Progress in Air Cushion Vehicles.
Abstract
An analysis is made of the various drag and power components applicable to the Captured Air Bubble (CAB) vehicle and to Hovercraft. These are wavemaking drag, sideboard drag, skirt (or trunk) drag, external aerodynamic drag, ram (or momentum) drag, and cushion power. Equations for the components are used to follow trends in Hovercraft and CAB development, wave drag playing an important role in the latter case. However, it is found that the equations for the two craft show no fundamental differences of kind, only differences of degree. The subject of propulsor efficiency is then treated for the air propeller. It is shown that to achieve high efficiencies, large propeller-area/base-area ratios are required. Water propulsor systems are then suggested as a means of obviating the disc-area problem, although significant development would be required in this case. Finally, a comparison of vehicles is made on the basis of weight/power ratio. The indicated performance potential of air cushion vehicles (ACV's), of both the Hovercraft and the CAB types, is shown to be very high compared with other vehicles in high-speed over-water operation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0716966
Entities
People
- Allen G. Ford