stage" rotor construction embodiment.

![](fig8.jpg)

**FIG. 9** shows a schematic of one symmetrical half of that
same primary power system circuit, in a "three-stage" rotor
construction embodiment.

![](fig9.jpg)

**FIG. 10** shows a schematic of the field voltage control
system circuit of the invention.

![](fig10.jpg)

**FIG. 11** shows a simplified diagram of the electrodynamic
field "envelope" produced by the invention, around a side view
of the invention's housing/hull.

![](fig11.jpg)

**FIG. 12** shows the diagram of FIG. 11, with the addition
of lines indicating the electric and magnetic field vectors
comprising that same electrodynamic field envelope.

![](fig12.jpg)

**FIG. 13** shows a top or bottom view corresponding to the
side view of FIG. 12.

![](fig13.jpg)

**FIG. 14** shows a top or bottom view of a radial sector of
the invention's neutral hull section, showing the housing
cooling and/or heat transfer system arrangements.

![](fig14.jpg)

**FIG. 15** shows a detail of an embodiment of the preferred
central rotor segment attachment means and rotor drive assembly.

![](fig15.jpg)

**FIG. 16** shows a schematic of the stationary armature
power circuit of the invention.

![](fig16.jpg)

**DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT**

**Method of Operation**

The invention disclosed herein is an Electrodynamic Field
("EDF") Generator. The primary challenge involved in fulfilling
the objects of the present invention is how to generate and
maintain a multi-megavolt potential difference across the
exterior sectional housing which is not immediately neutralized
due to uncontrolled direct arc discharge. The first part of the
problem in this respect is that it is not possible to produce
this kind of voltage directly within a traditional generating
coil arrangement, so the voltage applied to the charged housing
sections must be achieved by special electrostatic means.
Secondly, the discharge current must be produced and conducted
internally in such a manner that: (i) only a tiny percentage
thereof is actually conducted by the generating coils (within
their very limited ampacity compared to that of the rotor); and
(ii) the negative and positive housing sections are each charged
faster than they are discharged until an enormous equilibrium
field potential difference is established which is a sum of
roughly equal negative and positive housing section voltages.

Having thus stated the principal parts of the overall problem,
it is perhaps best to examine and explain the means to its
solution in the reverse order. Therefore, it is deemed of
fundamental import to realize that the EDF Generator's housing
configuration as proposed will demonstrate a significant static
capacitance, despite its unusual geometry, given the fact that
the negative and positive sections of its housing are to have
essentially equal surface areas. This simple precept ensures two
very important consequences: (i) that the voltage across the
housing will attain a value representing equal negative and
positive potentials, in reliance upon the absence of a fixed
ground reference, given induced surface charge densities which
are sufficient to cause a continuous `leakage` current between
the opposite-polarity sections thereof; and (ii) that a leakage
current between the opposite-polarity housing sections will tend
to assume a relatively uniform cross section and current density
in response to a calculable level of non-uniform surface charge
density between non-parallel but equal-area `plates`. Thus, it
is possible to determine using traditional formulas just how
much electron charge must be stripped from the positive housing
sections, and stored in ballast capacitors, in order to
establish a positive surface charge density which corresponds to
the desired housing or hull potential difference.

Next, the Generator must, and will, be able to charge these
positive housing sections (by stripping them of native
electrons) far faster than the positive surface charge
so-created is neutralized by corona or arc discharge from the
negative housing sections. Because these discharge current
electrons will ultimately attain a transit time approaching
zero, this in turn means that it must be "easier" per volt to
strip negative charge from the positive sections--using a field
induction system which is comprised of "primary electrode
arrays"--than it is to deliver this charge to the negative
sections across a vacuum chamber using relatively massive
rotor-mounted field emitters.

It can be shown that the potential difference across said
primary arrays will tend to be equal and opposite in operation
as proposed to that across such vacuum chamber, in part due to
the Faraday shielding principle, and the negative `plate`
voltage of the capacitive housing will naturally tend toward
numeric equality with that of the positive sections by
electrostatic induction. Therefore, the stationary
electron-emitting primary cathodes which link the positive
sections of the housing to the rotor are to have a much lower
surface work function (and higher emissivity) than the rotating
electron-emitting elements which link the rotor with the
negative housing sections. This criterion is achieved by
thorium-impregnating these cathodes (to stimulate their
emissivity) and by not so-impregnating the rotor field emitters.

The relationship just described establishes what electrical
engineers refer to as an `instantaneous charge differential`
with respect to these two sets of components as operated at
equal but opposite charging voltages or potential differences,
and the ratio of their respective electron emissivities will
thus define the maximum ratio by which the said secondary field
voltage (across the exterior housing) can be expected to exceed
that in evidence across the stationary internal primary
electrode arrays. This ratio will hereinafter be referred to as
the "primary voltage expansion ratio", and the instantaneous
charge differential concept as well as its relationship to the
said voltage expansion ratio will be explained in further detail
in a pertinent section to follow. It is important to note at
this point, however, that for this voltage expansion to be
realized it must and will be supported by ballast capacitors
having suitable total capacitance as outlined hereinabove, which
provide a corresponding force of electrostatic induction.

Finally, a method of impressing as large a primary DC voltage
across the rotor as may practicably be developed in the device's
principal generating system must and will be employed, without
such "Primary Power System" circuit conducting more than a
minute percentage of the discharge current thereby initiated. To
do so, and in a manner that requires no brushes, vacuum tube
cutoff bias technique is utilized in the present invention:
whereby such primary voltage is electrostatically induced upon
the rotor between two sets of capacitive electrode ring pairs
(in vacuo), yet the current flow across these rotor-mounted
induction electrode arrays--and through the principal generating
circuit itself--is absolutely minimized by the application of a
control grid voltage which is substantially negative with
respect to the corresponding cathodes.

At a certain relative potential, the electrostatic force
exerted by such control grid(s) on rotor circuit cathode-emitted
electrons is sufficient to all but completely cut off the flow
of DC current across these rotor induction arrays; yet the
primary DC voltage is transmitted to the large conductive rotor
segments such that a comparatively huge charging current between
the opposite-polarity housing sections is initiated and
maintained (across the rotor)--which subsequently expresses the
expanded secondary voltage as a discharge current about the
housing. Thus, an analogy could be made in describing the EDF
Generator as a DC equivalent for boosting voltage by
electrostatic induction means to the AC transformer (for
boosting AC voltage by electromagnetic induction means).

**General Form of the Invention**

Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present
invention constitutes a novel form of brushless permanent magnet
electrical generator for producing a useful ultra-high-energy
external electrodynamic field, or continuous quasi-coherent DC
corona or arc discharge of essentially uniform current density,
and as such the Generator fundamentally comprises and
incorporates:

[A] a flat conductive rotor (6) principally formed of a large
number of evenly-spaced individual metallic conductors or
segments (14) and an equal number of conductive
electron-emitting elements or field emitters (17), radially
arranged in an annular flywheel configuration rather like the
rotatable deck of a carousel, which are all connected in
parallel electrically by the attachment of a thin metallic
electrode ring (68) about the positive inner circumference of
each of the two major flat faces of the annular flywheel thus
formed and by the attachment of another such ring (22) about the
negative outer circumference of each such flat rotor face;

[B] a principal electrical generating system mounted on said
rotor and used to create a very high primary DC voltage within a
plurality of rotating toroidal field coils (35)(40)(56) by
electromagnetic induction with an equal number of circular
arrays of ring-shaped stationary permanent magnets (34)(39)(55)
(which are positioned adjacent and concentric thereto), such
that an internal primary discharge current may thereby be
initiated between the rotor (6) and a housing electron "Emitter
Ring" (47)--across an evacuated space charge chamber (11)--which
is orders of magnitude larger than the operating current through
said field coils;

[C] a conductive exterior housing (1) divided into a plurality
of distinct electrical sections--negative (3), neutral (4), and
positive (5)--which may be charged from the internal rotor by
electrostatic induction and/or by such primary discharge current
(as the case may be) and within an evacuated induction
compartment (12) of which said rotor (6) as an assembly,
including the said generating coils attached thereto, is
rotatably mounted;

[D] a plurality of individual systems of stationary
plane-parallel electrode elements (64)-(67) which electrically
link the polarized rotor (6) by electrostatic induction about
its positive inner circumference (within said evacuated
compartment (12)) to two axially-central electron collector
housing sections (5), and a plurality of similar individual
systems of rotor-mounted plane-parallel electrode rings and/or
radial electrode elements which may be utilized to connect a
principal portion of the individual DC voltage outputs of said
rotating field coils in opposed series-parallel across such
composite rotor assembly;

[E] this composite rotor assembly (6) as a means for the
transportation and capacitive storage of electronic charge
between opposite-polarity sections of the housing (5) and (3)
(which are proximal to the inner and outer rotor circumferences
respectively), such that a vastly higher secondary voltage is
caused to appear across interposed neutral housing sections (4),
resulting in a continuous ultra-high-energy DC discharge current
about the housing externally which is also conducted internally
across the rotor segments (14) that extend across the neutral
housing portion and between the positive sections;

[F] a large number of stationary electromagnetic armatures (37)
in a uniform circular arrangement located within the neutral
electrical region (4) of the housing which are to be operated
principally on variable DC voltage, but which may also accept
limited pulsed unidirectional or alternating voltage input, and
which are employed as a group to impart an orderly rotational
magnetic vector moment to the external discharge current that
acts to inhibit the formation of concentrated arc streamer or
channel phenomena and thus to assist in rendering such current
quasi-coherent in nature; and

[G] the said principal electrical generating or Primary Power
System as operated and used in such a manner that a minor pulsed
unidirectional or alternating voltage is superimposed upon the
high-energy DC rotor current, and the external discharge current
therefore acquires a discrete AC power factor, for purposes of
modulating the electrodynamic characteristics of the external
field during normal operation and/or for purposes of exploring
the invention's potential signal communications capability in
relation to intriguing new theories in high-energy quantum
physics and relativity.

In a "single-stage" rotor electrical circuit embodiment of the
Generator, as intended for use in an electrical and/or thermal
energy output application, any such minor AC voltage present in
said rotor circuit receives only a modest and single level of
amplification--in a manner generally associated with a single
multi-electrode vacuum tube. In a "three-stage" rotor electrical
circuit embodiment of the Generator, as intended for use in a
propulsive and/or communications application, any such minor AC
voltage may receive a substantial and multiple level of
amplification--in a manner generally associated with a multiple
number of sequentially-coupled multi-electrode vacuum tubes.

FIG. 1 shows a side sectional view of the general form of the
invention, as if cut through the central axis of the circular
structure. Only one side of the tapered peripheral portion of
the structure is shown, the overall Generator being symmetrical
about the axis along which the section shown is cut. FIG. 2
shows a top sectional view of the invention, as if cut through
just above the rotor assembly at the "equator", with only about
a 30.degree. radial sector of the circular structure shown (the
remaining 330.degree. being identical around the Generator). In
each case, identical reference numbers are used to indicate
identical elements. FIGS. 3 and 4 are side and top or bottom
views of the Generator (respectively), showing the outward
appearance of the invention and the external field it produces.
The following discussion of the general form of the invention
will be in reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, unless otherwise noted.

The entire apparatus of the invention is contained within a
circular conductive exterior hull or housing (1), which is
tapered from its vertical centerline ("axis") to its rim (or
"equator"). The overall housing is radially symmetrical around
the axis, and bilaterally symmetrical about the equator. This
housing's two central one-base spheric-zone-shaped sections (5)
will be positively charged, its two intermediary conical
ring-shaped sections (4) will be electrically neutral, and the
convergent outermost or peripheral conical ring-shaped sections
(3) will be negatively charged. Preferably, the surface areas of
the outer (3) and inner (5) housing sections are equal, and
specific details of the housing or hull design are given in a
section to follow.

Each of the housing's two symmetrical positive sections (5), or
hull positive "zones", should be divided into equal-area radial
sectors (42) which are equal in number to the number of like
sections into which the device's superstructure is divided.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the Generator these two
positive zones (5) will each be divided into 36 such sectors,
and isolated top and bottom, yielding a total of 72 individually
controllable discharge collector areas. The positive zone
sectors (42) jointly comprise what may hereinafter be referred
to as the device's "Field Hub", and should be composed of a
conductive refractory metal or high-temperature structural alloy
such as #310 stainless steel. These positive sectors are
insulated from sector-to-sector by insulating "partitions" (43)
of a suitable ceramic material (such as Cordierite), and must be
supported by an insulating understructure (not shown).

At least one hull "neutral ring" surface layer (46) is also to
be affixed on a housing frame and composed of one or more
insulating ceramic material/s (such as Cordierite, Zirconia,
and/or Kezite, as necessary). Said neutral hull layer/s may be
applied in the form of plates and/or tiles to nonmetallic "deck"
sheeting (not shown separately) supported by superstructure
beams (153). This decking and its supporting beams are both
preferably composed of a carbon composite material, and will
thus be fairly conductive. Therefore, both must be isolated from
the positive Field Hub by a dielectric buffer material (45) and
from the hull's Emitter Ring (47), comprised of two negative
housing sections (3), by an auxiliary dielectric buffer (50).
The Generator's neutral housing section superstructure is shown
in detail in FIG. 14, as is a piping system of coolant tubes or
"thermal conduits" (74)-(79) for maintaining the hull neutral
sections (4) and superstructure--as well as the enclosed Primary
Power System--at an acceptable operating temperature. Such an
intercooler system would utilize a cryogenic coolant such as
liquid air or nitrogen when the EDF Generator is operated in the
atmosphere for purposes of thermal energy output, and will be
explained in greater detail in a section to follow.

The negative hull plates which form each section (3) of the
Generator's peripheral Emitter Ring (47), to which the rotor (6)
distributes the discharge current forming the exterior field
envelope, should be composed of high-purity aluminum which is
copper-clad and then nickel-plated to prevent erosion at high
field voltage and current levels. The abutting edges of all of
the adjacent such plates must be welded one to another, and
affixed to any necessary neutral hull section hardware, such
that a hard vacuum may be drawn within the peripheral chamber
(11) thereby formed. The induction compartment (12) enclosed
between the two neutral hull sections (4) is contiguous with the
peripheral or space charge chamber (11), and thus is equally
evacuated.

A pressurizable central chamber (2) within the housing (1),
located between the two hull positive zones (5) thereof,
constitutes the location of the Generator's control cabin and of
its payload area when used as an aerospace vessel. The interior
(11)-(12) of the negative (3) and neutral (4) housing sections
(respectively) is separately sealed, and must be as highly
evacuated as possible to promote the efficiency of the various
rotating and stationary electrode arrays and to prevent their
destructive failure. The main vacuum seals (155) and the rotor's
vacuum chamber charge buffers (156) are shown in FIG. 1.

Inside the evacuated induction compartment (12) of the housing
(1), and surrounding the central chamber (2), is located the
composite rotor assembly (6) in the form of a flat annular
flywheel. In the preferred embodiment, 180 individual conductors
or segments (14) of very high collective ampacity are employed
in the rotor, as will be seen in the discussion of FIG. 5 below,
as are a like number of inter-segment insulators or segment
"separators" (16). The preferred material for the rotor segments
is high-purity copper which is certified oxygen-free, to resist
the production of free oxygen radicals at high operating
temperatures which would degrade the performance of the various
electrode arrays and cause an undesirable increase in vacuum
chamber (11) temperature.

The inner ends of the rotor segments (14) and segment
separators (16) are mechanically connected via a retaining and
lockdown section thereof to one or more ring gear(s) (8), which
run/s entirely around the central aperture of the rotor
assembly. Suitable insulating attachment hardware (7), as
described in detail in the following section (and shown in FIG.
15), will be used to effect a rigid mechanical union of the
segments and separators to the said ring gear(s) and associated
drive means such that the gear(s) and all conductive components
of such drive means are electrically isolated from the energized
segments. The ring gear(s) (8) may be engaged by one or more
pinion or drive gear/s (162) powered by a motor (9) or plurality
thereof, which may be of various types (such as electrical or
hydraulic), causing the rotor to rotate around the central
chamber (2). The rotor is supported near its outer edge by two
ballraces (25) mounted to the housing superstructure and to the
rotor, and having bearing balls (26), allowing it to spin
freely.

As can be seen in either FIG. 1 or 7, the rotor segments (14)
are electrically connected together at each end by continuous
inner (68) and outer (22) electrode rings, and also at
intermediate points by induction cathode rings (28) and
induction anode rings (61). The inner electrode rings (68)
constitute the primary induction ring array anode elements, as
will be described below. The outer electrode rings (22) are each
covered by a dielectric layer (23) which is in turn covered by
an anode ring (24), and each combination of rings (22) and (24)
separated by dielectric layer (23) forms a housing charge
ballast capacitor whose function will be explained in detail
below. Induction anode rings (29) and cathode rings (59) are
used to electrostatically induce corresponding negative and
positive voltages on rotor-mounted rings (28) and (61),
respectively, thereby electrically energizing the rotor segments
as will also be described in further detail below.

FIG. 5 shows details of the basic rotor construction.
Wedge-shaped ceramic pieces or segment separators (16) equal in
number to the conductive rotor segments (14) are to be
positioned uniformly between the individual segments, as are the
rotor's peripheral field emitters (17). To form the base rotor
construction, the segments, separators, and field emitters must
be equal in number, preferably using 180 of each. The said
segment separators are actually more structural than insulative
in purpose, and not only stiffen the entire rotor to prevent its
distortion at elevated temperature and rotational speed but also
provide a nonconductive base for mounting all other rotor
assembly components. Each of the ceramic separators (16) is
bonded to its adjacent segments (14) by refractory adhesive
layers (15).

