US3631938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid cushion cells for fluid cushion vehicles
Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc
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Filing: 1968-05-01
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1988-05-01
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to cushion cells for fluid cushion vehicles. A cushion cell according to the present disclosure comprises an expandible chamber capable of expanding and contracting. Orifice means is provided through the bottom of the expandible chamber to form a fluid cushion below the expandible chamber to lift the vehicle. An inlet opening is provided into the expandible chamber to supply that chamber with fluid under pressure. According to an optional and desirable feature of the present disclosure, a skirt may depend from the expandible chamber to enclose the fluid cushion cell beneath the chamber. According to another optional and desirable feature of the present disclosure, a plurality of cushion cells may be disposed about the periphery of an air cushion vehicle to form an additional cushion cell within the bounds of the peripheral cushion cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfred J Eggington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising: a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell being constructed of a flexible membrane and comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacEnt said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and bias means for contracting said first cells, said bias means depending from the chassis of the vehicle and supporting said flexible membrane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising: a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell being constructed of a flexible membrane and comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacEnt said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and bias means for contracting said first cells, said bias means depending from the chassis of the vehicle and supporting said flexible membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bias means includes elastic means supporting the bottom of said membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising; a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacent said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and a skirt depending from each of said first cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising; a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacent said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and a skirt depending from each of said first cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising; a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacent said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and a peripheral skirt mounted to the chassis and surrounding said plurality of first cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a fluid cushion vehicle, means for spacing the vehicle from the terrain, comprising; a plurality of first cells forming a periphery depending from the chassis of the vehicle, each cell comprising a chamber capable of expanding and contracting; a second cell operative as a cushion between the bottom surface of said chamber and the terrain; and orifice means between said chamber and said second cell; access means between the source of fluid pressure of the vehicle and said chambers; means to provide fluidtight mutual contact between adjacent said first cells whereby is formed an additional central chamber; and a peripheral skirt mounted to the chassis and surrounding said plurality of first cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |