INTRODUCTION

A Hovercraft is a vehicle that flies like a plane but can float like a boat, can
drive like a car but will traverse ditches and gullies as it is a flat terrain. A Hovercraft
also sometimes called an air cushion vehicle because it can hover over or move across
land or water surfaces while being held off from the surfaces by a cushion of air. A
Hovercraft can travel over all types of surfaces including grass, mud, muskeg, sand,
quicksand, water and ice .Hovercraft prefer gentle terrain although they are capable of
climbing slopes up to 20%, depending upon surface characteristics. Modern
Hovercrafts are used for many applications where people and equipment need to
travel at speed over water but be able load and unload on land. For example they are
used as passenger or freight carriers, as recreational machines and even use as
warships. Hovercrafts are very exciting to fly and feeling of effortlessly traveling
from land to water and back again is unique.

Fig 1.1: Hovercraft in use

Vehicles designed to travel close to but above ground or water. These vehicles
are supported in various ways. Some of them have a specially designed wing that will

lift them just off the surface over which they travel when they have reached a
sufficient horizontal speed (the ground effect). Hovercrafts are usually supported by
fans that force air down under the vehicle to create lift, Air propellers, water
propellers, or water jets usually provide forward propulsion. Air-cushion vehicles can
attain higher speeds than can either ships or most land vehicles and use much less
power than helicopters of the same weight. Air-cushion suspension has also been
applied to other forms of transportation, in particular trains, such as the French
Aerotrain and the British hover train. Hovercraft is a transportation vehicle that rides
slightly above the earths surface. The air is continuously forced under the vehicle by
a fan, generatingthe cushion that greatly reduces friction between the moving vehicle
and surface. The air is delivered through ducts and injected at the periphery of the
vehicle in a downward and inward direction. This type of vehicle can equally ride
over ice, water, marsh, or relatively level land.
Hovercraft is a vehicle that rides on cushion of air over surface. A hovercraft
is a type of submarine, comes in category of cushion vehicle or ACV. This is a
vehicle that can run smoothly over surface with the help of supplied air beneath the
hull.
Also called GROUND-EFFECT MACHINE or HOVERCRAFT, any of the
machines characterized by movement in which a significant portion of the weight is
supported by forces arising from air pressures developed around the craft, as a result
of which they hover in close proximity to the Earths surface. It is proximity to the
surface that chiefly distinguishes such craft from aircraft, which derive their lift from
aerodynamic forces created by the movement through the air.
Two main classes of air cushion vehicles exist: those that generates their own
pressures differential irrespective of forward speed; and those, more cslosely related
to, that require true aircraft, that require forward speed before the pressure differential
can be generated. The former are classified as aerostatic craft (ACVs); the latter are
called aerodynamic ground-effect machines (GEMs).

CHAPTER 04
WORKING OF HOVERCRAFT

4.1 Principle of working

The principle of working of a Hovercraft is to lift the craft by a cushion of air
to propel it using propellers. The idea of supporting the vehicle on a cushion of air
developed from the idea to increase the speed of boat by feeding air beneath them.
The air beneath the hull would lubricate the surface and reduce the water drag on boat
and so increasing its speed through water. The air sucked in through a port by large
lifting fans which are fitted to the primary structure of the craft. They are powered by
gas turbine or diesel engine. The air is pushed to the underside of the craft. On the
way apportion of air from the lift fan is used to inflate the skirt and rest is ducted
down under the craft to fill area enclosed by the skirt.

Fig 4.1: Principle of working

At the point when the pressure equals the weight of the craft, the craft lifts up
and air is escaped around the edges of the skirt. So a constant feed of air is needed to
lift the craft and compensate for the losses. Thus craft is lifted up. After the propulsion
is provided by the propellers mounted on the Hovercraft. The airs from the propellers
are passed over rudders, which are used to steer the craft similar to an aircraft.
Hovercraft is thus propelled and controlled and its powerful engine makes it to fly.

4.2 OPERATION
A hovercraft rides on air under pressures that is continuously supplied by lift
system and directed into the chamber under the craft. A flexible curtain system called
a skirt is attached to outer perimeter of the craft forms the air chamber and contains
the air beneath the craft.
A hovercraft is propelled forward with a thrust propeller, which is directly
driven by motor that is designed at low rpm that produces maximum thrust with a
minimum noise. There are no brakes in a hovercraft.
Stopping is achieved with reduction of power of motor or running 180 degrees
and applying full thrust.
Steering is achieved by mounting movable rudders mounted behind the thrust
propeller. Since a hovercraft travels on a cushion of air, some period of training is
required.
A hovercraft is also sometimes called an AIR CUSHION VEHICLE or ACV.
This is a vehicle that flies like a boat, can drive on a land like a car but will traverse
ditches and gullies like it is a flat terrain. The hovercraft is unique method of
transportation.
Modern hovercraft are used for many applications where people or equipment
travel need to travel at the speed over water and load and unload on land. The
hovercraft motor provides the power to drive large fans that flow air under the craft.
The air is retained by a rubber skirt that enables the craft to travel over a wide range
of terrain. The skirt simply gives away when an obstacle is encountered. The motor
also supplies the power to thrust propeller of some kind that pushes the craft forward
on its bubble of air. Rudders like on aeroplane, steer the direction of the craft.

