Abstract: An air cushion displacement hull water vehicle has a novel construction so s to defrictionize water flowing under the hull as the vehicle is propelled through the water. The hull includes a forward bow portion, an opposing aft end portion, a pair of sidewalls spaced from each other and extending between the forward bow portion and the aft end portion, and a bottom wall extending between the forward bow portion and the aft end portion and between the pair of sidewalls. The bottom wall of the hull is recessed to define an air cushion region. An air supply device positioned within the interior of the hull communicates with the air cushion region and is operable to supply pressurized air to the air cushion region to defrictionize water flow under the air cushion region.

Abstract: A speed control device characterized by a reference speed shaft spatially related to a heavy duty shaft, a drive train for driving the reference speed shaft at a constant angular velocity, a drive train for driving the heavy duty shaft at a variable angular velocity and a speed control assembly for continuously comparing the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft with the angular velocity of the reference speed shaft, and a brake assembly connected to the heavy duty shaft adapted to respond to errors in the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft for reducing the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft to that of the reference speed shaft.

Abstract: A motion-restraining device for dissipating at a controlled rate the force of a moving body. The device is characterized by a drive shaft adapted to be driven in rotation by a moving body connected thereto through a tape wound about a reel mounted on the drive shaft, oscillatable mass, a crankshaft connected with the drive shaft, and an elongated pitman link having one end pivotally connected to the crankshaft and the opposite end thereof connected with the mass through an energy dissipating linkage including a shuttle disposed within a slot and guided thereby for rectilinear motion between a pair of spaced impact surfaces so configured that reaction forces applied at impact of the shuttle with the impact surfaces include oppositely projected force components angularly related to the direction of the applied impact forces, whereby a cancellation of components of reaction forces is achieved.

Abstract: A launching and recovering means for surface effect ships comprising an eated ramp which extends into the water, and which is designed to be straddled by the surface effect ship. The width of the ramp matches the inside width of the contained pressure section plenum chamber of the surface effect ship; hydraulic jacks or other extensible members support the surface effect ship at the upper end of the ramp.

Abstract: The skirt of a surface effects vehicle is made up of a plurality of oblong lements which are slanted toward the stern of the vessel. Each element partially rests against and/or supports the adjacent elements. This configuration reduces skirt drag, cushion leakage, skirt wear, as well as reducing the impact forces transmitted to the vehicle itself and increases obstacle heights which can be successfully crossed.