The Lifter 4 Power-Supply
The
Lifter 4 outdoor tests were performed using the Hvolt series
power-supply from Information Unlimited. The critical voltage
required to achieve lift is 17.5 kV -- however, increasing
the voltage correlates with an increase in thrust.
The
Lifter 4 uses slightly more current than the Lifter 3 does
-- when powered by the 100kV Hvolt 100 power supply, the
current draw for the Lifter 4 is between 3.5 and 4 milliamps
-- for the Lifter 3 the current draw is between 2 and 3.5
milliamps.
For
additional information about the Hvolt series power-supplies,
visit the Information Unlimited website. Click
here
Lifter 4 Payload Capacity
As
tested both indoors and out, the Lifter 4 was capable of
carrying approximately 1 pound of payload when under 250
watts of power. This payload is substantially-greater than
previous Lifter experiments at American Antigravity, primarily
due to the increased size and thrust-producing area of the
Lifter 4.
In
this case, some of the factors that contributed significantly
to the higher-payload capability include:
- - 
Greater
combined length of wire-foil thrust-producing area.
- -
Longer
sections to reduce electrostatic losses near each post..
- -
Higher
width/height ratio to provide increased stability.
- -
50-gauge
corona wire to enhance hv charge-transfer.
Lifter 4 Efficiency Information
Operating
at approximately 250-watts of power from the Hvolt 100 power-supply
(2.5 mA at 100kV), the Lifter 4 has a maximum capacity of
1 pound, including both the payload and Lifter 4 combined
weight.
As
a result of these figures, the efficiency of the Lifter
4 is currently still low, but significantly better than
in previous experiments. As 250-watts is approximately 1/3
of a horsepower (1 horsepower = 746 watts), the Lifter 4
then has a power-to-weight-ratio of 3 pounds per horsepower.
While
an efficiency at 3 pounds per horsepower is very low, it
would in theory be able to lift a 200 pound adult male using
only 66 horsepower. This assumes an efficiency of conversion
from the primary power-source (most likely a combustion-based
engine) to high-voltage current at 100% -- realistically
the conversion between these two would be considerably lower.
Bearing
in mind that the true efficiency will be far below the theoretical
limit, it is also wise to remember that in very general
terms the Lifter becomes more efficient with larger designs
-- therefore a vehicle-sized Lifter may be able to be accomplished
within the near future, if resources can be put into finding
a suitable hv-generator and engine to run it.
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