Hovercraft Technology, Economics and Applications

1st Edition, Volume 11 - December 7, 1989
Editor: J.R. Amyot
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 9 0 8 5 - 0

The amphibious versatility, marine speed and low footprint pressure have given the hovercraft a role in specialized applications. Among them are search and rescue, emergency… Read more

Hovercraft Technology, Economics and Applications

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The amphibious versatility, marine speed and low footprint pressure have given the hovercraft a role in specialized applications. Among them are search and rescue, emergency medical services, military and arctic operations, icebreaking, patrol, law enforcement, ferries, and recreational activities such as racing. To meet these demands, the hovercraft has undergone considerable development since its inception. A comprehensive and timely review of the analysis, design, operation, economics and applications of hovercraft is presented in this volume by a team of highly qualified experts. The topics covered range from first principles to the state-of-the-art, with extensive references to current literature. The overall presentation is intended not to exceed the final year level of undergraduate engineering. The introduction and summary sections of all chapters are intended to give a qualitative grasp of the material covered without having to read all the technical portions.In varying degrees, the volume will appeal to managers, decision-support staff, operators, technologists, undergraduate students, and anyone entering the hovercraft field or seeking an introduction to it. It will also be of interest to design engineers, researchers and graduate students. Thus, this volume can serve as an up-to-date reference on several important aspects of hovercraft for a wide range of readers.

Introduction. General description. Selected hovercraft. General characteristics. Related developments. Summary. References. 2. Design Fundamentals. Hull structure. Lift system. Propulsion system. Control system. Summary. References. 3. Light Hovercraft. Introduction. Evolution. Technical Trends. Organizations. Future. Summary. References. 4. Home built Hovercraft. Introduction. Basic design. The U-Tube manometer. Skirt. Lift system. Thrust system. Combined thrust/lift system. Controls. Hull. Trailer. Driving. Summary. References. 5. Large Hovercraft Performance and Economics. Introduction. Operational efficiency. Hovercraft costs. BHC hovercraft. Summary. References. 6. Icebreaking. Introduction. Theory. Static icebreaking operations. Dynamic icebreaking operations. Summary. References. 7. Arctic Transportation. Introduction. Operational and design constraints. Review of hovercraft operations in frozen environments.Future arctic hovercraft developments. Discussion. Summary. References. 8. Coastal Operations. Introduction. Maryland Natural Resources Police. Canadian Coast Guard. Summary. References. 9. Inland Applications. Work platforms. Ferries. Overland transportation. Agricultural applications. 10. Skirt Durability. General skirt-material requirements. Design considerations. Fabrication methods. Elastomer/formulation effects on mechanical properties. Fabric structure effects on flex-fatigue behavior. Evaluation of impact resistance. Finger panel trials on hovercraft SR.N4. Skirt-fabric design recommendations. 11. Overland Drag. Description of drag-study vehicles. Hover regimes. Mathematical models of lift airflow and drag. Experimental validation. Terrain and vegetation effects on lift and drag. Terrain porosity measurements. The Bush-bashing phenomena.Vehicle speed effects. 12. Skirt Material Properties and their Effects on Dynamics. Mechanical properties of skirt materials. Vehicle pitch-heave dynamics. Skirt material effects on vehicle dynamics. Symbolic and numerical specifications. 13. Dynamics of Responsive Skirts. A dynamical model of the bag-finger skirt. Heave statics. Heave dynamics. Nomenclature. 14. Heave Dynamics Control. Computational models. Physical models. Performance criteria. Relay control performance. Proportional control performance. Passive control performance. Symbolic and numerical specifications. 15. External Action of Lift Air. Interaction with atmosphere. Water surface deflection. 16. A Personal Perspective. Background. Description of Bertelsen ACV development work. Reasons for slow growth of the ACV industry. Means to revitalize the ACV industry. 17. Safety Considerations. Design-based characteristics. Systems and equipment. Operational safety. Fault analysis. Safety trials. Crewing. Safety controls. The safety of small hovercraft. Appendix A: Author index. Appendix B: Author biographies.