UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING

HOVERCRAFT
As modes of transportation have evolved over the
years, finding more efficient and economic ways
of movement have been the chief goals of
developers. It is from this evolution that the
hovercraft arose.

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
Introduction
History
Models
Elements of a Typical hovercraft
Design Configurations
Operation of the Hovercraft
Design Considerations
Use of the Hovercraft
Environmental Impact
Hovercraft in Guyana
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
What is a Hovercraft?
A hovercraft is an amphibious vehicle that can
move with equal ease on both land and water
or any other terrain. It is also known as an air
cushion vehicle.

INTRODUCTION

Hovercraft on land

Hovercraft on water

HISTORY
1716 Emmanuel Swedenborg (Swedish Designer &

Philosopher)
He first conceptualized the idea of supporting a vehicle on a cushion
of air but his project was short lived and his craft never built.
Mid 1870s Sir John Thornycroft (British Engineer)
He developed the air cushion effect idea further by building and
testing a number of models but no applications were found since
the technology to implement the concept did not exist at the time.
1952 Sir Christopher Cockerell (British Engineering)
He invented the hovercraft. He found the missing link that everyone
else missed. Developed the hovercraft principle further and got his
idea patented in 1955. With diligent work he was able to bring his
idea to reality with the first commercial hovercraft in 1959. From
there on the idea took with numerous developments with the
vehicle.

Models

British Aircraft manufacturer Saunders Roe

SRN1
The first practical model to be made. It was powered by one
(piston) engine, driven by expelled air and could carry little
more than its own weight and two men.

The SRN1 During Trials in 1959

SRN1

Models

Models
Other developments led to larger and more efficient
hovercrafts which can carry passengers such as the SRN2 to
SRN6.

SRN4

Models
Other developments led to larger and more efficient
hovercrafts which can carry passengers such as the SRN2 to
SRN6.

SRN6

Models
Vickers VA-3
This was the first true passenger carrying hovercraft.

Models
Many companies continued the
development of the hovercraft.
British Hovercraft Corporation
(Saunders Roe & Vickers)
UK Cushion Craft
Hovermarine

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Hull
This is where the driver operates the hovercraft and
passengers or cargo are located. It is the main body of the
hovercraft which acts as the base for attaching of the other
parts.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Lifting System
This consist of a centrifugal fan attached to
a motor or an engine, which provides air
for the cavity underneath the craft (called
the plenum chamber) and also for filling
the skirts.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Thrust System
This consists of propeller or ducted fan that moves
air from in front of the craft and accelerates it out
the back. This accelerated mass of air then
generates thrust which pushes the craft forwards.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Skirt
This is the flexible wall that is attached all around
the bottom of the craft. The skirts prevents the
pressurized air from escaping from the plenum
chamber.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Engine
A typical hovercraft typically uses one engine but
larger sizes can use more sometimes up to six
engines. They usually utilized the typical marine
engines since they are quieter and fuel efficient.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Control System
This consists of a set of rudders that steer the
craft by directing the air from the thrust system
toward either left or right which consequently
steers the craft.

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Control System

ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT

Air Box
This is a box like structure at the rear of the
hovercraft located behind the propeller. It diverts
some of the thrust air underneath the hovercraft.

DESIGN CONFIGURATIONS
They can be designed with one or more engines.
One is used for driving the lift fan and the other
used for driving the thrust fans.
Some Hovercraft use the principle of ducting to
allow one engine to perform both lift and
propulsion by directing some of the air to the skirt
and the rest of the air is passed out of the back for
thrust.

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Principle of Operation

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Principle of Operation

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

The lift fan pushes a large volume of air under the hovercraft which is

prevented from escaping by the skirt.

