Pdf the affordable hovercraft a flexible modularized design. Riding on airbuild a real hovercraft science project. These hovercraft are unique because they feature reverse thrust buckets that are able to close behind the thrust fan and redirect airflow towards the front on the craft, causing it to slow down or move in reverse. The skirt also helps to force air against the surface directly below the hovercraft. Instant download plans exclusively come in digital format and include full scale pdf drawings and a 32page photoillustrated pdf book with hovercraft principles of operation. Born in the uk and growing up in the portsmouth area, kevin jackson was a keen hovercraft watcher and budding engineer from early on. A model hovercraft kit is available from uk search for hovercraft kit. Gates the pioneer british hovercraft are presumably being designed on a. It begins by introducing hovercraft types and their development and application throughout the world in the last three decades, before going on to discuss the theoretical aspects of acv and ses craft covering their hovering performance, dynamic trim over calm water. Covering design, construction techniques, materials, motor selection, radio systems, electrical wiring and craft operation it addresses some of the common difficulties experienced by newcomers to rc hovercraft. Hovercraft design and theory excercise 1 page 2 boat. A crude theory of hovercraft performance at zero tilt. This thesis is the design of a smallscale working model hovercraft which.
Design and analysis of winged hovercraft longdom publishing sl. The propellers force air toward the back of the craft, creating a forward. His early memoranda and reports show a prescient grasp of the problems involved in translating the theory into practiceproblems that would still concern designers of hovercraft years later. He has designed and built many scale and sport rc hovercraft. Hovercraft simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The textbook is used to support the students during a semesterlong project where they design and build a hovercraft.
The design and development of a hovercraft prototype with full hovercraft basic functions is reported. This short, handson book about hovercraft technology includes. It begins by introducing hovercraft varieties and their enchancment and software all by way of the world inside the last three many years, sooner than occurring to debate the theoretical factors of acv and ses craft masking their hovering effectivity. Hovercraft design, construction and manufacturing links999. The book will be a useful reference to engineers, technicians, teachers, students both undergraduate and postgraduate, operators etc. These will give a very firm grounding in hovercraft theory. Strip theory design and analysis methods are used with two and threedimensional results from the advanced ducted propfan analysis codeversion 7 adpac, a numerical navierstokes analysis code, to develop a propeller design. Because of this, a hovercraft is also called an aircushion vehicle, or acv. Theory and design of air cushion craft 1st edition. Theory and design of air cushion craft ebook, 2000. It wasnt until the early 1950s that the theory of the hovercraft moved into. A flexible curtain, called a skirt, is attached to the outer perimeter of the craft to contain the air beneath it. Design configurations they can be designed with one or more engines.
These are certainly critical for an rc hovercraft, but by no means unique there are hundreds of books on rc airplanes that are as good or better at explaining those. But in general what it means is that you have potentially a lot more power available than in the past. Hovercraft design and theory excercise 1 boat design net. The shipbuilder sir john isaac thornycroft patented an early design for an air cushion ship hovercraft in the 1870s, but suitable, powerful, engines were not available until the 20th century. I wanted to find out how to design and build my own model hovercraft and this book had everything i needed. Striptheory design and analysis methods are used with two and threedimensional results from the advanced ducted propfan analysis codeversion 7 adpac, a numerical navierstokes analysis code, to. Hovercraft design and theory the image of v22 osprey shows what can be done with tilting rotors,although hovcopt would employ a different method of tilting the rotors which gives more control over unequal lift. An easytounderstand explanation of how hovercraft travel over water more. A hovercraft, also known as an aircushion vehicle or acv, is an amphibious craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull, or air cushion, that is slightly above atmospheric pressure. Introduction to hovercraft air cushion theory steady drag forces stability trim and water surface deformation under the cushion manoeuvrability design and analysis of acv and ses skirts motions in waves model experiments and scaling laws design methodology and performance estimation determination of principal dimensions of acvses lift system design skirt design structural design propulsion system design power unit selection. The model hovercraft association page 1 of 8 kiddy craft mkiii by. One is used for driving the lift fan and the other used for driving the thrust fans.
The hovercraft creates vents or currents of slowmoving, lowpressure air that are pushed downward against the surface below the hovercraft. His early memoranda and reports show a prescient grasp of the problems involved in translating the theory into practiceproblems. A horizontal fixed pitch ridgid rotor would assist lift and provide direction control by tilting in the direction required,and could be shrouded,usual skirts with lifting fans for hull lubrication. The air cushion of a hovercraft is produced by a flexible rubber or plastic skirt. The airrider hovercraft is intended to overcome some of the weaknesses of the two most common hovercraft designs. Download citation introduction to hovercraft during the last century, the service speed of many. The book includes a detailed step by step guide to skirt design and assembly, and the process of lift fan design and construction. There are details about the design of the body of the craft, motors to use and even how to connect up the radio control. Jul 16, 20 design a floating toy you can use to play games like air hockey. Richard bristow introduction the kiddy craft is intended to suitable for the unskilled hovercraft pilot being as indestructible as is possible. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to clarify and explain certain facts and limitations attendant to the operation of hovercraft. It wasnt until the early 1950s that the theory of the hovercraft moved into practice, thanks to the work of another british engineer, dr and later sir christopher cockerell 19101999.
