Patent US3575882A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3830179A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3830179A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground effect flying surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-20
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A combination air and water surface transport vehicle utilizing aerodynamic ground effect for support in flying in close proximity to water surface or over flat land with low drag and high efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 A Lippisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/22; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T70/00; Y02T70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a ground effects operational vehicle utilizing a ram air cushion built up under the craft with forward vehicle movement; a low width to length aspect ratio aerodynamic flat plate having substantially parallel upper and lower planar surfaces throughout most of the length of the flat plate; opposite plate side edge ram air chamber enclosure means extended downward from connection with the respective side edges of the flat plate to a lower edge generally co-planar with a trailing edge of the flat plate longitudinally co-extensive generally through the longitudinal extent of the side edges of the flat plate, and with the lower edges at a downward, forward-facing angle from the flat plate; fin means mounted on the top of said flat plate; vehicle propulsion means; and structural propulsion unit mount means for mounting said propulsion means above said flat plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a ground effects operational vehicle utilizing a ram air cushion built up under the craft with forward vehicle movement; a low width to length aspect ratio aerodynamic flat plate having substantially parallel upper and lower planar surfaces throughout most of the length of the flat plate; opposite plate side edge ram air chamber enclosure means extended downward from connection with the respective side edges of the flat plate to a lower edge generally co-planar with a trailing edge of the flat plate longitudinally co-extensive generally through the longitudinal extent of the side edges of the flat plate, and with the lower edges at a downward, forward-facing angle from the flat plate; fin means mounted on the top of said flat plate; vehicle propulsion means; and structural propulsion unit mount means for mounting said propulsion means above said flat plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 1, wherein the low width to length aspect ratio of said aerodynamic flat plate is an aspect ratio below approximately 1:1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of Claim 2, wherein said opposite plate edge ram air chamber enclosure means are opposite side floats; and said fin means is mounted toward the rear of the top of said flat plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 3, wherein said opposite side floats extend longitudinally forward from the leading edge of the flat plate; and including boatlike dead rise surface means on the bottom of said floats.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 4, wherein said opposite side floats have flat inboard surfaces next to the opposite side edges of said flat plate; and outboard facing dead rise bottom surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The ground effects operational vehiCle of claim 4, wherein a crew compartment is mounted on the top of said flat plate; and said vehicle propulsion means includes a pusher propeller located to the rear of said crew compartment and driven by prime mover means enclosed within structure above the top of said flat plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 4, wherein said fin means mounts rudder means; the flat plate leading edge is rounded; and the flat plate has a rearward located tapered down area from full flat plate thickness to a thin rear trailing edge for streamlining and reducing air flow resistance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 7, wherein movable elevator control surface means are mounted in said tapered down area at the rear of flat plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 4, wherein the width to length aspect ratio of said aerodynamic flat plate is a low aspect ratio falling in the range of approximately 1:2 to 1:4.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 4, wherein said vehicle propulsion means includes a plurality of drive units mounted by pedestal structures high above the top of said flat plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 10, wherein said plurality of drive units are ducted fan or jet engine units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 10 wherein said flat plate is tapered from the sides to a point at the rear in top plan view.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 3, wherein said opposite side floats are generally triangular in side elevation beneath the plane of the lower planar surface of said flat plate with the apexes of the triangular shape of both opposite side floats at the rear and substantially in alignment with the trailing edge of the lower planar surface of said flat plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ground effects operational vehicle of claim 1, wherein said low width to length aspect ratio aerodynamic flat plate has a thickness between said upper and lower planar surfaces running in the range of approximately 3 to 5 percent the flat plate front to rear length.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |