WO2000001565A1 - Vehicule sur coussin d'air - Google Patents

Vehicule sur coussin d'air Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000001565A1
WO2000001565A1 PCT/NZ1999/000099 NZ9900099W WO0001565A1 WO 2000001565 A1 WO2000001565 A1 WO 2000001565A1 NZ 9900099 W NZ9900099 W NZ 9900099W WO 0001565 A1 WO0001565 A1 WO 0001565A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air cushion
bag portion
skirt
air
hull structure
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ1999/000099
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen John Preest
Original Assignee
Pacific Hovercraft New Zealand Limited
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pacific Hovercraft New Zealand Limited filed Critical Pacific Hovercraft New Zealand Limited
Priority to AU48068/99A priority Critical patent/AU4806899A/en
Publication of WO2000001565A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000001565A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
    • B60V1/00—Air-cushion
    • B60V1/16—Flexible skirts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to air cushion vehicles and to air cushion skirts used on such vehicles.
  • the invention relates to a single or double occupant pleasure craft.
  • Hovercraft particularly as smaller recreational and pleasure craft have not become popular partly because the operational characteristics of the craft can present problems to a driver not experienced and skilled.
  • One of the problems is that incorrect operation can cause the air cushion containing skirt to collapse or "tuck under" causing the vehicle to contact the surface in what is described as ploughing. This can abruptly change the momentum of the vehicle causing problems for the occupants.
  • a relatively high level of skill is required for satisfactory and safe operation.
  • an air cushion vehicle including: a substantially rigid hull structure; an air cushion skirt extending substantially about the periphery of the hull structure and attached to the hull structure at or towards the periphery of the hull structure, wherein a part of the air cushion skirt comprises an inflatable bag portion; and an air supply means to provide a source of pressurised air to inflate the air cushion skirt apart from the inflatable bag portion; wherein the inflatable bag portion is sealed such as to maintain an inflated configuration on inflation thereof, independently of the operation of the air supply means.
  • the inflatable bag portion includes one or more air inlet valves. Whilst it is intended that the inflatable bag portion would normally remain permanently inflated between each individual usage of the vehicle, the vehicle might be initially supplied with the bag portion deflated to reduce size and hence transport costs. Furthermore, the bag portion might be deflated for regular servicing or maintenance. The bag portion may be inflated by simply connecting the one or more air inlet valves to a source of pressurised air eg. from an air hose. The vehicle might even include an auxiliary attachment to selectively connect the air supply means to the bag portion.
  • the inflatable bag portion is attached to the hull structure with a substantial part of the bag portion disposed outboard of the hull structure so as to provide a fender around the vehicle.
  • the inflatable bag portion comprises an outer bag portion and an inner bladder means.
  • the inner bladder means might be constructed from air impermeable vinyl sheeting.
  • the inflatable bag portion is adapted to be inflated to a pressure up to 10 times the pressure within the flexible skirt segments when they are inflated by the air supply means.
  • the air cushion vehicle is most desirably in the form of a pleasure craft for a maximum of one or two people.
  • an air cushion skirt for an air cushion vehicle adapted to be attached to a substantially rigid hull structure of the air cushion vehicle, wherein part of the air cushion skirt comprises an inflatable bag portion comprising: an outer bag portion and an inner inflatable bladder means.
  • the air cushion skirt may have any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the air cushion skirt may include dependently disposed flexible skirt segments each having air inlet means wherein the flexible skirt segments are fluidly unconnected to the inflatable bladder means.
  • an air cushion vehicle including a substantially rigid hull structure and an air cushion skirt extending substantially about the periphery of the hull structure and attached to the hull structure at or towards the periphery of the hull structure, wherein part of the air cushion skirt comprises an inflatable bag portion comprising an outer bag portion and an inner inflatable bladder means.
  • the air cushion vehicle includes dependently disposed flexible skirt segments each having air inlet means wherein the flexible skirt segments are fluidly unconnected to the inflatable bladder means.
  • the inflatable bag portion is attached to the hull structure with a substantial portion of the bag portion disposed outboard of the hull structure.
  • This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air cushion vehicle in accordance with a preferred form of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is which is a diagrammatic section through an air cushion skirt of the air cushion vehicle illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the air cushion vehicle 1 is in the form of a one or two man pleasure craft .
  • the air cushion vehicle 1 has a hull 2 formed as a substantially rigid structure from fibreglass or any other suitable material.
  • the hull 2 is shaped as shown to include a suitably shaped bow portion 22, a recess 24 for seating the operator and a stern portion having an integrally mounded fan guard 26 for a propulsion fan 28 driven by an on-board motor (not shown).
  • the moulded hull 2 includes air intake regions 29 towards the stern.
  • a steering wheel 32 and other appropriate controls are provided for operator control of the craft.
  • An air cushion skirt 6 extends about the periphery of the craft 1.
  • the air cushion skirt has an inflatable bag portion 7 constructed of flexible material and a plurality of flexible skirt segments 33 dependently disposed relative to the bag portion 7.
  • the air cushion skirt 6 incorporates an outer bag portion 8 which is secured to the craft at the outer edge of the hull as indicated by numeral 14. Most of the bag portion is outboard of the hull as shown.
  • An internal web 9 is attached to a portion 15 of the hull as shown which is lower and inboard compared to the attachment point 14.
  • the internal web 9 forms a lower boundary of the chamber 5 which is otherwise defined by the side wall of the hull and a side of the inflatable bag portion 7.
  • the skirt segments 33 are defined by a series of spaced side walls 11.
  • the outer end walls of the segments 33 are each inclined at about 45 degrees whereas the inner ends are open so that air flowing into the segments 33 will provide an air cushion in the space 40 below the hull and above the water surface.
  • Airflow apertures 10 are provided through the web 9 to deliver air into the skirt segments 11 in accordance with known technology. See for example US Patent No. 4 131 175, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • the hull 2 includes an air flow chamber 3 which is supplied with a flow of air by the motor and fan in the conventional manner.
  • This hovercraft technology is well known and accordingly is not described here in detail.
  • the air in the chamber 3 passes through an air flow aperture 4 to enter the air flow chamber 5 defined in part by the cushion skirt 6.
  • a bladder means 12 is located within the outer bag portion 8.
  • One or more valve means 13 is provided to enable the bladder to be permanently inflated to a relatively high pressure. It would be possible for more than one bladder each inflated by a separate valve to make up the bladder means if this was desired for safety reasons to ensure that the puncture would not cause a major change in the operational characteristics of the craft.
  • the outer bag portion may have individual compartments. Any satisfactory bladder means within the outer bag portion 8 to provide the required inflation would be acceptable within the bounds of the present invention.
  • the bladder may be formed from any suitable air impermeable material including suitable rubber bladders but we have in the preferred form used an air impermeable vinyl sheeting formed to the required bladder shape.
  • the tube within which the bladder is located is formed from a material which is abrasion resistant and again in the preferred form of the invention a suitable vinyl sheet is acceptable.
  • an cushion vehicle with the skirt according to the present invention will have a number of advantages. Firstly it is very stable minimising the possibility of ploughing during operation. This means it is less operator dependent for giving abnormal operational actions and thus much more suited for recreational or pleasure use with an inexperienced operator.
  • the highly inflated tube is also a means of providing additional buoyancy when the craft is over water. Further the bag portion 7, because of its location, provides a fendering action in the event of the craft coming against another obstacle.
  • the air cushion vehicle incorporating the present invention is more efficient because it is unnecessary for the engine power to be required to maintain the bag portion 7 of the air skirt inflated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Un véhicule (1) sur coussin d'air comprend une structure de coque (2) sensiblement rigide ainsi qu'une jupe (6) de coussin d'air. La jupe (6) de coussin d'air s'étend sensiblement autour de la périphérie de la structure de coque (2) et elle est fixée à la structure de coque (2) au niveau de ou vers la périphérie (14) de ladite structure de coque (2). Une partie de la jupe (6) du coussin d'air comprend une partie (7) de chambre gonflable. Le véhicule (1) sur coussin d'air comprend également un moyen d'alimentation en air destiné à constituer une source d'air sous pression permettant de gonfler la jupe (33) de coussin d'air séparément de la partie (7) de chambre gonflable. Ainsi, la partie (7) de chambre gonflable est hermétique afin de maintenir sa configuration gonflée ou son gonflage indépendamment du fonctionnement du moyen d'alimentation en air.
PCT/NZ1999/000099 1998-07-01 1999-07-01 Vehicule sur coussin d'air WO2000001565A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU48068/99A AU4806899A (en) 1998-07-01 1999-07-01 Air cushion vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ33084898 1998-07-01
NZ330848 1998-07-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000001565A1 true WO2000001565A1 (fr) 2000-01-13

Family

ID=19926809

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ1999/000099 WO2000001565A1 (fr) 1998-07-01 1999-07-01 Vehicule sur coussin d'air

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4806899A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000001565A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7347154B2 (en) 2003-06-17 2008-03-25 Coupland Bell Limited Amphibious craft
US20160264121A1 (en) * 2015-03-09 2016-09-15 Mauricio Ricardo DEZEN Inflatable Vehicle Incorporating an Air Cushion
FR3107870A1 (fr) * 2020-03-09 2021-09-10 Laurent LUNEL Système de sustentation pneumatique à joint périphérique semi-rigide et véhicule correspondant
RU2778328C1 (ru) * 2022-03-02 2022-08-17 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ИННОВАКС" Корпус несамоходной платформы на воздушной подушке

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1781360A1 (de) * 1965-05-07 1970-12-03 Bertin & Cie Stroemungsmittelkissenfahrzeug
FR2138374A1 (fr) * 1971-05-25 1973-01-05 Grihangne Andre
US3863732A (en) * 1972-01-12 1975-02-04 British Hovercraft Corp Ltd Flexible skirt assemblies for fluid cushion supported vehicles
GB1423650A (en) * 1972-12-09 1976-02-04 Hovermarine Transport Ltd Gas-cushion vehicles
FR2347244A1 (fr) * 1975-12-29 1977-11-04 Guienne Paul Aeroglisseur a jupes souples et suspension pour se deplacer sans contact a la surface du sol ou de l'eau
US4111277A (en) * 1974-05-20 1978-09-05 Michel Francois Peissel Gas cushion vehicle
US4416346A (en) * 1980-12-29 1983-11-22 Logan Russell J Extensible steering, propulsion and skirting means for ground effect vehicles
EP0301851A1 (fr) * 1987-07-31 1989-02-01 H.S.I. Products, Inc. Véhicule à coussin d'air
US4862984A (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-09-05 Toso Enterprises, Ltd. Amphibious air cushion vehicle

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1781360A1 (de) * 1965-05-07 1970-12-03 Bertin & Cie Stroemungsmittelkissenfahrzeug
FR2138374A1 (fr) * 1971-05-25 1973-01-05 Grihangne Andre
US3863732A (en) * 1972-01-12 1975-02-04 British Hovercraft Corp Ltd Flexible skirt assemblies for fluid cushion supported vehicles
GB1423650A (en) * 1972-12-09 1976-02-04 Hovermarine Transport Ltd Gas-cushion vehicles
US4111277A (en) * 1974-05-20 1978-09-05 Michel Francois Peissel Gas cushion vehicle
FR2347244A1 (fr) * 1975-12-29 1977-11-04 Guienne Paul Aeroglisseur a jupes souples et suspension pour se deplacer sans contact a la surface du sol ou de l'eau
US4416346A (en) * 1980-12-29 1983-11-22 Logan Russell J Extensible steering, propulsion and skirting means for ground effect vehicles
EP0301851A1 (fr) * 1987-07-31 1989-02-01 H.S.I. Products, Inc. Véhicule à coussin d'air
US4862984A (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-09-05 Toso Enterprises, Ltd. Amphibious air cushion vehicle

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7347154B2 (en) 2003-06-17 2008-03-25 Coupland Bell Limited Amphibious craft
US20160264121A1 (en) * 2015-03-09 2016-09-15 Mauricio Ricardo DEZEN Inflatable Vehicle Incorporating an Air Cushion
FR3107870A1 (fr) * 2020-03-09 2021-09-10 Laurent LUNEL Système de sustentation pneumatique à joint périphérique semi-rigide et véhicule correspondant
RU2778328C1 (ru) * 2022-03-02 2022-08-17 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ИННОВАКС" Корпус несамоходной платформы на воздушной подушке

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4806899A (en) 2000-01-24

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