초록 ▼

An automatic roll, pitch, and heave stability device for air-cushion-borne vehicles equipped with semi-rigid planing bow and stern seals, the latter which may be divided into separate port and starboard seals, and with rigid side-walls. Each seal at its trailing edge is mechanically linked to, and c

An automatic roll, pitch, and heave stability device for air-cushion-borne vehicles equipped with semi-rigid planing bow and stern seals, the latter which may be divided into separate port and starboard seals, and with rigid side-walls. Each seal at its trailing edge is mechanically linked to, and controls, a bypass duct valve. The linkage is arranged so that pressure in the seal increases as the seal is forced up due to a wave crest, and decreases as the seal drops away from the vehicle body in a wave trough. Vehicle stability in heave is achieved by the bow and stern seals operating in unison; in pitch, by the bow and stern seals operating oppositely; and in roll, by the split port and starboard seals operating oppositely. The system operates both while the vehicle is underway, and with changes in load on the vehicle in calm water.

대표청구항 ▼

In an air cushion vehicle having a main air cushion enclosed by an upper platform, fixed side walls and inflatable planing seals at the ends, a system for stabilizing the vehicle comprising: a source of pressurized air; means within said vehicle for distributing the air from said source to maintain

In an air cushion vehicle having a main air cushion enclosed by an upper platform, fixed side walls and inflatable planing seals at the ends, a system for stabilizing the vehicle comprising: a source of pressurized air; means within said vehicle for distributing the air from said source to maintain said main air cushion and to inflate said planing seals, said inflated planing seals exerting a force between the water surface and the upper platform proportional in strength to the air pressure within the seal; control means responsive to the position of a trailing edge of each of said planing seals to control the relative air pressure between the inside of said planing seals and said main air cushion in such a manner that the vertical and rotational movements of the vehicle relative to the water surface as a whole over the area underneath said vehicle are dampened and minimized.