US3800905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible inflated puff-port system
Assignee: Textron Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An improved ''''puff-port'''' device and control system for an air cushion vehicle, energizing for a prescribed maneuver either one of a pair of oppositely directed puff-port reaction nozzles (carried by the vehicle) by selectively bypassing thereto some of the vehicle cushion feed air from the normal supply to the air cushion seal system at one side of the vehicle, so as to induce a vehicle roll effect causing a differential of cushion air escape thrust reaction forces at opposite sides of the vehicle, resulting in a complement to the effectiveness of the puff-port reaction forces. The system provides improved maneuvering control for turning and/or displacing the vehicle in any desired maneuver; and in any case (whether operative or not) the puffport devices are also adapted to function as pneumatic shock absorbers, protecting the vehicle hard structure against damage such as when docking the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wright
- 👤 A Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V1/00; B60V1/04; B60V1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising a body, an air cushion seal means extending at least partially perimetrally of the air cushion cavity under said body at opposite sides thereof for laterally containing, at least in part, the vehicle-supporting air cushion, said seal means being attached to the body of the vehicle and extending downwardly therefrom, the interioRs of said seal means being in direct air-flow communication with the air cushion at opposite sides thereof, means supplying pressurized air to separate side sections of said seal means, a pair of puffport jet reaction nozzles arranged to discharge in opposite directions, and vehicle operator selectively controllable conduit means arranged to provide for concomitant directional control and compatible roll control of the vehicle by momentarily diverting a portion of the pressurized air supply for a selected one of said seal side sections so as to cause the vehicle to lean toward a lateral direction and delivery of the diverted portion of air supply to atmosphere through the jet nozzle which is arranged to discharge so as to reaction-thrust the vehicle in said lateral direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising a body, an air cushion seal means extending at least partially perimetrally of the air cushion cavity under said body at opposite sides thereof for laterally containing, at least in part, the vehicle-supporting air cushion, said seal means being attached to the body of the vehicle and extending downwardly therefrom, the interioRs of said seal means being in direct air-flow communication with the air cushion at opposite sides thereof, means supplying pressurized air to separate side sections of said seal means, a pair of puffport jet reaction nozzles arranged to discharge in opposite directions, and vehicle operator selectively controllable conduit means arranged to provide for concomitant directional control and compatible roll control of the vehicle by momentarily diverting a portion of the pressurized air supply for a selected one of said seal side sections so as to cause the vehicle to lean toward a lateral direction and delivery of the diverted portion of air supply to atmosphere through the jet nozzle which is arranged to discharge so as to reaction-thrust the vehicle in said lateral direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said seal means comprises separately inflatable bags located at opposite sides of said vehicle, said bags being apertured to deliver air into said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said air cushion cavity is divided by a partition device extending longitudinally thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jet nozzles are located at the bow corners of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jet nozzles are located adjacent the four corner portions of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conduit means are formed of flexible material inflatable to extend outwardly of the perimeter of the vehicle body, being thereby adapted to function as pneumatic bumper means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein said conduit means are disposed to wrap around corner portions of the vehicle body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said conduit means each terminates in a reduced cross section area nozzle portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said conduit means includes remotely controllable valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein said valve means are flexible and readily deformable concomitant with said conduit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An air cushion vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said valve means are shape-resilient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3181636A
Cited
US3118513A
Cited
US3208543A
Cited
US3198274A
Cited
US3246426A
Cited
US3465844A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |