EHD Thruster Collection
© Engineer Xavier Borg - Blaze Labs Research
Super V1.0 cell - 15/04/03
Following my analysis found in the EHD Thruster Performance section, I wanted to show that a simple triangular cell can lift any payload if appropriately designed. The standard triangular cell, commonly known as a lifter, is usually designed to be powered at 30 kV, and has an airgap of about 3 cm. This was done so anybody could try out his model by powering it up from his tv or monitor hv supply. Such model has to be built of very light and thin balsa, to keep the cell's mass in the range of 2 g, otherwise there would not be enough thrust to lift itself.
As shown in the above photo, our Super V1.0 cell, is basically a simple lifter cell, with vertically adjustable plastic sliders made of plastic drinking straw sections over the vertical balsa supports. The airgap has been set to 7.2 cm, and voltage to 54 kV, using a dedicated hv power supply. A total payload of 9 g equally distributed on each of its 3 vertices is loaded in the form of 3 nuts and their rubber washer.
Side length = 30 cm
Total element length = 900 mm
Total weight = 5 g
Total external payload = 9 g
Total thrust = 14 g force
Supply voltage= 54 kV
Supply power = 14 W
As shown in the movie and the electronic balance reading, the above simulated results gave the correct value for thrust for this unit, that is an external payload of 9 g together with its own weight. Despite the thick balsa (4 mm sections) used in this cell, it gives a counterbary of 300%.
Electronic balance showing 9 g payload
Photo of power supply CW multiplier supplying 54 kV at 14 Watts
