US3656575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground effect machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-30
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1990-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A ground-effect machine having a rigid outer plenum chamber which is substantially triangular and has an inverted, cup-shaped form. The two leading sides of the plenum chamber adjacent the bow have inwardly inclined sides which serve to increase stability, provide a slight lift force, and reduce the hydraulic coefficient of discharge, which in turn increases the lift of the vehicle above the ground surface. Three spherical propulsion units are mounted on and extend above the plenum chamber. They are provided with a substantially universal mounting on the plenum chamber and their position is controlled from a cockpit on the plenum chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 George W Vryland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/04; B60V1/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A ground-effect machine comprising a. a rigid outer plenum chamber having an inverted, substantially triangular, cup-shaped form, b. one of the apexes of said substantially triangular, cupshaped form defining the bow of said ground-effect machine, c. said cup-shaped form having inwardly inclined sides adjacent said bow, d. a plurality of spherical propulsion units mounted on and extending partially above said cup-shaped form, 1. said spherical propulsion units having fan means to force air therethrough to provide thrust for direction of said machine and having an air exit within said cup-shaped form to provide both lift and propulsion to said ground-effect machine, e. substantially universal joint supporting means for said plurality of spherical propulsion units to support said propulsion units and to provide substantially universal motion between said propulsion units and said rigid plenum chamber, f. a cockpit on said plenum chamber, g. and control means secured to said propulsion units and said supporting means and extending into said cockpit for controlling the position of said spherical propulsion units from said cockpit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A ground-effect machine comprising a. a rigid outer plenum chamber having an inverted, substantially triangular, cup-shaped form, b. one of the apexes of said substantially triangular, cupshaped form defining the bow of said ground-effect machine, c. said cup-shaped form having inwardly inclined sides adjacent said bow, d. a plurality of spherical propulsion units mounted on and extending partially above said cup-shaped form, 1. said spherical propulsion units having fan means to force air therethrough to provide thrust for direction of said machine and having an air exit within said cup-shaped form to provide both lift and propulsion to said ground-effect machine, e. substantially universal joint supporting means for said plurality of spherical propulsion units to support said propulsion units and to provide substantially universal motion between said propulsion units and said rigid plenum chamber, f. a cockpit on said plenum chamber, g. and control means secured to said propulsion units and said supporting means and extending into said cockpit for controlling the position of said spherical propulsion units from said cockpit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means permits one of said spherical propulsion units to be controlled independently from said other spherical propulsion units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A grounD-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said cup-shaped form is provided with an outwardly flared side opposite said bow and an automatically operated butterfly-type door across the stern of the inner chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said spherical propulsion units are provided with bell-mouthed entrances.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said spherical propulsion units are provided with substantially cylindrical passageways adjacent said bell-mounted entrances.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 5 wherein a major portion of said cylindrical passageways contain flow straightening means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said spherical propulsion units are provided with vanes to provide flow straightening of air passing through said spherical propulsion units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means to tilt all of said propulsion units in the direction of forward movement of said ground-effect machine thereby taking advantage of the ram-air effect at high speeds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ground-effect machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said spherical propulsion units mounted on said cup-shaped form provide the sole lift and direction control for said ground-effect machine.
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) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |