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US3580181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surface-effect transport support systems
Assignee: Bertin Technologies SAS
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A transport system comprising a surface-effect vehicle movable along a prepared track, the vehicle having means for defining a first fluid cushion of predetermined pressure below ambient pressure and cooperating with the track, and second means combining with the first means to define a second fluid cushion of a pressure lower than said predetermined pressure, so that the vehicle cooperates with track through superimposed fluid cushions.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Henri Bertin
- 👤 Francis Marie Jean Croix-Marie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A transport or support system, comprising a track and a surface-effect vehicle movable along the track and comprising: a frame; first means adapted to cooperate with the track to confine a first cushion of fluid under negative pressure; second means adapted to cooperate with at least part of the first means to confine at least one second cushion of fluid under negative pressure, these second means comprising at least one flexible portion fixed in a fluidtight manner to the first means; third means for keeping the first cushion of fluid under negative pressure at a given nominal pressure; and fourth means for keeping the second cushion of fluid under negative pressure at a pressure lower than the said nominal pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A transport or support system, comprising a track and a surface-effect vehicle movable along the track and comprising: a frame; first means adapted to cooperate with the track to confine a first cushion of fluid under negative pressure; second means adapted to cooperate with at least part of the first means to confine at least one second cushion of fluid under negative pressure, these second means comprising at least one flexible portion fixed in a fluidtight manner to the first means; third means for keeping the first cushion of fluid under negative pressure at a given nominal pressure; and fourth means for keeping the second cushion of fluid under negative pressure at a pressure lower than the said nominal pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for producing a flow of fluid between the first and second cushions of fluid under negative pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for producing a flow of fluid between the first and second cushions of fluid under negative pressure comprise means for creating a pressure drop between these cushions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the same means keep the two cushions of fluid under negative pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means comprise at least one rigid wall spaced relative to the track, and at least one flexible wall attached in a fluidtight manner to the rigid wall and extending towards the track as far as the vicinity of the track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second means comprise at least part of the frame of the vehicle and at least one of the rigid walls forming part of the first means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said paRt of the frame of the vehicle is adapted to support the weight of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising connecting means connecting the first cushion of fluid under negative pressure to the third means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said connecting means comprise at least one flexible connecting means attached in a fluidtight manner to the first and second means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means are disposed around the first means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means are placed beside the first means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means are made from light material, whereby the first means have low inertias.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means are adapted to support the weight of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means comprise means for connecting the first means rigidly to the frame of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said flexible portion comprises a flexible strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said flexible portion is connected substantially tangentially to the second means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said flexible portion is connected substantially at right angles to the second means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said flexible portion is connected substantially tangentially to the first means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said flexible portion is connected substantially at right angles to the first means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means comprise at least one portion which is fixed relative to the vehicle and at least one portion which is movable relative to the fixed portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross section of the track is in the form of an inverted T with two guiding extensions, each in the form of an inverted T, arranged symmetrically and substantially at right-angles to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the track.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising rib means rigidly connecting the fixed portion to the second means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising articulating means adapted to support the movable portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the movable portion comprises at least one flexible wall connected in a fluidtight manner to the movable portion and extending towards the track as far as the vicinity of the track.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising shock-absorbing means associated with the movable portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprise elements adapted to cooperate with the track in order to support the vehicle when stationary.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means comprise elements adapted to cooperate with the track in order to support the vehicle when stationary.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross section of the track is in the form of an inverted T.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3511186A
Cited
US3515073A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |