Abstract: An improved seal design for a Surface Effect Ship, having an inflatable ir seal member, and outer seal member composed of a pliable sheet material scrollably affixed to the hull fore and aft of the inner seal member. The seal may be retracted for hullborne operation by deflating the inner seal member and scrolling the outer seal member tight to hull. The inner seal member has transverse webbing for stability. The outer seal member is periodically scrolled foreward to expose an unworn section to the water surface thereby reducing seal failure due to wear.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a vehicle which is both lifted and propelled by air flow. The vehicle comprises an upper deck, a depending peripheral side wall and a flexible, perforated sheet secured beneath the bottom of the side wall, thereby defining an open plenum. A propeller in an air flow directing cowl seats atop the deck and part of the air flow is directed into the plenum and the remainder of the air flow is directed to move the vehicle. The underside of the upper deck disperses air in the plenum. Alternatively, the propeller is part of a duct which directs air into and disperses it around the plenum. The cowl includes an air dam for trapping reverse flowing air. A rudder directs the motion of the vehicle. The plenum narrows in width toward the front and diminishes in height away from the plenum inlet through the upper deck.

Abstract: A heavy lift transi-crane supported on a substantially flat surface is disclosed which includes a boom supporting unit having a rigid annular foot, with the boom supporting unit being connected to a propelling unit by an elongated rigid connecting link. A substantial portion of the weight acting on the boom supporting unit is carried by fluid under pressure contacting a large area of the flat surface within the rigid annular foot but with the force being insufficient to raise the annular foot from the surface thereby greatly reducing frictional forces between the foot and the surface and the power requirements to move the transi-crane. The propelling unit is preferably a multi-directional walking beam vehicle which is capable of moving the transi-crane along a linear path or around a vertical pivot axis of the boom supporting unit.

Abstract: A sealing system for the air cushion of an air-cushion vessel comprising rigid sidewalls designed as buoyant bodies, and at least at the front between the rigid walls a series of adjacent, interconnected sealing elements sealing the air cushion, each of which sealing elements is a voluminous, rigid body which at one end can be hingedly connected to the vessel bottom. Means are provided for limiting the free hingeing movement of the rigid sealing bodies relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ends of all rigid bodies remote from the hinge point can be connected by means of a flexible air-tight flap to the bottom of the vessel, to form a space that can be connected to a source of compressed air, such as a blower. In another embodiment the length of the flaps is adjustable, to facilitate trimming.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for launching aircraft into free flight regime regardless of runway conditions, wherein a sled of the self-powered air cushion vehicle type is configured in plan form so as to accept in temporarily locked relation thereupon and in combination therewith an airplane in such manner that a successful take-off run in mutually aerodynamically compatible regime may be accomplished in spite of surface problems with the runway. Upon attainment of airborne speed, under control of the pilot the aircraft lifts off the sled into full free flight; and thus is airborne albeit the runway is at the time unusable by conventional wheel-geared aircraft; for example, as the result of a previous bombing attack on the runway by enemy aircraft. The sled incorporates self-propelling and directional guidance means for retrieval/reuse purposes, as well as a take-off abort control system.

Abstract: A Wing-in-Ground (WIG) effect vehicle for traveling over water utilizing efflux from propulsors to create a static pressure increase under the wings. The propulsors are carried inside the fuselage or in other safe locations away from sea spray and debris. The efflux is carried by conduit running the full span of the wing leading edge and is directed under the wing. The efflux also entrains ambient air by Coanda effect to increase the resultant lift.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport apparatus having at least one crawler vehicle with means for establishing a supporting air cushion between the chassis of the crawler vehicle and the upper side of the ground-engaging track part of the crawler vehicle, the invention being characterized in that the transport apparatus is provided with means cooperating with track-supporting wheels and adapted to hold down the tracks and to stretch the lower track part over the air cushion unit, and that the supporting wheels and the track are provided with cooperating engaging means adapted to prevent sideways travel of the tracks. In a preferred embodiment, the transport apparatus also has means for relieving at least part of the track pressure against the ground in connection with changes in the direction of travel.

Abstract: Inspection and repair of an air cushion vehicle flexible skirt is carried out with the vehicle supported above a ground surface on support legs projecting from sleeve members built into rigid base structure of the vehicle so as to be open between upper and lower surfaces of the base structure. The vehicle lift system is used to hover the vehicle clear of the ground so that the support legs can be secured in their projecting positions. Alternatively, jacks may be supported over the sleeves and used to force the support legs down the sleeve members to their projecting positions. The vehicle may be further raised above the ground surface to permit inspection and repair of the underside of the rigid base structure by first replacing each support leg with a support stand and pillar assembly and then using the jacks to raise the vehicle with the support legs resting on the pillars.

