초록 ▼

A ground effect vehicle of the type supported by a cushion of gas and especially adapted for use within specially constructed roadways providing guidance along a plurality of axes. The application describes vehicles having skirts with lower margins adapted to conform to the cross sections of the roa

A ground effect vehicle of the type supported by a cushion of gas and especially adapted for use within specially constructed roadways providing guidance along a plurality of axes. The application describes vehicles having skirts with lower margins adapted to conform to the cross sections of the roadways, with the roadways preferably being of arcuate cross section whereby sustenance of the vehicle is accomplished by maintaining an air cushion between the skirt and the bottom portion of the roadway, and whereby turning of the vehicle is accomplished by the banking of the vehicle in combination with the reaction to a curvilinear roadway sidewall, or in response to thrust having a lateral vector, or both. The disclosure is directed to the construction and operation of such roadways, including roadways which are partially or completely circular in cross section to roadways especially designed to permit vertical and traversing travel in respect to hills and controlled travel in respect to descent along the straight line or a traverse line. Other roadway constructions which are adapted to make partial use of existing rights-of-way are also described as are preferred traffic pattern layouts, etc.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved air cushion vehicle comprising, in combination, means including an upper deck and a skirt depending from the peripheral edge of said deck and arranged so as to define the periphery of a primary air support plenum beneath said deck for supporting said vehicle above a surface, and means fo

An improved air cushion vehicle comprising, in combination, means including an upper deck and a skirt depending from the peripheral edge of said deck and arranged so as to define the periphery of a primary air support plenum beneath said deck for supporting said vehicle above a surface, and means forming at least one secondary plenum lying laterally of said primary plenum, said secondary plenum being at least partially defined by a secondary plenum skirt depending from rigid means hingedly mounted with respect to said upper deck, means for supplying a volume of air under pressure to said primary plenum, with bleed air openings being provided in said skirt defining said primary plenum, so as to permit said air under pressure to flow from said primary plenum into said secondary plenum, said primary plenum being of a size relative to said secondary plenum so that said vehicle may be supported above said surface entirely by said primary plenum alone, with said secondary plenum being swingable outwardly and upwardly to a position for cooperation with a supporting surface when said supporting surface is in the form of a track having an upwardly and outwardly curved surface portion.