US3601062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground effect machines
Assignee: Bertin Technologies SAS
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Filing: 1969-10-08
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A ground effect machine having a control system by means of which, when machine speed increases, the gap or daylight clearance at the front of the machine between the structure thereof and the surface along which the machine travels, is progressively reduced, so as to reduce the direct ramming inflow feed to the cushions by the dynamic pressure set up by the speed of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Henri Bertin
- 👤 Paul Francois Guienne
- 👤 Francois Gilbert Paris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A cushion pressure control process for a high-speed ground effect machine having a cushion space which communicates with the ambient medium ahead of said machine through a frontally extending, controllable daylight clearance of variable effective gap width, said process comprising the steps of sensing the forward speed of said machine, and reducing said variable effective gap width as said speed increases thereby hindering ramming inflow of ambient medium through said daylight clearance and into said cushion space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A cushion pressure control process for a high-speed ground effect machine having a cushion space which communicates with the ambient medium ahead of said machine through a frontally extending, controllable daylight clearance of variable effective gap width, said process comprising the steps of sensing the forward speed of said machine, and reducing said variable effective gap width as said speed increases thereby hindering ramming inflow of ambient medium through said daylight clearance and into said cushion space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a high-speed ground effect machine having a cushion space which communicates with the ambient medium ahead of said machine through the effective gap width of a frontally extending daylight clearance, a cushion pressure control system comprising means sensing the forward speed of said machine, daylight clearance control means for varying said effective gap width, and means interrelating said speed sensing means and said daylight clearance control means to reduce said effective gap width upon increase of said speed thereby hindering ramming inflow of ambient medium through said daylight clearance and into said cushion space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a high-speed ground effect machine having a cushion space which communicates with the ambient medium ahead of said machine through the effective gap width of a frontally extending daylight clearance, a cushion pressure control system comprising means sensing the forward speed of said machine, daylight clearance control means for varying said effective gap width, and means interrelating said speed sensing means and said daylight clearance control means to reduce said effective gap width upon increase of said speed thereby hindering ramming inflow of ambient medium through said daylight clearance and into said cushion space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
Control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said daylight clearance control means comprise : a frontally extending, movable wall member frontally bounding said cushion space and having an adjustably positionable free edge defining a variable effective gap width of said daylight clearance, an inner surface exposed to cushion pressure which urges said movable wall member in a direction to decrease said variable effective gap width, and an outer surface exposed to ambient dynamic pressure which urges said movable wall member in the opposite direction to increase said variable effective gap width; and means borne by said machine for countering the action of said dynamic pressure on said movable wall member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said dynamic pressure countering means comprises screen means shielding partly said movable wall member from said dynamic pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said dynamic pressure countering means comprises pressure-operated servomotor means adapted to urge said movable wall member in said former mentioned direction to decrease said variable effective gap width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
Control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movable wall member comprises a hinged flap, and said servomotor means comprise a pneumatic chamber under negative pressure, and a pressure-responsive partition fast with said hinged flap and extending the same beyond the hinge thereof, said partition being exposed to said negative pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
Control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said daylight clearance control means comprises frontally extending variable-supply nozzle means for forming an adjustable fluid curtain frontally bounding said cushion spaced and defining an effective gap width which varies in accordance with the supply of said variable-supply nozzle means, and wherein said interrelating means comprises variable pressure fluid supply means under the control of said speed-sensing means for delivering to said nozzle means a pressure fluid supply flow which increases as said speed increases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said speed-sensing means comprises a forwardly facing, air intake, and wherein said variable-pressure fluid supply means comprises a diffuser interposed between said air intake and said nozzle means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said variable-pressure fluid supply means compriSes a compressor discharging into said nozzle means, and electric motor driving said compressor, and means for varying the energization of said electric motor, said energization varying means being under the control of said speed sensing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said energization-varying means comprises a rheostat with a resistance control slide, and wherein said speed-sensing means comprises a dynamic pressure sensitive member and a control linkage between said member and said slide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |