Cyclical variable aperture valve for air cushion vehicles

A fluid control means to reduce water wave generated pressure pulses in a pressurized supporting gas cushion of an air cushion marine vehicle, said pressurized supporting gas cushion supplied with pressurized gas by a gas pressurization means, comprising:

• said fluid control means disposed downstream of the pressurized supporting gas cushion of the air cushion marine vehicle, and said fluid control means comprising first and second rotary valve elements proximal to each other and, at least during portions of their operation, individually rotate such that an opening in the first rotary valve element successively aligns and misaligns with an opening in the second rotary valve element resulting in at least partial opening and closing of a passageway in the fluid control means that vents the water wave generated pressure pulses from the pressurized supporting gas cushion, said opening and closing of the passageway controlled by a controller such that the opening occurs during the water wave generated pressure pulses and closing occurs between the water wave generated pressure pulses thereby providing a reduction in the water wave generated pressure pulses in the pressurized supporting gas cushion and a smoother ride in the air cushion marine vehicle.

A fluid control means to reduce water wave generated pressure pulses in a pressurized supporting gas cushion of an air cushion marine vehicle, said pressurized supporting gas cushion supplied with pressurized gas by a gas pressurizing means, comprising:

• a rotary valve element positioned upstream of the gas pressurizing means of the air cushion marine vehicle, rotation of the rotary valve element to successively align and misalign openings in said rotary valve element with other openings in said fluid control means resulting in opening and at least partial closing of a passageway that supplies the gas pressurizing means, said opening and closing of the passageway controlled by a controller such that the opening occurs between the water wave generated pressure pulses and the closing occurs during the water wave generated pressure pulses thereby providing a reduction in the water wave generated pressure pulses in the pressurized supporting gas cushion and a smoother ride in the air cushion marine vehicle.

A fluid control means to reduce in magnitude water wave generated pressure pulses in a pressurized supporting gas cushion of an air cushion marine vehicle, said pressurized supporting gas cushion supplied with pressurized gas by a gas pressurization means, comprising:

• said fluid control means positioned upstream of the gas pressurization means of the air cushion marine vehicle and said fluid control means comprising first and second rotary valve elements proximal to each other and, at least during portions of their operation, individually rotate such that an opening in the first rotary valve element successively aligns and misaligns with an opening in the second rotary valve element thereby resulting in partial opening and closing of a passageway in the fluid control means that supplies the gas pressurizing means, said opening and closing of the passageway controlled by a controller such that the opening occurs between the water wave generated pressure pulses and the closing occurs during the water wave generated pressure pulses thereby providing a reduction in the water wave generated pressure pulses in the pressurized supporting gas cushion and a smoother ride in the air cushion marine vehicle.