Importance

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Abstract

An improved pressurized gas supported marine vehicle that is, in its preferred embodiment long and slender and stabilized by outrigger hulls, is presented. This vehicle, known as SeaLance because of its optimal very fine entry bow and narrow fine main hull, is also capable of airborne operation when equipped with sidewings. When waterborne, an artifically pressurized gas cushion is disposed in an open bottomed recess in the main hull. First and second, forward and aft, air cushions can be used to maintain a higher gas cushion pressure aft than forward which reduces water blowout at the bow and to aid in trimming of the vehicle. Further, labyrinth seals can be disposed on recess intermediate and aft seals to aid in sealing of gas flow. An optional feature of SeaLance is one or more water stabilizers that can include hydrofoils and/or a small lifting body. The water stabilizer(s) would normally retract into an open bottomed recess in the main hull when not used. The sidewings can be built to be fixed or retractable and, further, can include winglets that can further include wingcaps to improve aerodynamic efficiencies. It is possible to seal the main blower(s) such that a small gas pump can be used to then either maintain cushion pressure for extended periods while dockside or evacuate gas from the cushion to put an air cushion vessel into a semi-submerged state. The latter semi-submerged state is valuable for patrol craft that desire a minimum radar signature when at rest on station. Once such a SeaLance patrol craft has spotted the enemy, it can crank up its main blowers and, optimally, go into a very high speed wing in ground effect mode to make capture.

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First Claim