Abstract: A roller-and-rail cargo handling system that includes tracked rollers and side rails for receiving cargo pallets. A trolley system is used to move the pallets along the tracked rollers, which includes a trolley movable along a trolley track by one or more cables. The trolley includes (1) a body sized and configured for sliding beneath the pallet located on the tracked rollers, and (2) a pawl in a cavity of the body which is mounted for rotation between closed and open positions. In the open position the pawl extends above an upper surface of the body to engage a cutout of a pallet and exert a moving force thereto, and in the closed position the pawl is sufficiently within the cavity to permit the trolley to slide beneath the pallet without engagement thereof.

Abstract: An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.

Abstract: Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.

Abstract: Techniques involve an air flow assembly to provide pressurized air, e.g., for use by an air-cushion vehicle (ACV) or other craft. The air flow assembly includes a volute having a central chamber, a lift duct, and a thruster duct. The air flow assembly further includes a set of guide members disposed between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and linkage coupled to the set of guide members. The linkage is constructed and arranged to transition the set of guide members between a closed configuration in which the set of guide members closes an opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and an opened configuration in which the set of guide members opens the opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct.

Abstract: Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.

Abstract: Techniques involve an air flow assembly to provide pressurized air, e.g., for use by an air-cushion vehicle (ACV) or other craft. The air flow assembly includes a volute having a central chamber, a lift duct, and a thruster duct. The air flow assembly further includes a set of guide members disposed between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and linkage coupled to the set of guide members. The linkage is constructed and arranged to transition the set of guide members between a closed configuration in which the set of guide members closes an opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct, and an opened configuration in which the set of guide members opens the opening between the central chamber and the thruster duct.

Abstract: An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.