The invention relates to a control system for an air cushion vehicle (400) for the purpose of improving maneuverability of the air cushion vehicle. The system includes four propeller towers (401-404), propellers installed at the propeller towers, and mounting seats for mounting the propeller towers to the air cushion vehicle. In the system, an edge portion (442) located closest to a side wall N of the air cushion vehicle in the mounting seat is located closer to the ground than an opposite edge portion (446) in relation to a pivot point in the mounting seat, providing a tilt (450) of the propeller in response to rotation of the mounting seat at the pivot point, and in response to the rotation of the mounting seat, the propeller tower directs an air flow (452) produced with the propeller over the side wall of the air cushion vehicle and, due to the tilt of the propeller, partly downwardly relative to a horizontal plane defined by the ground, the air flow exerting a force (462) that lifts the side wall of the air cushion vehicle upwardly from the ground.

In one aspect there is provided an air caster comprising a platform to support a load above a surface, a skirt, wherein said skirt cooperates with said platform to define an interior volume, at least one air inlet to allow air to enter said interior volume, at least one air exit to allow air to exit said interior volume, and a skirt stabilizer operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the skirt and the surface, said airtight seal being formed circumferentially around said at least one air exit when the air caster is in a resting state.

In one aspect there is provided an air caster comprising a platform to support a load above a surface, a skirt, wherein said skirt cooperates with said platform to define an interior volume, at least one air inlet to allow air to enter said interior volume, at least one air exit to allow air to exit said interior volume, and a skirt stabilizer operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the skirt and the surface, said airtight seal being formed circumferentially around said at least one air exit when the air caster is in a resting state.

The invention relates to a control system for an air cushion vehicle (400) for the purpose of improving maneuverability of the air cushion vehicle. The system includes four propeller towers (401-404), propellers installed at the propeller towers, and mounting seats for mounting the propeller towers to the air cushion vehicle. In the system, an edge portion (442) located closest to a side wall N of the air cushion vehicle in the mounting seat is located closer to the ground than an opposite edge portion (446) in relation to a pivot point in the mounting seat, providing a tilt (450) of the propeller in response to rotation of the mounting seat at the pivot point, and in response to the rotation of the mounting seat, the propeller tower directs an air flow (452) produced with the propeller over the side wall of the air cushion vehicle and, due to the tilt of the propeller, partly downwardly relative to a horizontal plane defined by the ground, the air flow exerting a force (462) that lifts the side wall of the air cushion vehicle upwardly from the ground.

An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.

An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.

A hovercraft including imaginary longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes; a propulsion system (12), configured to generate airflow; a base (50) and, a skirt (13) wherein the skirt (13) further including air permeable regions (130) and at least two set of outflow nozzles (220); wherein the air permeable regions (130) and the set of outflow nozzles (20, 21) are in fluid communication; wherein each set of nozzles (20, 21) comprises, at least, one outflow nozzle (22), said outflow nozzle (22) including two opposing ends, a first end (221) and a second end (222); the hovercraft further including actuating means (30) suitable to control the opening of at least one end (221 or 222) of the nozzles (22) managing the passage of airflow through the end (221 or 222). The technical features and functionalities described herein are applicable to the field of hovercrafts. More particularly, to controllable outflow nozzles and controlling systems for hovercrafts.

A hovercraft including imaginary longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes; a propulsion system (12), configured to generate airflow; a base (50) and, a skirt (13) wherein the skirt (13) further including air permeable regions (130) and at least two set of outflow nozzles (220); wherein the air permeable regions (130) and the set of outflow nozzles (20, 21) are in fluid communication; wherein each set of nozzles (20, 21) comprises, at least, one outflow nozzle (22), said outflow nozzle (22) including two opposing ends, a first end (221) and a second end (222); the hovercraft further including actuating means (30) suitable to control the opening of at least one end (221 or 222) of the nozzles (22) managing the passage of airflow through the end (221 or 222). The technical features and functionalities described herein are applicable to the field of hovercrafts. More particularly, to controllable outflow nozzles and controlling systems for hovercrafts.

A hovercraft includes a lift air supply source having a dynamic air flow area in communication with a central lift air chamber to provide continuous air flow to the central lift air chamber and a static air flow area in communication with an inflatable skirt extending around a periphery of the hovercraft. Air flow from the static air flow area enters the skirt to replenish air leaking from the skirt. The static air flow area has less air flow than the dynamic air flow area. The static air flow area is located at a higher position than the dynamic air flow area to reduce the likelihood of water entering the inflatable skirt when the hovercraft is operated on water.

A hovercraft includes a lift air supply source having a dynamic air flow area in communication with a central lift air chamber to provide continuous air flow to the central lift air chamber and a static air flow area in communication with an inflatable skirt extending around a periphery of the hovercraft. Air flow from the static air flow area enters the skirt to replenish air leaking from the skirt. The static air flow area has less air flow than the dynamic air flow area. The static air flow area is located at a higher position than the dynamic air flow area to reduce the likelihood of water entering the inflatable skirt when the hovercraft is operated on water.