As the fan continues to force air into this cushion, the pressure under the
hovercraft increases.
When the pressure under the hovercraft exceeds the weight of the
hovercraft, the hovercraft begins to rise off the ground this can be around 6
to 105 depending on the size of the craft.
Eventually the hovercraft raises high enough to lift the skirt off the ground.
Air begins to escape through the gap between the ground and the skirt
(called the hovergap).
At some point the hovercraft reaches equilibrium point at which the amount
of air being forced into the cushion can not exceed the amount of air escaping
through the hovergap.
At this point the hovercraft is hovering at its maximum hover height.
The hover height and hovergap which result at this stage can, with certain
limits, be adjusted through the design process.
Fans mounted on top creates thrust air which is used to propel the hovercraft
forward and moving the thrust air with rudders controls hovercraft direction.

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Brakes & Steering
Steering
Steering is accomplished by use of the rudders.
The
rudders are placed at the back of the craft in the direction
of the thrust air flow. As the direction of the rudders are
changed so is the direction of the craft.

Brakes
Hovercraft have no braking system. Simply reduce power
until the craft no longer hovers. Thrust reversers can be
used.

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Fuel Consumption
This will depend on the speed and
conditions which the craft is driven under.
uses less gas as compared to cars and
under the same condition. Hovercraft speed
is about 30-75 miles per hour.

other
But it
boats
range

A typical gasoline car averages 3.2 gallons per hour

whereas an average hovercraft gets about 2.8 gallons per
hour.

OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Safety
They have not been any major
accident involving hovercrafts. Only
the occasional break down due to
lack of maintenance.
Based
upon
information
the
hovercraft seems to be one of the
safest means of transportation.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Carrying Capacity
Pressure = Force/Area
A bigger hovercraft, one with a bigger overall area
can carry more weight than a smaller hovercraft
with a fan the same size. Therefore, the surface
area should be kept as large as possible reducing
the pressure needed.
Aerodynamic Drag
This is the force that the thrust must overcome.
The drag can be reduced by reducing the frontal
area of the craft.

DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
Thrust
The propellers used must be able to overcome the
aerodynamic drag.
Skirts
Depends on the usage of the hovercraft.
Stability
The location of the various components and
loadings so as not to overload any particular area
which may make the craft unstable.

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Personal Use

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Search & Rescue
The hovercraft can travel on virtually all
terrain

Hovercraft life boat

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Search & Rescue

The hovercraft can travel on virtually all
terrain

Hovercraft being used for a

rescue operation

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Mass Transportation
Passenger ferries (goods, vehicles)

Passenger-carrying hovercraft, off shore from ita Airport

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Mass Transportation

The Hovertravel service between the Isle of Wight and mainland England
is currently the only public hovercraft service in the United Kingdom

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Recreational Purposes
Sporting activities

A Formula 1 racing hovercraft

USE OF THE HOVERCRAFT

Research & Military uses

A U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion, an

example of a military hovercraft

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The air cushion enables a hovercraft to operate over

environmentally sensitive areas such as muskeg or mudflats

without disturbing the surface.
The ground pressure exerted even by a fully loaded
hovercraft is so low that the craft can pass over bird eggs
without breaking them.
The lack of disturbance on water minimizes the potential for
bank erosion and does not disturb swimmers or canoeists.
Unlike many boats, engine exhaust fumes are not directed
into the water and poisonous anti-fouling compounds are
not required on hovercraft.
They require no docking mechanisms and can land safely on
virtually any kind of shore.

HOVERCRAFT IN GUYANA
Can Hovercrafts replace speed boats?
Given that:
1. Can travel over the surface of the water without
concern for the depth or hidden obstacles
2. Can travel against the current of a river with no
reduction in speed
3. They are unaffected by small waves and offer a
comfortable smooth ride
4. Have sufficient cushion height to pass right
over a person in water
5. Can come right up to the shore even if there is
no water

HOVERCRAFT IN GUYANA

CONCLUSION
The hovercraft is in operation today
throughout the world for a variety of
purposes and its use is growing giving
raise to new and improved designs
resulting in greater applications.
With its safety and adaptability it can
become one of the most important and
economical means of transport in the
future.

THANK U!