Floating Pistons?

What the heck is a floating piston? Well, a floating piston is literally a stroke of genius. Connect to pistons together with a single rod and you have yourself a floating piston. This type of engine is as efficient as most fuel cells. It produces electricity by moving a permanent magnet back and forth over coils surrounding the rod. The first engine was built by this man http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%C3%BAl_Pateras_Pescara . It's been around for decades and we are just now unlocking its potential. This type of hybrid efficiency could be used in automobiles and I think could do very well in light hybrid aircraft.

Hybid Semi-Truck!

The picture of the vehicle at the top of my page is a rough draft of a hybrid semi that I designed. If you study your standard big rig, you will soon notice the inefficient aerodynamics that plague these type of trucks. Companies like Peterbilt have built a good hybrid, but still the basic structure has not changed much since the early 1900's. The answer is a more aerodynamic body with good hybrid capabilities. Change the position of the driver, put him way up front like an F-16 pilot. Give him cameras instead of rear view mirrors for backing and blind spots. Slim down the front and gradually slope the fuselage back to the trailer. I basically took an airfoil and turned it sideways to slip through the air. If you could reduce drag by even 10 or 20% the money saved would be extraordinary. I understand that these vehicles don't go 120 mph, but they do cruise at around 70-80. I've been next to trucks that are literally hauling! We design aircraft to have minimal drag, why don't we build trucks that way? Less drag equals more money in the pockets of companies and less fuel used.

Start Today!!

Do you have an idea that has potential? If you do, the first thing to do is WRITE it down! Illustrate a rough sketch and write a detailed description, then sign and date it. You can't let time go by if you believe you really have something. You need to do whatever it takes to turn your thoughts into reality. Don't let anyone and I mean anyone tell you your idea is not good enough, that is for you and your research to decide. For me, I take an idea and I bring it to life by designing a 3D model on my computer. There are so many different types of software these days, some expensive, others free! If your a college student with a valid college E-mail address, you can access some free trail software for a year. Check it out! http://students6.autodesk.com/?nd=home After working your idea out on paper or computer, the next big thing is to protect it. If you think obtaining a patent is out of your reach, your mistaken. Anyone can file for a patent or trademark, it takes time and extreme effort on your part. There are great books at your local library on how to start a patent application by yourself. Look into it.