US3578100A - Device for confining pressure-fluid cushions, more particularly for waterborne ground-effect machines - Google Patents

Device for confining pressure-fluid cushions, more particularly for waterborne ground-effect machines Download PDF

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Publication number
US3578100A
US3578100A US785302A US3578100DA US3578100A US 3578100 A US3578100 A US 3578100A US 785302 A US785302 A US 785302A US 3578100D A US3578100D A US 3578100DA US 3578100 A US3578100 A US 3578100A
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United States
Prior art keywords
bearing surface
stern
skirt
space
sidewall structures
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US785302A
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English (en)
Inventor
Charles Joseph Marchetti
Guy Marcel Neplaz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DEV DES AEROGLISSEURS MARINS F
Soc D'etudes Et De Developpement Des Aeroglisseurs Marins Ferrestres Et Amp Hibies Sedam
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DEV DES AEROGLISSEURS MARINS F
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by DEV DES AEROGLISSEURS MARINS F filed Critical DEV DES AEROGLISSEURS MARINS F
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Publication of US3578100A publication Critical patent/US3578100A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
    • B60V1/00—Air-cushion
    • B60V1/04—Air-cushion wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls

Definitions

  • a pressure-fluid cushion device for a ground-effect machine movable opposite a surface which device comprises two sidewall structures extending substantially parallel to and on each side of the longitudinal medial plane of the machine and having a front end portion and a rear end portion, the sidewall structures having sufficient rigidity to resist defonnation as a result of variable external forces acting on them during displacement of the machine and laterally defining a space between the machine and the said surface, chambers obstructing the space at the front and rear and extending between the sidewall structures, these chambers being bounded by flexible skirts deformable by such external forces, and means for supplying pressure fluid to the chambers an space.
  • the invention relates to a device for confining the pressurefluid cushions servingto support the ground-effect machines on the surface over which they are displaced.
  • the device is a combination which gives better stability than existing ground effect machinesand less resistance to displacement.
  • This combination has sidewall structures extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the machine and at least two plenum-type chambers, one to the front and one to the rear of these structures and between them, these chambers being preferably circular in plan and situated in the immediate vicinity of the sidewalls, possibly even in contact with the sidewalls.
  • the chambers and sidewalls define a space in which a pressure-fluid cushion can-be established and maintained and in which other chambers, possibly arranged like the chambers already mentioned, may be provided.
  • the sidewall structures may be connected to the platform or principal structure of the machine or, preferably, form an integral part of it, extending it towards the surface. They may comprise tanks, preferably in the vicinity of their free ends, and these tanks may house fuel or various elements require for operation of the machine.
  • the sidewall structures When the sidewall structures are an integral part of the machine, they increase the rigidity of the machine.
  • the center of gravity of the machine is brought nearer the supporting surface, without increasing its weight or reducing its perpendicular distance to the surface.
  • FIG. 1 represents an elevation, in section along a line H in FIG. 3, through a ground-effect machine having the improvements embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows the machine illustrated in FIG. I, from below:
  • FIG. 3 is a cross section along a line III-III in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention from below
  • FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention from below.
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 show a ground-effect machine embodying the invention, with a structure comprising a platform I having a cabin 2, a pilot's compartment 2a, means for supplying pressure fluid to the lifting cushions, such as compressors, and driving means, for example air screws 4, associated with rudders 5.
  • the device for confining the pressure-fluid cushions consists of a set of chambers 6a, 6b associated with two sidewall structures 70, 7b which are arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction of the machine, so that at least one supplementary pressure-fluid cushion is formed in a space 8 between the chambers and the sidewalls.
  • chambers 13a, 13b defined by skirts 14a, 14b are arranged symmetrically, at least relative to the longitudinal central axis of the machine, within the space 8. They are circular in plan.
  • the sidewall structures are adjacent to skirts 9a, 9b situated respectively at the front and rear of the machine.
  • One or more sources of pressure fluid such as 3a, 3b, 12a, 12b, 15a, 15b, adapted to supply the various chambers 6a, 6b, 13a, 13b and the space 8 independently, are connected to these by ducts such as 10a, 10b connected to orifices such as 11a, 11b.
  • the skirt 9a closing the space at the front of the vehicle is in contact with the sidewall structures 7a, 7b, whereas the skirt 9b closing the space at the rear of the vehicle is near the sidewalls but does not touch them.
  • This arrangement is convenient when the ramming pressure due to displacement of the machine is not enough to contribute to supplying pressure fluid to the space 8 and when some of the fluid within this space is to be used for propulsion of the machine (arrows f A plurality of variants are possible within the scope of the invention.
  • the various chambers and the space 8 are supplied in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the propulsion means are also similar to those already indicated, and the arrangement of the platform is not shown.
  • Three separate but adjacent chambers 16a, 16b, 16c respectively defined by skirts 18a, 18b, 180 are situated at the front of the vehicle between the sidewall structures 7a, 7b.
  • the skirts 18a, 18b of the chambers 16a, 16b are near to, but do not touch, the sidewalls 7a, 7b, so that the ramming pressure due to displacement of the machine contributes to the supply of pressure fluid to the space 8.
  • These skirts also make it easier for waves to flow between the sidewalls.
  • the chamber 160 extends in front of the chambers 16a, 16b, so that the drag is further reduced.
  • the skirts 19a, 19b of chambers 17a, 17b are in substantially fluidtight contact with the sidewalls 7a, 7b and at a distance from one another, so that the fluid contained in the space 8 can be used for propulsion of the machine (arrow f If the skirts of the chambers near or in contact with the sidewalls are deformable, the pressure exerted by the cushion on the skirt defining a cushion is partly compensated by the pressure of the cushion confined by the adjacent skirt or by the rigidity of a sidewall structure.
  • the space 8 may be subdivided.
  • the chambers 13a, 13b are adapted to form barriers which cooperate with other chambers or with the sidewall structures 7a, 7b to define spaces 8a, 8b, 8c.
  • the skirts 14a, 14b of the chambers 13a, 13b are preferably in substantially fluidtight contact with at least one of the walls 7a, 7b orif they are adjacent-with one another.
  • some or all of the spaces 8a, 8b may be supplied independently with pressure fluid by way of orifices 11c, 11d, Ilf.
  • a pressure-fluid cushion device for a surface effect vehicle movable in spaced relationship along a bearing surface comprising two transversely spaced and longitudinally extending, port and starboard, rigid sidewall structures confining sidewise a primary cushion space formed against said bearing surface, two longitudinally spaced and transversely extending, prow and stern, flexible closure systems confining endwise said primary cushion space, said prow closure system comprising at least one continuous close contour prow skirt projecting towards said bearing surface and bounding a secondary cushion space formed against said bearing surface, said prow skirt having a general shape of revolution with a front, forwardly convex curved portion directly exposed to ambient air and with its generatrices directed towards said bearing surface, and said stern closure system likewise comprising at least one continuous close contour stern skirt projecting towards said bearing surface and bounding a further secondary cushion space formed against said bearing surface, said stern skirt having a general shape of revolution with a rear, rearwardly convex curved portion directly exposed to ambient air and with its generatrices directed towards said
  • a device as claimed in claim 10 in which two similar ducts substantially symmetrical relative to the longitudinal medial plane defined respectively by the two front end portions of the sidewall structures.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Actuator (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
  • Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
US785302A 1967-12-22 1968-12-19 Device for confining pressure-fluid cushions, more particularly for waterborne ground-effect machines Expired - Lifetime US3578100A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR133598 1967-12-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3578100A true US3578100A (en) 1971-05-11

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US785302A Expired - Lifetime US3578100A (en) 1967-12-22 1968-12-19 Device for confining pressure-fluid cushions, more particularly for waterborne ground-effect machines

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US (1) US3578100A (enExample)
DE (1) DE1815609A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR1568840A (enExample)
GB (1) GB1228230A (enExample)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5071009A (enExample) * 1973-08-15 1975-06-12
US4223755A (en) * 1978-07-21 1980-09-23 Hoverlift Systems Ltd. Suppressing ejection of water and other surface material from air cushion vehicles

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3174573A (en) * 1963-05-13 1965-03-23 Bell Aerospace Corp Ground effect machine
US3191705A (en) * 1959-09-25 1965-06-29 Hovercraft Dev Ltd Vehicles for travelling over water
US3276529A (en) * 1963-06-18 1966-10-04 Westland Aircraft Ltd Ground effect vehicles
US3430725A (en) * 1965-11-11 1969-03-04 Hovercraft Dev Ltd Gas cushion vehicles of the side wall type

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3191705A (en) * 1959-09-25 1965-06-29 Hovercraft Dev Ltd Vehicles for travelling over water
US3174573A (en) * 1963-05-13 1965-03-23 Bell Aerospace Corp Ground effect machine
US3276529A (en) * 1963-06-18 1966-10-04 Westland Aircraft Ltd Ground effect vehicles
US3430725A (en) * 1965-11-11 1969-03-04 Hovercraft Dev Ltd Gas cushion vehicles of the side wall type

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5071009A (enExample) * 1973-08-15 1975-06-12
US4223755A (en) * 1978-07-21 1980-09-23 Hoverlift Systems Ltd. Suppressing ejection of water and other surface material from air cushion vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1228230A (enExample) 1971-04-15
FR1568840A (enExample) 1969-05-30
DE1815609A1 (de) 1969-07-24

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