Motor vehicles – Surface effect vehicles – Having propulsion or control means
Patent
1998-01-28
2000-07-04
Boehler, Anne Marie
Motor vehicles
Surface effect vehicles
Having propulsion or control means
180117, 224 122, B60V 111
Patent
active
060824786
ABSTRACT:
The lift augmented ground effect platform of the present invention is characterized by two pair of annular concentric air curtain nozzles and supercharge nozzles which direct respective jet streams downward and inward beneath the downwardly facing lifting surface of the platform. The concentric arrangement of the nozzles provides an inner or central supercharged air cushion surrounded by an inner central air curtain and an outer or peripheral air cushion surrounded by a peripheral air curtain. The present invention provides an increased or "large" augmentation of the forces acting to raise or lift the platform over that experienced in prior ground effect devices by directing an air flow stream over the downwardly curved peripheral surface of the platform. As the air flows downwardly along the curvature of the platform's peripheral surface, it creates a negative pressure differential which provides an additional lifting force contributing to support of the platform. The airflow stream and the jet stream are provided by, for example, propeller(s) or rotating fan device(s) mounted exterior or interior of the platform. The exterior mounting or specialized interior mounting provides two benefits: first, the propeller or fan stall due to the jet stream source is eliminated and second, smooth transition into free air (out of ground effect) is permitted where necessary to navigate rivers, canyons, and other types of physical barriers which may disrupt ground effect operation. An unpowered variation of the platform may be adapted for releasable attachment to a separate powered vehicle to serve as a performance enhancing lift augmentation platform.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3233693 (1966-02-01), Havercamp
patent: 3401767 (1968-09-01), Barr
patent: 3414076 (1968-12-01), Bertin et al.
patent: 3601215 (1971-08-01), Nissen
patent: 3647018 (1972-03-01), Croix-Marie et al.
patent: 5803199 (1998-09-01), Walter
Johnson Marshel Thomas
Walter William C.
Boehler Anne Marie
Hybricraft, Inc.
LandOfFree
Lift augmented ground effect platform does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lift augmented ground effect platform, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lift augmented ground effect platform will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1477832