Abstract: Bow and side deck structures forming a part of the rigid body structure of an air cushion vehicle include a tubular circular section gunwale member and a tubular circular section chine member supported outwardly from a buoyancy tank structure which forms the base of the rigid body structure by frame members to which they are attached by welding. The bow and side deck structures are completed by hull plating attached to the gunwale, chine and frame members. The buoyancy tank structure may include unstiffened extruded deep I-section beams.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a body carried on front and rear power-driven wheels in which the wheels are provided with novel tread design cooperating with the body and portions thereof to literally pump water rearwardly while confining it to ridge or crest form centered on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle whereby to enable the vehicle to travel over water. The body is closed at its top, opposite sides and also at its front and rear ends by front and rear fender wells, respectively, creating an air chamber beneath which the front wheel pumps water to flow rearwardly as aforesaid.

Abstract: A carburetor air cleaner for an air cushion supported lawn mover provides a cyclone dust separator with carburetor air input from the vortex. The air is drawn through the separator by suction from the lawn mower air impeller which produces the air cushion.

Abstract: A thin flexible film bag, oriented horizontally or integral therewith and preferably bearing an absorbent material chuck on its upper wall, forms a plenum chamber. A lower wall underlying the chuck and including small diameter perforations to create an air bearing for supporting the patient mover. The patient borne thereby lies on the chuck, some distance from an underlying fixed planar support surface. This permits the patient to be readily moved in a frictionless manner when air under pressure fills the plenum chamber and escapes through the perforations. Air enters the plenum chamber through an outer tube of thin, flexible material. Paired, opposed, flat and less flexible tongues define a short inner tube, being positioned within the outer tube, to permit airflow entry to the plenum chamber with the tongues being deflected away from each other. The tongues are pressed against each other and one side of the outer tube wall, due to elastic memory, to prevent air escape from the chamber at that point.

Abstract: A load-support module comprises first and second frame structures of rectangular plan form disposed one above the other on a common central axis, with load support members attached to and extending between the structures. The frame structures are such that the modules can be stacked one on another in nested relationship. The modules are disposed in close-packed rows on a base frame structure, forming a load-support surface. Contiguous modules are demountably secured to one another and are each provided with fitted floor members. The entire structure is provided with a demountable, peripheral flexible skirt. A number of such structures can be combined to transport very large objects.

Abstract: A method for removing oil from the surface of water where an oil spill has occurred, particularly in obstructed or shallow areas, which comprises partially surrounding a hovercraft with a floating oil-collecting barrier, there being no barrier at the front of the hovercraft, moving the oil-barrier-surrounded-hovercraft into oil contaminated water, and collecting oil gathered within the barrier behind the hovercraft through a suction line which carries the oil to a storage tank aboard the hovercraft. The invention also embodies the hovercraft adapted to effect an oil spill cleanup.

Abstract: Takeoff, flying, normal landing and emergency landing of aircraft (including space/reentry vehicles as well as airplanes) is improved in respect of minimum speed limits and necessary runway lengths by a control system comprising aspiration of ambient air in a direction counter-current to the relative wind direction established by motion of the craft, these effects preferably further supplemented by a cushioning and sheltering effect established by a grooved runway.

Abstract: A wing in ground effect (WIG) vehicle, the body of which is a low aspect io airfoil. Soft end plates allow for proper sealing of pressure below the wing while preventing the transmittal of wave action forces to the vehicle. Fin rudders and a dorsal fin provide turning control. Efflux from the propulsor engines can be split to flow both over and under the wing so that the vehicle will be capable of both rapid movement and hover over both land and water. Two designs are disclosed providing this vehicle with the ability to jump out of ground effect mode to avoid obstacles appearing in its flight path.

Abstract: An air retaining skirt for use with an air cushion vehicle of a type which utilizes a peripheral series of loop and segment sections in combination to provide retention of the air cushion over uneven terrain or water. The loops are adapted to extend from the air cushion vehicle outward and downward in flexible, air inflatable composure, and each loop supports a plurality of ground-contacting segments affixed to the lower edge thereof and extending back up for retention at or near the lower edge of the air cushion vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a large amount of air periodically at a controlled rate to the air cushion beneath an air-cushion vehicle as particularly employed for coupling of controlled frequency seismic energy into the earth. The apparatus consists of a vehicle body which includes a compressed air supply or input to a self-contained plenum chamber space for applying air pressure through a multi-port rotary valve thereafter to be directed into an air cushion formed between the vehicle and the earth surface with periodic exhaust to the atmosphere. The rotary air modulator or valve is comprised of a cylindrical stator, a rotor, and a shutter, each of which includes a plurality of equispaced ports, and air flow from the plenum chamber to the air cushion is modulated by passage through the stator and rotor in accordance with an intermediate shutter position; pressure exhaust is similarly controlled.

Abstract: Air cushion vehicle structure comprises a platform with a grid frame formed of longitudinal girders crossing crosspieces, and an upstanding caisson or compartment formed of transverse frames connected by continuous systems of sheets. The lower segment of each caisson transverse frame is constituted by a portion of the upper beam of a crosspiece of the platform, and the lower longitudinal edges of the caisson are integrated with the upper beams of two girders. The crosspieces and some girders are lattice girders, but the others are ladder girders. Upper and lower beams of the girders and the crosspieces are connected by normal tubes welded to their feet, the oblique tubes of the lattices also being welded to the feet. The structure is especially appropriate for medium tonnage ACV.

Abstract: A vehicle including a rigid body is provided and includes a bottom structure defining a plurality, elongated and horizontally downwardly projecting bottom surface members which in turn define downwardly opening channels therebetween. The bottom structure further includes a plurality of elongated horizontal flexible inflatable members disposed and extending along between pairs of adjacent bottom surface members in the aforementioned channels. The body includes structure operative to apply fluid under pressure to the inflatable members to inflate the latter and the inflatable members, when inflated, include portions projecting downwardly below the bottom surface members.

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: A device for transporting loads, especially for moving belt driving stations in open pit mining operations with a propelling mechanism which for lifting a respective load is operable to move into a free space formed by said load with the ground. The device comprises a plurality of lifting mechanisms, by means of which, a lifting platform can be brought into engagement with a supporting surface of the load. The device comprises at least one supporting member which is so designed that it prevents the lifting platform from lifting off lifting mechanisms. Furthermore, means are provided which permit a turning of the lifting platform relative to the lifting mechanisms about a vertical axis which is arranged in a certain relationship to the propelling mechanism.

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: Method and apparatus for providing a controlled movable environment in accordance with the present invention, for protection of a work area in the environment from adverse external conditions, may take the form of a collapsible and movable building structure that may be moved about in its fully erected condition. The building may include at least one and preferably a plurality of platform devices which may take the form of trailers, self-powered vehicles, sleds or any other suitable motive device having means for engagement with the site on which the building structure is to rest. A lightweight building structure, which may take the form of a flexible inflatable or air supported building structure may be secured to the platform means and may cooperate with the platform means to provide a chamber for protection of the work area and any occupants or equipment for which protection might be desired.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a floating bearing consisting of a plate, desirably rectangular but of other possible shapes and forms, which has an internal passageway system permitting air under pressure to be fed into the plate at one side thereof and to be discharged along the upper or lower faces of the plate, depending upon the side which is to be supported. The bearing plate or pad upon the side which carries the discharge openings for the air which insures the floating effect are desirably provided with a series of grooves or recesses in random or linear formation desirably in circular form, on the discharge face, which will engage the flowing air or fluid and tend to retain it for a longer period than a flat face.

Abstract: Traction may be enhanced by jets of air which may be mounted in front and at the rear of the wheels of the automobile. Furthermore an embodiment of the present invention provides a means to support a single-wheeled vehicle in an upright position by directing jets of air against the roadway. The air from the jets being exhausted from nozzles in front and in the rear of the single-wheeled vehicle, whereby tilting of the singlewheeled vehicle forwardly or rearwardly while it is in motion is prevented.

Abstract: A device for reducing the roughness of ride of a Surface Effect Ship and producing power for use in the craft's auxiliaries. Cushion air is vented through a duct which has a generator in it; the power-absorbing capability of the generator is variable. Varying the amount of power absorbed by the generator varies the amount of air that is vented through the duct, thereby controlling the pressure in the air cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle which is supported and propelled by pressurized air. A stream of pressurized air is directed from at least one nozzle means away from the bottom of the body of the vehicle. The stream is directed at an acute angle to the bottom of the vehicle. At least one deflecting surface is provided on the bottom of the body of the vehicle in a position, when the vehicle is operating, to receive the stream when it is deflected from the surface being traversed by the vehicle, and to deflect the stream back toward the traversed surface.