It is kind of funny how many are so quick to point out your short comings, mostly from those to scared to try.
Keep your chin up and your debt low, you will do fine.
You're right about the patents, the Chinese don't honor them, and few are worth the money it takes to defend them, unless you
come up with a cheap anti gravity belt, don't waste your time or some one else's money.
You have some great ideas, but you need to build jigs, fixtures and simple robotic welders to increase your productivity.
And I would think long and hard about a "money man" per say, if you do your job well enough, you will have plenty of folks show up,that will want a piece of your pie.
And last of all, remember the "value" or free advise.
Good luck in all you do.
