GB1328218A - Surface effect machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1328218 Surface effect machines SOC D'ETUDES ET DE DEVELOPPEMENT DES AEROGLISSEURS MARINS TERRESTRES ET AMPHIBIES 15 Oct 1970 [17 Oct 1969] 49014/70 Heading B7K A surface effect machine adapted to move over water comprises a generally horizontal structure 3, stabilizing hydrofoils 1, 2, 6 connected to support members 4, 5, 7 depending from said structure to transmit thereto, when the machine is operating over water, hydrodynamic lift forces, cushion sealing means for containing at least one gas cushion and means for feeding the or each cushion with gas under pressure, said cushion sealing means comprising side walls each having bottom edges comprising a number of elongated elements 21 which are articulated so as to be able to move up and down and rock substantially vertically and wall portions connecting the structure to the elongate elements while allowing said movement and rocking of the latter, the elongate elements being connected to further hydrofoils 11 arranged to transmit thereto, when the machine is operating over water, hydrodynamic lift forces which produce the rocking and movement of the elongated elements to keep the bottom edge close to the water surface. Each further hydrofoil 11 is connected to a connecting member 17 of a piston-rod having a piston 18 located in a fluid filled cylinder in a rigid support member 10 depending from the vehicle structure 3, the piston being slightly smaller than the cylinder to restrict fluid flow therebetween and the damp motion of the connecting member 17 (and hence elements 21 and wall portions associated therewith), the motion being caused by the hydrofoil following the "profile" of waves. The connecting member 17 is pivoted to two elements 21 (only one is shown in Fig. 5) so that motion of the blocks pivoted at both ends of an element causes the element to rock. The stabilizing hydrofoils 1, 2, 6 are similarly mounted, but pivoted to only one element. In addition the trim of the vehicle may be adjusted by using the piston/cylinder of each stabilizing hydrofoil as an hydraulic actuator to raise or lower the stabilizing hydrofoils. Each side wall has wall portions 22 which are formed as bellows inflated to a pressure higher than that of the cushion 13 of the machine. The support members are surrounded by similarly inflated bellows 28 (not shown in Figs. 1, 3), and folded sheets 29 fixed between the bellows 22, 28 seal the wall of the cushion. The bellows 22 may be replaced by cloth wall portions (30), Fig. 8 (not shown), having horizontal reinforcing strips, or by a fabric covered with and sealed on to a flexible diaphragm (33), Fig. 9 (not shown).