Most of the free hovercraft plans identified below require knowledge of mechanics and the ability to work with a variety of materials including plastics and metals. Also author of the book introduction to radio control hovercraft kevin is a professional engineer and lives in the usa. Elements of a typical hovercraft air box this is a box like structure at the rear of the hovercraft located behind the propeller. The design, build and testing of a hovercraft model, described in book 9, is such an interesting and challenging project that this is the seventh year we have used it twelve previous semesters with approximately 7,000 students. How to build a hovercraft free plans plans 1 to 8. This design, although producing air for lift, also lets a lot of air escape around the edges due to the pressure difference between the underside of the craft, and the air surrounding it. The original hovercraft design used a vertically mounted fan to blow air between its. A flying hovercraft and ground effect vehicle design. This image shows a hovercraft model with an open plenum chamber filled with air by a lift fan. Design a floating toy you can use to play games like air hockey. This hovercraft for youngsters was designed as an educational fatherson project. Generously illustrated with photos, 3d cutaways and diagrams, the principles are explained in theory and shown at work on real models. It diverts some of the thrust air underneath the hovercraft. Much of the book focuses on radios, servos, motors, etc.
Hovercraft plans and catalogs 4wings hovercraft development. Design the driving requirement of the hovercraft is the ability to hover given the combined. Famously, he carried out an experiment with a coffee can and an empty tin of cat food, putting one inside the other to create an ring of empty space. The diagram in figure 1 shows some of the key parts of a commercial hovercraft. May 26, 2000 this definitive text describes the theory and design both of air cushion vehicles acv and surface effect ships ses. It will take quite some time to figure out which part is in reference to the next. The hovercraft was first created in 1959, when sir christopher cockerell came up with a prototype that crossed the english channel. Yun l, bliault a, theory of air cushion craft 200270. The hovercraft was cut out of a square fourfoot piece of plywood. Much technical information, data, and references to further work on hovercraft and ses design is provided. Building a hovercraft requires more than just woodworking skills. Powerful blowers are used to force air into the volume underneath the craft. Hovercraft technology, economics and applications, volume 11.
They are used on water, land, ice and other areas where the surface is smooth. Mar 03, 2005 hovercraft design and theory we know that helecopters and hovercraft work,so why not combine the principle of the two into a hovercopt. Hovercraft design and theory we know that helecopters and hovercraft work,so why not combine the principle of the two into a hovercopt. A hovercraft is a vehicle that glides over a smooth surface by hovering upon an air cushion. This being almost the only book on rc hovercraft, the content on actual hovercraft design was lighter than i had hoped.
A hovercraft is a vehicle supported and moved by a cushion of air blowing downwards. Theory and design of air cushion craft by liang yun, alan. Always insure that the hovercraft that you have built is 100% safe before you let the kids play with or ride on it. Hovercrafts do travel on water, but i dont know how it affects their power requirement. Body and frame jeremy siderits 2 figure 2 shows a hovertrek, manufactured by neoteric 4. The design process is quite similar to that of boat and aircraft. Follow the instructions provided in the kit to make the model hovercraft shown in figures 5 and 6. Theory and design of air cushion craft liang yun, alan. Initial prototypes used much experience from aircraft design and manufacture to achieve the necessary.
The original design called for a smaller radius, however, with one of the goals of the hovercraft stating one person should be able to ride it, a new radius of 2 feet was decided, thus allowing enough room for one person to hover. This definitive textual content material describes the thought and design every of air cushion cars acv and flooring impression ships ses. Catalogs and plans we took a look at several hovercraft plans and have to admit that on some of them it is useful to buy them 2 month before you want to start building your craft. A hovercraft is a type of vehicle that rides on air that is under pressure. Hovercrafts are rather different from conventional ships as they operate in various modes. The affordable hovercraft a flexible modularized design. I just read the one chapter which is an intro to the subject in the book theory of ground vehicles by j. Jan 01, 2004 much of the book focuses on radios, servos, motors, etc. Design and performance calculations of a propeller for very. This definitive text describes the theory and design both of air cushion vehicles acv and surface effect ships ses. Cockerells first patent was filed on december 12, 1955, and in the following year he formed a company known as hovercraft limited. In the remainder of the report, we discuss our design and construction processes, the results from testing the craft, the problems associated to our design and construction, and possible improvements. The topics covered range from first principles to the stateoftheart, with extensive references to current literature.
But with some good guidelines or instructions, some handiness with tools, time and patience, success is assured. The hovercraft s skirt, which is labelled in figure 3, traps much of the air being forced under the craft and creates a cushion of air pressure. An introduction to the design, construction and operation of model air cushion vehicles by edited by neil macdonald and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Purchase theory and design of air cushion craft 1st edition. Hovercraft design and operation four basic parts of a hovercraft. Introduction to hovercraft air cushion theory steady drag forces stability trim and water surface deformation under the cushion manoeuvrability design and analysis of acv and ses skirts motions in waves model experiments and scaling laws design methodology and performance estimation determination of principal dimensions of acvses lift system design skirt design. Like supersonic, interplanetary and deep sea travel, the demise of the worlds largest hovercraft the srn4, joined concorde, the saturn v and the trieste as examples of technological retreat. Theory and design of air cushion craft 1st edition elsevier. The videogames sid meiers alpha centauri and sid meiers alien crossfire use one of konstantin tsiolkovskys quotes when the technology of the space elevator is developed. Manual 300 operation, maintenance manual, and logbook for propeller system hm5v1aa hm6v1aa revision 1 dated september 20 attached is a copy of revision 1 page control chart for revision 1. Written by two leading authorities in rc hovercraft design, kevin jackson and mark porter take you through both the theoretical and practical aspects of the design and construction process. Building a hovercraft isnt the easiest of tasks as there are a number of essential design and construction principles to adhere to. A difference in air pressure between the ship and the atmosphere creates lift, causing the hovercraft to float above the surface it is set on, allowing it to ride on different surfaces.
694 510 1056 625 1136 85 795 1460 71 668 109 127 101 39 109 1470 105 1325 161 1042 137 346 212 384 475 1139 1327 1253 968 176 220 1328 946 977 700 1554 27 1098 20 976 1026 945 739 830 1096 364 899 378 516 1395 390