Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface effect craft comprising a supporting deck structure having two pontoons mounted thereto in catamaran like fashion. A propulsion mechanism is mounted to a rear portion of the deck structure. A lift control member is disposed under the deck structure between the two pontoons. The lift control member is pivotally movable mounted to the front portion of the deck structure. A lift adjust mechanism pivotally moves the lift control member between a first position with the rear end of the lift control member being in close proximity to the surface and a second position with the rear end of the lift control member being in close proximity to the deck structure. Employment of the lift control member enables the craft to achieve surface effect at low speed and, furthermore, allows control of the aerodynamic lift in a wide range from maximum lift to negative lift.

Abstract: A multi-modal forced vortex device is described having a top plate and a side wall creating a partially enclosed volume. The top plate includes one or more adjustable fluid openings to permit, or restrict, fluid flow into and out of the partially enclosed volume. Rotating blades housed within the partially enclosed volume are manipulated (through control of their pitch and, possibly, their speed) in conjunction with the adjustable fluid openings to generate a variable magnitude attractive force in a first mode, a variable magnitude down or pushing force in a second mode, a variable magnitude up or lifting force in a third mode or variable magnitude yaw, pitch and roll forces in a fourth mode.

Abstract: Presented is a beachable high speed marine vehicle with air cushioned hull(s) capable of transporting heavy loads at very high speeds to beachheads and then departing the beachhead under its own power. The artificially pressurized air cushions allow the bow of the vehicle to be raised to the water surface at all speeds including when stationary. The design of the forward end of the air cushion recesses allows both high speed breaking of water from the hull at that point and backing off of the beachheads in spite of sand, rocks, and the like being inside the air cushion forward end. An optional upward raising secondary bow is also described. Monohull, multi-hulled such as catamaran, and outrigger hull versions of the same conceptual invention are disclosed with all derived from the same basic concepts regarding loading and unloading of cargo, beaching abilities, air cushion performance, and other features.

Abstract: Presented is an improved Surface Effect Ship (SES) that offers the high efficiencies of the pressurized air cushion supported generic flexible bow and stern seal SES but without the generic SES's shortcomings that are due largely to its 80 percent total hull width flexible bow and stern seals. This is accomplished in the instant invention by use of forward extending rigid bow members positioned both sides of a pressurized hull supporting gas cushion where the width of the sidehulls make up a majority of the width of the instant invention improved surface effect ship with the remainder, less than 35 percent of vessel width normally, made up by a gas cushion forward seal member disposed between the bow members. Gas cushions may extend forward into undersides of the sidehull bow members to further reduce wetted area resistance. Longitudinally oriented fluid fences may be incorporated to at least partially separate portions of the gas cushion and thereby dampen pressure perturbations in the gas cushion(s).

Abstract: Presented is an advanced Surface Effect Ship (SES) that offers the high efficiencies of the pressurized air cushion supported generic flexible bow and stern seal SES but without the generic SES's shortcomings that are due largely to its generally about 80 percent total hull width flexible bow and stem seals. Advantages are accomplished by the instant invention by use of forward extending rigid bow members positioned both sides of a pressurized hull supporting gas cushion such that the width of the sidehulls, preferably, make up a majority of the width of the instant invention advanced surface effect ship with the remainder, normally less than 35 percent of vessel width, made up by a gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between the bow members. Gas cushions may extend forward into undersides of the sidehull bow members to further reduce wetted area resistance.

Abstract: A ground effect vehicle apparatus comprising a vehicle body of integral and contiguous construction including a medial portion having an aerodynamic upper surface, and a pair of spaced apart laterally positioned portions separated by the medial portion. Lower extremities of the laterally positioned portions extend downwardly below the medial portion to restrain air flow between them as it moves toward the rear of the body. Forward extremities of the laterally positioned portions extend forward of the medial portion to, again, restrain air flow from moving laterally. Power plants are mounted within the medial portion and support aircraft type propellers positioned forward of the medial portion of the body. The propellers are mechanized for moving over an arcuate vertical range, such that their force vectors are directable between the horizontal and approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal.

Abstract: A personal transportation apparatus has a frame defining a surface for supporting a load, and a plurality of air-cushion cells mounted to the frame and depending from a lower side thereof, the air-cushion cells each having a changeable height to accommodate variations in an underlying terrain during a translation of the frame over the terrain. A pressure source is mounted to the frame and is operatively connected to the air-cushion cells for supplying air under pressure to the cells, thereby generating an air-cushion support for the frame. An elevation mechanism is mounted to the frame for lifting the frame from one step to a next higher step of a stairway so that the frame ascends the stairway from a lowermost step to an uppermost step of the stairway.

Abstract: A hybrid craft can operate as a high speed SES in open water and deploy a retracted flexible skirt to operate as a hovercraft across beaches and overland. A downwardly extending boundary structure on a hull periphery reaches through the surface of water. The boundary structure has thin rigid side-walls extending downward from lateral sides, a forward seal wall extending downward from a forward portion, and an aft seal wall extending downward from an aft portion. Machinery creates a pressurized air cushion under the hull inside of the boundary structure to support and transport the hull. A flexible skirt system on said hull inwardly of and adjacent to the boundary structure can be retracted to a first position above the boundary structure and the water and extended to a second position below the boundary structure and the surface of the water to transit beaches and overland on the air cushion.

Abstract: Presented is an advanced non-amphibious landing craft that is partially supported by one or more artificially pressurized air cushions. In the preferred embodiment, the air cushions are bordered on each side by sidehulls, at the bow by a flexible seal, and at the stem by a fixed angled to horizontal air cushion aft seal member. The forward flexible seal element is attached to the underside of a bow ramp so that, during beaching and unloading of cargo such as vehicles, the forward flexible seal element simply folds underneath the moveable bow ramp as the ramp is lowered. Other features of the instant invention include built in fore and aft angled ramps and a moveable stern ramp. The aft angled ramp nests downward into the fixed air cushion aft seal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transport vehicle, comprised of a transport unit and a propulsion unit. The propulsion unit comprises a pressure housing with a plurality of radial turbine wheels arranged on a common shaft and rotating in opposite directions from one another. There are fixedly arranged combustion chambers having nozzles at the radially outwardly positioned ends of the turbine wheels. The invention also concerns a method of operating the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ground effect vehicle comprising hydrofoils or hydrofoil outer parts (18) which can pivot about a parallel line relative to the longitudinal axis of the body in order to increase the speed range when flying close the ground. In addition, the hydrofoils and the body can be provided with trailing edge flaps (19) which are articulated so as to pivot about a horizontal axis and, depending on the selected angle of incidence of the hydrofoils or hydrofoil parts, can be controlled as lift-increasing ailerons or flippers.

Abstract: A ground effect flying craft utilizing a pressure cavity (10) for low speed support on a static air cushion. The cavity is bounded by a streamlined aft body (18), a fore body (24), and side plates (22) which allow for low drag and high lift at cruise speed on a dynamic air cushion. Static lift pressure and dynamic thrust are provided by a fixed dual purpose propulsor (20'). Flow diverting devices or auxiliary power units are not needed for transition from static lift to dynamic flight.

Abstract: A hovercraft includes a plurality of energy storing containers for storing a low-temperature, high-pressure gas therein, a heat exchange device for performing heat exchange between the gas from the containers and a high-temperature exhaust from a gas turbine engine unit, and an air-cushion generating device accepting the gas from the heat exchange device so as to form an air cushion. The air-cushion producing method for the hovercraft includes producing the high-temperature exhaust from the gas turbine engine unit, providing the low-temperature, high-pressure gas, performing heat exchange between the gas from the containers and the exhaust from the gas turbine engine unit, combining the gas and the exhaust after the heat exchange by siphon action, and directing the gas and the exhaust into the air-cushion generating device.

Abstract: A zero draft cargo vessel with high speed open sea operational capabilities, a catamaran type design with hovercraft systems capable of lifting the craft slightly out of the water and air lubricating the planing pontoon bottoms for greatly reduced water drag at all speeds. A surface effect ship (SES, twin hard sidewalls), design with flat bottom planning pontoons, (SEPPS). The soft Hovercraft air pad being contained and stabilized by the twin high speed surface planing pontoon reactions. A high speed cargo vessel capable of operating at two to three times the speeds of conventional cargo vessels having the same horse power to weight ratios. A high speed cargo vessel design of greatly increased fuel efficiency per ton mile due to its greatly reduced water drag. A fast cargo vessel traveling at near three times the speed with the same hourly fuel consumption of large conventional cargo ships. This equates to getting there in 1/3 the time and 1/3 the fuel.

Abstract: A surface effect vehicle includes a vehicle body having opposed longitudinally extending sides and a longitudinally extending deck having an upper and lower surfaces extending widthwise between the sides. The lower surface together with opposed inner surfaces of the sides form a downwardly depending air entrapment chamber extending longitudinally beneath the lower surface. The chamber is reactive to provide substantial surface effect ram air lifting force on the vehicle in response to forward motion of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle includes an airfoil spaced above and interconnected with the vehicle body to provide substantial out of surface effect lifting force on the vehicle in response to such forward motion. Further the vehicle vertical stabilizers serving not only to provide vertical stabilization but also to interconnect the airfoil with the vehicle body.

Abstract: A sidewall air cushion vehicle or side effect ship (SES) includes a pair of parallel body members which are connected to each other by a rigid structure above the water surface, a flexible bow skirt in the front of the vehicle and a flexible stern skirt in the rear of the vehicle, an air cushion space between said bow and stern skirts, partition means extending transversely to the fore-aft-direction of the vehicle and dividing said space at substantially the mid thereof so as to provide a pair of compartments which are separated from each other by said partition means in a substantially fluid tight manner, at least one fan means for generating air cushions in said compartments, and sensor means for sensing the pitch angle or the pitch angle velocity of the vehicle to be used as control parameters for control of the pressure of the air in the compartments; the partition means and/or a bypass passage bypassing said partition means includes flow control means having an adjustable flow cross section and adapted t

Abstract: An improved performance marine surface vessel that includes pressurized supporting gas cushions in multiple hulls, normally catamaran-like sidehulls, where such pressurized supporting gas cushions support a majority of boat weight in operation. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes long fine pointed bow catamaran-like sidehulls that are in mechanical communication with a connecting hull structure. The long fine sidehulls offer performance advantages over a single large supporting gas cushion. Sidehull gas cushion outer sidewalls are preferably wider and deeper than inner sidewalls which insures minimum resistance coupled with maximum transverse stability in roll. Further, sidehull gas cushion sidewalls optionally have angled to horizontal flatter surfaces forward and then transition to more rounded shapes aft which provides for good pitch stability and minimum hydrodynamic resistance.

Abstract: A near surface vehicle including a vehicle body including a nose section having a canard with lift and pitch control. The vehicle body including a cockpit or cabin with a main wing mounted adjacent or above the cabin and including ailerons for lift and roll control. The vehicle body further including a tail section having a tail surface and a thrust air fan for providing air for lift and propulsion of the vehicle. The vehicle including an air diverter for deflecting air into a controllable lift area for initial lift and air deflectors or rudders for controlling vehicle direction and vehicle reverse thrust.

Abstract: An improved performance marine surface vessel that includes pressurized supporting gas cushions in multiple hulls, normally catamaran-like sidehulls, where such pressurized supporting gas cushions support a majority of boat weight in operation. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes long fine pointed bow catamaran-like sidehulls that are in mechanical communication with a connecting hull structure. The long fine sidehulls offer performance advantages over a single large supporting gas cushion. The invention may also include a center bow disposed between the sidehulls that adds to stability in rough seas and gives a racy yacht-like appearance. Recesses in the sidehulls may include, at least in part, fixed and/or movable seals. Fixed seals may include inset vented steps to reduce wetted surface area. The recess gas pressurization system may include a controller to control pressures in individual recesses which allows at least some control of boat motions in rough seas.

Abstract: An elongated vehicle body has a forward bow portion, a stern, and a lower portion with the floor and sides runners defining a longitudinal rearwardly opening air channel in the underside thereof. The bow portion has a duct with a driven impeller therein communicating with a plenum chamber in turn communicating with the air channel. Valves are provided at the outlet for directing air flow from the plenum chamber selectively downwardly, rearwardly and forwardly and also for developing a vacuum under a forward portion of the vehicle to pull down a bow wave that may develop under forward movement of the vehicle. The runners have lateral openings adjacent the rear portion of the vehicle and actuator controlled rudders are disposed at these openings for movement inwardly to steer the vehicle and outwardly beyond the outer side of the runners for establishing a reverse thrust of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flying hovercraft and ground effect vehicle design. The flat double-wing design for small, medium, and large cargo or military transport vehicles allows travel from very slow to medium to high speeds over water or land. The highly elongated, flat wing of very low aspect ratio provides a vehicle that is capable of traveling in ground effect flight at a safe distance above the water. Primarily a high-speed (150-200 kts), over-water, ground-effect, vehicle that is augmented with hovercraft capabilities for acceleration to flight speed, deceleration, and slow to moderate speed (0-75 kts.) operations. The vehicle design is adaptable from one-man units to large, ocean-going high-speed cargo ships of 400 feet and over, with carrying capacities over five million pounds. A vehicle of this design is 250% more efficient than modern aircraft, 15 times faster than cargo ships, and capable of going into true flight to overfly land masses for ocean-to-ocean and inland lake or river access.