Two important criteria for selecting a ceramic segment
separator material are that the compound chosen be readily
machinable like steel and provide very high physical strength
yet require no firing. These parameters limit the choice made
almost to a solitary substance: magnesium silicate
(MgSiO.sub.3). When suitably formed, this material can be
milled, drilled, and tapped like steel (using low-speed tungsten
carbide tools) and approaches the physical strength of
dry-pressed porcelain. It is ready for use directly after
shaping and requires no kiln hardening.

This latter characteristic is very important as it is extremely
difficult to produce fired ceramic pieces with the exacting
dimensional control necessary in this case, and it eliminates
the tendency of thicker fired pieces to develop micro-cracks
which may potentially cause destructive failure of the component
under high centrifugal loading. Surfacing can be done with
abrasive paper or grinding wheels, and it is very important that
this material be machined or worked perfectly dry as it is
fairly porous and any lubricant used tends to significantly
alter its dielectric properties. Magnesium silicate of this type
is available from CeramTec NA as CeramTec designation AlSiMag
222, and will withstand constant working temperature of over
1300.degree. C.

The insulating separators (16) are shorter than the conductive
segments (14), allowing for the field emitters (17) to be
fastened outboard of the separators. The field emitters are thus
located around the outer circumference of the rotor assembly and
should be formed of a sintered refractory composite, such as
tungsten-copper, selected for its relative surface work function
and superior arc-erosion characteristics. As can be seen in
FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b, the field emitters are fastened
mechanically and electrically to the conductive segments (14)
through locator pins (19), which fit into mating holes recessed
into the ends of the segments. These emitters (17) taper to a
somewhat rounded edge at the tips (20) which form the outermost
periphery of the rotor (as an assembly), and are squared-off at
their bases (18) to fit tightly against the insulating
separators (16). From the top view of FIG. 6b, it can be seen
that the field emitters follow the tapering of the segment
separators (16), increasing slightly in width from their bases
(18) to the tips (20). The conductive segments (14), in
contrast, are of constant width over their length.

**Overall Description of the Primary Power System Structure**

**Rotor Drive and Positioning Assemblies**

Referring now to FIG. 15, a split-frame centrifuge-style
carrier assembly reminiscent of the rotatable mounting
arrangement for the turntable of a carousel may be employed to
firmly suspend, center, and rotatably mount the composite rotor
assembly about its inner circumference within the evacuated
induction compartment of the housing, and such carrier assembly
should preferably be constructed of a weldable nonmagnetic metal
alloy which is suitably insulated from the electrically
energized rotor assembly components.

The rotatable carrier assembly may be mechanically-affixed
and/or welded to one or more large metal ring gear(s) which may
be comprised of like sections (163) to facilitate construction
and which in turn may be supported, driven, and dynamically
braked by one or more low-voltage DC motor-generator unit(s)
(161) (similar to those used in large electric trains) and drive
pinion gear/s (162). Such ring gear(s) may additionally be
supported by pinion gear and pillow block bearing assemblies (if
necessary--not shown in FIG. 15). Such drive motor-generators(s)
(161) and said pillow block bearing assemblies (if any) must be
separately and nonrotatably affixed to the relatively stationary
housing superstructure.

Referring still to FIG. 15, it can be seen that in the
preferred embodiment the inner end of each rotor segment (14)
and segment separator (16) is flared outward into a retaining
"fantail" (160). These retaining fantails are preferably
enclosed and prepared for connection into a driven assembly
using a system of: [i] insulating inner (171) and outer (173)
ceramic thermal spacers; [ii] axial (172) and radial (174) nylon
(or equivalent) load buffers; and [iii] insulating displacement
(170) and lockdown (175) ceramic bushings. The retaining
fantails are then secured into a driven assembly by two
identical carrier half-structures comprising frame struts and
members (168) and retaining ring sections (167), using: [i]
mounting ring sections (164) each having two ring gear sections
(163) attached thereto; [ii] a corresponding number of mounting
ring spacers (165) each having a very stiff metallic flexor
plate (166) attached thereto; and [iii] nylon (or equivalent)
torsion buffers (169). The drive pinion gears (162) allow a
preferred total of 32 like and evenly-spaced DC drive
motor-generator units (161), which are mounted to the
Generator's ground frame (10), to apply input rotational torque
(or counter-rotational braking torque) to the composite rotor
assembly by engaging a total of four ring gears (comprised of
sections (163)) which are mounted to the rotor's described drive
carrier assembly.

Rolling bearing assemblies should be employed to further center
and stabilize the composite rotor about its outer periphery
within the evacuated induction compartment of the housing, as a
readily feasible mechanical alternative for that purpose to
`zero-friction` electromagnetic positioning systems (of the type
normally associated with mag-lev train technology) which are of
a much greater complexity.

Such rolling bearing assemblies may comprise two complimentary
pairs of stationary and rotating circular-groove raceways (25)
about the outer periphery of the composite rotor assembly, as
well as an appropriate number of bearing balls (26) including
uniform ball separation means, and these bearing assemblies may
be composed of nonmagnetic stainless steel and/or a specialized
ball bearing ceramic (such as silicon nitride (Si.sub.3
N.sub.4)) which may run unlubricated in a very hot
electrically-charged environment

**The Rotor and Associated Elements**

There are a number of electrical structures attached to the
base rotor construction, which rotate with the segments,
separators, and field emitters as a composite assembly. It will
be understood that the structures mounted on the rotor and those
interacting with the rotor are symmetrical above and below the
incorporating device's equator, as well as either continuous or
repeating in placement around the device in the plane of the
rotor segments, so that a reference to an element at one point
above the rotor also applies to the similar elements below and
around the rotor.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in the preferred three-stage
embodiment of the invention suitable for an aerospace vessel (as
shown schematically in FIG. 9), the following elements of the
principal electrical generating means are mounted upon the
annular rotor. Generally starting at the outer circumference of
the rotor and working inward, and, for each structure, starting
at the rotor and working upward, these are:

[a] the ballast capacitor, comprising a negative ring element
(22) attached directly to the rotor, a dielectric layer (23)
affixed thereto, and a positive ring element (24);

[b] the bearing ballrace (25), within which the bearing balls
(26) roll between two identical raceway halves--one on the
rotor, and one mounted to the vessel's stationary structural
frame. The ballrace (25) and bearing balls (26) support the
rotor peripherally and are structurally mechanical, not taking
part in the electrical operation of the invention;

[c] the voltage-induction diode ring array, in the form of a
cathode ring (28) which is mounted on and electrically connected
to the rotor segments (14) and an anode ring (29) which is
affixed plane-parallel to the cathode ring (28) and insulated
from it by a suitable supporting structure using insulating
posts, pins, or brackets in or on the segment separators (16).
Although the resulting combination could be thought of as a
2-element or diode vacuum-tube construct and is similarly named,
it is more accurately a "cold" parallel plate capacitor of high
value and appreciable AC conductance which preferably exhibits a
modest circuit DC leakage current;

[d] the outer field coil (35), helically wound and supported
upon a continuous coil support or structural core which is
preferably nonferromagnetic (not shown). There are preferably
two windings on the core which together comprise such coil, as
will be discussed in the circuit section below and as is shown
in FIG. 9--the major portion or field winding (81), and a minor
portion or bias winding (82);

[e] the outer voltage-transfer triode ring array, in the form
of cathode (30), control grid element (31), and anode (32) rings
or elements, affixed plane-parallel or radially-concentric above
the rotor segments (14) and insulated from them and from each
other by similar such supporting structure (using insulating
posts, pins, or brackets) in or on the segment separators (16).
This combination also comprises a triode vacuum-tube construct
with controllably variable AC conductance;

[f] the center field coil (40), helically wound and supported
upon a continuous coil support or core of the type described.
There are again two windings on the core, as will be discussed
in the circuit section below (and as is shown in FIG. 9)--the
major portion or field winding (83), and a minor portion or bias
winding (84);

[g] the inner voltage-transfer triode ring array, in the form
of cathode (51), control grid element (52), and anode (53) rings
or elements, affixed plane-parallel or radially concentric above
the segments and insulated from them and from each other by the
described supporting structure(s). This combination again
comprises a triode vacuum-tube construct with controllably
variable AC conductance;

[h] the inner field coil (56), helically wound and supported
upon such continuous coil support or core. There are once again
two windings on the core, as will be discussed in the circuit
section below and as is shown in FIG. 9--the major portion or
field winding (85), and a minor portion or bias winding (86);

[i] the voltage-induction triode ring array, in the form of an
anode ring (61) which is mounted on and electrically connected
to the rotor segments (14) as well as a cathode ring (59) and
control grid element ring (60) affixed plane-parallel to the
anode ring (61) and insulated from it and from each other by the
said supporting structure(s). The resulting combination
comprises a triode vacuum-tube construct with controllably
variable AC conductance;

[j] the primary induction anode ring (68), which is also
mounted on and electrically connected to the rotor segments (14)
and which provides the positive element of the stationary
plane-parallel electrode systems used to induce the exterior
field; and

[k] the ring gear(s) (8) or other appropriate means for
allowing a drive mechanism to spin the rotor.

**Field Coils**

Referring now to FIG. 1, the field coils (35)(40)(56) which
comprise the major rotating portion of the primary DC voltage
generating means are formed of conductive insulated magnet wire
multi-layer toroidally wound upon cores (not shown) whose
permeability should generally be minimized, and main portions of
the DC voltage outputs of the three field coils comprising each
of two like groups thereof--one above the plane of the rotor and
one below--are sequentially connected via a plurality of
individual systems of rotating plane-parallel electrode rings
(or alternatively, modular radial electrode element systems or
tubes) in the preferred three-stage rotor emodiment of the
invention shown. The number of wire turns comprising each such
field coil should in general be maximized (in a practical
manner), in either the single- or three-stage embodiments.

As is depicted more clearly in FIG. 8, each such field coil may
be compound wound or comprise two or more independent voltage
generating portions, with either all or the major portion of
each coil constituting the field winding (81)(83) or (85) or
principal DC voltage generating portion of that coil as a whole,
and the principal or field winding portions of the field coils
comprising either of the said two like groups thereof may be
hooked in series one to another by direct physical connection in
the single-stage rotor embodiment of the Generator shown. Each
of the two like sets of three such field windings thus formed
are then connected on their respective sides of the rotor
between the plate resistor (91) of the diode array anode ring
(29) and the inner triode array cathode ring (59), while
observing appropriate conventions of polarity assignment.

The remaining minor portion (if any) of each field coil may
comprise one or more independent bias and/or control winding(s),
or secondary DC voltage generating portion(s) of that coil as a
whole, with the largest such secondary winding if any
constituting the control grid bias winding of that coil. As
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one such bias winding (82)(84) or (86)
is provided for each field coil and is positioned in the
schematic(s) immediately thereabove. In the single-stage rotor
embodiment of FIG. 8, these bias windings are also directly
connected in series one to another between the inner triode
array cathode ring (59) and the corresponding grid resistor (90)
of that same array's control grid (60), with the negative end of
each bias winding toward the said grid resistor.

In the three-stage embodiment of FIG. 9, the field winding of
each said field coil is connected in series between the plate
resistor (92) attached to the anode ring of the outerlying
electrode system which is adjacent to that coil and the cathode
ring of the innerlying electrode system adjacent thereto, while
observing appropriate conventions of polarity assignment. The
bias winding (if any) of each said field coil is then connected
between the cathode element (30)(51) or (59) of such innerlying
electrode system and the grid resistor (90) attached to the
negative control grid (31)(52) or (60) (respectively) of that
same electrode system, while observing appropriate conventions
of polarity assignment, such that said bias winding is in
parallel with the cathode ring or element of that electrode
system and may therefore provide an AC and/or DC voltage bias
with respect thereto in the manner associated with electron
vacuum tubes.

**Rotating Electrode Arrays**

Electron vacuum tube design, construction, and operating
methods are employed to impress the principal portion of each
field coil group's combined series DC voltage output across the
Generator's rotor in an opposed parallel arrangement (comprising
two like field winding circuits or rotor subcircuits), such that
the rotor segments become electrically polarized, although the
rotor is not considered uniformly energized electrically until a
finite DC Primary Power System circuit current is established
against the series capacitance and high bias voltage of the
several rotor-mounted electrode systems.

Two special pairs of highly-capacitive electrode rings (22)(24)
seperated by a dielectric media (23) are affixed upon the
polarized rotor (6) near the outer negative periphery thereof,
and supplied with a portion of the Generator's positive primary
DC output voltage, in order to accomplish the storage of a
predetermined amount of ballast electron charge which is
sufficient to enable a desired much-higher secondary voltage to
appear across the neutral sections of the housing (given the
static capacitance and surface charge density characteristics of
the housing as a whole in operation).

Electron vacuum tube design, construction, and operating
methods may be employed to induce and/or modulate a substantial
DC bias upon the plate currents of any or all of the various
rotating plane-parallel and/or radial electrode systems or
"arrays" employed in the present invention. Each rotating
three-electrode system or triode array so-employed should be
constructed in such a manner that it exhibits a minimum design
amplification factor (.mu.) equal to 4.0, with reference to any
AC voltage or signal present in its electrical circuit and as a
function of its engineered relative electrode spacing(s).

Electron vacuum tube design, construction, and operating
methods may furthermore be employed to induce, modulate, and/or
amplify a minor pulsed unidirectional or alternating voltage
upon the high-energy DC rotor current, and therefore on the
field envelope current as well, as a means by which the
electrodynamic field produced by the Generator may potentially
be used (as a form of antenna) for purposes of transmitting and
receiving a variable electromagnetic and/or gravimetric resonant
frequency signal either to or from itself or a separate similar
device (as the case may be).

In light of this teaching, it is contemplated that one possible
type of communications signal which might be investigated
employing the EDF Generator would couple the electric, magnetic,
and gravitic forces to utilize the wave mechanics of quantum
potential vacuum fluctuations (.DELTA.E.sub.q /.DELTA.t), which
are believed by some theoretical physicists to propagate at
c.sup.2 in order to explain the uniform operation of gravity and
entropy in two space-time continuums which are coincident but
completely out-of-phase. Should this quantum gravity theory
prove correct, the transmission delay of a
gravimetrically-coupled EM signal at this wave speed would be
only 0.10525 seconds per light-year.

In any event, it should be noted that the rotor interstage
coupling transformers (89) which are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 9
(but are not shown in FIG. 2) would be employed only in a
preferred three-stage rotor embodiment, and mounted (one each)
immediately above the rotating diode and transfer triode arrays
((28)-(29), (30)-(32), and (51)-(53) respectively). These
transformers may preferentially take the form of continuous
toroid coils on either powdered iron or nonmagnetic cores (like
the field coils), having single-layer primary and secondary
windings, or of one or more pairs of balanced toroidal
arc-section coils and cores of similar composition which are
uniformly distributed above said rotating arrays. Each
transformer (89) uses two DC blocking capacitors (88).

It may be appreciated from FIGS. 8 and 9 that each bias winding
or series group thereof, its associated triode array, and a
corresponding output plate resistor (91) or (92) together
comprise one stage of amplification of any AC signal voltage
which may be present across that triode's grid resistor (90) as
an input. In this way, electromagnetic waves of one form or
another from outside the external field created by the Generator
may be both detected, from their influence on the waveform(s) of
the field envelope current, and amplified from within the device
(when used as an aerospace vessel).

**The Interaction of the Rotor and Frame-mounted Elements**

**Magnetic Rings**

A plurality of circular arrays of stationary permanent magnets
essentially comprise the stationary portion of the primary DC
voltage generating means, and each such magnet is preferably to
be formed as a C-shaped ring composed of axially round stock of
a metallic ferromagnetic substance which exhibits a very high
residual induction (such as the alloy family commonly known as
Alnico). The number of individual magnetic rings comprising each
such array should in general be maximized (in a practical
manner). Preferably, each magnet array has a rigid and annular
nonmagnetic round core (not shown) which is roughly equal in
minor diameter to the inside diameter of the constitutent rings,
such that the rings may be easily strung thereupon rather like
beads on an abacus wire.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the several
magnetic ring arrays (34)(39)(55) may be installed in sections
which are preferably equal in number to the number of like
sections into which the incorporating device's superstructure is
divided. The rotating field coil (35)(40) or (56) associated
with each such circular array of individual magnetic rings must
be respectively concentric and adjacent thereto, and is
basically positioned on both the radial and axial centerlines of
the flux gaps of that array's constituent rings. As power is
generated thereby, these rings may need periodic replacing.

The maximum length of the flux gap of each such C-shaped
magnetic ring must of course be just slightly larger than the
minor outside diameter of its associated field coil, and should
be roughly equal to or just slightly less than the formed inside
diameter of that magnetic ring. In the preferred embodiment
these ring flux gaps are oriented horizontally, although they
may also be readily oriented vertically if so desired. Each
magnetic ring may also be mounted within the superstructure of
the housing such that a comparatively small thin
axially-polarized wafer of a highly-coercive permanent
ferromagnetic substance (like sintered Ferrite 5 (BaO.6Fe.sub.2
O.sub.3)) is positioned in the hollow center of that ring
magnet, with such wafer's magnetic poles facing the like poles
thereof, so as to act as a leakage flux blocking or reducing
mechanism with respect thereto. These optional components would
be most easily installed by insertion into a corresponding slot
cut into each of the described mounting cores, and are
recommended for use in very large devices.

