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AIR CUSHION ASSISTED ON-THE-ROAD TRANSPORTER FOR HEAVY LOADS: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS-SERIES III

Faced with the alternative of heavy bridge reconstruction costs the Central Electricity Generating Board and the British Hovercraft Corporation cooperated in the development of an air cushion system that was adaptable for use with a conventional heavy road trailer. The system embodies an air cushion situated in the middle of the trailer which when inflated at a substandard bridge relieves the loading on the trailer wheels by up to onethird to give better load distribution on a bridge deck. The series I set of equipment comprises a nylon/neoprene cushion fitted with a horizontal convoluted skirt which is supplied with air from four centrifugal compressors driven by four petrol engines. Since becoming operational in 1967 the equipment has been used in conjunction with the transport of 45 loads and has provided loading relief at 522 bridges which would otherwise have required strengthening or rebuilding at an estimated cost of 1-1/2 million pounds. The Series II equipment, which uses the same cushions as the Series I, has an air supply system made up of axial fans fitted to four gas turbines. This latest set of equipment was first used in February 1974. The paper describes the development and design of the Series II equipment, aimed at providing a system capable of a 200-ton cushion lift and incorporating an improved operational system based on field experience. /DOT/

  • Corporate Authors:

    Kalerghi Publications

    51 Welbeck Street
    London W1,   England 
  • Authors:
    • Grady, J
    • Mayes, G A
    • Hardy, D J
    • Budworth, D
  • Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00084206
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jun 10 1975 12:00AM