How does the Ultrasonic Cycloplane work?
I think that Tom explained this invention well, so I'll let him handle it:
On each side of the ship a shiny magnesium cylinder, wide as an oil drum, ran the full length of the fuselage. In flight, the twin cylinders would spin at terrific speed, powered by Tom's ultrasonic generator that had now passed all tests successfully.
"Do you really think those twin rollers will provide enough life for take-off and flight?" Bud inquired doubtfully.
"They will if my answers to certain aerodynamic equations are correct. For example, when you apply Bernoulli's equation--"
"Give it to me in kindergarten talk," Bud pleaded. "Those ten-syllable words make my head spin. And I'm note even air-borne yet!"
"Okay." Tom chuckled. Know how a pitcher throws a curve?"
"Sure -- by making the ball spin."
"Right. And as the ball spins, it drags air around it by surface friction. As a result, air piles up on one side of the ball and thins out on the other side."
Bud's face brightened as he suddenly caught on. "Oh sure. That air build-up on one side causes an increase in pressure, and that's what forces the ball away from a straight-line path. Only I still don't see what all that's got to do with the twin cylinders on your cycloplane."
"Same principle. A stream of air from the sonic turbine flows outward from the plane and passes over the cylinder. As the cylinders spin around, the air piles up on the lower surface. So you get an increase in pressure there, just like the pressure on the lower surface of a wing. And that's what boosts us upstairs!"
"Guess it figures at that." Bud nodded slowly. "Will your cycloplane be able to do the same kind of flying as a helicopter -- I mean, hovering and all?"
"Sure, but it'll also have many advantages over an ordinary helicopter," Tom pointed out. "For example, there are no overhead rotors to cope with, and there is no noise or vibration. With the ultrasonic generator powered by Swift solar-charged batteries, the plane will fly almost forever without new fuel. And with a jet engine added for forward flight, I'm hoping to break the sound barrier."
Tom Swift's Cycloplane had three separate systems: the ultrasonic generators, the jet engine, and the motor that drove the wheels. Integrating those three systems all in one small vehicle would prove to be an extremely difficult challenge
