GB1314221A - Surfaceeffect machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1314221 Surface effect BERTIN & CIE 10 June 1970 [10 June 1969 (3)] 28152/70 Heading B7K A surface effect machine, Figs. 1, 2, is supported by cushions of pressurized fluid (e.g. air) each bounded by separate skirts 3 and each supplied independently of each other from a common source 9 via a chamber 6 containing Venturis a each arranged to open into a respective cushion. The skirts 3 may be surrounded by a large skirt 4 served by. Venturis b. Each Venturi is formed by a curvilinear cylindrically surfaced metal member 18, Fig. 4, secured hermetically to two parallel side plates 17 which are in turn secured to a wall 7 of chamber 6. Air from a compressor 9 flows into the Venturi at 13 and out via an aperture 15 and a blade lattice 16. The Venturis may be designed so that the flow therethrough is limited automatically when the leakage flow from any skirt exceeds its normal value; the flow rate may also be limited by making wall 18 deformable with its free edge guided by slides in plates 17 (Figs. 11-13, not shown) or alternatively by providing the Venturi with movable walls corresponding to 18 and 7 (Figs. 7-10, not shown), the variation of throat cross-section (and thus the flow rate) being controlled in response to the pressure in the throat zone 11. Two applications of the above cushion supply arrangement are described: an amphibious wheeled vehicle, and a large ocean-going craft which is the subject of the Specification 1,314,222.