OPTIMISATION OF AIR CUSHION VEHICLES

The specific power of an air cushion vehicle is a function of its dimensional characteristics, i.e., area of the base surface, and, where relevant, width of the peripheral slot. The object of this paper is to minimize this function. This study covers both plenum chamber and peripheral jet ACV, exponential theory being used for the latter. For each type of vehicle two cases are investigated: a single common engine and two separate engines for the lift and propulsion systems. Parts 1 & 2 of this paper, which deals with energy balance and the plenum chamber ACV, are presented. A vehicle propelled by air jet is optimized, specifically for a single fan common to both the lift and propulsion air flows. This optimization also gives the velocity and the volume flow of the propulsion jet together with the characteristics of the cushion (i.e., base surface area and the width of the slot). Finally, the method is illustrated by example calculations which also show the possibilities for analysis.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This article is Parts 1 & 2 of a four-part paper.
• Corporate Authors:

  Kalerghi Publications

  51 Welbeck Street
  London W1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Jaumotte, A
  • Kiedrzynski, A
  • Verbiese, S
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 20-23
• Serial:
  • Hovering Craft and Hydrofoil
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Kalerghi Publications

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Optimization; Propulsion
• Old TRIS Terms: Hovercraft propulsion
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126007
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Kings Point
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM