@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC:JOSH@RUTGERS.ARPA (05/14/85)
From: JoSH <JoSH@RUTGERS.ARPA> "Swimming" in air is no different from swimming underwater, except that air is 800 or so times less dense than water, so you obtain 800 times less impetus from a given stroke. Of course the stroke is easier to make, but not 800 times so. I have found (by experiment) that one can obtain 5 or so pounds of thrust in air using a large (12") model airplane propellor and an electric motor small enough to hold in one hand (from a weed trimmer, if you're interested). An average person could get 1 f/s^2 out of this, so only a few seconds of use would be needed for any one movement. Thus I would expect that a unit with fold-up prop, rare-earth motor, and nicads could be built to last a normal day's use without recharging and be a conveniently clip-on-belt sized item. --JoSH -------
herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS]) (05/16/85)
In article <1783@mordor.UUCP> JOSH@RUTGERS.ARPA writes: >Thus I would expect that a unit with fold-up prop, rare-earth motor, >and nicads could be built to last a normal day's use without recharging >and be a conveniently clip-on-belt sized item. wouldn't it be easier for all concerned if they had a small air compressor aboard to refill small compressed air cans which are then kept on a handy belt or in a pocket? Herb Chong... I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....
warner@orca.UUCP (Ken Warner) (05/21/85)
[ ] Still no nibbles on the $1.99 dart gun eh? Oh well ...