The present invention is an air cushion vehicle and a control mechanism for steering and turning the vehicle. The air cushion vehicle includes a frame having a skirt body extending around the perimeter. An air flow generator may be positioned on the frame for providing a lift flow and thrust flow. A
The present invention is an air cushion vehicle and a control mechanism for steering and turning the vehicle. The air cushion vehicle includes a frame having a skirt body extending around the perimeter. An air flow generator may be positioned on the frame for providing a lift flow and thrust flow. At least one vane is disposed on the frame to direct the thrust flow. At least one fin is disposed on the frame downstream of the vane for directing the thrust flow. A turning controller may be used for moving the vane and fin in a coordinating movement to affect the direction or the motion of the air cushion vehicle.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a support body: a skirt body extending downwardly from said support body around an outer perimeter thereof; a lifting fan positioned in said support body to discharge air in a generally downward direction to lift said support body in an upwa
What is claimed is: 1. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a support body: a skirt body extending downwardly from said support body around an outer perimeter thereof; a lifting fan positioned in said support body to discharge air in a generally downward direction to lift said support body in an upward direction; a thrust fan supported on said support body, said thrust fan directing thrust fan air in a first direction generally rearward to create a thrust flow; a controller for supplying power at a variable level to said lifting fan and said thrust fan; a plurality of fins positioned behind said thrust fan for directing said air cushion vehicle; a plurality of vanes positioned in said thrust flow between said thrust fan and said plurality of fins, said plurality of vanes having a first position for directing the thrust flow in a generally rearward direction to permit a generally forward direction of vehicle travel, said plurality of vanes having a second position for redirecting the thrust flow onto said plurality of fins, and said plurality of fins being positioned to further redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction to reverse the direction of vehicle travel; and a turning controller for selectively actuating said plurality of vanes. 2. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins are positioned in a curved arc behind said thrust fan. 3. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of fins are divided into a right fin array and a left fin array in equal numbers. 4. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of fins are arranged in an arc of 165째 behind the thrust fan. 5. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 4, wherein said turning controller is connected to said plurality of fins. 6. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins have a substantially flat configuration and are pivotally mounted to said support body and positioned longitudinally in a substantially vertical direction behind the thrust fan. 7. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of fins are selectively positionable between a first open position and a second closed position, and in said first open position, said plurality of fins allows air from said thrust fan to pass by said plurality of fins in a first direction, and in said second closed position a flat side of said plurality of fins are positioned substantially perpendicular to the first direction of air flow from said thrust fan to deflect the air flow. 8. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of vanes are positioned in a substantially linear line behind said thrust fan. 9. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of vanes have a substantially flat configuration and are pivotally mounted to said support body positioned longitudinally in a substantially vertical direction behind the thrust fan and pivotally rotatable between the first position that allows air from said thrust fan to pass by said plurality of vanes in a first direction, and the second position wherein a flat side of said plurality of vanes are at an angle away from said first direction. 10. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 9, wherein said second position of said plurality of vanes is an angled position having an angle of approximately 45째 from the first direction. 11. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of vanes are positioned in a substantially linear line behind said thrust fan, and said plurality of vanes are divided into an independently actuable right vane array and left vane array. 12. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising an object receiver for selectively receiving and ejecting a playing object into the support body. 13. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 12, wherein said object receiver further comprises a curved surface positioned on the outer perimeter of the support body sized to accept said playing object. 14. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 12, wherein said object receiver further includes a selectively actuable ejector positioned in said support body for selectively ejecting said playing object out of said object receiver. 15. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 14, wherein said ejector further comprises an air actuated solenoid having an ejection post selectively actuable between a first closed position and a second open position, wherein said second open position allows the ejector to forceably eject the playing object from the object receiver. 16. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein said ejector further comprises at least two air actuated solenoids having ejection posts oppositely positioned within said object receiver. 17. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said turning controller further comprises: a first fin rotatably mounted to said support body by a first fin shaft, a first vane rotatably mounted to said support body by a first vane shaft and operatively connected to said first fin, wherein when said first fin rotatably moves and the rotation of the first fin actuates said first vane; and a user control device for selectively activating said first fin. 18. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 17, wherein said turning controller further comprises at least one second fin rotatably mounted to said support body by a second fin shaft positioned adjacent and operatively connected to said first fin to move in a coordinated movement with said first fin. 19. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 18, wherein said first fin is mechanically linked to said at least one second fin. 20. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 18, wherein said first fin and said at least one second fin are actuated using individual solenoids to move said first fin and said at least one second fin in a coordinated movement to each other. 21. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 18, wherein said turning controller further comprises: a first drive sprocket attached to said first fin shaft, wherein the activation of said user control device rotates the first fin with said first drive sprocket, and a first rotating sprocket attached to said second fin shaft of said at least one second fin, said first rotating sprocket is connected to said first drive sprocket, wherein the rotation of the first fin causes a coordinated movement of said at least one second fin. 22. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 21, wherein said first drive sprocket and said first rotating sprocket are connected using a chain. 23. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 21, wherein said first drive sprocket and said first rotating sprocket are connected using a belt. 24. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 21, wherein said turning controller further comprises: a clutch mechanism including a second rotating sprocket attached to said first vane shaft, said clutch mechanism is operatively connected to said first drive sprocket, wherein rotation of the first fin actuates said clutch mechanism from an engaged or disengaged position, said engaged position allowing a coordinated rotation of said first vane and said first fin, and said disengaged position of said clutch mechanism allowing for rotation of said first fin without rotating said first vane. 25. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 24, wherein said sprockets are operatively connected using a chain. 26. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 24, wherein said sprockets are operatively connected using a belt. 27. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 17, wherein said turning controller further comprises at least one second vane rotatably mounted to said support body by a second vane shaft adjacent said first vane and operatively connected to said first vane to move in a coordinated movement when said first vane is moved. 28. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 27, wherein said first vane is mechanically linked to said at least one second vane. 29. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 27, wherein said first vane and said at least one second vane are actuated using individual solenoids to move said first vane and said at least one second vane in a coordinated movement. 30. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 17, wherein said user control device further comprises a hand operated lever for activating said turning controller. 31. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 30, wherein said turning controller allows for independent actuation of said first fin and said first vane. 32. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 31, wherein said turning controller includes a turning position indicator. 33. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 32, wherein said plurality of fins form a right fin array and a left fin array and said turning position indicator includes a left turning position array indicator and a right turning position indicator for indicating the direction of said left fin array and said right fin array, wherein said left turning position indicator and said right turning position indicator are operatively connected to said left fin array and said right fin array. 34. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said skin body further comprises: a substantially cylindrical skirt body having an upper portion extending around an outer perimeter of said support body, and a lower portion extending downwardly from said support body; at least one vent on said lower portion of the skirt body, said at least one vent allowing air in said skirt body to escape in a downward direction through said skirt body; and a skirt extension extending from said lower portion of said skirt body, said skirt extension is positioned adjacent said at least one vent for spacing the skirt body a predetermined distance above a ground surface. 35. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 34, wherein said skirt extension extends substantially around the entire perimeter of the skirt body, said skirt extension extends downwardly toward the ground. 36. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 34, wherein said skirt extension is made of a flexible rubber material. 37. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a first foot pedal for selectively controlling and providing variable power to said lifting fan, and a second foot pedal for selectively controlling and providing variable power to said thrust fan. 38. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said skirt further includes a removable substantially flat member on said lower portion of said skirt body form a substantially flat bottom surface. 39. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said support body has at least one hinged portion allowing said support body to fold upon itself to facilitate storage of said air cushion vehicle. 40. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 39, wherein said hinged support body further comprises two parallel hinged portions dividing said support body into thirds, said hinged portions allowing said support body to be folded into a substantially U-shape to allow for ease of storage and movement. 41. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said support body further includes a plurality of selectively actuated support wheels attached to a bottom surface of said support body. 42. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 41, wherein said plurality of support wheels have an extended position allowing for said support body to be supported above the ground, and a retracted position allowing for said support body to be lifted above the ground by said lifting fan. 43. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 42, wherein a support wheel from said plurality of support wheels comprises: a cylinder attached to said bottom surface of said support body; a selectively actuable piston slidably positioned in said cylinder for moving said support wheel into a retracted position and extended position; and a wheel attached to a lower surface of said piston, said wheel being mounted to swivel about a vertical axis. 44. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 43, wherein said piston includes a threaded rod. 45. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 43, wherein said support wheel is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder attached to said piston. 46. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a frame: a skirt extending around a perimeter of said frame; an air flow generator including a lifting fan disposed on said frame to discharge air in a generally downward direction providing a lift flow to lift said frame in an upward direction, and a thrust fan disposed on said frame, said thrust fan directing thrust fan air in a first direction generally rearward to create a thrust flow; a first vane disposed on said frame to direct said thrust flow; a first fin disposed on said frame downstream of said first vane for directing said thrust flow; a turning controller for moving said first vane to affect the direction or motion of said vehicle, said first vane and said first fin cooperating to selectively redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction to reverse the direction of vehicle travel. 47. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 46, wherein a plurality of fins are positioned in a curved arc downstream said thrust flow to form an array of fins. 48. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 47, wherein said plurality of fins are divided into a right fin array and a left fin array in equal numbers. 49. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 48, wherein said plurality of fins are pivotally mounted to said frame and positioned longitudinally in a substantially vertical direction behind the thrust flow. 50. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 47, wherein said plurality of fins are arranged in an arc of 165째 behind the thrust flow. 51. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 47, wherein said plurality of fins have a first open position to allow said thrust flow to pass by said plurality of fins in a first direction, and a second closed position wherein a flat side of said plurality of fins are positioned substantially perpendicular to the first direction of said thrust flow. 52. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 47, wherein a plurality of vanes are positioned substantially linearly in a line behind said thrust flow. 53. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 52, wherein said plurality of vanes are pivotally mounted to said frame and positioned longitudinally in a substantially vertical direction and are pivotally rotatable between a first position that allows said thrust flow to pass by said plurality of vanes in a first direction, and a second position wherein a flat side of said plurality of vanes are at an angle away from the first direction to direct the air away from the first direction to a second direction. 54. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 53, wherein said second position of said plurality of vanes is an angled position having an angle of approximately 45째 from the first direction. 55. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 54, wherein said plurality of vanes have an independently actuable right vane array and a left vane array. 56. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 52, wherein said turning controller is connected to said plurality of vanes and said plurality of fins, said plurality of vanes being selectively actuable as desired by the user through said turning controller. 57. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 46, further including a second vane disposed on said frame to direct said thrust flow. 58. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 57, wherein said first and second vanes move in a coordinated manner to affect the movement of the vehicle. 59. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 57, further including a second fin disposed on said frame downstream of said second vane for directing said thrust flow. 60. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 59, wherein said first and second vanes are positionable to direct the thrust flow onto the first and second fins, and said first and second fins are positioned to redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction. 61. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 59, wherein said first vane and said second vane are positionable to redirect the thrust flow generally laterally in opposite directions onto said first and second fins. 62. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 59, wherein said first vane is positionable to redirect the thrust flow onto the first fin and said second vane is positionable to permit the thrust flow to exit past the second vane, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in a first direction. 63. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 46, wherein said air cushion vehicle is electrically powered. 64. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 63, wherein said air cushion vehicle further includes at least one upwardly extending rod adapted to engage an electrified surface. 65. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a frame; a skirt extending around a perimeter of said frame; an air flow generator including a thrust fan supported on said frame, said thrust fan directing thrust fan air in a first direction generally rearward to create a thrust flow and an air cushion table positioned below said frame to discharge air in a generally upwardly direction to create a lift flow to lift said frame in an upward direction; a first vane disposed on said frame to direct said thrust flow; a first disposed on said frame downstream of said first vane for directing said thrust flow; a turning controller for moving said first vane to affect the direction or motion of said vehicle, said first vane and said first fin cooperating to selectively redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction to reverse the direction of vehicle travel. 66. The air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 65, wherein said air cushion table includes: a flat surface containing a plurality of holes therethrough; and at least one lifting fan positioned below the surface of said table to discharge air upwardly through said plurality of holes to create a lifting force under said air cushion vehicle. 67. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a frame; a skirt extending around a perimeter of said frame; an air flow generator for providing lift flow and thrust flow; a first vane disposed on said frame to direct said thrust flow; a first fin disposed on said frame downstream of said first vane for directing said thrust flow; a turning controller for moving said first vane to affect the direction or motion of said vehicle, said first vane and said first fin cooperating to selectively redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction to reverse the direction of vehicle travel; and at least one upwardly extending rod adapted to contact a positively charged netting positioned above said air cushion and adapted to be electrically coupled to a negatively charged floor positioned substantially parallel and opposite said positively charged netting to provide electrical power to the vehicle.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (18)
Jutras Mario (2430 Boulogne Ave. Longueuil CAX J4L 2J6), Air cushion vehicle.
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