Importance

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Abstract

Control of air cushion vehicles is obtained by controlling the translation of the vehicle independently from control of the rotation (yaw). Lateral translation of the vehicle is controlled by creating side-directed thrusts the direction of which passes through or as close as possible to the yaw axis by diverting variably controllable flows of air from the flow of air used to create a propulsive air thrust for forward translation of the vehicle to left and right lateral control ports located more or less parallel to the fore-aft axis of the vehicle sufficiently proximate to a plane which passes through the yaw axis and is perpendicular to the fore-aft axis of the vehicle so that diverted air flows exiting the ports approximately perpendicular to the fore-aft axis create thrusts which predominantly pass through the yaw axis. (In the absence of external forces the yaw axis passes through the center of gravity of the vehicle.) The rotation or yaw of the vehicle is controlled by creating controlled moments with respect to the yaw axis with a directionally orientable thrust located at a different point from the lateral control ports, preferably as far as is practical from the yaw axis, usually near the stern. The air flow which is used to propel, steer, slow or stop the vehicle in accordance with the invention, the 'control air flow', is controlled by a control air distributor. The method of the invention has the advantage of greater and easier vehicle control as compared to methods which rely on the vehicle's yaw for translation control by control of yaw angle.

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First Claim