Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling an air cushion vehicle (trade name, Hovercraft) of a vehicle to be driven by air flowing pressure, in which rudders are provided along both side walls of a propulsion fan duct, the rear sides of the rudders are bent toward the outside of the propulsion fan duct to perform the abrupt braking at the time of linearly moving and reverse moving of the air cushion vehicle, and the handle column for turning the direction is tiltably provided to easily move reversely the air cushion vehicle by the same handle steering operation.

Abstract: A propulsive air stream deflecting apparatus for an air cushion vehicle is provided on the hull of the air cushion vehicle for arcuately deflecting the propulsive air stream from the open rear end of the air duct, mounted to the hull. The deflecting mechanism provides a steering thrust to the air cushion vehicle. The deflecting mechanism is pivotable about a vertical pivot mounted to the hull between a propulsive thrust producing position, where the deflecting mechanism is located away from the propulsive air stream issuing from the rear open end of the air duct, and a forward thrust producing position where the deflecting mechanism fully covers the rear open end of the air duct for deflecting the propulsive air stream to create the forward thrust to the hull.

Abstract: A propulsion air stream deflecting apparatus for an air cushion vehicle having a hull, an air duct mounted on the hull and a propeller fan, includes a plurality of rudders, each mounted on the hull adjacent to the rear open end of the duct for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The rudders are adapted to close the rear open end of the air duct. A rudder control mechanism is operatively connected to the rudders for controlling the pivotal movement of the rudders to selectively provide a propulsion thrust and a steering thrust to the hull and to provide a closed position in which the rear open end of the air duct is closed by the rudders. A flap is pivotably mounted at the rear end thereof to the duct such that the flap closes an opening, formed at the rear end of the air duct, at a closed position thereof where the inner face of the flap is substantially flush with the inner surface of the air duct.

Abstract: A toy air propelled vehicle is set forth that utilizes a plurality of rearwardly oriented aligned impellers with a forwardly positioned impeller to elevate the vehicle. The rear impellers are pivotal to provide directional orientation to the vehicle and additionally snap on pontoons are positioned to underlying skids of the vehicle where in association with 90 degree rotation of the rear impellers enables the vehicle to be utilized as an air boat.

Abstract: A small sized air cushion vehicle includes a hull having a planar bottom surface with an upstanding lower flange disposed and extending upwardly at an angle of between 24.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to the planar bottom surface of the hull. A hollow plenum extends through the periphery of the hull. Apertures are formed in the upstanding lower flange of the hull and disposed in fluid flow communication with corresponding apertures in a plurality of inflatable members which are attached to the flange of the hull. Each inflatable member includes a downwardly extending aperture which directs air flow from the hollow plenum in the hull through each of the inflatable members to lift the vehicle a short distance above an underlying surface as well as providing forward or sideways propulsion. A steering mechanism is mounted rearward of the fluid propulsion source to control the direction of movement the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hovercraft having a pair of air cushions, associated with each air cushion is a rotatable fan which partly produces lifting force and partly propels and maneuvers the craft. The fans are mounted perpendicular to the direction of travel, peripherally on the craft, wherewith the forces produced have long moment arms, and consequently produce a strong turning torque. The fans are mounted on the craft in such a manner that their orientation may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically with respect thereto.

Abstract: A self-trailering hovercraft is disclosed, having wheels such that the wheels can remain in the same position when the hovercraft is trailering or in the hover mode, or retracted for additional ground clearance while in hover mode if desired. A trailer hitch is provided that can be adjusted to various hitch heights for trailering or removed completely for operation in hover mode. Further, cockpit covering and unique U-shaped skirts having good closing and susceptable to easy repair are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel exhaust system for both conducting engine exhaust gases away from and aft of the personnel occupied portion of a marine vessel and protecting the sides of the hull of the vessel from damages thereto during docking or other "working" maneuvers of the vessel is provided.

Abstract: A ground effect vehicle consists of a central, wing-like support body (1), floats (5) and/or undercarriage units located on both sides of the support body, a thrust generator (11) located in front of the support body, a control surface (14, 16) and a cabin (17), located on top of the support body for at least one person and, if required, for payloads. In order to increase the ground effect and to realize the ground effect even at low speeds, a nose (6) extending far forwards is provided in front of the support body (1), which nose forms an airflow duct (7) directed under the support body, the thrust generator (11) being located under the front region of the nose (6) in or immediately in front of the airflow duct (7).

Abstract: A vehicle utilizing a pair of counter rotating lift fans (36) driven by an air cooled internal combustion engine (34) provide compressed air into a plenum under a shell (26) moving the vehicle away from the surface upon which it is resting with the gas escape velocity evenly distributed around a peripheral skirt (28). A separate forward thrust fan (68) driven directly by a rotating pedestal mounted engine (56) provide the forward propulsion. An aileron (72) is rotatably mounted directly behind the thrust fan (68) and provides controlled response to the pitch direction of the vehicle by changing the angle of the air flow discharge. The vehicle contains a pair of movable keels (82) for operation on the water and side wings (86) to extend the effective surface of the craft.