Abstract: An improved performance marine surface vessel that includes a pressurized gas cavity in its underside that is restrained by hull structure and hull seals supports some 80 to 90 percent of vessel weight which results in much greater hull efficiencies. The gas cushion is normally supplied with pressurized gas by mechanical apparatus such as a powered blower.

Abstract: An improved performance and high stability marine surface vessel that is supported at least in part by a pressurized gas cushion where the pressurized gas is supplied to the gas cushion normally by mechanical apparatus such as a powered blower. The pressurized gas cushion is restrained, at least partially, by a recess built into the underside of the hull with significant advancements including a forwardly extending bow member that helps lift the bow over rough seas, water impact relief openings in the side hulls, movable and optionally remotely controllable stern seal member sections that allow control of recess gas cushion depth, pressure and other gas cushion characteristics, and a control system for a movable stern seal member. The advancements also include a forward movable seal attached structure that greatly increases movable seal life. The above advancements may be used singularly or in various combinations.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stern seal construction for air cushion surted operating type marine vessels which consists of an array of inflatable, vertically oriented inverted truncated open-ended cones or fingers. These fingers are individually attached to and mounted to depend in side-by-side relation from the bottom of an inflatable bag which in turn is mounted upon and extends transversely across and below the bottom of the stern end of the vessel's hull. The fingers are arranged in side-by-side pressed together relationship, and thus assume in horizontal section generally rectangular forms. In side view sectional profile the finger and bag contours are so balanced that a minimum load at the bottom ends of the fingers will permit them to raise to allow for passages over rough objects. The front or leading panels of the fingers are stiffened somewhat toward their bottom ends, and are extended under the open bottoms of the fingers beyond their trailing panel portions.

Abstract: A catamaran-type air cushion craft has two floats (211) arranged spaced apart parallel to one another which are connected together at the top by a connecting structure which carries built-in structures and which is sealed at the bottom by an air-tight transverse deck (216). The connecting structure includes at least two double transverse trussed girders (217) arranged spaced apart behind one another, which at least partially contain transverse hollow cavities (212) for passageways and line accomodating hollow cavities (213, 213'), with containers (214) and longitudinal passage and supply elements (215) being mounted at the front and/or rear sides of the double transverse trussed girders.

Abstract: An improved performance marine surface vessel with a recess in its underside that is pressurized with gas to form a supporting gas cushion that carries a substantial portion of vessel weight. The gas cushion is restrained by catamaran-like sidehulls, a movable seal forward, and substantially rigid aft seal. The recess is shaped on its upper surface to provide good ride qualities in rough seas and maximum stability in roll. In some instances a center hull and/or a skeg-like device are utilized to separate portions of the recess. The sidehulls can include secondary lifting surfaces on both sides to aid in operation with the pressurized gas supply not operating. The forward movable seal is best made in several elements that are individually removable through an opening in the front deck. The seal elements are formed at their top portion by a substantially rigid cap that also attaches the seal to the hull.

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: The present invention relates to a surface effect ship including a catamaran type supported structure with two side hulls connected by a central box structure, able to operate either as a buoyant displacement vehicle or as an air cushion supported vehicle. The ship includes, within the hulls, continuous longitudinal stiffeners mainly to bear longitudinal bending stresses within the central box structure connecting the two side hulls and built-in within these hulls, transverse beams mainly to bear transverse bending stresses, and at least two reinforced transverse bulkheads located in the bow and the stern of the ship respectively to bear transverse bending stresses applied on the bow and the stern of the ship, resulting from twist moments applied diagonally to the ship. Each bulkhead includes a transverse beam within the box structure with a vertical web and extending down within the hulls and strengthened within the box by upper and lower horizontal flanges.

Abstract: The present invention concerns hull shapes for a surface effect ship, including a catamaran type supported structure with two side walls (100) connected by a center platform (200), able to operate either as a buoyant displacement vehicle, or as an air cushion supported vehicle, the side walls (100) confining, with two sealing devices (310, 320), the supporting center air cushion (c).

Abstract: In a multiple-hulled marine craft an opening (313) which can be closed in air-tight and water-tight manner by pivotable flaps (314) is located in the transverse deck (312) beneath the connection structure between the two floats (311) (FIG. 2).

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: An improved seal is provided for an air cushion vehicle which has side hu and a wet deck therebetween. The improved seal includes a flexible sheet like device which is connected to the wet deck and which extends between the side hulls so as to present a forward surface. A plurality of elongated flexible panels are connected to the air cushion vehicle and extend downwardly across the forward surface of the flexible sheet like device, and elongated panels laterally overlap one another so as to provide a continuous field barrier across the vehicle. With this arrangement the panels cooperatively flex and slide with respect to one another to discretely respond to wave actions, thereby minimizing drag and wear capabilities of the seal.

Abstract: This invention concerns a surface effect vessel whose type comprises a buoyed up structure fitted with two side keels (20), an rear seal apparatus rear and a forward seal apparatus (200) both delimiting a central buoyancy cushion (300). According to the invention the forward seal apparatus (200) consists of an upper horizontal extension shell (210) extending between the two side keels (20) which communicates with the central cushion (300) so as to be supplied by it and two rows of lower multilobe skirts (230, 250) connected below the upper shell (210), which converge towards the center of the central cushion (300) from top to bottom, and whose concavity faces the center of the central cushion (300), the multilobe skirts (230, 250) together delimiting the intermediate chambers (254) which communicate with the upper shell (210) via ports provided in its wall.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle including a body, a flexible outer skirt depending downwardly therefrom, a rigid inner skirt within the outer skirt, air moving structure for creating pressure underneath the vehicle for normal driving and for creating a suction within the rigid skirt for holding the vehicle against the ground to withstand ground motion, spikes mounted on the vehicle in a normally retracted position, and structure for driving the spikes into the ground to stabilize the vehicle against lateral forces resulting from overpressure pulses and high winds.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved air cushion seal system of the inflatable lobe type such as for operating between the sidehulls of a surface effect ship (SES), wherein in accordance with the invention at least the lowermost lobe of the system is partially closed at each of its opposite ends by a fabric sheet which is inset from the ship sidehulls. These substantially impervious to air passage sheets are affixed to the side edges of the lower loop of the lobe and up and around its aft end, and optionally to the upper loop of the lobe, to minimize scooping and water filling of the lobe, and to operationally stabilize the lobe.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system for connecting a source of pressurized fluid with a region of varying pressure, comprises a fluid supply duct having an inlet end connectable to the pressure source end and an outlet end connectable to the region of varying pressure, a vent duct disposed between the inlet and outlet ends, and a vent valve sensitive to change in pressure within the supply duct and operable so as to control the escape of fluid from the supply duct. The vent valve preferably comprises a flexible wall member of hollow, inflatable form. In operation of the system, a relatively small amount of fluid is allowed to escape when pressure at or adjacent the outlet end of the supply duct is substantially less than that at or adjacent the inlet end thereof, and a relatively large amount of fluid is allowed to escape when the pressure differential is reversed. The system is particularly useful as a "ride" control for gas-cushion vehicles operating over rough ground or water.

