GB1072732A - Improvements relating to gas-cushion vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,072,732. Air cushion vehicles. HOVERCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Ltd. June 18, 1964 [June 21, 1963], No. 44487/66. Divided out of 1,072,731. Heading B7K. In an air cushion vehicle, a cushion-containing flexiblewall 5 comprises a first stage in the form of an inflatable bag 7 and a second stage 8 formed by a series of separate channel-shaped sections of flexible material attached to the first stage. Ducts 10, 12 extend from a compressor 11 which supplies air for a curtain 6. A further compressor 14 supplies air through duct 13 to inflate bag 7, which may be drawn upwardly against inflation pressure by a plurality of cords 15 connected to jacks 19. The jacks 19 may be actuated in response to deviations of attitude of the vehicle, but in the embodiment actuation is responsive to pressure changes in ducts 12 detected by pressure heads 21, 22 which connect through chambers 26, 27 to opposite sides of a capsule 33 which actuates valves 35, 36 controlling the operation of jacks 19. A trimming mechanism may override the automatic control mechanism. An arrangement of pressure heads 40 in the base of the vehicle may be used to detect deviation in pitch and roll. In operation, should the vehicle tilt, the increase in pressure at the lowered portion of the periphery will be sensed to cause-operation of the appropriate jacks 19 to enable the inflatable bag to extend downwardly thereby locally increasing the pressure to tilt the vehicle level. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to the Specification 935,825.