US3835952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Attitude compensation method and system for ground-effect machines
Assignee: Bertin Technologies SAS
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Filing: 1973-01-26
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A ground-effect machine is designed for travelling along a bearing surface through the medium of a lift cushion system provided with a suspension system which includes a deformable pneumatic chamber interposed between the machine frame and the cushion proper. This cushion and this chamber have an associated fluid circuit which may comprise a passage intercommunicating them and which is so designed that the cushion pressure or lift pressure is, depending on the type of ground-effect machine, either greater or smaller than ambient pressure but in any event closer thereto than the pneumatic chamber pressure or suspension pressure. This attitude of this ground-effect machine is compensated through regulation of these lift and suspension pressures in order to maintain their ratio at a predetermined value, by detecting any deviation of their actual ratio from said predetermined value, and by restoring it thereto with a relatively long response time through variation - modulated as a function of the detected deviation - of a pressure loss provided at a convenient location of the above-mentioned fluid circuit, preferably at the intercommunicating passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Marie F Croix
- 👤 D Dubois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
For a ground-effect machine movable along a bearing surface through the medium of a lift-cushion system suspended by a deformable pneumatic chamber interposed between a frame portion of said machine and a lift cushion, said cushion and said chamber having their respective lift pressure and suspension pressure inter-related by a pressure drop such that said suspension pressure is substantially different from ambient pressure and that said lift pressure is intermediate said suspension pressure and said ambient pressure, an attitude compensating method comprising the steps of: detecting any deviation from a predetermined value, of the ratio of said lift pressure and suspension pressure, and modulating said pressure drop as a function of said detected deviation, to restore said ratio after a substantial response time to said predetermined value, whereby said lift pressure and suspension pressure are regulated to the effect of maintaining their ratio at said predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
For a ground-effect machine movable along a bearing surface through the medium of a lift-cushion system suspended by a deformable pneumatic chamber interposed between a frame portion of said machine and a lift cushion, said cushion and said chamber having their respective lift pressure and suspension pressure inter-related by a pressure drop such that said suspension pressure is substantially different from ambient pressure and that said lift pressure is intermediate said suspension pressure and said ambient pressure, an attitude compensating method comprising the steps of: detecting any deviation from a predetermined value, of the ratio of said lift pressure and suspension pressure, and modulating said pressure drop as a function of said detected deviation, to restore said ratio after a substantial response time to said predetermined value, whereby said lift pressure and suspension pressure are regulated to the effect of maintaining their ratio at said predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure ratio deviation is detected by sensing said lift pressure, sensing said suspension pressure, computing the ratio of said sensed pressures, and comparing said computed ratio with said predetermined value for rating said deviation, and wherein said pressure drop is modulated by variably throttling a passage interconnecting said lift cushion and said pneumatic chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the further step of subjecting the pressure ratio detection to a calibration parameter in the form of a reference pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a ground-effect machine which is designed for travelling along a bearing surface with the interposition, between said surface and a frame portion of said machine, of a cushion space adjacent said surface and a deformable pneumatic chamber adjacent said frame portion, and which has a fluid circuit interrelating said cushion space and said pneumatic chamber to build up in said pneumatic chamber a suspension pressure substantially different from ambient pressure and in said cushion space a lift pressure intermediate said suspension pressure and ambient pressure, an attitude compensating device comprising: controllable means for producing a variable pressure drop in said fluid circuit, means responsive to the ratio of said lift pressure and suspension pressure, for detecting any deviation of said ratio from a predetermined value, and transmission means for bringing said variable pressure drop producing means under the control of said pressure ratio deviation detecting means, to restore said ratio after a substantial response time to said predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a ground-effect machine which is designed for travelling along a bearing surface with the interposition, between said surface and a frame portion of said machine, of a cushion space adjacent said surface and a deformable pneumatic chamber adjacent said frame portion, and which has a fluid circuit interrelating said cushion space and said pneumatic chamber to build up in said pneumatic chamber a suspension pressure substantially different from ambient pressure and in said cushion space a lift pressure intermediate said suspension pressure and ambient pressure, an attitude compensating device comprising: controllable means for producing a variable pressure drop in said fluid circuit, means responsive to the ratio of said lift pressure and suspension pressure, for detecting any deviation of said ratio from a predetermined value, and transmission means for bringing said variable pressure drop producing means under the control of said pressure ratio deviation detecting means, to restore said ratio after a substantial response time to said predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said variable pressure drop producing means comprises a passage throttling valve in said fluid circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pressure ratio deviation detecting means comprises a movable compound having two opposed operative faces of different effective areas respectively exposed to said lift pressure and said suspension pressure and in a ratio substantially reciprocal to said predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
DeVice as claimed in claim 6, further comprising means for exerting a reference pressure on the differential area of said operative faces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said passage throttling valve is incorporated in said movable compound and forms therewith a unitary structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said passage throttling valve comprises associated relatively movable parts which are mutually designed in accordance with an outline defining a predetermined law of variation of said pressure drop as a function of the relative displacement of said associated parts, and wherein said pressure ratio deviation detecting means comprises means for sensing either one of said lift pressure and suspension pressure, and an antagonistic spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pressure ratio deviation detecting means further comprises means for exerting a reference pressure in conjunction with said spring and in antagonism with said pressure sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said transmission means comprises a linkage extending between said pressure ratio deviation detecting means and said passage throttling valve.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |