GB2486437A

GB2486437A - Hovercraft segmented skirt inner attachment arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2486437A
Application number: GB201021190A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel George Warren Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-14
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Also published as: GB201021190D0

Abstract

A hovercraft or air cushion vehicle is supported by a plurality of pressurised segments 1 making up a flexible skirt. The U-shaped segments are attached via a front face 2 to an outer part of the main structure 7 and attached via an inner attachment plate 3 to an inner attachment point 8 on the main structure. The inner attachment plate 3 comprises a separate plate (fig 5) which is sandwiched between an inner end of the segment side and a folded flange attached to that segment side. When pressurised, the side 4 of one segment expands to press against the side 5 of an adjacent segment. This arrangement allows the sides of the U-shaped segments to expand when under pressure creating the outer barrier for the cushion of the pressurised gaseous fluid and improves the inner attachment method of connection to the main structure, improves transfer of loads from the segment to the main structure, helps the individual segment to maintain is geometry, stability and reduces the amount of material required to achieve the same effect.

Description

Improved Inner Attachment for Segmented Skirt This invention relates to improving the inner attachment of flexible skirt assemblies so that the indMdual segment is attached to the main structure on the outer face top edge of the U' shape and the inner top edge of the segment U' shape which is also connected to main structure via the specially shaped inner attachment plate and the outer front face of the U' shape segment is connected to the main structure. This allows the sides of the U' shape of the individual segment to expand when under pressure creating the outer barrier for the cushion of the pressurised gaseous fluid and improves the inner attachment method of connection to the main structure, improves transfer of loads from the segment to the main structure, helps the individual segment to maintain is geometry, stability and reduces the amount of material required to achieve the same effect.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The need to fit individual segments around the periphery for vehicles which, during operation, are supported on one or more cushions of pressurised gaseous fluid creating flexible skirt assemblies is time consuming. It is also important that the individual flexible segment keeps its geometry when under pressure and does not change angle when under pressure but has the ability to fill the space if the adjacent segment is removed or damaged. The inner attachment should be easy to attach and designed so the skirt is not damaged or trapped when the vehicle has no pressure in the cushion and is sat down on hard ground.

SUMMARY OF 1NVENT1ON

The object of the present invention is to provide a superior method of attachment for the inner connection of the individual flexible segment.

With the present designed shape and encasing the plate within the segment material the forces and loads acting upon the segment outer face can be transferred to the structure via the inner attachment. The outer attachment on the top of the segment face is secured to the structure to transfer loads from this point. This leaves the sides to remain flexible and in contact with their adjacent segment. If one of the segments is removed by accident the one either side has sufficient flexibility to fill the gap created.

BR1EF DESCR1PTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAW1NGS FiG 1 presents a profile of the U' shape segment shows how the sides expand to create a pressurised barrier.

FIG 2 presents a profile of the U' shape segment attached to the main structure FIG 3 presents a profile of the U' shape segment folded into the structure recess area so that it is protected when the structure is sat down and not suspend on its pressurised cushion FIG 4 presents a profile of how the inner attachment plate is enclosed into the material by it being folded around and bonded in position FIG 5 presents a profile of the inner attachment plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig I presents a profile of the U' shape segment (1) which is attached to the main structure via the front edge (2) and the inner plate attachment (3). This allows the side of the U' shape (4) to expand under pressure to push against the neighbouring U' shape side (5). Once under pressure they form an outer barrier to contain the pressure.

Fig 2 presents a profile of a U' shape segment (1) attached at point (2) and (8) in on the main structure (7). The U' shape segment is connected to the main structure (7) via the inner attached plate (3) to the main structure (7) via an attachment point(8) which is fixed on the main structure and via the outer face plate of the main structure (7) at point (2).

Fig 3 presents a profile of the U' shape segment (1) when the main structure (7) is sat on the ground without any pressure in the system. At this point the U' shape segment (I) is laying inside the recess in the main structure (7). The inner attachment plate (3) is secured to the main structure (7) via the attachment point (8) and is designed so that it is clear of the ground even when the lowest point of the main structures hull (9) is on the ground.

Fig 4 presents a profile of the U' shape segment (1) with the material flap (10) along the top edge of the U' shape segment (1) folded around the inner plate (3) and up the other side (11) to encase the inner attachment plate (3). This is then hot bonded, glued or mechanically held in position to form a firm attachment.

Fig 5 presents a profile of the inner plate attachment (3) that has been specially shaped so that it can be encased in the U' shape segment when the material is folded around it. The main attachment hole (12) which is encased in the material of the U' shape segment is then bolted to the main structure. An additional hole (13) is provided so that the U' shape segment can be levered into final position before the attachment bolt is fitted through hole (12). The edge (14) is cut off so that when the main structure is sat on the ground without any pressure in the system this edge (14) will be above the ground so the material is not trapped. Claim

Claims

This invention relates to improving the inner attachment of flexible skirt assemblies for vehicles which, during operation, are supported on one or more cushions of pressurised gaseous fluid, and is more particularly concerned with flexible skirting assemblies which include independent flexible corrugated members, hereafter referred to as individual segments. Flexible skirting assemblies which include a plurality of discrete flexible individual segments in side by side relationship are known. These known flexible individual segments each consist of a sheet of flexible fluid impermeable material folded to provide, in horizontal cross-section, a U'-like shape, with sides of the U' projecting into the cushion space and acting as at least part of the barrier to the escape of the pressured gaseous cushion or cushions by which the vehicle is supported. The sides of the U' act as tension members to restrain the concave portion from deflecting outwards under the influence of the cushion pressure. Fluid impermeability referred to in this context implies that the material is impervious to both water and air.The individual segment is attached to the main structure on the outer top edge of the U' shape and the inner top edge of the segment U' shape is also connected to main structure. This allows the sides of the U' shape to expand when under pressure creating the outer barrier for the cushion of the pressurised gaseous fluid.1. My claim is the inner attachment plate shape improves the inner attachment method of connection to the main structure, improving the load transfer from the segment to the main structure, helps the individual segment to maintain is geometry, stability and reduces the amount of material required to achieve the same effect.
2. in addition my claim that the inner attachment plate is designed so that when main structure of the craft is lowered to ground level and the cushion is no longer pressurised. The individual segment is not trapped by the structure and the inner plate attachment when the structure is sat down on the ground.