Abstract: A load supporting structure is disclosed for supporting and maintaining a heavy load stable when being moved on a substantially flat supporting surface by another vehicle. The structure includes a rigid annular foot, and a pressure chamber with one of its walls being a portion of the flat surface. A rigid load supporting platform is connected to the rigid foot and to the pressure chamber for supporting a heavy load. Air is directed into the pressure chamber at sufficient pressure to support substantially all the weight of the supporting structure and the load, but with insufficient pressure to lift the rigid annular foot from the flat surface. The air in the chamber is substantially prevented from flowing under the annular foot but will allow some air to escape in the event crevices or the like in the substantially flat surface provide air flow paths.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved air cushion supported vehicle of the relatively high speed operating "surface effect ship" type, having a main hull and a pair of rigidly constructed opposite side walls or hulls depending therefrom, and bow and stern air cushion sealing means. Each of the side hulls terminates at its lower extremity into an outwardly side-wise canted water planing bottom surface or keel into which one or more non-coplanar surface discontinuities is/are provided for locally accommodating in slightly recessed relation therein the ship propulsion propellers. The configurations of said discontinuities are such as to reduce the requisite angles of the propeller driving shafts relative to the ship hull; thereby reducing the ship draft (propeller clearance) requirements, while also providing under high speed operating conditions improved propeller operating efficiencies and substantial maintenance of the desired air cushion sealing efficiencies of the side hull keels of the ship.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surface effect ship stern seal system comprising a plurality of side-by-side vertically standing inflatable fingers of open top form, the leading end portions of the fingers being attached to the hull by resilient means and the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the fingers being closed by water planing plate means. The upper edges of the sidewall portions of the fingers are carried by tension ropes connecting at their leading ends to said resilient means and at their aft ends to the ship hull, reclining therebetween in catenary fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a multiple lobe air cushion seal system an auxiliary air inflated bounce damping lobe interfacing the cleft between the lower ends of the two lowermost lobes of the system.

Abstract: A hydrostatic support structure wherein, to move a surface with a load disposed thereupon with respect to a bearing surface, a liquid cushion is provided due to a feeding of a liquid into an inner space defined by the bearing surface and a housing having a sealing member. Within the housing there is disposed a piston provided with its own sealing member which seals the gap between the housing and the piston, whereas the first sealing member defining the liquid cushion being formed along the perimeter of the inner space is rigidly secured to the housing of the support structure.

Abstract: Bow and stern seals for sidewall type air cushion vehicles for containing, together with the sidewalls, the air cushion under the vehicle. They consist of a substantial number of more or less equidistant rods (or "stays") connected by flexible membranes, these rods being designed to hinge around a more or less common axis at substantially the top of the air cushion, the rods extending beyond their hinge points and being positioned by two sets of opposing air bags, one set of air bags acting on the extensions of the rods above the hinge points and the other set on the sections of the rods just below the hinge points. The membranes are attached with a large amount of slack so that the rods can rotate a very substantial amount relative to each other. As the air bags will allow the rods only to rotate a limited amount relative to each other, the membranes will not get tight, and the membranes and rods will not be exposed to the accompanying shock loads leading to membrane tear and rod breakage.

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 seal structure for an air cushion vessel includes an inflatable bag secd to the hull and a plurality of juxtaposed, interconnected planer members maintained in operative position beneath the bag by a plurality of support straps. Each planer member includes a transversely reinforced shell portion and a flexible, resilient membrane secured to the longitudinal edge portions of the shell portion to form a flexible planing surface for the seal structure. The planer members may have tapered aft end portions and curved planing surfaces to provide a gradual change of the interface between the planer members and the water.

Abstract: In an Air Cushion Vehicle having spaced depending sidewalls, a seal struce which includes an inflatable bag secured to the hull and a plurality of juxtaposed pivotally interconnected planer members maintained in operative position beneath the bag by a plurality of support stays. The support stays are connected to the hull and extend along the longitudinal edge portions of the planer members and are connected to the hinge members, which pivotally interconnect the planer members, to adjustably secure the planer members to the support stays. Fixed length geometry straps and adjustable length retracting straps are connected to the hinge members for limiting the downward deflection of the aft end of the planer members.

Abstract: A waterborne air cushion vehicle is described having a flat rigid upper rectangular sheet like platform, 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. The outermost two walls are disposed as sidewalls along respective edges of the platform. The vehicle is provided with flexible trough shaped skirts which are independently movable with respect to the walls. A source of pressurized air forces air into the skirts and also into air cushion chambers located beneath the platform. The flexible skirts provide for less shock and resistance from wave formations due to the compression of the skirts.

Abstract: A sidewall drag reduction system for captured air bubble type surface eff ships having rigid surface-piercing sidewalls. Pressurized air is discharged vertically down into the surface effect ship air cushion chamber from platform ports, and horizontally into the air cushion chamber from nozzles located near the bottom of the internal surface of the sidewalls.

Abstract: The airplane of the present invention is of the vertical take-off and landing type powered by one or more jet engines which are mounted to provide thrust necessary for horizontal flight, movable panels direct exhaust gases downwardly toward the ground to provide a ground effect for greater safety upon vertical take-off and landing.