Also arranged concentrically around the evacuated induction
compartment (12) of the Generator, but fixedly mounted within
the vessel's structure instead of rotating with the rotor
assembly, are the following elements of the principal electrical
generating means. Again, they are discussed in order from the
outer circumference of the vessel inward, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, and a reference to an element at one point above the
rotor also applies to the similar elements below and around the
rotor:

[a] the stationary half of the ballrace (25);

[b] the outer array (34) of stationary permanent magnets, which
should be mounted on a nonmagnetic core and in the preferred
embodiment incorporates a maximum of 900 such ring magnets
equally spaced around the vessel superstructure;

[c] the circular group of stationary electromagnetic armatures
(37) or "variable inductor" array, as used to impart a
rotational magnetic force upon both the external discharge
current and the internal rotor assembly (which is proximal
thereto). Each such array preferably comprises a maximum of 180
such armatures, and is to be approximately centered within the
neutral region of the housing so that its constituent armatures
are axially parallel to the rotor's axis of rotation;

[d] the center array (39) of stationary permanent magnets,
which should be mounted on a nonmagnetic core and in the
preferred embodiment incorporates a maximum of 720 such ring
magnets equally spaced around the vessel superstructure;

[e] the inner array of (55) stationary permanent magnets, which
should be mounted on a nonmagnetic core and in the preferred
embodiment incorporates a maximum of 576 such ring magnets
equally spaced around the vessel superstructure; and

[f] the stationary anode ring (58), located adjacent and
plane-parallel to the rotating cathode (59) of the inner
electrostatic-induction triode array, which develops an induced
positive voltage that is made available to the control circuitry
shown in FIG. 10 as described below.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show two embodiments of the Primary Power System.
The "Field Induction System" or stationary plane-parallel
electrode arrangement(s) employed to induce the exterior field
is/are basically the same in either case, and the voltage
control system of FIG. 10 may be used with either embodiment.

The simpler single-stage rotor system of FIG. 8 is primarily
intended for applications wherein the EDF Generator would be
employed to produce useful electricity or heat, the latter being
extracted from a principal liquid hull coolant circulated
through the primary thermal conduits (48) (shown in FIG. 1) that
encircle the field power resistors (63). Two thermal exchange or
main service manifolds (not shown) would provide ground-based
support to such a Generator from an associated utility or
physical plant, as well as a remarkable level of electrical or
thermal output from such Generator thereto. Each such manifold
would connect directly to a single circular center sector of one
of the two positive housing zones. Each of these two center
sectors (44), one or either of which is depicted in FIG. 4, must
in this case be composed of a nonconductive material.

**Description of the Primary Power System Circuit**

Referring again to FIG. 8, the respective outer, center, and
inner field windings (81)(83)(85) are directly connected in
series, and the voltage thus generated is applied to the inner
induction triode array cathode ring (59) and (through plate
resistor (91)) to the outer induction diode array anode ring
(29) and to the ballast capacitor anode ring (24). The
respective outer, center, and inner bias windings (82)(84)(86)
are also connected in series, and the voltage thus generated is
applied between the inner induction triode array cathode ring
(59) and (through grid resistor (90)) to the control grid (60)
of that same array. This places said control grid in parallel
with that cathode electrically.

The turns numbers of the bias windings (82)(84)(86) and the
grid resistor (90) values are chosen to apply a bias voltage to
control grid (60) such that the inner induction triode array is
biased very nearly to current cutoff. This results in a very
high voltage being induced on the rotor segments (14) between
outer induction cathode ring (28) and inner induction anode ring
(61), but at a very low series field coil current due to the
near-cutoff bias of the triode array. It is expected that the
voltage on the rotor segments between these two rings, in a
preferred embodiment using this arrangement, would be
approximately 8,000 volts for a four-foot diameter prototype, or
about 2,000 volts per foot of housing diameter. It is also
anticipated that series field coil current could be limited to
fractional amperage in smaller such devices and to single-digit
amperage in the largest.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is a three-stage rotor
system which is considered to be much more useful for
applications wherein the EDF Generator may be employed as an
aerospace vessel, in that it allows energy/wave-function signals
from outside the vessel to be detected and amplified in the
manner previously described.

In this embodiment, instead of the field windings (81)(83)(85)
being directly connected together in series, intermediary
voltage-transferring triode vacuum tube constructs are used to
effect an indirect series connection between the said field
windings. The voltage thus generated is again applied to the
inner induction triode array cathode ring (59) and (through
plate resistors (92)) to the outer induction diode array anode
ring (29) and to the ballast capacitor anode ring (24). The bias
windings (82)(84)(86) are in this case used to provide an
independent bias voltage to the control grids (31)(52)(60) of
the outer, center, and inner rotating triode arrays,
respectively, in parallel with their cathodes.

As in the single-stage rotor embodiment described above, the
turns numbers of the bias windings (82)(84)(86) and the grid
resistor (90) values are chosen to apply a bias voltage to
control grids (31)(52) and (60) respectively such that each
corresponding triode array is biased very nearly to current
cutoff. This results in a very high voltage being induced on the
rotor segments (14) between outer induction cathode ring (28)
and inner induction anode ring (61), again at a very low or
fractional current due to the near-cutoff bias of the triode
arrays. It is expected that the voltage on the rotor segments
between these two rings, in a preferred embodiment using this
arrangement, would be approximately 1,500 volts per foot of
vessel diameter.

In general, the stationary anode rings (58) and all of the
rotating electrode rings except the primary anode rings (68)
should be composed of a nonmagnetic structural nickel alloy
(such as Inconel 600). All rotating control grid element wires
should be composed of an alloy such as that commonly known as
nichrome. The rotating cathodes may be composed of
modestly-thoriated tungsten, however, if and only as necessary
to establish a small DC Primary Power System current if the
observed `dark discharge` current values are deemed
insufficient, particularly in the three-stage embodiment wherein
amplification of a minor AC signal voltage may be desired for
communications purposes. The ceramic material Titania, with a
nominal dielectric constant of 85, may preferably be used to
form the posts, pins, or brackets which support the various
rotating electrodes.

It is important to observe that both Primary Power System
(rotor) field winding circuits as configured in both the single-
and three-stage Generator embodiments will have an inherent AC
series resonant frequency, and operation at that frequency will
maximize the series field winding AC line currents (within given
circuit resistor constraints) as well as the dependent stage
plate voltage drops (across resistor(s) (91) or (92)
respectively) which allow stage AC signal reproduction and
amplification. As in traditional related practice, the series
resonant frequency will be that at which the given circuit's
inductive and capacitive reactances are approximately equal and
opposite. Thus, the series resonant frequency of either of said
Generator rotor circuit embodiments will be largely contingent
upon the total field winding inductance and coil core
permeability, as the various rotor electrode arrays and the
plate resistor(s) (91) or (92) must have quite specific fixed
relative design values of capacitance and resistance
(respectively)--as a function of total field winding
voltage--for proper overall DC and AC circuit performance.

Each Primary Power System control grid winding subcircuit as
configured in the three-stage rotor embodiment may then be
readily tuned for stage AC parallel resonance at the said
inherent series resonant frequency, thereby minimizing stage
grid subcircuit line current while maximizing the stage grid
voltage drop (across each grid resistor (90)) which determines
the level of net stage AC signal voltage gain or amplification
obtained. As in traditional related practice, the parallel
resonant frequency will once again be that at which the given
subcircuit's inductive and capacitive reactances are
approximately equal and opposite. This condition may be achieved
by connecting an optional capacitor of suitable value if desired
across the secondary winding (or control grid resistor side) of
each rotor stage coupling transformer (89), as indicated in FIG.
9.

**The Field Induction System**

Before commencing a technical discussion of the stationary
induction electrode systems which will be used to charge the
positive housing sections, it will be necessary to further
elucidate certain aspects of the Primary Power System electrical
circuit so that a few of its key operational characteristics are
more clearly understood.

Referring now to FIG. 7, each of the Generator's two identical
groups of rotating field coils (one above and one below the
rotor) are in essence connected in simple series across the
rotor segments using pairs of capacitive electrode rings, thus
forming a single series loop with respect to the rotor. The two
such series loops are at the same time, however, connected in
mutually-opposed electrostatic parallel with respect to the
rotor segment circuit leg common to both such loops.

Based on applicable principles of proper circuit resolution and
series DC capacitance, such an opposed series-parallel circuit
may readily be configured such that equal and opposite-polarity
voltages will result upon the rotor-mounted induction cathode
(28) and anode (61) rings in the absence of a fixed ground
reference. To this end, the rotor assembly itself is to remain
completely without direct earth or chassis ground in operation,
and a corresponding segment polarization will continue as the
circuit is duly energized by a finite DC conduction current.

When a primary DC rotor current is also established to the
housing's Emitter Ring (47) and an external discharge current in
turn occurs to the positive zone sectors (42), the two systems
of primary induction electrodes (64)-(68) also complete two
simple series loops back to the rotor and the two such external
field envelope subcircuits in parallel constitute the EDF
Generator's "Field Induction System" circuit. Thus, the total
field discharge current equals the primary rotor current, and
the rotor segment circuit leg is common to both of the major
system circuits described.

As is apparent from the section on Method of Operation, it is
imperative that the charged housing sections also have no direct
earth or chassis ground, being instead of a `floating-ground`
reference with respect to the described primary rotor circuit.
The cathodes (64) of these two primary electrode systems may
have a chassis ground reference at a very high resistive bias
(as indicated in FIG. 10), across which any actual cathode
charge imbalance or potential in operation may be detected and
measured.

Therefore, in light of the Faraday shielding principle and the
said equal and opposite voltages which occur at opposite ends of
the rotor segments (14), the potential difference between the
rotor field emitters (17) and the inner surfaces of the two
negative hull sections (or Emitter Ring (47)) will tend to
become equal (and opposite) in operation to that across the
primary electrode systems. And thus, a suitably vast and
engineered differential in the electron emissivity of the field
emitters (17) and the said ground-referenced primary cathodes
(64) will define the primary voltage expansion ratio which may
be obtained (in the manner first outlined in the section on
Method of Operation). This topic will be discussed in more
detail in a section to follow.

Moreover, a basic field-envelope-circuit generator design is
disclosed which thus far, in accordance with Faraday's and
Lenz's Laws, can produce a very high DC primary voltage with
minimized circuit AC current inductance losses. The Primary
Power System's DC voltage is not readily available, however, for
purposes of normally-usable electrical output. Brushless
electrode rings (58) must once again be employed to extract any
portion of this primary voltage for off-rotor use. The Primary
Power System schematics shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in conjunction
with FIG. 10 best illustrate the use of these two additional
stationary anode rings (58), one suspended adjacent to each
inner rotor induction cathode ring (59), which allow a large
electrostatically-induced positive DC voltage to be `picked
off`. This positive voltage may then be used as a source of low
power within an external circuit, provided that circuit is
negatively-grounded and only to the Generator's chassis, and is
therefore really intended for auxiliary onboard usage only.

It can be seen thus far, and especially in FIG. 7, that there
are essentially two major systems involved in creating the
voltages which must be applied to the positive and negative
housing or hull sections in order to form the electrodynamic
field that will surround the Generator in operation. These two
systems are:

[A] the Primary Power System, which generates a large DC
voltage by electromagnetic induction and then electrostatically
induces a major portion of that voltage upon the rotor segments
(14) between two pairs of induction anode (61) and cathode (28)
rings which are conductively affixed thereto (about the inner
and outer circumferences of the rotor assembly, respectively);
and

[B] the Field Induction System, which utilizes the potential
difference which then exists between the positive inner
circumference of the rotor--and its two attached primary anode
rings (68)--and two separate sets of highly electron-emissive
stationary cathodes (64) which are maintained at chassis ground
and which are circularly-arranged near and
electrically-connected to the periphery of each central
collector housing section (or "zone") so that they may jointly
charge their respective zone sectors (44) and/or (42) positively
by stripping them of native electrons.

Each of these primary electrode array cathodes (64) connect
directly to a field power resistor (63), which in turn connects
to one positive radial zone sector (42) of the central housing
sections. Each such cathode (64) is also vertically aligned
inboard with a group of three stationary plane-parallel grid
electrode elements and one of the two innermost rotating
induction anode rings (68) conductively-affixed to the rotor
segments (14) (about their positive inner circumference). Each
such group of three grid elements is comprised of a control grid
(65), an accelerator grid (66), and a suppressor grid (67), with
one such combined grid element assembly per radial zone sector
(42).

Together with the said primary induction anode ring (68), each
such 5-electrode group constitutes what is termed a "unit
pentode array" ((69) as seen in FIG. 7). The unit pentode arrays
(69) and their associated frame-mounted power resistors are thus
arranged in two ring-shaped sets, located between the rotor and
the two positive housing sections, which are referred to
throughout as the "primary induction ring rays".

The potential difference between the unit pentode array
cathodes (64) and rotor primary anode rings (68) is then
referred to as the "primary array voltage", as the unit pentode
arrays of each primary induction ring array are connected in
parallel electrically (between the field envelope and rotor),
and the number of unit pentode arrays should be equal to the
number of like sections into which the Generator's
superstructure is divided.

Electron vacuum tube design, construction, and operating
methods may be employed to induce and/or modulate a substantial
DC bias upon the plate current(s) of the several unit pentode
arrays, which electrically link the polarized rotor to the
central housing sections, for purposes of rendering the external
electrodynamic field variably non-isometric and therefore
directionally propulsive. Each such "stationary" 5-electrode
system or unit pentode array (69) (whose anode element actually
rotates) should be constructed in such a manner that it exhibits
a minimum design amplification factor (.mu.) equal to 12.0,
again with reference to any AC voltage or signal present in the
Field Induction System circuit and as a function of its
engineered relative electrode spacing(s).

The rotating primary induction anode rings (68), stationary
cathodes (64), and various grid element wires which are
associated with the stationary multi-electrode systems should be
composed of tungsten, due to the extremely heavy conduction
current across these primary arrays. Ceramic posts, pins, or
brackets composed of a specialized material such as Titania may
once again be used to support all of the various stationary
electrodes and grid elements, and each unit pentode array's grid
wires should be vertically aligned (or mutually-shading)
similarly to those in a "beam power pentode" vacuum tube.

As generally depicted in FIG. 1, a primary thermal conduit (48)
with an imbedded coolant-carrying core (49) encircles and
mechanically supports each unit pentode array, its power
resistor (63), and that resistor's enclosing dielectric buffer
(45). These thermal conduits and dielectric buffers will be
examined in further detail hereinafter.

The operation of the Field Induction System is regulated by a
central Field Voltage Control System which is modular in nature,
as illustrated in FIG. 10, and which is therefore mechanically
and electrically connected to the stationary cathodes and grid
elements of each unit pentode array (69). In this regard, the
auxiliary stationary anode rings (58) described above are to
serve as the source of positive voltage applied to the
accelerator grids (66) of said unit pentode arrays, and such
Field Voltage Control System is designed to directly accept this
voltage for that purpose. The Field Induction and Voltage
Control Systems will be discussed further in sections to follow.

**Zone Sector Construction**

Referring now generally to FIGS. 3 and 4, one major goal in
dividing each of the two hull positive zones or sections (5)
which jointly comprise the Generator's Field Hub into a large
number of radial sectors (42) in electrical parallel is to limit
the external field current reaching each particular power
resistor and unit pentode array combination to a fairly uniform
level, while somewhat reducing field current return eddy losses
as well. However, each radial sector (42) is thereby also given
the capability of effecting a local thrust production
differential (in propulsive three-stage rotor devices), by
virtue of its electrical isolation, as it is then possible to
vary the local resistance presented to the electrodynamic field
with respect to any given radial sector so that a substantial
measure of navigational control in the z-axis may thus be
achieved by varying the proportional field current conducted by
that sector.

Because the inherent resistance of each such sector itself will
be negligible even at an extremely elevated operating
temperature, in part due to the very low temperature coefficient
of resistivity of the proposed steel hull plate material, the
voltage drop across the radial length of each sector will also
be negligible. Thus, the determination of an appropriate sector
thickness becomes an entirely structural consideration. A
secondary design goal with respect to zone sectorization is
therefore to select a uniform cross-sectional area for the
radial zone sectors (42) which yields a Field Hub total
conduction mass approaching that of the device's rotor segments
(14).

The hull plating which forms each positive zone (or section
(5)) of the Generator's Field Hub should preferably be composed
of stainless steel or a refractory metal, and divided into
thirty-six equal-area radial zone sectors (42) of truncated
wedge shape and a circular center zone sector (44). As stated
earlier, in the single-stage Generator embodiment these two
center zone sectors must be of a nonconductive material or
construction, and should also comprise approximately 4 to 5% of
the total area of their respective zones to allow the connection
of the exchange or main service manifolds described above. In
the three-stage embodiment such center sectors (44) must instead
be conductive as just prescribed for the radial zone sectors
(42), and should each comprise about 1% of the said zone area.
Each such positive radial sector should be formed of a single
piece of the hull plating material in such a manner that its
cross-sectional area in the direction of its radial length is
maintained at a very uniform value.

The uniform thickness of each center zone sector (44) should be
equal to that of the radial sectors as measured at the minor
(inner) arc width thereof, and the radial sectors must be
insulated from the respective center sector where they meet that
center sector's periphery (except in single-stage rotor
devices). A suitable thin ceramic insulating partition (43) may
therefore be installed between each adjacent pair of radial zone
sectors (42), and around each center sector (44) in three-stage
devices, and the uniform flat thickness of these sector
insulators should in general be minimized.

In three-stage devices, four radial sectors (42) of each
positive housing zone which correspond to cardinal points
separated by 90 degrees of the hull's circumference, and which
divide the Field Hub into four equal quadrants (as indicated
with phantom lines in FIG. 4), should be connected in parallel
with the center sector of that positive zone at the maximum
positive voltage end of those four sectors' respective power
resistors (63).

The parallel resistance of the four conductors which therefore
connect each center zone sector (44) (in three-stage devices) to
its respective network of power resistors should then be such
that that sector's per unit surface area level of field current
conduction is slightly higher on the average than that of its
adjacent radial sectors (42), under uniform zero-signal field
bias conditions as hereinafter described.

The four unit pentode arrays (69) of each primary induction
ring array which correspond to the power resistors so-connected
to that primary array's center zone sector (44) would generally
not be utilized individually in the active field current bias
modulation related to the production of local thrust
differentials (in three-stage rotor devices), being instead
reserved primarily for potential involvement in signal
communications transmission and/or reception activities.

**Power Resistors**

As best seen in FIG. 1, the cathode element (64) of each
plane-parallel electrode system or unit pentode array which is
used to link the rotor assembly with a positive housing
collector section or radial zone sector (42) is electrically
connected to such positive section or sector by means of a
ceramic resistor block (63), of a certain low dielectric
constant and high volume resistivity, which becomes a poor but
effective conductor at the elevated operating voltage and
temperature of such housing collector sections and which ensures
an adequate external field current voltage drop between such
section or sector (42) and said cathode element (64) (which is
chassis-grounded as shown in FIG. 10).

Referring still to FIG. 1, each said ceramic resistor block or
"power resistor" (63) is to be entirely jacketed by a hollow
ceramic thermal conduit (48), including a dielectric buffer (45)
composed of a ferroelectric material having a certain high
dielectric constant and very high volume resistivity which does
not become a conductor even at the elevated operating voltage
and temperature levels of said power resistors. These thermal
conduits (48) mechanically connect the power resistors to a
flattened inner surface of such positive hull section or radial
sector (42) and a form of very-high-temperature heat transfer
fluid such as liquid sodium may be circulated therein so that
the proper resistor temperature is maintained to ensure an
optimum cathode potential with respect to ground.

A suitable manifolding, pump, and heat exchanger system (not
shown) may be used to extract or transfer an extremely high
level of recoverable thermal energy from the power resistors
(63), arising from the field current voltage drop associated
therewith, by means of such primary heat transfer fluid
circulated through the thermal conduit cores (49) in the manner
normally associated with nuclear power plants. Similarly, the
rate at which such primary hull coolant is circulated may be
used to directly regulate and limit the external field current
to a value within the safe ampacity of the rotor assembly.

It is important to point out that each of the Generator's power
resistors (63) and its associated dielectric buffer (45) and
primary thermal conduit (48) may be designed, as an assembly, to
incorporate a fixed positive reduced-voltage tap (not shown),
whereby a main source of onboard or output DC or AC electrical
power may be provided either for or from the Generator within a
limited-duty circuit which is grounded directly to the primary
cathodes. Provisions should and may also be provided for
biasing, damping, and/or inductively coupling any primary
conduit connecting sections, to control or harness electromotive
currents induced in the highly-conductive primary coolant.
Onboard electrical resistive heating means should and may be
incorporated for purposes of pre-heating the primary coolant
and, in turn, the power resistors and dielectric buffers.

Referring briefly to FIG. 11, it is also important to note that
the Generator's power resistors must be in a conductive state
before the housing potential difference reaches breakdown field
intensity, as figured along a minimum semicircular arc
trajectory (142) across the hull neutral sections (4), and the
flow of field discharge current commences. Therefore, the actual
maximum dielectric constant of the resistor material used in
very-high-voltage single-stage rotor devices, and in
ultra-high-voltage three-stage rotor devices as well, may be
calculated at about k=11.

As is best seen in FIG. 14, the recovery thermal conduits (79)
of the secondary hull coolant system which assist in supporting
the entire tapered peripheral portion of the housing must pass
inboard between the power resistor assemblies referred to above,
and therefore the resistors (63) must assume a complex tapered
shape to provide the necessary clearance. As generally depicted
in FIGS. 1 and 2, they will have a trapezoidal cross section at
the `top` or outward-facing end (with radial length somewhat
greater than minor circumferential width) and a rectangular
cross section at the bottom or cathode end (with circumferential
width much greater than radial length). In this regard, their
engineered shape should still maintain a uniform conduction
cross section exactly analogous to that of the preferred
positive zone sector construction described above.

**Dielectric Buffers**

Referring once again to FIG. 1, it is imperative to
electrically insulate the power resistors (63)--due to the
extreme voltage drop that will occur across them in
operation--to prevent direct discharge to other nearby
structural components from taking place. However, not only is
this a problem due to the thickness of insulation which would be
required at any `ordinary` dielectric value, but the power
resistors' projected operating temperature range of 600 to
700+.degree. C. completely precludes the use of almost all known
dielectrics. Fortunately, the search for high-temperature
dielectrics for use in aerospace electronics applications
(particularly multi-layer capacitors) has resulted in the
development of a small number of exotic materials potentially
suitable for use as a space charge buffer (156) or dielectric
encapsulant (45) for the Generator's power resistors (63).

In the application contemplated herein, the volume resistivity
of the resistor encapsulant is somewhat secondary to its
dielectric constant k at high temperature, because no opposing
contact voltage is present (as in a capacitor) to encourage
circuit conduction losses within the material. Therefore, the
prime consideration is the dielectric's ability to exhibit a
very large k value at over 600.degree. C. This places the
material squarely in the realm of a very small select group of
Class III high transition temperature ferroelectrics. These
materials, such as Tantalum-modified Lanthanum Titanate and Lead
Ytterbium Tantalate, do not begin to demonstrate significant
dielectric strength at less than 300 to 450.degree. C. One such
compound, Sodium Bismuth Titanate (Na.sub.0.5 Bi.sub.4.5
Ti.sub.4 O.sub.15), actually exhibits an amazing peak k value of
about 3100 near the middle of the said power resistor operating
temperature range: at 655.degree. C. (1,202.degree. F.). This
would seem to indicate that this compound is eminently suited
for use in forming the necessary rotor space charge buffer
pieces (156) and/or resistor dielectric buffers (45) in this
application.

It should be stressed that great care in quality control must
be exercised in formulating and sintering this or any similar
such special compound during manufacture of the dielectric
buffer pieces. An absolute minimum of impurities must be
assured, the density of the constituent powder maximized, and
each piece finally certified as being free of the smallest
physical defect prior to use in order to attain the desired
operating performance. It is also hoped that these crucial
components may each be compaction die formed and sintered
simultaneously with a respective power resistor (63), and
perhaps even with the corresponding primary thermal conduit (48)
as well.

The core (49) of the thermal conduit associated with each power
resistor (63) should be constructed of a refractory metal or
alloy tubing (such as molybdenum) which is jacketed with
high-purity Alumina or a comparable material formed directly
thereupon. Thus, each such primary thermal conduit becomes an
extremely strong structural member which may also be used to
support the stationary electrodes of the corresponding unit
pentode array, while circulating the preferred liquid sodium
heat transfer fluid or coolant around the outward faces of that
power resistor to recover or remove its excess heat.

Each power resistor (63), its dielectric buffer (45), and
associated primary thermal conduit (48) together comprise one
power resistor assembly, and each such assembly in combination
with its corresponding unit pentode array is considered for
present purposes as forming the constituent component group of
which the primary induction ring arrays and Field Induction
System are comprised.

Extensive calculations reveal that a suitable power resistor
material in most sizes of the single-stage embodiment of the
Generator would be a ceramic material with the chemical formula
Mgo.SiO.sub.2, which is available from CeramTec NA as CeramTec
designation Steatite 357. A suitable power resistor material in
most sizes of the preferred three-stage embodiment of the
Generator would be a somewhat different ceramic material with
the chemical formula 2MgO.2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.5SiO.sub.2, which is
available from CeramTec NA as CeramTec designation Cordierite
547.

**Overall Description of the Field Induction System Circuit**

Before an overview of the EDF Generator's Field Induction
System electrical circuit is presented, a somewhat comprehensive
examination of the nature of the housing or hull configuration
should be made, as in this application the hull itself is an
active part of that circuit. Its electrostatic characteristics
as a function of such configuration will therefore have a
fundamental influence upon the nature of the external field
envelope discharge current itself.

**Hull Design**

The derivation of the Generator's design hull configuration, as
best seen in FIG. 3, comprises a long and complicated story.
This should not be taken to imply that the final and rather
exacting composite shape selected is the only one that `works`
properly. It merely reflects the preferred embodiment of the
inventor's conceptualization of a fundamentally mechanical
device which happens to entail both tremendous electrical
complexity and inspiring aeronautical implications.

Should the proposed vessel eventually be used to explore the
possibility of transcending the time/light barrier, extremely
precise calculations regarding its spatial displacement and
charge/mass ratio will no doubt become necessary. Therefore, one
of the principal reasons for the chosen hull design is that the
total vessel displacement may readily be calculated using
traditional formulas from analytic geometry for the volumes of
the two truncated right conic sections and two one-base spheric
zones, and the volume of the remaining cylindrical central
chamber region.

Using just these formulas, a vessel hull configuration has
therefore been developed which may be linearly expanded (as a
scalar function of the hull radius) to virtually any size with
no significant loss of accuracy. The Table of Dimensions which
follows and the attendant schematic hull diagram of FIG. 3, upon
which all of the subsequent Detailed Calculations quoted are
based, illustrates the application of this design technique to a
theoretical vessel hull only 48" in diameter. It must be
emphasized that the construction of an Electrodynamic Field
Generator this small might not prove entirely practical in
reality, due strictly to mechanical limitations, and the
inventor believes this prototype model to be in fact the
smallest such machine that could be built. This original hull
size was deliberately selected, however, to encourage the
development of the maximum possible accuracy with respect to
contingent specifications for the relative size and positioning
of the Generator's principal components, prior to the actual
construction of larger machines.

The surface areas of the negative (3) and positive (5) hull
sections are set equal to each other, and for two very important
reasons: [i] to give the vessel hull a significant theoretical
capacitance (despite its unusual geometry); and [ii] to render
the two "driving" or discharge current portions of the field
envelope uniform in cross section. Essential considerations
which are related to these fundamental design criteria are best
expressed in the following electrostatic formula for uniform
field intensity in a DC capacitor which exhibits a continuous
leakage current:

where V = equilibrium potential difference in volts,

.sigma. = average surface charge density of one plate,

d = plate separation in meters,

.epsilon..sub.o = universal electrostatic constant,

and E = uniform field intensity in volts/meter.

This equation plays an important supporting role in the
invention's Method of Operation, as previously discussed in that
section above.

The volumes of the peripheral right conic sections of hull
volume surrounding the Field Hub and and those of the one-base
spheric zones comprising the Field Hub itself are also set equal
in a preferred embodiment, as this criterion is postulated to
promote both the structural integrity of the hull in any attempt
to breach light speed (and establish a stable Kerr metric space
warp about the vessel) as well as the gravimetric stability of
the central chamber/cabin area in light of the relativistic mass
effects involved while doing so.

As the case may be, to achieve this equal-area/equal-volume
design, it was found necessary to employ two crucial
interrelated constants (in addition to the ratio 1/5 used to
radially "step off" the hull's interior space): the Hull Area
Constant and the Polar Hull Constant. The Area Constant is (as
the name implies) necessary to achieve the equal-area part of
the overall design solution, and merely dictates the small
deviation of the neutral (4) and negative (3) housing sections'
ring radii from the stated preferred design increment of the
hull's radial width.

The other requisite design factor, the Polar Hull Constant, is
much more complex in nature. This value specifies the maximum
height of the spheric hull zones (5) as a function of their
arc-shape, and the corresponding contingent Polar Volume
Differential is absolutely essential to achieving the
equal-volume aspect of the preferred design. It is important to
note that certain allowances must be made in practice for a
finite but electrically-significant peripheral edge `thickness`
(and therefore surface area) at the equator of the device's
negative housing Emitter Ring (47), but will in general only
minimally modify the "pure" design-model values obtained using
the mathematical formulas given in the Table of Dimensions to
follow.

**Hull Configuration**

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the exterior housing or hull
(1) is designed specifically to have a circular disc shape the
thickness of which along the vertical axis of symmetry (that
also constitutes the rotor's axis of rotation) is relatively
minor as compared to the diameter along its radial centerline
plane, and which tapers gently from a maximum thickness along
such vertical centerline to a very minor thickness at the radial
periphery (47) of the housing.

The tapered disc shape of the hull is postulated to promote the
formation and maintenance of a stable bihemitoroidal corona or
arc discharge field based upon certain empirical principles of
electrostatics and upon laboratory experiments performed by the
inventor involving concentric circular electrodes. Such an
electrodynamic field may be characterized electrostatically in
this application by an axial positive polar electric field
contiguous with a biplanar negative electric field, with each
field of one given polarity tending strongly to become oriented
parallel to a field of opposite respective polarity but similar
intensity.

The exterior housing or hull (1) is therefore divided into two
axially-central positive electron collector sections (5), as
well as: [i] either a single radially-peripheral negative
electron emitter ring (47) which is biplanar in cross section or
two or more such ring sections (3) which are uniplanar in cross
section having separate planar orientations; and [ii] two
dielectric neutral sections (4) which are interposed between
said positive and negative sections such that each such section
of a given polarity is spatially separated from each section of
the opposite respective polarity.

The total external surface area of the housing's negative
Emitter Ring (47) or sections (3) is essentially equal to that
of the positive collector housing sections (5) or zones, such
that the overall housing configuration thereby acquires a
significant theoretical static capacitance by design as
intended. An estimated base value for such hull capacitance `C`
may be obtained by applying the surface area `A` of the hull's
two sets of "plates", as figured using the formulas in the Table
of Dimensions below, to the standard formula for parallel-plate
capacitance (C=.epsilon..sub.o A/d). When plate separation `d`
is taken to be the simple average of the longest (141) and
shortest (142) purely-semicircular arc current trajectories
across the hull, as depicted in FIG. 11, this estimate of hull
capacitance is approximately 13 to 14 mmf for an EDF Generator
48" in diameter.

**Field Composition**

Referring to FIG. 11, the external discharge current once
initiated may be expanded as a function of the operative field
voltage to fill two hemitoroidal spatial volumes of rotation
(140) whose outer perimeters (141) are defined by a semicircular
electron arc trajectory across the full housing radius in a
plane perpendicular to the housing surface, or from the
outermost point on the negative periphery thereof to the
respective positive centerpoint of the housing lying on the
vertical centerline thereof, and whose inner boundaries (142)
are defined by a similar such trajectory across the hull's
neutral ring or sections (4) from any innermost point on the
negative periphery to the closest point thereto lying on the
respective positive collector section (5).

The physical volume (140) of the external discharge current as
described has a uniform cross-sectional area in the radial
direction of electron conduction which corresponds to any such
semicircular arc trajectories between points on the housing's
negative Emitter Ring (47) and the respective positive collector
housing sections (5) and therefore, by the definition of a
conductor, such discharge current must assume a uniform current
density. While very difficult to effectively describe in verbal
terms, the idealized mathematical configuration of the
Generator's heat- and thrust-producing field envelope region (as
a function of its housing geometry) is visually easy to grasp
and is clearly illustrated in FIG. 11.

As indicated in FIGS. 12 and 13, stationary electromagnetic
armatures (37) are uniformly distributed into two circular
arrays (145) containing equal numbers thereof which are
positioned on opposite sides of the rotor from one another, and
which are each located concentric to the rotor's axis of
rotation midway between the negative Emitter Ring (47) and
positive housing sections (5). These armature arrays (145) may
be employed as two separate groups to impart a holistic but
attenuating rotational magnetic vector moment upon the external
discharge current, reaching through the thin neutral sections
(4) of the housing, and thus may be used to modulate the field
envelope's kinetic and electrical characteristics in a variety
of ways useful to the invention and its objects.

FIGS. 12 and 13 also show the electric field vectors (143) as
described above, and magnetic field vectors (144) as produced
and modulated by the armatures (37) comprising the two armature
or variable inductor arrays (145). FIG. 13 specifically depicts
the regular lateral bending or displacement of the
radially-impinging electron trajectories (143), under the
influence of the inductor arrays (145), which is postulated to
have a unitizing effect on the driving portions (140) of the
field envelope.

It can therefore be seen that the device contemplated herein
may be operated in such a manner that its external breakdown
discharge current field achieves a uniform conductive cross
section and current density, as well as a holistic and orderly
rotational aspect which subsequently acts to assist in rendering
such current quasi-coherent. And thus, for purposes of this
device and its applications, such a discharge current field
should be thought of as a special qualified type and form of DC
corona or arc discharge--having significant propulsive potential
(to be further examined)--which then merits technical
description as an electrodynamic field.

In this respect, it may for now be emphasized that a useful
level of electrically-developed thrust may be realized from the
relativistic impulse of the electrodynamic field current
electrons incident upon the positive collector housing sections
and, postulating the operation of the device in the vacuum of
space (with a physical field current volume as described), the
impulse velocity of such incident field electrons may be raised
to as high as 99.99% of the speed of light and more with the
corresponding relativistic mass thereof then equal to 69 times
their rest mass or indeed much more.

**Primary Voltage Expansion Ratio**

In keeping with the logic presented at the opening of the Field
Induction System section above, the primary array voltage will
tend to equal only one-half (1/2) of the DC voltage expressed
across the rotor segments (or "rotor voltage"). Therefore, to
develop an extraordinary multi-megavolt `secondary` or field
voltage across the Generator's housing of the type just
described, the primary array cathodes' electron emissivity
(expressed as a certain factor) must exceed that of the rotor
field emitters by a ratio which is at least as large as the
ratio of the desired field voltage to half the observed said
rotor voltage. The latter such ratio is then thought of as the
primary voltage expansion ratio in this application, as outlined
in the Method of Operation section hereinabove.

A difference in the instantaneous rate at which these two said
sets of parts will tend to discharge under the impetus of a
given equivalent voltage or potential difference is thereby
created. This instantaneous charge differential enables the
primary cathodes to strip native electrons from the positive
housing sections (5) thousands of times faster than such charge
can reach the negative emitter housing sections (3) from the
rotor field emitters. Thus, an instantaneous charge differential
is perhaps best described as a cumulative charge imbalance that
is known to operate (under certain conditions) in capacitive
and/or thermoelectric circuit arrangements and to express itself
as an elevation of the applied voltage or potential difference
therein.

To actually achieve and support such a condition requires the
use of two housing charge ballast capacitors whose negative
`plate` elements or rings are affixed directly to the rotor
segments (about their outer perimeter) and which are immediately
able to store an amount of such charge that is sufficient to
produce equilibrium collector surface charge densities resulting
in the desired field voltage. This average required housing
charge density is calculated using the traditional formula given
in the Hull Design section above.

The voltage applied to the positive rings of these ballast
capacitors is taken from the rotor's outer field coil anode ring
connections and therefore represents a large portion of the
Primary Power System's generated field winding voltage. It
should be noted that this voltage must actually be passed to
such capacitors beneath the rotor ballrace assemblies in the
form of recessed conductive traces on one or more of the segment
separators. This same technique must also be employed to connect
electrical elements of the Primary Power System lying outboard
of the variable inductor arrays (145) with corresponding
elements lying inboard thereof.

In any event, these crucial ballast capacitors are therefore
properly thought of as belonging to both the Primary Power
System and Field Induction System circuits. They provide the
necessary electric force means by which a given primary voltage
expansion ratio (as defined) may be supported and realized using
the engineered instantaneous charge differential concept
described. Because of the complexity of this aspect of the
Generator's operation, the specific example below will
illustrate the relevant principles using the respective
temperature emissivity factors of the chosen field emitter and
primary cathode materials with respect to the aforementioned
4ft. prototype model.

This temperature emissivity factor, e.sup.-.phi./kT, where `e`
is the base of natural logarithms 2.71828 . . . , `k` is
Boltzman's constant, and `T` is the absolute temperature in
.sup.o K, derives from the famous Richardson-Dushman equation: a
formula for the correct thermionic emission current density `J`
of a clean metal cathode in vacuum having surface work function
.phi.. And, expressed in mathematical terms, the principle of
ratio equivalence defined above may be stated as follows:

Using field emitters of sintered 0.68/0.32 tungsten/copper
composite and thorium-adsorbed tungsten primary cathodes, a 4
ft. diameter three-stage-rotor prototype unit of the invention's
design would achieve a primary voltage expansion ratio equal to
about 12,106 given a field emitter .phi.=4.408 eV and primary
cathodes of .phi.=3.639 eV with both component sets at a
temperature of 948.degree. K (or 675.degree. C.) as figured per
the above equation. The field voltage expressing this ratio is
verified in the Detailed Calculations hereinbelow.

It is important to note that this equation can readily be
solved for the required primary cathode .phi. where the
projected mean operating temperature of the primary cathodes is
given (as it would be in operation), and where the field
emitters' .phi. is also fixed and known but their actual
operating temperature within a range of possible values must be
experimentally or theoretically obtained.

The external breakdown discharge current once initiated and
sustained in this manner is generally limited only by the
engineered design characteristics of the unit pentode arrays
which comprise the Field Induction System. In particular, the
negative DC bias voltage applied to the unit pentode array
control grids (65) must be sufficient to limit the total primary
induction ring array current to a value within the safe
operating ampacity of the rotor. For purposes of this text, the
term "full-power" as used in relation to the Primary Power
System and its incorporating device shall be taken to indicate a
corresponding rotor speed wherein a full nominal field envelope
voltage is achieved, maintained, or exceeded. Such an
operational state is depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13.

**Field Current Bias**

In a simple single-stage rotor embodiment of the Generator used
as a "Thermal Power Unit", no active biasing of the current in
either of the two current-carrying portions (140) of the field
envelope (which are otherwise symmetrical) need take place at
the primary arrays, and the current comprising each such driving
portion of the field is essentially equal. In the preferred
three-stage rotor embodiment intended for propulsive units, the
field current is actively biased or proportionally shunted by
the primary arrays between such field envelope portions (140) to
render the impulse thrust developed thereby mutually
non-isometric along the Generator's vertical centerline. Several
important considerations directly related thereto are discussed
below, and reference should generally be made to FIG. 7 in this
section.

The Generator's maximum full-power total field current must be
equal to the rated DC parallel ampacity of the rotor segments,
as figured using traditional methods. An operational minimum
full-power field current in any propulsive three-stage rotor
device used as an "Impulse Drive Unit" should then be considered
as equal to either one-half (1/2) of the so-rated rotor ampacity
or a level of total rotor current sufficient to allow the
Generator to produce a net vertical thrust equal to its own
weight, whichever is the lesser.

Given the minimum engineered amplification factor of the unit
pentode arrays (69) earlier stated, this minimum full-power
field current may in all likelihood be maintained with an
average value of primary array negative bias voltage (as applied
to the stationary control grids (65) shown in FIG. 7) which is
less than or equal to about one-half (1/2) of its specified
design-maximum value. If no unidirectional or alternating
voltage component of the Field Induction System current is
present, this said average negative bias voltage value
constitutes the primary arrays' "zero-signal" bias voltage and
the primary arrays may be said to be in a zero-signal field bias
condition (as mentioned earlier hereinabove).

Each of the two said driving portions (140) of the Generator's
field envelope may be referred to as a "field hemitorus" because
of its postulated shape, and the maximum individual field
hemitorus current at any given value of operating rotor current
should at all times be limited to a level which is less than or
equal to two-thirds (2/3) of that operating rotor current. Peak
net field thrust will then equal one-third the total isometric
thrust. Assuming the said given amplification factor, this
maximum advisable hemitorus level of proportional total field
current may in all likelihood be maintained with an average
value of negative bias voltage applied to the corresponding
primary array's control grids (65) which is equal to
approximately one-third (1/3) of its specified design-maximum
value (or less proportionally at a rotor current level which is
less than rated ampacity).

Due to the lag time in heating either of the two power resistor
(63) networks through which an increasing field hemitorus
current must return, the negative bias voltage applied to the
corresponding primary array's control grids (65) may be briefly
reduced to as little as one-sixth (1/6) of its specified
design-maximum value (as a standard minimum operating control
grid voltage) or less proportionally at a rotor current level
which is less than rated ampacity.

The minimum individual field hemitorus current at any given
value of operating rotor current should at all times be
maintained at a level equal to or greater than one-third (1/3)
of that operating rotor current. Assuming the said given
amplification factor, this minimum advisable hemitorus level of
proportional total field current may in all likelihood be
maintained with an average value of negative bias voltage
applied to the corresponding primary array's control grids (65)
which is equal to approximately two-thirds (2/3) of its
specified design-maximum value (or less proportionally at a
rotor current level which is less than rated ampacity).

Due to the lag time in cooling either of the two power resistor
(63) networks through which a decreasing field hemitorus current
must return, the negative bias voltage applied to the
corresponding primary array's control grids (65) may be briefly
increased to as much as five-sixths (5/6) of its specified
design-maximum value (as a standard maximum operating control
grid voltage) or less proportionally at a rotor current level
which is less than rated ampacity.

It is important to note that the current passed by the unit
pentode arrays (69) will depend to a great degree on the
accelerator grid (66) voltage rather than on the overall primary
array potential difference, just as in any standard vacuum tube
which employs a screen or accelerator grid whose positive
voltage is less than the applied plate voltage. It therefore
becomes evident that this positive grid (66) voltage may also be
modulated in a manner similar to the negative control grid (65)
voltage. This type of `duplex` signal-handling or control
voltage response capability allows the unit pentode arrays (of
either primary induction ring array) to amplify a resonant
frequency communications signal while simultaneously controlling
an independent level of current-contingent thrust.

In any event, it can be seen here in light of the Law of
Conservation of Momentum that a sizeable force of thrust will be
developed by each field hemitorus (140) from the relativistic
impulse of its constituent electrons incident upon the collector
housing sections (5), and that suitable means have been provided
for rendering such mutually-opposed y-axis thrust vectors
variably non-isometric.

A less obvious but very important distinction which should be
made in regard to the EDF Generator's production of such
electrically-developed thrust is certainly this: it is not
necessary that the Generator or in particular its positive hull
sections (5) (or Field Hub) provide the work required to move
the field current charge against the field potential gradient.
Per classical electric field theory, the work may be done by the
charge itself in being repelled along the potential gradient. In
the first case, work is `performed` and in the second it is
`recovered`. Furthermore, it can be shown mathematically in
light of the preceding distinction that any net recoil force
experienced by the negative hull Emitter Ring (47) is strictly
Newtonian in nature, compared to the relativistic impulse thrust
produced at the Field Hub, and that the peak value of such
recoil would amount to no more than about 3/1,000 of one percent
of the peak net value of the said thrust.

Therefore, the Electrodynamic Field Generator's input rotary
torque drive means will provide the work-energy required to
establish and maintain the rotor's rotation and the resultant
field potential gradient that is induced in the manner
described, and the electron charge comprising field hemitorus
current will then do the work required to effect its passage
toward the positive Field Hub. The resulting collisions are
almost completely inelastic, so momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved independently, and the field current's gained kinetic
energy is recovered almost entirely as heat.

**Field Voltage Control System**

Accordingly, it can also be seen that the interactive factors
or features which result in the EDF Generator's exhibited field
voltage as a function of its rotor voltage are much more
complicated in nature than the simple turns ratio which defines
an AC transformer's secondary voltage in terms of its primary
voltage. And because of the extremely high primary voltage
expansion ratios which will be operative in large devices, small
fluctuations in the Generator's stationary primary array
electrode voltages can conceivably cause very large and
undesirable fluctuations in the exhibited field voltage.
Therefore, a relatively simple but effective Field Voltage
Control System is provided which may be used to monitor,
regulate, and adjust all individual primary cathode and grid
voltages to optimum specified and/or interim operating values
such that rotor ampacity is not exceeded, and this system
anticipates the use of an associated onboard computer system (to
render its various interactive functions automatic).

The embodiment of such a control system as shown in FIG. 10 is
intended merely to provide a logical circuit model which is
illustrative of the principles of the invention, and of certain
principles of appropriate circuit resolution which should be
applied within such a system in light of the following aspects
of its teaching, and not to preclude the use of other possible
embodiments of such control system circuitry.

The cathode elements (64) of each plane-parallel electrode
system or unit pentode array (used to link the rotor assembly to
the positive housing sections) are to have a surface work
function .phi. which is significantly lower and/or an operating
temperature which is significantly higher than that of the rotor
field emitters (17), and will therefore tend to exhibit a
comparatively much-higher electron emissivity, such that the
ratio of their respective temperature emissivity factors (which
are each represented by e.sup.-.phi./kT) has a very determinate
effect upon the respective exhibited ratio of the device's
external discharge field voltage to the primary DC voltage
generated internally.

Referring to FIG. 10, these primary array cathodes (64) must be
composed of tungsten or another refractory metal which may also
be either impregnated with thorium oxide or thorium metal
submonolayer-adsorbed to achieve such lowered comparative
surface work function, and, to calibrate their emissivity
relative to that of the rotor field emitters (17) as a means of
defining and determining the device's external field voltage
relative to its primary array potential difference (or half the
rotor voltage).

The Field Voltage Control System as shown is basically designed
to directly accept the rather high positive induced voltage of
the stationary anode rings (58) (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) for the
purpose of providing the primary accelerator grids (66) with
their standard DC operating voltage. Due to the linear
scalability of the Generator's overall design, the nominal (or
zero-signal) value of such voltage relative to chassis ground
(10) is expected to be approximately +362 to +483 volts per foot
of hull diameter in three-stage and single-stage Generator
embodiments (respectively). An isolation diode (126) and switch
or relay (124) prevent such positive voltage from being
neutralized by negative current(s) elsewhere in the control
circuit.

Any one or more of the stationary electrode elements (64)-(67)
comprising each said unit pentode array may be artificially
cooled, as a means of further regulating the device's external
field voltage, and/or subjected to modest variable DC control
voltages at times to further assist in the interim adjustment of
that unit pentode array's current.

A very high value capacitor (116) or a plurality of separate
high value capacitors connected into a parallel or
series-parallel matrix thereof may be employed to store the
displacement charge caused within the Primary Power System by
the charging of the rotor-mounted ballast capacitors, as part of
such Field Voltage Control System. Said displacement charge
holding capacitor(s) (116) may hereinafter be referred to as
"ballast compensating capacitor(s)".

A very high value capacitor (117) or similar such capacitor
matrix may also be employed to prevent the grounding of positive
housing section potential by ambient ionization charge, from
operation in air during the device's start-up period before such
sections are fully enclosed (by the external field hemitorus
currents), as a further part of this Field Voltage Control
System. Such bulk electron storage capacitor(s) (117) may
hereinafter be referred to as "ambient charge capacitor(s)".

The negative plates of these ambient charge capacitors are to
be isolated from ground during rotor spin-up, in order to effect
a net negative charge storage, and so their positive plate
charge is supplied by a dedicated common variable DC voltage
supply (98) which is oppositely connected to the ground frame.
Each ambient charge capacitor (117) employed during the device's
start-up period may be selectively switch- or relay-connected by
its negative terminal to an accelerator grid element (66) of one
or more of said plane-parallel electrode systems, in order to
effect and control the storage of such ionization charge. Each
such start-up capacitor (117) may also be selectively switch- or
relay-connected by its negative terminal via a variable resistor
and/or diode to a suppressor grid element (67) of one or more of
said plane-parallel electrode systems, in order to effect and
control the distribution of onboard stored negative charge
reserves from the suppressor grid(s) (67) to the rotor, as a
standard means of regulating the external field voltage
(especially in the vacuum of space).

Said ambient charge capacitor(s) (117) may also be similarly
connected by the negative terminal(s) thereof either to a
separate source of true earth ground or to one or more
superconductive current storage ring/s (200) (including charge
deposition and retrieval means), for purposes of removing any
excess ambient electron charge above the bulk storage capability
of such capacitor or capacitor matrix which may be produced from
normal or full-power operation in air--or other gaseous
dielectric media.

Such superconductive current storage ring(s) would be used
exclusively in large three-stage rotor propulsive models of the
Generator, and thus constitute/s the means by which further
expendable onboard charge reserves may be accumulated. The
working core of each superconductive storage ring would
preferably be a large but relatively thin torus (of small cross
section) composed of solid mercury metal immersed in liquid
helium, and as such would have a known ampacity measured in the
hundreds of thousands of amps.

A linearly-actuated control rod (103) or similar mechanism may
be used to effect a mechanically variable thermal junction
between each primary array cathode or grid element (64)-(67) and
a cold thermal mass of the same or similar refractory metal,
maintained at the reservoir temperature of a secondary cryogenic
housing coolant such as liquid air or nitrogen. The plate
elements and dielectric media of each capacitor or capacitor
matrix employed in the Field Voltage Control System could also
be incorporated (in a suitable manner) into the coolant vessel
which contains said cold thermal mass. This System's diodes
would generally not be rated for mounting at such a low
temperature.

The voltage control circuit shown in FIG. 10 is modular in
nature, in that one such unit is provided for each of the 72
unit pentode arrays associated with the Field Induction System
(in the preferred embodiment). All measurements of primary
electrode voltage(s), and of positive housing section voltage,
are to be made with respect to the Generator's ground frame (10)
(as generally depicted in FIG. 1): the metallic structural shell
of the device's central chamber to which the rotor carrier
assembly drive motor(s) should be mounted. This grounding method
is referred to throughout as "chassis ground".

One thermal control rod (103) is provided for each primary
cathode and grid element (64)-(67) which variably engages both a
control rod socket (104) attached thereto and a thermal junction
(101), which is attached to a cold thermal mass (102) maintained
at the reservoir temperature of the secondary (cryogenic)
housing coolant, by means of a linear actuator (not shown). Such
control rod (103) may then be used to regulate that electrode's
temperature to approximately the same temperature as the
associated power resistor (at 675.degree. C. .+-.55.degree.). In
this manner, small adjustments in cathode (64) emissivity may be
made as necessary during operation and the various grids may be
closely matched in temperature to that of their respective
cathode(s) to ensure the accuracy of mutual primary electrode
voltage balance. Any deviation of cathode (64) voltage from a
chassis ground potential may be detected and measured across a
very-high-value resistor (107), connected between said
cathode(s) and chassis ground, which is preferably of a large
carbon type having multiple fixed taps (and across which an
output voltage may exist).

