INVESTIGATION OF SEAL MATERIALS AND CONFIGURATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED AIR CUSHION VEHICLES

Air flow characteristics through openings provided by single and multiple metal or rubber skirts (labyrinths) situated above a bed surface were established for low pressure systems up to one psig. Single skirting of both types exhibits the standard theoretical discharge coefficient of 0.61 for sharp-edged skirting. Reduced coefficient values are obtained with multiple skirting with rapidly declining benefit over five skirts. For metal skirts, coefficients are asymptotically low at skirt spacing/opening ratios in excess of 60 for two skirts, 45 for three skirts, and 30 for five skirts. The test results indicate that rubber skirting in multiple configurations is more efficient than metal with respect to coefficient values and pressure retention between skirt spacings. This is contrary to what might be expected, and the reason for this difference is not understood at this time. Pressure retention between skirts in all multiple skirt configurations is at an asymptotically high value when skirt spacing/opening ratios are at least 60. The relative efficiency of air cushions using multiple skirt configurations is very dependent upon specific plenum shape factor, skirt spacing, and operational skirt opening. When properly designed, multiple skirt air cushions can be appreciably more efficient than single skirt cushions. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Johns-Manville Research and Engineering Center

  Manville, NJ  United States 
• Authors:
  • Reynolds, HJJ
• Publication Date: 1969-10-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 84 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Intelligent transportation systems; Tracked air cushion vehicles
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039158
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: DOT-3-0268
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1972 12:00AM