CHAPTER 06
COMPONENTS OF HOVERCRAFT

6.1 MAIN PARTS

6.1.1 Lower hull
It is the basic structure on which the Hovercraft floats when the engine is
stopped while moving over water. It supports the whole weight of the craft.

6.1.2 Skirts
They are air bags inflated by air are fitted around the perimeter of the craft
hold air under the craft and thus upon a cushion of air. It enables to obtain greater
Hover height. The material used is rib stop nylon or Terylene.

6.1.3 Lift fan

It is fitted to the primary structure of the Hovercraft. The air is pumped under
the craft between the skirt spaces to produce a cushion of air.

6.1.4 Propeller
It is used to obtain the forward motion of the craft. It is fitted to the top of the
craft and is powered by a powerful gas turbine or diesel engine.

6.1.5 Rudders
They are similar to that used in an aircraft. Rudders are moved by hydraulic
systems. By moving the rudders we can change the direction of the craft.When the
hovercraft is finally able to move it will most definitely require steering capabilities.
This is achieved through the use of rudders. These rudders can be controlled by a
variety of devices including computers. The rudders must be well weighed out in
order to avoid weighing down your hovercraft and also well shaped in order to move
air as efficiently as possible.
Rudders cannot be too heavy otherwise they will weigh down the craft
because they are located very close to the motor. The shape of the rudder dictates how
well it will be able to move air.

CHAPTER 10
DESIGN OF HOVERCRAFT

10.1 Specification
Length=40cm
Width=35cm

Cross sectional area of Hovercraft=40*35=1400cm2

Weight of HovercraftTotal weight=725gm
Normal operating speedV=5m/s
Turing Radius=1-2feet
Power requirement = 200 W
Thrust requirement = 150 gm
Skirt area = 450 sq. cm
Propeller = 10"*4.7"
Motor brushless DC motor200 W, 20 A
ESC- Electronic speed controller Burst current 25 A, in built battery eliminator circuit
Battery- 1500 mah , 3 cell , 11.1 V
Servo motor 2-3 kg-cm torque
Body material- 4 mm thick corrugated plastic sheet

10.2 TYPES OF FORCES ACTING ON HOVERCRAFT1. Lift force

2. Thrust force
3. Drag force

10.2.1 Lift force

The lift force that we want to produce in our hovercraft is a force that is equal
to or greater than the weight of the hovercraft. Lift is produced by blowing air into the
hovercrafts skirt, creating a high pressure pocket. Since the pressure in the skirt is
greater than the pressure produced by the weight of the hovercraft, an upward force is
created. Ideally, we want the lift force produced to be equal to the weight of the
hovercraft in order to maximize efficiency. If the lift produced is greater than the
weight, air will escape the skirt through the bottom, thus lowering the lift force until
equilibrium is obtained. The lift force can be calculated using the equation:
Lift force= air cushion pressure *area of the skirt
FL = PC*A
Where,
FL= Lift force
PC= Air Cushion Pressure
A= Area Of The Skirt

Also, for maximum efficiency of the hovercraft lift force should be equal
to the gross weight of the Hovercraft.
Therefore,
FL= weight of the Hovercraft
pc*A= weight of the Hovercraft
0.725=750*10-4*Pc
PC =9.667 N/m2 10 N/m2 or 10Pa
Where,
A is the cross-sectional area of the skirt in m2
PC is the air cushion pressure within the skirt in Pa,
the lift, FLin N, should be equal to the weight of the hovercraft.

When designing our hovercraft we need to take lift into consideration. The
cross sectional area and the weight of the hovercraft will determine how much lift our
hovercraft will need to produce. Therefore, considering the lift required is essential
when determining the size and weight of our hovercraft. We must also design our skirt
so that it contains the air, but also allows air to escape from the bottom when the
pressure is too high. To ensure perfect balance, we must control the hovercrafts pitch,
vertical movement of the nose, and yaw, horizontal movement of the nose. It is vital
that the pressure is distributed evenly throughout the skirt and that the center of mass
of the hovercraft is properly supported so that no unwanted moment will be created.

10.2.2 Thrust force

Thrust, which is created by the propulsion system, is the force which pushes
the hovercraft forward. Having maximum thrust is critical for our hovercraft, as we
are designing it so that it may travel a certain distance in the smallest amount of time.
The momentum of an object is given by
Q=m*v
Where,
Q is the objects momentum in kgm/s,
m is the mass of the object in kg
v is the velocity of the object in m/s

M, mass=Weight/gravitational force
m =0.725/9.81
m=0.07397
According to Newtons Second Law, the force acting on an object is
proportional to the rate of change of the objects momentum. The force on an object
can therefore be written as:
Ft=m(Vo-Vi)/(t2-t1)
Where,
Ft=Thrust force
m= mass of the hovercraft
Vo=outlet velocity
Vi=initial velocity

t2=final velocity
t1=initial velocity
Where t is time in seconds. Mass, m, over time, t, is equal to mass flow rate,
.
For a fluid:
Calculation of the mass flow rate
= vA
Where,
is measured in kg/s,
is the fluid density in kg/m3 ,
v=velocity of the hovercraft,
A is the cross-sectional area of the propulsion system, such as a fan, in m2.
= 1.125*5*4*10-3
=0.0225 kg/s

The thrust force can then be written as:

Ft=(Ve-Vi)
Where,
Vi is the entrance velocity
Ve is the exit velocity, to and from the propulsion system, in m/s.
When the thrust is produced, we must insure that the force is applied
collinearly to the center of mass of the hovercraft to prevent any unwanted yaw, thus
allowing the hovercraft to go straight.
In selecting a propulsion system, we must consider these equations. As an
example, if we were to use fans for thrust, we would have to consider in our design,
the area of the fan, and how fast we can make the propellers turn. This will increase
the velocity of the air exiting the fan, thus increasing the thrust.

10.2.3 Drag force

Drag must also be considered when designing our hovercraft. Assuming that
our design produces enough lift to essentially make the surface frictionless, drag is the
only force that opposes the hovercrafts forward motion.

However, we can reduce this force. The drag is caused when the hovercraft
moves through a fluid, such as air. The drag force can be calculated using the
following equation:
Fd=1/2* v2CdA
Where,
is the density of the fluid,
v is the velocity of the hovercraft relative to the fluid,
A is the cross-sectional area of the hovercraft,
Cd is the coefficient of drag.

As given in following figure, the drag co-efficient of various shapes are

The coefficient of drag is a unit-less ratio between the drag force and the
dynamic pressure times the area. This coefficient is usually found through experiment
and can be calculated through the equation:
Cd = Fd/Av2/2
Cd = 2Fd/Av2
Since, as per the dimensions our hovercraft is a short cylinder, the Cd can be
taken as 1.15.
From these equations, we can determine that drag must be considered when
designing the hovercrafts body shape and size. Our goal is to make our hovercraft
design more aerodynamic by reducing the cross-sectional area of the reference face
and eliminating any flat surfaces perpendicular to the flow of air. Selecting a
streamlined design with a thinner tail end will reduce the wake produced by our
hovercraft. A smaller wake means less drag produced and therefore, lower opposing
forces, resulting in a faster hovercraft.
Fd =1/2* v2CdA
Fd = 0.5*1.225*25*1.15*0.14

Fd = 2.4653 N
Therefore, Drag force acting on the Hovercraft is 2.4653 N , that force also
called as friction force. Drag force acts on the Hovercraft is always Negative.

12.1 APPLICATIONS & TARGET MARKETS

Small hovercraft are very popular with leisure users, and rental users who sell
rides. As they are all-terrain craft, they are also invaluable for rescue, commercial,
environmental surveys, military and homeland patrol applications. For resellers, there
are significant business opportunities for those able to fully exploit them.
Compared to personal watercraft (Jet Skis) and snowmobiles, Hovercraft are
true all terrain vehicles, able to travel over any flat surface, i.e. sand, mud, water, ice,
snow, rivers, lakes, grass, tarmac. Jet Ski users have to contend with tidal restrictions,
whereas marine grade personal leisure hovercraft (PLH) can operate at high tide or
low tide. Hovercraft have no propellers, so can travel over shallow water areas,
without fear of damage from submerged rocks, coral or marine life.

CHAPTER 13
FEATURES OF A RC HOVERCRAFT

1) Safe- Our design is safe and environment friendly because we are using motor
for lift and propulsion which does not create an y pollution while running.
There is no chance of fire or explosion, because n usage of fuel, so chance of
accident is reduce and our design become safer.
2) Light Weight- We are using thermocole as base material which are light in
weight, so the overall weight of our design is less.
3) Cost Effective- Our design is cost effective because we are used thermocole
or cardboard for base and body which are low cost material.
4) Easy To Manufacture-Manufacturing of our design is very easy. There is no need
of any machining operation.
5)Capable of Moving Straight Line: - While testing we observe our design model
will be capable to move in straight line.

6.) Portable: -Our design is portable because of lightweight. The weight of our
design is near about improve the thrust and lift system. We can also improve
1.5kg, so we can easy carry the RCACV.

CHAPTER 16
CONCLUSION

Hovercrafts are generally simple mechanisms in theory. Yet the process from
theory to manifestation is not as easy as it may seem. A plethora of problems exist and
must be faced in order to attain a well-functioning hovercraft.
The plans and designs must be flawless. One must take under consideration the
weight and the shape of each component in order to avoid problems such as instability
and dysfunction. This is a marvelous machine which greatly cuts down the friction
which intern helps it to attain greater speed and more stability.
Varieties of problems and factors have to be taken into account in designing
and constructing a hovercraft. The difficulties involved in maintaining stability and
functional competency has limited the application to only transportation or for
military purpose. The cost involved in the developing of a hovercraft is also another
impediment to the widespread use of this machine.