A dedicated common variable DC voltage supply (95) is provided
for all primary cathodes (64) as a means of ensuring an optimum
cathode potential with respect to ground, despite fluctuating
power resistor temperatures (in three-stage rotor devices where
field hemitorus current is variably biased). This supply is
shunted with a double-pole/double-throw switch or relay (123) to
enable either a positive or negative interim control voltage to
be applied to the cathodes (64), in order to hold their true
potential as close to ground as possible. A similar voltage
supply (97) and switch/relay (123) is also provided for all
primary accelerator grids (66) as a means of modulating the
fixed level of applied positive grid voltage (from stationary
anode ring (58)) and therefore the level of field hemitorus
current, independent of the level of applied control grid (65)
bias. In both cases, these DC supplies are isolated from chassis
ground by blocking capacitors (106) to inhibit any net charge
loss or accumulation from accruing to the ground frame (10)
during operation (in propulsive units which are not connected to
true earth ground).

A dedicated common variable DC voltage supply (96) is provided
for all primary control grids (65) as well. This voltage supply
is not capacitor-isolated from chassis ground in this case, so
that the primary control grids (65) and cathodes (64) may have a
common direct ground reference as they would in a typical vacuum
tube circuit arrangement. The said control grid supply (96)
should also have a resistor (107) of the same type as that
provided for the associated cathodes (64), connected between
such supply's positive terminal and chassis ground. These two
criteria further ensure the accuracy of mutual primary electrode
voltage balance, and the nominal (or zero-signal) value of such
DC control grid voltage relative to chassis ground is expected
to be approximately -36 to -48 volts per foot of hull diameter
in three-stage and single-stage Generator embodiments
(respectively). A variable bypass resistor (108) may be adjusted
to ensure a very low and relatively constant DC operating grid
current despite fluctuations in the value of the AC input signal
resistor (110), as discussed below.

Ballast compensating capacitors (116) are provided whereby
negative outrush charge from the stationary anode rings (58) and
the positive plates of the rotor ballast capacitors may be
purged from the Primary Power System during rotor spin-up, to
prevent stage electrode array voltage ratings from otherwise
being greatly exceeded, via these same two anode rings (one per
primary induction ring array), connecting switch/s or relay/s
(124), and resistor/s (125). During the Generator's spin-up and
`run` periods, each ballast discharge switch/relay (122) is
normally open; switch/relays (124) are `run-open`. Upon rotor
de-spin, such ground-restoring charge must be proportionately
returned to each stationary anode ring via switch/relays (124)
and resistors (125), and to the Primary Power System as a whole
via the discharge switch/relays (122) and suppressor grid
discharge shunts (with variable resistors (113) and diodes
(115)), for the most part after vacuum chamber current to the
hull Emitter Ring has essentially ceased.

Then, such normalizing charge may be `dumped` across the
described suppressor grid discharge shunts at a rate sufficient
to ensure that the entire Primary Power System returns to a
ground potential (by brief direct surge rotor-shorting to the
outer induction array anode rings). Thus, resistors (113)
provide a variable time constant for the discharging of the said
compensating capacitors (116). An a independent common variable
DC voltage supply (99) whose negative terminal is connected to
the ground frame (10) ensures that the proper total ballast
compensating charge described may be stored against the high
positive applied potential of the stationary anode rings (58).

The ambient charge capacitors (117) absorb ionization charge
(arising from operation in air) which perforce must fall into
the potential well(s) established by the positive housing
sections at least until the field envelope's two hemitorus
currents are fully formed, and which would otherwise tend to
ground the desired positive housing section voltage. Therefore,
the negative plate voltage of these storage capacitors (117) is
applied from another dedicated DC supply (100), which is similar
to that (99) provided for the compensating capacitors (116), by
means of a common dpdt switch/relay (119). None of these DC
supplies (95)-(100) are to have internal load-line diodes.

The variable output of this "dynamic compensating" voltage
supply (100) is to be approximately the same as that of the
ambient charge capacitors' positive voltage supply (98), thereby
allowing the said capacitors (117) to be gradually saturated
during rotor spin-up with electrons collected at the accelerator
grids via storage shunt inrush current switch/relays (121) and
diodes (114). During the Generator's spin-up and run periods,
the "control gate" switch/relays (119) are normally closed such
that the negative pole of supply (100) is connected to the
negative plates of these same capacitors. In the Generator's run
and de-spin periods, however, switch/relays (121) are normally
open.

Any excess ionization charge above these capacitors' joint
storage capability which might lower the `run` Field Induction
System circuit voltage must then be either grounded off or
deposited in said superconductive storage ring(s) (200) (in
ungrounded propulsive Generators designed for maximum ambient
charge storage), via the same said throw of control gate
switch/relay (119) in conjunction with shunt switch/relay (120)
and resistor (112). In this case, the storage shunt
switch/relays (121) remain run-closed. Otherwise, the slow `run`
release and distribution of negative charge reserves to the
rotor from the storage capacitors (117) is effected by the
gradual synchronized relaxation of the voltage/s from supplies
(98) and (100) across switch/relay (119) and discharge resistor
(113), with shunt switchs (120) and (121) open, while diodes
(114) and (115) ensure that the said capacitors (117) may only
be discharged in the manner described.

This discharge of stored charge reserves actually takes place
from the suppressor grids (67), which may serve as low-power
electron emitters given their proximity to the primary anode
rings (68). An isolation diode (127) prevents such negative
charge from neutralizing accelerator grid circuit voltage. It
should be noted that the suppressor grids may be held at ground
potential as they would in a typical beam power pentode circuit
arrangement, or at a very low if not negligible negative voltage
for purposes of effecting such controlled low-power charge
release, by means of [i] a minor negative voltage induced
thereon by the corresponding proximal primary anode ring/s
(proportional to their capacitance relative thereto); [ii] the
combined DC voltage drop across the paralleled resistors (109)
and (111) connected to their respective accelerator grids;
and/or [iii] the voltage of the dynamic compensating supply
(100) relative either to earth ground and resistor (112) or to
chassis ground and the relative opposing voltage of the ambient
charge storage capacitor's supply (98).

The bypass resistor (109) provided between each accelerator
grid (66) and its associated suppressor grid (67) returns the
inevitable stationary anode ring (58) and accelerator grid (66)
DC circuit current to the rotor from the suppressor grids (67),
and simply assists in maintaining each suppressor grid at a DC
potential as close to true ground as possible. The suppressor
grid resistor (111) which is paralleled with said bypass
resistor (109), however, is analogous to a plate resistor on
behalf of the corresponding inner (rotor) induction array in
both the single- and three-stage rotor embodiments, in that any
rotor circuit final-stage AC output voltage variations will be
reproduced across it once field envelope circuit current
commences. Likewise, any AC signal oscillations from an outside
(remote) source which are induced upon the field envelope
current will immediately act as a detected first-stage AC input
for rotor circuit amplification, and again will be reproduced
across the said grid resistor (111).

Therefore, any rotor or field circuit AC potential difference
across this grid resistor (111) provides an output signal
voltage that may be: [i] received by an actual communications
console or a simple AC control-voltage operating circuit in the
Generator's central cabin; and/or [ii] reapplied either in- or
out-of-phase with the voltage across the input signal resistor
(110) of the associated control grid (65) as a further AC signal
voltage amplification or suppression stage (respectively). An
input AC signal or control voltage may also be applied across
the control grid resistor (110) from such an onboard
communications console or control-voltage operating circuit, as
would generally apply to three-stage and single-stage devices,
respectively. This grid resistor is variable for circuit tuning
purposes related to resonant frequency communications (if
desired).

It can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, however, that the AC output
amplification stage (or inner induction array) of the Primary
Power System and its input stage (or outer induction array) are
directly coupled by the rotor segments (14) in both single-stage
and multi-stage rotor embodiments. Thus, the rotor electrical
circuit as configured will be subject to continuous positive (or
regenerative) feedback of any AC signal voltage present either
in the field current or on the rotor, as described above. To
provide a desired or requisite level of signal amplitude
suppression or compensation, negative (or inverse) feedback may
be applied to the rotor circuit using the feedback coupling
relays (129) and stage transformers (130) shown in FIG. 10.

Because plate voltage and grid voltage are typically
180.degree. out of phase in a beam pentode arrangement such as
the Generator's primary arrays, inverse feedback is achieved
when the voltage fed back to the control grid (65) has the same
waveform and phase as the plate or anode (68) voltage. In
related traditional practice, an inverse feedback signal applied
to the input (control grid) current decreases AC amplifier input
impedance and distortion; an inverse feedback signal
proportional to the output (plate/anode) current raises the
output impedance of such amplifier. Therefore, an inverse
feedback AC signal proportional to the current through resistor
(111) which is applied in-phase with the AC line current across
resistor (110) decreases the rotor input stage impedance yet
also reduces the amplitude of the AC output current. A loss of
total amplification (through a fractional stage `gain`) results,
but is accompanied by a decrease in signal distortion.

The stage feedback transformers (130) ensure voltage reference
isolation between such stationary amplification or suppression
stage and the corresponding rotor stages, when AC signal
feedback across the control grid resistors (110) is necessary or
desired. A double-pole/double-throw switch/relay (129) may be
used to decouple each such transformer from the input signal
resistor (110) side of its circuit connections, and/or to apply
either positive (regenerative) or negative (inverse) feedback to
the rotor AC amplification stage(s), and tunable blocking
capacitors (131) isolate the transformers from circuit DC
voltages. The coupling transformers (130), isolation relays
(129), and blocking capacitors (131) are therefore only
necessary in Generator embodiments not having a central AC
control-voltage operating circuit with suitable inverse feedback
characteristics and in three-stage Generator embodiments which
may be used in a communications capacity. In the latter case, an
optional capacitor across the secondary or control grid resistor
(110) side of each such transformer (in parallel with the said
resistor) may once again be employed in parallel resonance
fashion, and is indicated in FIG. 10.

During continuous operation of an EDF Generator in the vacuum
of space, the exhibited DC field voltage will tend to rise
gradually as the total amount of charge contained in the field
envelope circuit is gradually reduced through unavoidable
electron leakage losses (primarily at the hull Emitter Ring
peripheral edge). To compensate for this effect, a small amount
of stored ambient charge must therefore be continually released
at the suppressor grids (67) into the rotor return current. The
rate at which this gradual discharge must be effected is
dependent upon the observed field leakage rate, as only a rough
approximation of this leakage may be pre-calculated. It is for
this reason that at least one superconductive storage ring
(200)--containing a tremendous quantity of reserve ambient
charge in the form of a continuous zero-loss current--must be
included in any ungrounded Impulse Drive unit used in space
exploration, as the capacity of such storage ring determines the
vessel's effective range of operation.

It is postulated that the external field current's energy
density will be sufficiently enormous that it exhibits a virtual
self-evacuating operational condition above a certain ultra-high
field voltage in propulsive three-stage EDF Generators, and such
a condition is essential to the successful atmospheric ground
launch thereof Such kinetic occlusion of a significant portion
of the otherwise available ambient ionization charge may also
occur once the field envelope is fully formed even in
ground-based single-stage devices operated at breakdown field
intensity. During continuous operation of such ground-based
devices in a gaseous atmosphere, field leakage losses which
could cause an undesired gradual field voltage rise if they
exceed available ambient charge accretion may be compensated by
bypass-shunted charge from earth ground. In this case, the
positive pole of supply (100) is connected at low power via dpdt
switch/relays (119) to earth ground, in order to avoid a limited
spin-up/run/de-spin repeating duty cycle.

**General Method of Construction**

The actual construction of an Electrodynamic Field Generator of
any given size is relatively straightforward, whether of a
manned propulsive embodiment or not, and proceeds in fact from
the inside out. Referring generally to FIG. 1, one of the most
practical features of the construction process is that virtually
the entire instrumentation and payload compartment or "Central
Chamber" (2) may be outfitted first, before any portion of the
Primary Power System is assembled or even necessarily designed.
In the preferred three-stage embodiment to be used as an
aerospace Impulse Drive Unit, the central chamber should
obviously incorporate low-density materials wherever possible.

Construction next proceeds with the Generator's ground frame
(10): the metallic structural shell which provides an enclosing
framework for the central chamber to which all ancillary inboard
electrical equipment may be grounded. This structural framework
should be as strong, lightweight, and nonmagnetic as possible,
and may preferably be of a welded tubular design using stainless
steel or a suitable titanium alloy.

Once the ground frame and enclosed central chamber are
completed, including the installation of a preferred total of 32
high-torque DC motor-generator rotor drive units (in four sets
of eight), the two rotor mounting frame sections and attached
ring gear/s (8) of the "Carrier Assembly" may be built and
dynamically balanced (using a temporary peripheral spacing
"jig"). Then, construction of the composite "Rotor Assembly" may
commence with the laying out of equal numbers of copper segments
(14), ceramic segment separators (16), and refractory composite
field emitters (17) which are all of exactly equal weight by
type, the latter components providing the nonconductive base to
which other rotating electrical hardware may be attached.

When the three sets of said principal large rotor pieces (which
preferably number 180 each) are bound together with electrode
rings silver-soldered to the segments, and clamped between the
two halves of the centrifuge-style carrier assembly, the
assembly of the "Primary Power System" itself may begin. Once
thin insulative rotor surface "facing", the aforementioned
recessed and conductive separator traces, and the rotor
ballraces (25) have all been affixed to the base rotor assembly,
and the field coils, electrode arrays, and other rotating
components have been added, the fabrication of the vessel's
"Structural Intercooler System" may proceed. When this secondary
thermal conduit (hull coolant) system is completed and has been
pressure-tested, the "Primary and Magnetic Arrays" may be
installed--including the 5-armature variable inductor array
sections depicted in FIG. 14. The primary (induction ring)
arrays here are comprised of the unit pentode arrays (69) as
individual assemblies each having an adjunct assembly comprising
a field power resistor (63), dielectric buffer (45), and primary
thermal conduit (48).

Finally, once the rotor has satisfied nonenergized operational
mechanical clearance and dynamic balancing criteria (using a
temporary outer rotor bearing support "jig") and a final
complete thermal conduit system pressure test has been made, the
"Outer Hull Components" may be installed. Thus, the basic vessel
construction may be completed in a total of seven distinct steps
or stages. Due to the tremendous weight of the finished rotor
(as the device's most massive single assembly), an operating
characteristic of utmost importance is the actual rotor speed
required to maintain a specification field voltage which is
figured using the method outlined in the Detailed Calculations
below. This will determine the rotor's operating angular
momentum, which in propulsive units must be sufficiently large
to provide gyroscopic stability against the use of
variably-imbalanced isometric thrust (produced by field
hemitorus current) but not so large that the vessel's
navigational and maneuvering characteristics are thereby
rendered sluggish.

It can be shown mathematically that the nominal rotor speed for
a 4 ft. diameter theoretical design prototype would be roughly
equal to or somewhat less than that of a typical small electric
motor. However, as the size of the device increases, it will be
necessary to reduce rotor rpm due to the extreme increase in the
rotor's `tip` speed and therefore the centrifugal forces to
which it is subjected. Sufficient information is contained in
the basic specifications which underlie this disclosure to allow
engineers to reduce rotor speed as necessary in larger devices
following the course of an intensive program of small device
tesing; e.g., the projected nominal rotor rpm for a 20 ft.
Thermal Unit is 1045.

**Structural Intercooler System**

The secondary thermal conduit sections which carry hull coolant
or heat transfer fluid through the Generator's tapered "Drive
Ring" (or the combined volume of the negative and neutral
housing sections) must pass between the power resistor and unit
pentode array assemblies, and so they must conform in outside
dimension to the available space within the supporting framework
of the neutral hull construction. The most unusual feature of
these secondary conduits is that they also comprise (of
necessity) the principle Drive Ring load-bearing members, and
together they form the EDF Generator's structural intercooler
system as illustrated in FIG. 14.

These secondary hull coolant conduits should be fashioned in a
manner similar to the primary thermal conduits described
hereinabove, and in the preferred embodiment would be formed in
four types or varieties: [i] the initial outbound coolant supply
runs (75), called "headers"; [ii] the circumferential heat
transfer sections (76) (to which the Emitter Ring hull plates
are fastened), called "peripheral shunts"; [iii] the inner (77)
and outer (78) intermediary coolant runs, or "transfer links";
and [iv] the radial coolant returns (79) or "recovery lines".
Within the Drive Ring, each of these conduit types may be
fashioned as single sections which connect one to another in
`series-parallel` branch systems or zones. To wit, one header
(75) from a reservoir coolant manifold (74) connects to one
peripheral shunt (76) which in turn connects to one recovery
line (79).

Thus, a single coolant zone is illustrated in FIG. 14, the
arrows indicating the direction of coolant flow. A molded
ceramic support bracket (71) having integral elbows and a set of
mounting "knuckles" may be used to secure the inner corners of
each two adjacent negative hull plates (72), by means of a
matching mounting ring welded to each inner plate corner and a
retaining pin (not shown). Each Emitter Ring hull plate (72) is
to have an angle-stock thermal transfer channel welded along but
just inside its inner edge (as indicated by dashed lines), which
encloses the corresponding peripheral shunt (76).

These coolant headers, shunts, transfer links, and recovery
lines are preferably formed of molybdenum tubing, and would take
advantage of the high thermal conductivity and electrical
resistance of a thin Alumina coating thereon to absorb excess
heat from the single-stage Drive Ring hull and (in particular)
the Emitter Ring hull plates. In single-stage rotor devices
which are used as Thermal Power Units, the recovery lines then
exit the Generator housing through two exchange manifolds (as
stated earlier), from a preferred total of 72 individual coolant
zones, to an external heat exchanger. Just how effective this
method of cooling the Drive Ring as a whole will prove to be
during operation in air, using the preferred liquid air or
nitrogen coolant, is somewhat difficult to project. Liquid
helium could alternatively be used in this respect to ensure
adequate hull cooling, but would entail significantly increased
piping and pumping difficulties in doing so.

It is expected, however, that the intercooler system described
will be satisfactorily effective during the operation of
three-stage devices in the vacuum of space, and is principally
designed with this mode of usage in mind. Accordingly, it is
believed that an Impulse Drive Unit operated in space will be
able to purge its excess heat by actually circulating the
primary conduit liquid sodium or equivalent through the
secondary thermal conduit system (instead of the cryogenic
coolant). In this case, the intercooler structure is used to
transfer heat to the Emitter Ring hull plates as a radiative
heat sink. This cooling method would provide the necessary means
of liberating the Generator from permanent ground-based support
to achieve free-ranging operation in space.

**Neutral Housing Section Construction**

In order to establish and withstand the action of the field
envelope discharge current, the surface of the neutral sections
of the Generator's housing or hull (or "Neutral Ring") must be
constructed entirely of specialized nonconductive material(s)
which should be applied in two layers to an underlying
superstructure that is actually conductive in nature. It is
proposed that overlapping ceramic `tiles` be used in this
regard, in a manner rather like that employed on the NASA space
shuttles, which are adhesed to an underlying deck of structural
nonmetallic sheet stock While the intercooler system conduits
(described in the preceding section) comprise the principal
load-bearing members which support the Drive Ring portion of the
hull, a system of beams (153) and struts (152) that are also
composed of the same nonmetallic structural material as the deck
or a similar and compatible material should be utilized to
further strengthen and `unitize` the Drive Ring superstructure
such that an internal hard vacuum may be drawn and maintained
prior to operation. These secondary load-bearing members are
also depicted in FIG. 14, and in a preferred embodiment these
members and the base deck material itself would be composed of a
carbon composite commonly referred to incorrectly as graphite.

Sophisticated carbon composites similar to those found in
golf-club shafts and racing-bicycle frames were first developed
to make use of their special combination of extreme strength,
rigidity, and lightness in aerospace applications. These
materials are generally made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon
fibers which are heated under tension to drive off the
non-carbon portion. The individual fibers are about 7 microns in
diameter and approach 300 kpsi in tensile strength. They may
then be pulled into a rope-like `tow` or woven into a
fabric-like `matte` before being coated with either epoxy or
polyester resin. Therefore, carbon composites are eminently
suited to forming rods, tubes, and sheets, and display excellent
vibration damping characteristics. The final product is,
however, still very expensive per pound.

To simplify the vast diversity in specialized grades of PAN
carbon composite for purposes of this application, this material
should be considered as coming in two basic density grades:
low-density "deck" grade (at about 35% of the specific gravity
of sheet steel), and high-density "beam" grade (at about 65% of
the specific gravity of structural steel). It is also available
in two standard temperature grades, depending on the bonding
agent used: a 350.degree. F. rating (lo-temp) epoxy-bonded
material and a 750.degree. F. rating (hi-temp) polyamide-bonded
composition. The hi-temp grade only should be employed in the
Neutral Ring, but the lo-temp grade may be used to build the
Central Chamber.

Thus, a low-density/hi-temp grade of carbon composite laminate
should be used as the basic deck material in construction of the
Neutral Ring hull sections. To wit, this deck layer itself is
initially affixed to the vessel superstructure by solvent
welding and/or mechanical means. The PAN carbon deck, a middle
layer of ceramic substrate plates and an outer skin of exolayer
tiles together then comprise the composite Neutral Ring hull.
Several factors enter into the selection of an appropriate
ceramic material for the substrate layer plates. Of primary
concern here is that the material of choice have a very high
volume resistivity and very low thermal conductivity at
temperatures from 300-500.degree. C. It is also important that
the material have a very low thermal expansion coefficient, as
the substrate layer plates must be bonded to the deck layer with
a refractory-class adhesive. Therefore, the substrate material
should also be non-vitreous and have relatively high porosity to
promote adequate adhesion. One of the Cordierite class of
compounds, bearing CeramTec designation 447, has relatively low
hardness and flexural strength but should function admirably in
Thermal Power Units as the center layer of a bonded composite
construction given its other highly desirable characteristics.
Impulse Drive Units will require an alternate substrate plate
material as discussed below.

The selection of a ceramic material for use as the exolayer
dielectric thermal tiles of the EDF Generator's housing or hull
is contingent upon the operative field voltage, and therefore
different materials must be specified for Thermal and Impulse
Drive Units. To prevent substantial skin conduction losses, the
minimum dielectric value k for the exolayer tile material used
in Thermal Power Units has been calculated (using the peak field
voltage) at approximately k=9. Therefore, the material of choice
is a Zirconia composition bearing CeramTec designation 848, with
a minimum (high-frequency) dielectric constant of 28. Even
though this material has a comparatively high thermal expansion
coefficient, it has very low thermal conductivity and is very
dense and hard. Moreover, it exhibits exceptional flexural
strength and resistance to fracture.

The minimum dielectric value k for the exolayer tile material
used in Impulse Drive Units has been calculated at approximately
k=107. Therefore, the material of choice is the same titanate
composition prescribed for the dielectric buffers (and described
in some detail in a previous section). Known chemically as
Sodium Bismuth Titanate (and commercially as Kezite), this
highly unusual compound is technically a piezoelectric material,
but is also ferroelectric in that its dielectric constant
actually increases on temperature rise to a peak low frequency
value of about 3,100 at its 655.degree. C. curie point. Like
most ferroelectrics, its tensile and flexural strengths are
quite low yet it is very dense and exceedingly hard. It does,
however, exhibit a thermal expansion coefficient which is very
high for a ceramic material.

The expected higher flexural stresses upon the Neutral Ring of
an Impulse Drive Unit (compared to a Thermal Power Unit) may
prove sufficient to crack the substrate plates were they
composed of the Cordierite material described above. The
Zirconia compound mentioned earlier should therefore be
substituted for Cordierite 447 as the substrate plate material
in Impulse Drive Units. This would likely stiffen the composite
Neutral Ring hull adequately to prevent such stress cracking,
while effecting a much closer match in thermal expansion
coefficient to the titanate tiles. In both Thermal and Drive
Units, the exolayer tiles should be applied to the substrate
plates with a refractory-class adhesive in a mosaic overlay
pattern, such that the edges of each exolayer tile are evenly
spaced as far as possible from the underlying edges of the
nearest substrate plates.

Because the underlying deck layer of the Neutral Ring hull will
be quite conductive when composed of carbon composite sheeting,
and referring now to FIG. 1, it becomes imperative to use an
auxiliary dielectric buffer (50) between the inner edges of the
Emitter Ring (47) hull plates and the outer edge of the said
deck layer to prevent an otherwise enormous deck leakage current
from occuring. Although it might seem that the much-cheaper and
nearly-as-strong fiberglass composites available (which are
nonconductive) would tend to minimize any such leakage current
condition, their use would not prevent the possible build-up of
unacceptable levels of static charge within the working
induction compartment (12). Therefore, the use of conductive
deck material ensures that the Faraday shielding principle
protects Neutral Ring components from transient static voltages
because the presence of a finite deck leakage current means the
deck layer is a charged conductor, whereupon any net static
charge must be external.

A secondary concern is the actual operating temperature of the
contact areas where the deck layer abuts to both the auxiliary
(50) and primary (45) dielectric buffers, which must be kept
below the 750.degree. F. temperature rating of the carbon
composite. It can be shown mathematically that the deck leakage
current can be held to a thoroughly acceptable fractional
amperage per cm.sup.2 of such contact area if this condition is
met. In Thermal Power Units, the use of a secondary cryogenic
hull coolant should keep the auxiliary buffers (50) and outer
deck contact areas at a temperature which is under the said
rating. Doing so at the primary buffer (45) contact area
locations may well require the use of auxiliary cryogenic
thermal conduits in both Thermal and Drive Unit models of the
EDF Generator. The auxiliary dielectric buffers in any given
Generator should be composed of the same material used in that
device's exolayer tiles, and should be of about half the radial
thickness of the primary buffers employed therein.

While the specific materials discussed above should not be
construed as critical to the EDF Generator's proper
construction, their properties and characteristics are highly
indicative of the rather involved considerations which must be
undertaken to ensure that the neutral sections of the vessel
hull are physically suited to optimizing a given size device's
performance and minimizing its housing maintainance or repair
requirements.

**Stationary Electromagnetic Armatures**

Because the EDF Generator's stationary electromagnetic
armatures have no bearing on the device's rotor or field
voltages, and no direct connection therewith, they are properly
thought of as being part of neither the Primary Power System or
Field Induction System circuits but rather a separate ancillary
subsystem intended to optimize the invention's overall
performance and efficiency in a number of important ways. To
this end, their main purpose is to create and independently
control a variable level of both rotor torque and field current
rotational force, as necessary or desired.

As depicted in FIG. 14, the individual stationary armatures
(37) (or "variable inductors") may be installed in 5-armature
groups or array sections within the Neutral Ring of the hull,
using notched and mating supports (151) which firmly clamp the
armatures about a reduced diameter center section of each
armature core. These armatures and a basic control circuit
arrangement for them are shown in FIG. 16, with the polarities
indicated being those which would result in a clockwise rotation
of the rotor as viewed from above. This armature power
distribution system may be manually adjusted and/or
automatically controlled (using a computer and/or other
circuitry).

In both single-stage and three-stage embodiments of the
Generator, each of the two electromagnetic armature arrays
should be wired in parallel from one or more separate source(s)
(185) of low-voltage DC current which is/are chassis-grounded
and which is/are common to the armatures (37) of that array. No
variable regulation or biasing of individual armature DC
current(s) in single-stage rotor or Thermal Power Unit devices
is necessary. The desired individual biasing of armature DC
current in three-stage rotor devices, for propulsion-related
reasons explained below, may be simply accomplished through a
variable resistor (184) associated with each armature and its DC
power supply subcircuit(s). A minor unidirectional or
alternating voltage component of such armature supply current
may be added across or in parallel with such resistor (184),
using an AC power source (186) and/or suitable control interface
of a conventional nature, in either single-stage or three-stage
Generator embodiments as desired.

Each stationary armature (37) incorporates two separate
electrical coils (180)-(181), to be operated principally on DC
voltage, which are formed of conductive insulated magnet wire
multi-layer wound upon a single ferromagnetic core. Each such
armature core also incorporates a connecting center section or
"flux reductor" (182) between said separate coils which is of a
significantly reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the
balance thereof, and which is designed to saturate magnetically
when the respective core flux density of either of said coils is
approximately equal to or greater than half saturation value.
Pure annealed iron or low-carbon steel should be used as the
armature core material, due to the high permeability, superior
intrinsic induction, and low hysteresis thereof.

The inner or "flux initiator" coils (181) of these
electromagnetic armatures (or those closest to the rotor) may be
used as a means of creating axial magnetic fields of force (144)
which are perpendicular to the plane of the current-carrying
rotor segments (14). Thus, when powered collectively at a common
DC current value, the said inner armature coils (181) in
conjunction with their respective cores may serve as a source of
uniform yet variable secondary input rotary torque (or in a
torque-assist capacity) for the invention in the course of its
normal operation as an electrical generator.

The flux initiator coils (181) are so-named because their
as-wound polarity relative to the fixed outward direction of the
primary DC rotor current establishes both the direction of rotor
rotation and the required winding direction and polarity of the
outer (and similar) armature coils (180). The said inner coils
(181) are energized by a variable DC power supply (185), through
an output variable resistor (184) and a filter diode (189) which
blocks induced positive AC half-cycles (if any) from crossing
the negatively-grounded DC supply (185). Such power supply (185)
must, however, be sufficiently rated to carry any corresponding
induced unidirectional negative current impulses to ground, and
may be of a solid-state or rotary induction design.

The axial armature-produced fields (144) described may also be
individually and variably superimposed on the rotor to develop a
selectively controllable force of rotational torque upon its
current-carrying segments (14), through variable regulation of
the principal DC current in individual armature inner coils
(181), such that a locally-unbalanced force of angular
acceleration may be applied to the rotor and therefore a
directional force of horizontal thrust may indirectly be
imparted to the housing for lateral flight maneuvering in
propulsive three-stage rotor devices.

The outer coils (180) of the stationary electromagnetic
armatures, or those closest to the field envelope, may be used
as a means of creating axial magnetic fields of force (144)
which in this case are essentially perpendicular to the
described field current arc trajectories. This situation is best
illustrated in FIG. 12, which shows the hull location of the two
variable inductor arrays (145) (or circular groups of armatures
(37)). Thus, when powered collectively at a common DC current
value (including any minor unidirectional or alternating
component thereof), these outer armature coils (180) in
conjunction with their respective ferromagnetic cores serve to
impart an attenuating yet holistic and orderly rotational vector
moment upon the external discharge current. The general effect
of such applied magnetic rotational force, which may be used to
modify or modulate the field's electrodynamic characteristics,
is further depicted in FIG. 13.

Referring again to FIG. 16, and to continue in the same vein,
it is postulated that the quasi-coherent aspects of the field
envelope may actually be optimized through the proper control of
the amplitude, frequency, and/or phase relationships between any
minor AC voltage component of the field envelope current and the
said minor AC current (if any) collectively supplied by AC power
source (186) to the outer or "transflection" coils (180) (of
each variable inductor array). This consideration applies to
both single- and three-stage embodiments of the Generator,
although it is decidedly more important in the case of the
latter, and may also allow the engineered reduction of field
radiative emissions.

These transflection coils (180) are so-named because they may
be used to impart a variable transverse deflectionary force upon
all of the radially-impinging field current electrons. In the
region(s) of the field envelope shown in FIG. 11 between the
surface of each neutral hull section (4) and the corresponding
field envelope inner boundary (142), this magnetic force may in
fact be large enough to produce a continuous annular flow of
"displacement charge" current. In any event, and as shown in
FIG. 16, such outer armature coils (180) are also energized by a
variable DC power supply (185) which is similar in type to that
of the inner coils (181), through an output variable resistor
(184) and filter diode (189). In addition, a variable AC power
source (186) may impress a minor unidirectional or AC voltage
upon the DC current supplied to the said transflection coils
(180), either across or in parallel with the output resistor(s)
(184) of their respective DC power supply subcircuit(s), through
separate output variable resistors (184) and DC blocking
capacitors (188) connected to said AC power source.

The axial magnetic fields (144) produced by the armatures (37)
may also be individually and variably superimposed on the field
envelope to develop a selectively controllable rotational force
upon the described field hemitorus current, through variable
regulation of the principal DC current in individual outer (or
transflection) coils (180), such that a locally-unbalanced force
of angular acceleration may be applied to such hemitorus
current. Any such angular force imbalance will cause a
corresponding change in the local field current density and
therefore a secondary directional force of variable thrust in
the z-axis may indirectly be imparted to the housing in
propulsive devices, yielding a further measure of navigational
attitude control over non-isometric thrust produced by the
Generator which may otherwise be largely unilinear.

Given the nature of the flux reductor (182) as described above,
it can be seen that either the inner or the outer armature core
sections may be collectively or individually operated at any
flux density above half of saturation level without
significantly affecting the operating flux density of the
respective opposite core sections, provided both corresponding
sets of armature coils ((181) and (180) respectively) are
powered by DC current of the same relative polarity. Thus, the
base collective full-power operational level of flux density in
the inner armature core sections of a three-stage rotor Impulse
Drive Generator should be roughly half saturation level, in
order to facilitate the achievement of temporary local rotor
torque imbalances for propulsive purposes as described above.
Such inner core section base flux density for single-stage rotor
or Thermal Power Unit devices may be any desired in a range
between 0 and 100% of saturation.

As shown in FIG. 16, means have nevertheless been provided for
reversing the fundamental DC polarity of either the inner (181)
or outer (180) coil of any given armature (37), without changing
the given polarity of such coil's DC power supply (185), using a
dpdt relay (190). It can be seen that this simple feature allows
a counter-polarity magnetomotive force (or counter-mmf) to be
applied to either wound core section of any given armature, with
respect to the core polarity of that armature's opposite wound
section. This feature, when taken in conjunction with the
described nature of the flux reductor(s), enables the outer
armature core sections in both single- and three-stage devices
to be operated at nearly any flux density within their output
capability which might be required to optimize the desired
quasi-coherent properties of the field envelope, despite the
relative polarity and/or flux density of the inner armature core
sections. In both single- and three-stage devices, these same
two features also allow a substantial level of braking or
counter-rotational torque to be applied to the Generator's rotor
--by any or all of the inner armature core sections--while
maintaining such an optimum level of flux density in the outer
armature core sections: even if the two such opposite core
sections are operated at opposite respective polarities.

