Recent content by Colin Wilson

Perhaps it could be analyzed as each blade propels a mass of water at a certain velocity downwards and backwards at an average 45 deg. to the water surface? I might ask how much more efficient would it be to a snowmobile run across the water? Which does work sort of.

Well thanks for your replies but I was hoping somebody could provide some math as to the energy requirements? I kept the wheels from the original model to use in an electric drive model but it would be nice to be able to refine the rquirements before hand.

I did test a model years ago it did rise out of the water on a teather but then the motor died and that was that.

Thanks for your input but I don't think the magnus effect applies. This is the interface between a gas and a liquid and the blades are simply push water in a downward and backward direction to create lift and forward propulsion.

4 wheel drive amphibious boat (swamp buggy?) My problem is trying to calculate the amount of energy, or a good estimate, that would be required to keep the boat levitated above the water at the approximate water line shown in the second drawing. I don’t believe it will require as much energy...

If you had pressure sensors (red) inside closed containers (black). The one on the left having more air volume than the one on the right. They are inside a bucket (green) that is filled with water. The water will rise higher in the left container. Will the pressure sensor readings be identical...

Ya, Sort of what I thought the response would be. Probably why I'm not working for NASA.

Would it be possible to send a rocket to Mars containing a number of shaped charges that could be directed at the surface, timed and positioned to direct the excavated material back towards Earth for collection above the atmosphere?

Thank you for your input. In any case woke up this morning and decided to put pressure sensors on each blade and subtract those readings from the motor reading so problem solved!

I'm building a model as shown below (side, front, back). In order to measure its air resistance I will be mounting it on temporary ice blades (Green) and driving it down a long skating rink. The model has a pressure sensor incorporated into the motor / propeller assembly and a GPS unit to...

Thanks for your replies. I've attached a PDF to better explain the concept and (page 4) to answer your replies. I believe I would need test tank like results to be taken seriously (test bed page 3) but I'm retired now with limited resources. I thought of maybe a crowd funding project? Any...

My question concerns what I call R.P.S. (Rotating Planing Surfaces). This version uses freely rotating disks to plane across the surface of the water somewhat similar to wheels on a car going down the road. Specifically what the lift / drag ratio might be and will it be higher than a typical...