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: In an embodiment, a system for air cooling in a wet environment includes a propeller coupled to a vehicle capable of at least one of: taking off from and landing on water. The system includes a battery configured to power the propeller, a float configured to hold the battery, and a flap in the float. The flap is configured to open in response to air pressure to permit airflow into the float to cool the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system having a manifold in fluid communication with a cross flow fan which adjusts to control an amount lift generated by a plurality of airfoils providing lift from air from the cross flow fan.

Abstract: Vehicle propulsion systems and methods of propulsion are disclosed, as well as embodiments of fans and airfoils, technology that in some applications of the invention can provide both lift and thrust, and propulsion via cross flow fan, manifold and a plurality of airfoils. In some embodiments the invention is directed to the production of lift and thrust, and propulsion generally, based from air produced by a cross flow fan in accordance with the invention disclosed herein. In still further embodiments, lift and thrust may yet be generated from air produced from the cross flow fan even when unpowered, such as in a loss of power or in a stall condition.

Abstract: A system and method retracts and lets-out a laterally extending flexible bow seal on an air cushion vehicle having a bow ramp. Attachment loops on the forward outside surface of the bow seal receive a skirt cable. A separate cable routing system is connected to opposite ends of the skirt cable for selectively retracting and letting-out the bow seal. The cable routing systems also include ramp cables connected to the bow ramp to raise or lower the bow ramp. The cable routing systems retract the bow seal with the skirt cable simultaneously as the bow ramp is lowered by letting out the ramp cables, and the cable routing systems let-out the bow seal with the skirt cable simultaneously as the bow ramp is raised by drawing in the ramp cables.

Abstract: A flexible skirt-cell system is provided for a hovercraft having a propulsion system mounted to interface with water and a flexible skirt having an upper flexible panel section and a lower flexible finger section. The panel section extends around the bow, stern and two sides of the hovercraft hull and the finger section extends around the hull below the panel section and is connected to the panel section from a forward-abeam location and forward along the two sides and across the bow. Fans create pressurized air that is fed through air ducts to form a pressurized air cushion that supports the hovercraft. Interconnected flexible cells are connected between the panel and finger sections from the forward-abeam locations rearward to the stern. Additional air ducts pass pressurized air from the fan units to inflate the cells, thereby elevating the stern and raising the propulsion system above the water.

Abstract: Three aspects are disclosed of an airstream control system for a hovercraft that includes a platform and a lift gas chamber beneath the platform. Firstly, the system includes an impeller for receiving air at an inlet and discharging pressurized air at an outlet as an airstream. The impeller is positioned above an orifice of the lift gas chamber. The impeller is supported along a first axis transverse to the airstream and about which the impeller is rotatable by a first axis frame that is rotatable about a pair of first axis supports fixed to the platform. The impeller is further supported along a second axis transverse to the airstream and about which the impeller is rotatable by a second axis frame that is attached to the first axis frame and that comprises a first arm supporting a first point of the impeller and extending upstream of the impeller.

Abstract: In a controlled levitation vehicle that has a levitation apparatus where multiple air pads are connected to the undersurface of a chassis that also doubles as a duct connected to a blower, and where damper valves are connected between the blower and chassis and to the chassis, it is furnished with: a controller (S1, S2) that closes the damper valve between the blower and chassis when starting and that also regulates the frequency of the inverter to the standby frequency that is below the levitation frequency; the controller (S6, S7) also closing the chassis damper valve responsive to an instruction to levitate and also increasing the frequency from a standby frequency to a levitation frequency to cause the vehicle to levitate; and the controller also lowering (S9-S12) the frequency from the levitation frequency to the standby frequency upon an instruction to land and also opening the blower and chassis damper valves to stop the vehicle rapidly.

Abstract: A lifting platform is disclosed that utilizes means for energy recovery in order to maximize efficiency. Prior lifting platforms described by the inventor have utilized partial toroidal vortices in order to create a high pressure region below the platform. The present invention, however, improves on the prior lifting platforms by utilizing a complete toroidal vortex. Thus, a great deal of the energy expended is recovered by the recirculation of the fluid. The vortex fan must only supply the energy needed to overcome friction.

Abstract: A craft for ground effect and aerodynamic flight has, in addition to the usual vertical and horizontal stabilizer(s), a primary, upper airfoil, a lower secondary airfoil and a pivotable flap. The upper surface of the primary airfoil forms the primary lifting surface for aerodynamic flight while the lower surface forms, at its anterior and, an air intake for the compressors powering the craft and, to the rear, the upper surface of a plenum for ground effect flight. The upper surface of the secondary airfoil forms the lower surface of the compressor air intake at its anterior end and a compressed air exhaust at its other end. The lower surface forms the anterior end of the plenum when the pivotable flap is in the down position. The pivotable flap is attached near the forward end of the lower surface of the secondary airfoil to block the flow of compressed gases out the front of the craft during landing and while in hovercraft mode. Preferred models have a vertical stabilizer forward of the cockpit.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle toy has a body formed with an air inlet and levitation air vent holes. An expandable and contractible skirt is attached to a lower part of the body, and a centrifugal levitation air blower is arranged to both expand the skirt and to levitate the body. Propulsive air blowers are mounted on a body upper part, and a radio control unit may be provided for controlling all of these air blowers separately. The body incorporates a float unit for improving buoyancy. The skirt may be bag-like with a bottom provided with holes.

Abstract: A surface effect transport vehicle is provided having a structure supported by a cushion of pressurized air generated from a blower. The propulsive source of the vehicle is independent from the power source of the blower. The propulsion source includes at least one retractable propeller device adapted to be made operative during travel over the water and nonoperative during travel over land, and at least one retractable wheel device, for travelling over land or in shallow water, which is made operative when the propeller device is retracted to its nonoperaitve condition, and vice-versa. Preferably the wheel device has at least two lateral faired propellers operative when the propeller device for propulsion over water is retracted to its nonoperative position. The supported structure includes automatic controls that simultaneously controlling the lift properly speaking, the attitude of the vehicle as well as its stability when passing over an obstacle or at the time of a dynamic disturbance.

Abstract: An air-cushioned vehicle wherein the air pressure differential between the plenum chamber and the atmosphere is used to charge a jet engine; thus allowing the use of pulse-jet or ram-jet power plants which require precharging and improving the performance of other engines.The system is implemented by either ducting the pressurized air from the plenum chamber into the engine intake, or by installing the engine inside the plenum chamber itself.

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: A gas cushion vehicle having a portable fan unit with control apparatus for utilizing the air flow generated by the fan for lifting, propulsion and/or inflating a peripheral skirt on the hull thereof such that skirt pressure is higher than cushion pressure and skirt pressure is relatively independent of fan speed.

Abstract: In a surface effect ship of the type having at least two relatively spaced wall-like stationary structures extending longitudinally beneath the main body of the ship into and below the water line of the ship to partially confine thereunder the ship support air cushion, and a seal device of the inflatable bag type extending laterally between the stationary structures to assist in sealing the air cushion beneath the ship; the seal bag being apertured through its opposite end wall portions to permit egress of air therethrough so as to lubricate movements of the end wall portions relative to the stationary structures.