CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A Hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV, is a craft capable of travelling

over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces. Hovercrafts are hybrid vessels operated by a
pilot as an aircraft rather than a captain as a marine vessel.
Hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull that is slightly
above atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the higher pressure air below
the hull and lower pressure ambient air above it produces lift, which causes the hull to float
above the running surface. For stability reasons, the air is typically blown through slots or
holes around the outside of a disk or oval shaped platform, giving most hovercraft a
characteristic rounded-rectangle shape. Typically this cushion is contained within a flexible
"skirt", which allows the vehicle to travel over small obstructions without damage.
The first practical design for hovercraft derived from a British invention in the 1950s to
1960s. They are now used throughout the world as specialized transports in disaster relief,
coastguard, military and survey applications as well as for sport or passenger service. Very
large versions have been used to transport hundreds of people and vehicles across the English
Channel whilst others have military applications used to transport tanks, soldiers and large
equipment in hostile environments and terrain.
Although now a generic term for the type of craft, the name Hovercraft itself was
a trademark owned by Saunders-Roe (later British Hovercraft Corporation (BHC),
then Westland), hence other manufacturers' use of alternative names to describe the vehicles.
Hovercraft prefers 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.
HISTORY

There have been many attempts to understand the principles of high air pressure below hulls
and wings. To a great extent, the majority of these can be termed "ground effect" or "water
effect" vehicles rather than hovercraft. The principal difference is that a hovercraft can lift
itself while still, whereas the majority of other designs require forward motion to create lift.
These active-motion "surface effect vehicles" are known in specific cases
as Ekranoplan and Hydrofoils.
The first mention in the historical record of the concepts behind surface-effect vehicles
that used the term hovering was by Swedish scientist Emanuel Swedenborg in 1716.
The shipbuilder Sir John Isaac Thorny croft patented an early design for an air cushion
ship / hovercraft in the 1870s, but suitable, powerful, engines were not available until the
20th century.
The idea of the modern hovercraft is most often associated with a British mechanical
engineer Sir Christopher Cockerell. Cockerell's group was the first to develop the use of an
annular ring of air for maintaining the cushion, the first to develop a successful skirt, and the
first to demonstrate a practical vehicle in continued use.
Cockerell came across the key concept in his design when studying the ring of airflow
when high-pressure air was blown into the annular area between two concentric tin cans, one
coffee and the other from cat food. This produced a ring of airflow, as expected, but he
noticed an unexpected benefit as well; the sheet of fast moving air presented a sort of
physical barrier to the air on either side of it. This effect, which he called the "momentum
curtain", could be used to trap high-pressure air in the area inside the curtain, producing a
high-pressure plenum that earlier examples had to build up with considerably more airflow.
In theory, only a small amount of active airflow would be needed to create lift and much less
than a design that relied only on the momentum of the air to provide lift, like a helicopter. In
terms of power, a hovercraft would only need between one quarter to half of the power
required by a helicopter.
TYPES OF HOVERCRAFT

There are basically two types of hovercrafts present. They are:-

Single Propeller Hovercraft- Lifts and propellers systems are integrated to form a single
propeller hovercraft. It has a vertical or slightly inclined motor propeller system. In this a
duct is provided to push some amount of air through below the mainframe into the skirt as
the efficiency of single propeller hovercraft depends on better duct designing ad lift depends
on thrust. Maximizing air flow or lift did not compromise on thrust.

Fig.2) Showing single propeller hovercraft

Multi Propeller Hovercraft- In this system, there are two different motor-propeller
systems for lift and thrust mechanisms and also having the ability to hover at a place. The
amount of lift is independent of the amount of thrust. In the horizontal plain of Multi
Propeller Hovercraft lift mechanism is present and in the vertical plane Propulsion
mechanism is present integrated with controls.

Fig.3)Showing multi propeller hovercraft

 CHAPTER 2
CONSTRUCTION

Lifting fan: - The volume of air needed is very large and a propeller is designed to be most
efficient in open air like on an aircraft. Also the fan needs to force air into the chamber below
the craft so creating a specific pressure under the craft. Propellers again are not efficient in
applications when an air backpressure will be applied to the propeller blades as they rotate.
Because of this the lifting fan on most Hovercraft uses what is known as a centrifugal fan.
This is a fan in which two discs and fitted together and looks rather likea doughnut with
angled slats at their edges. When the assembly is rotated at high-speed air is sucked into the
center hole in the fan and the slats force it out at the edges. The advantages of the fan are
twofold. They operate efficiently in an environment when backpressure is high and they will
move larger volumes of air for a given rotation speed than a propeller with the same speed
and power input.

Thrust propellers:- The propeller used to drive the hovercraft along is usually an aircraft
type with variable pitch blades. Its speed of rotation must remain fixed to that of the lift fan.
This is because the amount of lift air required decides the speed to drive the lift fan. In turn
the amount of propulsion, which the propellers provide, must be obtained by varying the
propeller pitch and not its rate of rotation. This system is termed integrated lift/propulsion.