**Detailed Calculations for Preferred Embodiment**

It is important to note that all of the underlying
specifications pertaining to the size and/or positioning of
Primary Power System components located within the hull's
neutral section region (or "Neutral Ring") are given in terms of
fractional increments of the hull radius (R.sub.h) and/or the
radial width of the Neutral Ring (C.sub.v -C.sub.a). This means
that these components may be easily scaled in exact proportion
to the hull, for any selected radius thereof, with no
significant error or modification. However, an upper limit of
vessel size utilizing the technology represented by the EDF
Generator probably exists at a hull diameter not greatly above
100 feet, due to inordinate DC Field Voltage concerns (as that
voltage is calculated using the method below).

Table of Dimensions Hull Radius = R.sub.h Hull Volume Constant
(C.sub.v) ##EQU1## Hull Area Constant (C.sub.a) C.sub.a =
0.012919C.sub.v Drive Ring Radius (r.sub.f) r.sub.f = 2C.sub.v
Emitter Ring Radius (r.sub.neg) r.sub.neg = C.sub.v + C.sub.a
Neutral Ring Radius (r.sub.neut) r.sub.neut = C.sub.v - C.sub.a
Field Hub Radius (r.sub.z) r.sub.z = 3C.sub.v (Note: R.sub.h =
r.sub.f + r.sub.z) Polar Hull Constant (h.sub.z) h.sub.z =
0.1421245r.sub.z Polar Volume Differential (X.sub.h) ##EQU2##
Radial Hull Constant (R.sub.s) R.sub.s = h.sub.Z + X.sub.h Area
of Positive Zone (A.sub.z) A.sub.z = 2.pi.R.sub.s h.sub.z Area
of Negative Section (A.sub.n) ##EQU3## ##EQU4## C =
2.pi.R.sub.h, and c = 2.pi.(R.sub.h - (C.sub.v + C.sub.a)), and

The variable `.alpha.` equals the displacement angle of the
Emitter Ring negative sections (with respect to the hull's
horizontal centerline plane), which is preferably 7.5.degree. to
8.degree. each. ##EQU5##

**Field and Rotor Voltages**

**Part A: Model Unit Field Intensity**

[1] The Marginal Envelope DC Field Intensity for all EDF
Generator models regardless of type should be equal to the
breakdown dielectric strength of air or vacuum at 3 million
(3.times.10.sup.6) volts/meter, as measured along a full pure
semicircular arc drawn from the center point on the surface of
either hull Positive Zone (5) to any exterior point on the
vessel's design hull configuration which lies on the horizontal
centerline plane thereof. This distance shall be referred to as
the "Drive Field Perimeter" (141), as shown in FIG. 11, and is
taken to represent the longest continuous DC field current
trajectory.

[2] For purposes of these Specifications, the "Drive Field
Boundary" (142) shall represent the distance measured along a
full pure semicircular arc from any point on the outer
peripheral edge of either hull Positive Zone (5) to the closest
point thereto which lies on the inner peripheral edge of the
vessel's corresponding negative hull section (3) (as shown in
FIG. 11), and is taken to represent a shortest such DC drive
current trajectory.

**Part B: Thermal Power Units**

[1] The Nominal Field Voltage (nom.V.sub.f) should be
numerically equal to 1.5 million (1.5.times.10.sup.6) times the
vessel R.sub.h as measured in feet. This value is also equal to
the Thermal Unit's standard design Primary Voltage Expansion
Ratio of 750 times its Specification DC Primary Array Voltage,
as a function of the charge stored within the Primary Power
System's two Field Ballast Capacitors and of the Unit's primary
cathode emissivity.

[2] The Specification Field Voltage (spec.V.sub.f) should be
equal to the Marginal Envelope DC Field Intensity times the
distance comprising the Drive Field Perimeter, or (as presently
calculated under the above directive) 0.9666 times the Nominal
Field Voltage. This value shall constitute the Unit's standard
operating value of field envelope voltage.

[3] The Peak (design operating maximum) Field Voltage
(max.V.sub.f) shall be equal to 110% of the Specification value
thereof, and should never be exceeded in operation.

[4] The Nominal Rotor Voltage (nom.V.sub.r) would be
numerically equal to one-third the product of 1,000
(1.times.10.sup.3) times the vessel R.sub.h, as measured in
inches, as a gauge of the basic full-power DC generator value of
rotor rotational speed, in a `single-stage` device.

[5] The Specification Rotor Voltage (spec.V.sub.r) should be
numerically equal to 0.25776% of 1.5 million
(1.5.times.10.sup.6) times the vessel R.sub.h as measured in
feet, and is also equal to 0.9666 times the Nominal Rotor
Voltage. This value would constitute the standard operating
value of DC rotor voltage, as a function of the engineered
Primary Power System output at a nominal design rotor rotational
speed.

[6] The Peak (design operating maximum) Rotor Voltage
(max.V.sub.r) shall be equal to 110% of the Specification value
thereof, and should likewise never be exceeded.

[7] The Specification DC Primary Array Voltage
(spec..DELTA.V.sub.p) will be equal to half (1/2) of the
Specification Rotor Voltage, and affects all primary array
electrode spacings.

**Part C; Impulse Drive Units**

Unlike the case with Thermal Power Units, it is not possible to
specify in one step a Nominal Field Voltage for Impulse Drive
Units which is a linear function of the hull radius R.sub.h ;
the DC Field Voltage which must be produced to achieve the
chosen design goal for net linear thrust output, equal to
five-thirds the Earth's pull of gravity, is jointly proportional
to the rotor ampacity which rises as a function of the square of
increases in R.sub.h and to the vessel weight (which rises as a
function of the cube of R.sub.h increases).

Therefore, a Marginal Field Voltage is initially to be computed
for Impulse Drive Units which reflects a projected theoretical
operating value of DC Field Voltage required to produce a vessel
acceleration approximately equal to 1.67 `g` outside of a
proximal gravity field. This Marginal Field Voltage is to be
calculated using the "specific impulse" of the vessel concerned
(in nt-sec), and for purposes of the application contemplated
herein this term is hereby defined as being equal to five times
the vessel weight (in newtons) divided by the rotor ampacity
times the number of electrons per coulomb.

[1] Accordingly, the Marginal Field Voltage shall then be equal
to the Unit's specific impulse (F.sub.dt) times the speed of
light (c) divided by the unit electron charge (q).

[2] An estimated nominal Field Voltage will also be computed
whereby a nominal value for the final electron speed of Drive
Field current is assigned which is in fact a linear function of
R.sub.h, as applicable to vessels of from 4 to 100 ft. in
diameter only.

[3] The Nominal DC Field Voltage (nom.V.sub.f) should then be
equal to the simple average of the Marginal Field Voltage and
the said estimated nominal Field Voltage.

[4] The Specification Field Voltage (spec.V.sub.f) should equal
the Nominal DC Field Voltage (nom.V.sub.f) divided by an
assigned engineering design constant equal to 0.982826.

[5] The Peak (design operating maximum) Field Voltage
(max.V.sub.f) shall be equal to 110% of the Specification value
thereof, and should never be exceeded in operation.

[6] The Nominal Rotor Voltage (nom.V.sub.r) would be
numerically equal to one-fourth the product of 1,000
(1.times.10.sup.3) times the vessel R.sub.h as measured in
inches, as a gauge of the basic full-power DC generator value of
rotor rotational speed, in a `three-stage` device.

[7] The Specification Rotor Voltage (spec.V.sub.r) should be
numerically equal to 0.19332% of 1.5 million
(1.5.times.10.sup.6) times the vessel R.sub.h as measured in
feet, and is also equal to 0.9666 times the Nominal Rotor
Voltage. This value would constitute the standard operating
value of DC rotor voltage, as a function of the engineered
Primary Power System output at a nominal design rotor rotational
speed.

[8] The Peak (design operating maximum) Rotor Voltage
(max.V.sub.r) shall be equal to 110% of the Specification value
thereof, and should likewise never be exceeded.

[9] The Specification DC Primary Array Voltage
(spec..DELTA.V.sub.p) will be equal to half (1/2) of the
Specification Rotor Voltage, and affects all primary array
electrode spacings.

[10] The design Primary Voltage Expansion Ratio for each
Impulse Drive Unit should then be equal to the ratio of
Specification Field Voltage to Specification DC Primary Array
Voltage, and is once again a function of the ballast capacitor
charge and of the primary cathode emissivity as in the case with
Thermal Power Units.

**Example of Specific Unit Voltage Values**

**Four-foot diameter model**

**Section A: Thermal Power Units**

A 4 ft. EDF Generator constructed for use as a Thermal Power
Unit would have specific Rotor and Field Voltages, according to
the preceding instructions, as follows:

[1] The Nominal Rotor Voltage (nom.V.sub.r) will be equal to
8,000.

[2] The Specification Rotor Voltage (spec.V.sub.r) will be
equal to 7,732.8.

[3] The Spec. DC Primary Array Voltage (spec..DELTA.V.sub.p)
will be equal to 3,866.4.

[4] The Nominal Field Voltage (nom.V.sub.f) will be equal to
3,000,000.

[5] The Specification Field Voltage (spec.V.sub.f) will be
equal to 2,899,800.

The corresponding Primary Voltage Expansion Ratio (for this and
any single-stage Thermal Power Unit) will thus be 750:1, and in
this case is equal to 2,899,800/3,866.4.

**Section B: Impulse Drive Units**

A 4 ft. diameter three-stage-rotor EDF Generator constructed
for use as an Impulse Drive Unit would have specific Rotor and
Field Voltages, according to the preceding instructions, as
follows:

[1] The Nominal Rotor Voltage (nom.V.sub.r) will be equal to
6,000.

[2] The Specification Rotor Voltage (spec.V.sub.r) will be
equal to 5,799.6.

[3] The Spec. DC Primary Array Voltage (spec..DELTA.V.sub.p)
will be equal to 2,899.8.

[4] Marginal Field Voltage: The 4 ft. Drive Unit's Marginal
Field Voltage, which represents a projected minimum standard
operating value of field envelope voltage, is based upon the
vessel's specific impulse (F.sub.dt)--given its calculated
design rotor ampacity of I.sub.max =38,160 amps and estimated
weight of 79.2 lbs/ft.sup.3 -- which is computed as follows:
##EQU6##

where V.sub.t = 2.5068 ft, as calculated by the formulas in the
Table of Dimensions above using an Emitter Ring displacement
angle (.alpha.) of 7.5.degree.. Therefore, ##EQU7##

Therefore, the Marginal Field Voltage is equal to: ##EQU8##

[5] Estimated Nominal Field Voltage: The 4 ft. Impulse Drive
Unit's estimated nominal field voltage, which represents an
alternate but extremely accurate projection of the minimum
standard operating value of field envelope voltage, is based
upon a nominal value for the final electron speed of Drive Field
current (.DELTA.V.sub.e) which is an assigned linear function of
the vessel R.sub.h and is calculated as follows:

where R.sub.h is in feet, for vessels from 4 to 100 ft. in
diameter.

Therefore, .DELTA.V.sub.e = [0.999+0(1.03125.times.10.sup.-5)]c
= 0.999 c.

The purpose of this text subsection is to verify that a
goal-requisite level of Field current thrust may be produced by
the Electrodynamic Field Generator, at an operating DC Field
Voltage approximately equal to that stated above, within the
ampacity of the rotor and at an assigned value of Field current
electron velocity (for this model) equal to 0.999c. In this
manner, it is hoped that unnecessarily high operating Drive
Field Voltage may be avoided, by virtue of design (due to the
finite level of unavoidable uncertainty in the relativistic
values involved), without sacrificing device performance.

(a) The amount of thrust (force) required to produce an
acceleration of 1 g, thus exactly compensating the weight of the
Impulse Drive Unit or its normal acceleration due to Earth's
gravity, may be calculated by Newton's Second Law as follows:

F = mg, where m = est. design mass\* of 90.245 kg, and g = 9.8
m/sec.sup.2.

Thus, F = 884.4 nt.

(b) Since impulse equals change of momentum, the electron
thrust developed by the Drive Field equals the total
relativistic mass of Field current times the incident current
velocity (as the final electron velocity equals zero). The
amount of impulse thrust which is equivalent to 1 g in this
example is 884.4 nt.

Therefore, let .SIGMA.M.sub.t.DELTA.V.sub.e = 884.4 nt.

(c) The design goal for net linear thrust output of any given
Impulse Drive Unit is 16.333 m/sec.sup.2 at the minimum standard
operating value of Field Voltage and rated rotor ampacity
(I.sub.max) Therefore, given the considerations of Field Current
Bias values (as were outlined in an earlier section), total
isometric thrust at Marginal Field Voltage must equal 5 g. The
largest current available to effect a Field impulse equivalent
to 1 g is then equal to:

(d) Since .SIGMA. equals the total number of electrons
comprising a Drive current of I.sub.g, we find:

(e) Therefore, from [b] above:

(f) Letting .DELTA.V.sub.e = 0.999c, where c =
299.7925.times.10.sup.6 m/sec, we calculate M.sub.t =
619.08.times.10.sup.-31 kg, or about 67.96 m.sub.o, where
m.sub.o = the electron rest mass of 9.11.times.10.sup.-31 kg.

(g) If m.sub.i equals the relativistic mass equivalent of the
gained kinetic energy of each Drive Field electron, then M.sub.t
= m.sub.o +m.sub.i.

Therefore, m.sub.i = M.sub.t -m.sub.o = 619.08.times.10.sup.-31
-9.11.times.10.sup.-31  = 609.97.times.10.sup.-31 kg.

(h) Each Drive Field electron's gained kinetic energy (E.sub.q)
equals m.sub.i c.sup.2. Using a precise value of
8.98755.times.10.sup.16 for c.sup.2,

we obtain E.sub.q = (6.0997.times.10.sup.-29)
(8.98755.times.10.sup.16) = 54.8214.times.10.sup.-13 joules.

(i) Here, E.sub.q also equals W = q(est.V.sub.nf), where q =
electron chg. @1.6.times.10.sup.-19 coul., and
est.V.sub.nf  = est. nominal Field Voltage.

Therefore, E.sub.q /q = est.V.sub.nf, and est.V.sub.nf
=34.2633.times.10.sup.6 volts (jouleslcoul).

Thus, we find that the estimated nominal Field Voltage required
to develop requisite thrust is in fact well within the thrust
goal parameters discussed above, at 98.63% of the projected
Marginal value (calculated in the preceding subsection B[4]).

[6] The Nominal DC Field Voltage (nom.V.sub.f) should therefore
be equal to the simple average of the Marginal Field Voltage
projected earlier and the estimated nominal Field Voltage Oust
computed), at 34.5018.times.10.sup.6 volts.

[7] The Specification Field Voltage (spec.V.sub.f) should then
be equal to the Nominal DC Field Voltage divided by the said
design constant 0.982826, at 35.1047.times.10.sup.6 volts. This
value shall constitute the Unit's standard operating value of
field envelope voltage.

[8] The design Primary Voltage Expansion Ratio for this model
Impulse Drive Unit is therefore equal to
(35.1047.times.10.sup.6)/2,899.8=12,106:1, as was referred to
earlier.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the
present invention provides a remarkable level of electrical and
thermal output in a lower-voltage corona discharge induction
embodiment, which is intended for use in a utility or physical
plant application. However, this invention also provides the
potential for an appreciable level of net impulse thrust in a
higher-voltage arc discharge induction embodiment intended as an
electrically-propulsive aerospace vessel. It can be seen as well
that the Electrodynamic Field Generator and the electromotive
field of force produced thereby will moreover fulfill the stated
objective of NASA's premier Breakthrough Propulsion Physics
Program: to discover a method whereby "a vehicle can create and
control an asymmetric force on itself without expelling a
reaction mass" and which satisfies conservation laws in the
process. Such a vessel could perhaps be made to attain a
velocity commensurate with its collector field electron
collision velocity, and affords hope that true interstellar
travel might therefore become possible as well. While there is
due cause for some concern as to the EDF Generator's production
of high-frequency radiative emissions coincident with its
production of heat and impulse thrust using the new means
described, it is postulated that the electromagnetic
characteristics of the device's field envelope can be suitably
tuned in the manner(s) oulined hereinabove such that the field
envelope is rendered largely opaque to such very-high-energy
emissions -- by promoting continuous and adsorptive Compton
effect interactions thereof with the field's impinging drive
current electrons. When used in association with a ground-based
utility or physical plant, a non-propulsive thermal and/or
electrical power output model of the Generator may also be
enclosed within a suitable Faraday "cage" or shielding structure
to further minimize radiative emissions which are undesirable.
Neverthless, the said field envelope tuning principles (related
to controlling the amplitude, frequency, and/or phase
relationships amid field AC voltage components) may moreover
permit the development of the Electrodynamic Field Generator as
a novel signal communications means. In pursuit of a new and
more complete quantum gravity theory, experiments may be
conducted involving the gravimetric coupling of two or more
separate such devices: whose field envelopes will by design be
able to exhibit a relativistic and oscillatory apparent mass
effect that is artificially generated--at desired resonant
frequencies -- by using alternating electromagnetic induction
methods of the type described hereinabove to modulate
electrodynamic field properties which are normally of constant
polarity and magnitude or random frequency.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the
invention herein described are merely illustrative of the
application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein
to details of the illustrated embodiments are not intended to
limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those
features regarded as essential to the invention.

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