Abstract: A catamaran air cushion water vehicle has two spaced apart floats (111) which extend parallel to one another in the direction of travel, wherein the cross-sections of the floats become broader from the bottom to the top and wherein the floats are rigidly connected together at the top by a deck structure (113). Furthermore, resilient skirts (123, 124) are arranged up to the stem and at the stern between the floats (111), extend at least approximately down to the water surface, and, together with the floats (111), bound an air space (125) between the base of the deck structure and water surface. In accordance with the present teaching the floats (111) each have a hull section (112) which broadens out in step-like manner essentially above their float region (115) which is submerged during travel in the displacement mode. The hull sections (112) serve to accommodate machinery, such as the propulsion units, and the deck structure (113) is attached to the upper end regions of the hull sections (112).

Abstract: An air-cushion vehicle of the type having a flat rigid platform with rigid longitudinal walls attached to the platform. In such an air-cushion vehicle a plurality of transverse trough-shaped skirts are provided so as to form a space bounded by the skirt and the platform which, when supplied with higher pressure air, serves to provide an air cushion chamber. The vertical height of the air cushion chamber can be varied in accordance with the present invention by extending or retracting the material of the trough-shaped skirts by way of an adjustment mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a skirt bar attached to each of two longitudinal edges of the skirt and a mechanism for moving the skirt bars sideways closer together or further apart, thus varying the skirt's vertical dimension.

Abstract: There is proposed a lift and propulsion unit for an air-cushion transport vehicle, with an axial fan installed at the entrance portion of an annular duct and at the exit of said annular duct is disposed a thrust nozzle comprising a reversing-and-steering device with independently rotatable rudder blades and reversing vanes installed in the walls of said thrust nozzle after said axial fan; said rudder blades close the exit section of said thrust nozzle during reversal of the thrust and make with each other an obtuse angle whose apex is directed toward said axial fan, and the side walls of said reversing-and-steering device are made in the form of a polyhedral vaned surface each facet of which is comprised by a cascade of bow-shaped reversing vanes.The invention may be used in the development of air-cushion transport vehicles, self-propelled transport platforms and apparatus in which the translatory motion is effected due to a reactive thrust provided by the ejected air stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-cushion vehicle comprising a hull, two air propulsion units located at a considerable distance from each other and one or several drive engines for the propulsion units. One of the propulsion units is located at the front end of the vehicle at one side of its longitudinal axis. The other unit is located at the rear end of the vehicle at the opposite side of said axis.

Abstract: A water borne air cushion vehicle having a flat rigid upper rectangular sheet-like platform, and a plurality of flat rigid longitudinal walls attached substantially at right angles thereto and depending therefrom substantially parallel with the major axis of the platform. Two of the walls are disposed as side walls along respective edges of the platform, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally aligned arrays of flexible trough-shaped skirts are looped with a space therein and fastened along the longitudinal edge of the underside of the platform flush with, but movable with respect to adjacent pairs of the walls. The skirts are extendable to a lesser depth than that of the walls, and a source of pressurized air is admitted through apertures of fixed size at a relatively high pressure to the skirts.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle is disclosed adapted to be constructed as a toy or as a large scale fully-operational vehicle. The vehicle consists of a body shell having a plenum chamber open to the surface over which the vehicle rides, a funnel mounted on the top surface of the shell and communicating with an air flow chamber separated by a floor from the plenum chamber. The funnel is provided with a powered-axial type blower. A plurality of vanes radiate outwardly from the funnel, in the air flow chamber terminating short of the peripheral wall of the vehicle, as does the floor, thus defining a peripheral opening for the air flow to pass into the plenum chamber. The peripheral wall is inwardly curved. An outwardly, downwardly extending flange is secured to the peripheral wall for stabilizing the vehicle and also for extra lift.

Abstract: A ground-effect vehicle having a base frame and a downwardly extending skirt, rides on an air cushion created by injecting air downwardly through the frame into the space beneath the vehicle. In order to prevent the down draft of the air injected under the vehicle from damaging fragile objects, such as young plants, a deflector is provided to divert the air flow parallel to the ground and to reduce its velocity, while still maintaining sufficient pressure in the air cushion to permit the vehicle to hover.

Abstract: The invention provides the means for controlling the direction of travel of a surface effect vehicle, that is a vehicle arranged to be supported above a land or water surface, the control means comprising differentially operable aileron like flaps arranged to selectively exert a tilting moment on the craft about its longitudinal axis during motion to assist in the control of the vehicle during a turn. The craft is preferably provided with two fan propulsion units and the aileron like flaps are preferably arranged in the slipstream of those fan units. The aileron like flaps may also be used to control differentially the thrust of such fan units for steering purposes alone or in conjunction with conventional rudders.

Abstract: A fluid propelled ground effect vehicle lifted by pressurized fluid directed upwardly through openings in a support floor. The vehicle body is propelled across the support floor by exiting pressurized fluid trapped in a receiving chamber underneath the vehicle body and discharged through an outlet in the chamber. The vehicle body is steered by controlling the direction of exit of the pressurized fluid as it leaves the receiving chamber.

Abstract: A surface vehicle has two wings, which are hinged to a wing core along axes extending along the wing center axis, to change the angle of attack, so that the trailing wing edges as extending towards the rear in converging configuration remain in a common plane and close the plenum chamber with reference to the (hypothetical) mirror image of the wing construction.

Abstract: A rapidly reversible air propeller shroud system is provided for operating an air cushion vehicle more efficiently both in forward and reverse direction travel and maneuvering modes. The shroud includes a sectionally rigid portion of aerodynamically efficient form for operating the vehicle in one direction of travel; and in combination therewith an otherwise inoperative inflatable collar which may be rapidly inflated to expand so as to modify the aerodynamic characteristics of the shroud for operation of the propeller efficiently in reverse direction thrust mode.

Abstract: A variable flow diffuser for use in air cushion vehicles to convert the ktic energy of the moving air from the main fan into potential energy of air pressure. The conversion is accomplished by passing the air flow from the fan through a flow splitter and diverting it radially outward in all directions along a plane perpendicular to the initial direction of the air flow. The volume of air passing through the diffuser is controlled by placing control vanes around the flow splitter or by moving the flow splitter and a back plate in and out of the air channel.

Abstract: A sidewall gas-cushion vehicle is provided with a panel movable in the bottom of the vehicle body in response to changes in cushion pressure whereby the cushion volume is increased as cushion pressure tends to increase, and vice-versa. Panel movement is controllable so as to vary the degree of response to changes in cushion pressure, and upward movement of the panel is retarded by dash-pot devices.

Abstract: In a two-stage hovercraft skirt comprising an upper loop from which segments depend, operational movements of the skirt are effected by an adjusting tie extending at right angles and connected to generally radially directed ties by which the segments are secured to the hovercraft. By connecting the adjusting tie to the midpoint of the segment ties, holding the skirt against sympathetic movement with the adjusting tie and operating the latter by a lever system mechanically equivalent to the tie system the force required to cause movement of the skirt may be kept constant. Movements of the skirt may be used to cause or control rolling, pitching or heaving of the hovercraft.

Abstract: A gas-cushion vehicle is provided with one or more fans for supplying cushion air to the cushion space beneath the vehicle, and an additional, "passive" fan, the outflow of which varies according to changes in cushion pressure, whereby additional air is supplied to the cushion space as cushion pressure tends to decrease, and a backflow of cushion air takes place through the additional fan as cushion pressure tends to increase.

Abstract: The specification describes an air suspension freight vehicle comprising a divided pontoon structure in the form of two parallel spaced apart rigidly connected air cushion pontoons adapted to carry freight loads therebetween greater in air cushion transport over ground and water surfaces while utilizing a helicopter attachable to the frame for propulsion and which without cargo may be transported by helicopter to and from a point of utilization.

Abstract: A propeller driven vehicle, such as an air cushion hovercraft, comprising a hull, a teardrop shaped cabin mounted on the hull and a propeller arranged in front of the cabin. A gutter shaped obstructing plate is pivotally mounted to each side wall of the cabin and is movable between a horizontal and vertical position. When the obstructing plate is moved from its horizontal position to obstruct the air flow from the propeller around the side wall of the cabin, a pressure differential is created on the cabin which is effective in steering the vehicle.

Abstract: An air car capable of flying above the surface of the ground and above the ground-effect distance comprising a substantially rectangular frame structure defining a front end, a rear end, lateral side ends, a top and a bottom; a turbine engine mounted in the forward end of said vehicle and having an intake opening leading thereto at the forward end of said vehicle, a pair of rearwardly directed exhaust ports located adjacent the center of the rear of said vehicle and connected to the exhaust of said turbine, a pair of lateral exhaust openings adjacent the forward end of said vehicle and connected to the exhaust of said turbine, a pair of lateral exhaust ports located adjacent the rear of said vehicle and connected to the exhaust of said turbine, a pair of spaced fan assemblies mounted at the forward end of said vehicle and adjacent the sides thereof adapted to draw air from above said vehicle and force the same downwardly through openings at the bottom of said vehicle, a second pair of spaced fan assemblies mo

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle in which the lift fan and the propulsion unit are driven from the same engine in such a way as to automatically keep the lift fan at a constant speed to maintain correct lift while the engine and propulsion unit speed varies from just above idle up to maximum speed. The lift fan is driven by means of two automatically adjustable pulleys, one of which senses torque from the lift fan and adjusts its effective diameter, the other being adjusted by spring force.

Abstract: A dual-function aircraft is disclosed having a fuselage shaped like an airfoil, a series of airfoils of shorter chord length arranged in tandem and disposed below the fuselage to provide additional aerodynamic lift, and a downwardly movable rear wall and a pivoted forward airfoil which forms a plenum chamber under the fuselage and produce a cushion of air during the ground mode. Transition from the ground effect mode to the flight mode is made in flight by simultaneously lowering the tandem of airfoils, lifting the rear wall and altering the angle of attack of the forward airfoil.