Hovercraft skirt:- Simple obstacles such as small waves or tide-formed ridges of shingle on
a beach, could prove to be too much for the hover height of the craft. These problems led to
the development of the skirt. The skirt is a shaped, flexible strip fitted below the bottom. As
the hovercraft lifts, the skirt extends below it to retain a much deeper cushion of air. The
development of the skirt enables a hovercraft to maintain its normal operating speed through
large waves and also allows it to pass over rocks, ridges and gullies. The skirt of a hovercraft
is one of its most design sensitive parts. The design must be just right or an uncomfortable
ride for passengers or damage to the craft and the skirts results. Also, excessive wear of the
skirt can occur if its edges are flapping up and down on the surface of the water. The skirt
material has to be light flexible and durable all at the same time. For the skirt to meet all of
its requirements the design and use of new materials has slowly evolved. The current skirts
use fingers at the lower edge of the skirt envelope which can be unbolted and replaced. By
doing this there is a quick and easy way to counter the effects of wear without having to
replace the whole skirt structure.

RUDDERS:- 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.

DC Motor:- We have used two DC Motors mounted over the rudders. These motors are
used to provide thrust to the hovercraft. These are also supports for giving particular
directions i.e. left and right for movements. A single DC Motor of 2000 rpm is also fitted in
the center to provide lift to hovercraft and is responsible to fill the air in the skirt.

Battery:- We are using the batteries used in our laptops of 1500mAh. As we require batteries
oh higher current for the lifting purpose and our need is fulfilled by that. For running back
side motors also we have used same batteries attached to rudders and small size fans are
attached to it.

PIR Sensors:- Passive infrared sensor is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR)
light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are often used in motion detectors. We
have used PIR Sensors for the human detection that could be used in rescue operation.

Camera:- We have used night vision security camera format PAL- BG wireless with
wireless receiver output. It operates at 9Volts. The weight of this camera is 60-70 grams. It is
 mounted onto our hovercraft for capturing videos and we are able to see the live telecast by
the help of TV Tuner connected to our desktop.

RF Module:- Radio Frequency module is the small electronic device used to transmit as
well as reception of signal between two devices. We have used RF module in our project for
the interfacing through remote using ICs.

SYSTEMS USED IN HOVERCRAFT

There are three systems present in the Hovercraft. They are:-

Lift System
Thrust System
Steering System

Lift System- The hovercraft relies on a constant cushion of air to sustain adequate lift. The
air evicted from the propeller was alienated by a horizontal divider into pressurized air
exploited for the air cushion and momentum taken for thrust. The weight distribution on top
of the deck to throughout the cushion volume in an approximately even fashion to provide
the necessary support. The skirt extending under the deck given containment, better balance,
and permit the craft to traverse more assorted terrain.

Thrust System- The air was not directed to the cushion and skirt is propelled backwards,
providing forward thrust to the craft. The size of the propeller, rpm output of the engine, and
height of the lift/thrust divider was the formative parameters for the thrust force. A thrust
duct channelling the air into the propeller can offer upto a 15% boost the efficiency. The
limiting factor for the thrust was the air flow existing to direct backwards as our prime
concern is providing pressurized air for air cushion and lift. Consequently, our forward speed
was limited but maintainable.

Steering System- Since a hovercraft required the similar frictional and drag effects as boats
or cars, steering must be approached without precise control in mind. This is especially true
in our case as the power supply is limited. Rudders are main source of steering and are
attached to the rear of the duct to direct the flow of air and the direction of the subsequent
momentum transfer from the air to the craft. The driver controls the movement of the rudders
through a joystick located in the front of the craft. A throttle on the engine situated next to
the driver allows him to very the speed of the craft.
Fig.5) Showing various systems of hovercraft
 CHAPTER 3
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF HOVERCRAFT

Hovercraft works on two basic Principles of Lift and Propulsion. When dealing with a
Hovercraft, the existence of lift is imperative for the proper function of the vehicle. Lift is an
essential function because it is that which allows the craft to ride on a cushion of air several
inches off the ground. This process, the process of attaining lift begins by directing airflow
under the craft.
In order to quarantine the air under the air cushion, a skirt is required. This is done in
order to create pressure under the hovercraft which forces the vehicle off the ground.
Attaining the proper amount of airflow is imperative for the maintenance of the craft
stability. If too much airflow is directed under the craft, it will hover too high above the
ground, resulting in the hovercraft to tip. Not enough lift will cause the craft to remain on the
ground which defeats the very purpose of the hovercraft all together. The source of the
airflow which propels the craft of the ground is a fan. The fan can be used for lift and thrust.
It can be dedicated to both lift and thrust simultaneously. In either case the passage where the
air flows through reach the air cushion affects the stability of the Hovercraft. This passage is
a hole located in the base of the craft.
Another vital component is the motor. The motor is located at the rear of the vehicle and
is the heaviest of the components. Due to the weight of the motor, the extra pressure is
required under the area where the motor is positioned in order to attain hovering capabilities.
Propulsion is that which makes the craft move. The source of this effect is the fan, which
is used to move the air for propulsion. The fan produces more than enough force for the
hovercraft to move. Hovercrafts have no contact with the ground; therefore any resistance the
ground may produce under other circumstances is now non-existent for the craft.
The shape of the body also affects the stability of the hovercraft. The larger the area of
the base, the more stable it will be. Wider base implies greater stability. Longer and narrower
shapes increase speed but decrease stability. Most hovercrafts have rounded ends, and offer
both stability and speed.
 The skirt is another vital component. The common skirt is known as a bag skirt. It is
comprised of a bag that covers the bottom of the base and has holes in it to allow air to
escape and push the craft off the ground. Each part of the skirt inflates independently which
makes repairs much easier and improves stability.
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. Rudders cannot be too heavy otherwise they will
weigh down the craft because they are located very close to the motor.

Fig.6) Showing working principle of Hovercraft