Single-engine hovercraft control system and method
AssigneeLukasiewicz Research Network—Institute of Aviation
InventorsKrzysztof Szafran, Wieslaw Zalewski, Marcin Janiszewski, Konrad Kozaczuk
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Abstract
A control system of a hovercraft that includes one engine and one propulsion fan enclosed in a duct in which swivel side flaps are located is described. The control system includes, downstream of the duct, at least three rudders. Each of the rudders operates in the full range of angular position, regardless of the position of the swivel side flaps. A control method of such a hovercraft is also described.
Claims6
A control system of a hovercraft including one motor and a propulsion fan enclosed by a duct in which swivel side flaps are located, the control system comprising:
- at least three directional rudders located downstream of the duct, wherein each of the at least three directional rudders is operating in a full range of angular positions independently of a position of the swivel side flaps;
- a bottom plate in the duct downstream the propulsion fan and parallel to ground, the bottom plate forming a pocket redirecting a part of airflow passing the hovercraft into an apron of an air-cushion;
- and
- a top plate in the duct downstream the propulsion fan and parallel to the ground, wherein the bottom plate and the top plate are mountings for a rotational axis of the at least three directional rudders, the swivel side flaps, and horizontal rudders.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.