Air-cushion supported vehicles

Claim 2

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral aircushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein said powered module is provided with ground wheels and carries the prime mover and substantially all of the units supplied with power thereby; and wherein the powered module is itself an A.C.V. and is provided with retractable sponsons which can be lowered to increase the air cushion area thereof and raised to reduce the plan area of the powered module when it is supported by its wheels.

Claim 3

A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sponsons are operated by hydraulic jacks.

Claim 4

A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sponsons have power-operated rectractible locks.

Claim 5

A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sponsons are arranged to increase not only the ground area but also the buoyancy of the powered module, when lowered.

Claim 6

A vehicle according to claim 1, provided with an outboard marine propulsion unit powered by a hydrostatic fluid motor.

Claim 7

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein said powered module is provided with ground wheels and carries the prime mover and substantially all of the units supplied with power thereby; and wherein the ground wheels are driven by individual hydrostatic fluid motors.

Claim 8

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein said powered module is provided with ground wheels and carries the prime mover and substantially all of the units supplied with power thereby; and wherein the ground wheels are driven by individual hydrostatic fluid motors.

Claim 9

A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the ground wheels are retractible.

Claim 10

A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the air cushion is sub-divided by individually-inflatable flexible curtains, lying within the area bounded by said peripheral air-cushion-retaining skirt.

Claim 11

A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the powered module has the prime mover disposed about mid-way along it, with the behind the prime mover a lift fan to supply the cushion air, in front of the prime mover is a cabin extending substantially the full width of said powered module, and aft of the fan are two side-by-side propulsion units for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode.

Claim 12

A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a hydrostatic fluid motor driving a lift fan supplying the cushion air, and motors individually driving one or more propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode, are all supplied from a common pump driven by the prime mover.

Claim 13

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially no-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remainng major area thereof; and wherein the final mechanical drive to a lift fan supplying the cushion area comprises a free-wheel overrun mechanism next the fan rotor.

Claim 14

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially no-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remainng major area thereof; and wherein the final mechanical drive to a lift fan supplying the cushion area comprises a free-wheel overrun mechanism next the fan rotor.

Claim 15

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, s substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a cooling water radiator for the prime mover is disposed in the air flow being delivered to the cushion area, thereby heating the cushion of air.

Claim 16

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, s substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a cooling water radiator for the prime mover is disposed in the air flow being delivered to the cushion area, thereby heating the cushion of air.

Claim 17

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a hydrostatic fluid motor driving a lift fan supplying the cushion air, and motors individually driving propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode, are supplied through separate hydrostatic circuits in which there is one pump driven by the prime mover to supply the lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply the propeller motors; and wherein, in respect of each motor supply pump combination, at least one has variable displacement.

Claim 18

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a hydrostatic fluid motor driving a lift fan supplying the cushion air, and motors individually driving propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode, are supplied through separate hydrostatic circuits in which there is one pump driven by the prime mover to supply the lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply the propeller motors; and wherein, in respect of each motor supply pump combination, at least one has variable displacement.

Claim 19

A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the propeller motors are supplied through separate circuits by separate pumps.

Claim 20

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a hydrostatic fluid motor driving a lift fan supplying the cushion air, and motors individually driving propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode, are supplied through separate hydrostatic circuits in Which there is one pump driven by the prime mover to supply the lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply the propeller motors; and wherein the propeller motors are supplied from a common pump; and wherein each of the motors supplied by a common pump has variable displacement.

Claim 21

A vehicle, wherein at least the principal amongst the various units needing power drive are driven from a common prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and comprising, in combination, a substantially non-powered platform fitted with a peripheral air-cushion retaining skirt, and a powered module built as a separate land vehicle and removably docked on the non-powered platform, said powered module when so docked occupying only a minor proportion of the plan area of said platform and providing sufficient power to enable said platform to transport, in addition to said powered module, a payload on the remaining major area thereof; and wherein a hydrostatic fluid motor driving a lift fan supplying the cushion air, and motors individually driving propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the hover mode, are supplied through separate hydrostatic circuits in Which there is one pump driven by the prime mover to supply the lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply the propeller motors; and wherein the propeller motors are supplied from a common pump; and wherein each of the motors supplied by a common pump has variable displacement.

Claim 22

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and further comprising ground wheels and retractable sponsons, with means to lower said sponsons to increase the air cushion area of the vehicle when operating in the A.C.V. mode and to raise said sponsons to reduce the plane area of the vehicle when it is supported by said ground wheels.

Claim 23

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and further comprising ground wheels and retractable sponsons, with means to lower said sponsons to increase the air cushion area of the vehicle when operating in the A.C.V. mode and to raise said sponsons to reduce the plane area of the vehicle when it is supported by said ground wheels.

Claim 24

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatuc system, and further comprising a lift fan supplying the cushion air and a hydrostatic fluid motor driving said lift fan, propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the A.C.V. mode, respective motors individually driving said propellers, and separate hydraulic circuits in which there is one pump driven by said prime mover to supply said lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply said propeller motors; and wherein, in respect of each motor/supply pump combination, at least one has variable displacement.

Claim 25

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatuc system, and further comprising a lift fan supplying the cushion air and a hydrostatic fluid motor driving said lift fan, propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the A.C.V. mode, respective motors individually driving said propellers, and separate hydraulic circuits in which there is one pump driven by said prime mover to supply said lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply said propeller motors; and wherein, in respect of each motor/supply pump combination, at least one has variable displacement.

Claim 26

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and further comprising a lift fan supplying the cushion air and a hydrostatic fluid motor driving said lift fan, propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the A.C.V. mode and respective motors individually driving said propellers, and separate hydraulic circuits in which there is one pump driven by said prime mover to supply said lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply said propeller motors; and wherein said propeller motors are supplied from a common pump; and wherein each of the motors supplied by a common pump has variable displacement.

Claim 27

A land vehicle constituted as an A.C.V., comprising a prime mover and hydraulic circuits whereby at least the principal amongst the various units of the vehicle needing power drive are driven in common from said prime mover via a hydrostatic system, and further comprising a lift fan supplying the cushion air and a hydrostatic fluid motor driving said lift fan, propellers for propelling the vehicle at least in the A.C.V. mode and respective motors individually driving said propellers, and separate hydraulic circuits in which there is one pump driven by said prime mover to supply said lift fan motor and at least one other pump to supply said propeller motors; and wherein said propeller motors are supplied from a common pump; and wherein each of the motors supplied by a common pump has variable displacement.