Page 53 - Theory and Design of Air Cushion Craft

ACV and SES development in China 37

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Fig. 1.37 Diesel engine propulsion ACV design 716-11.

Fig. 1.38 Passenger SES design WD-901 with single water-jet propulsion unit.

diesels as the main engines for this craft. The economy of modified craft 716-11 (Fig.
1.37) was improved significantly by this engine change. Meanwhile, the rigid sidewall
hovercraft type WD-901 (Fig. 1.38) was designed as a water bus for shallow water,
developed jointly by Shanghai Ship and Shipping Research Institute (SSSRI), the
Communication Bureau of An-Hui Province, and Chao Hu Shipyard. The WD-901
craft hull was made of GRP, while one 221 kW 12V150 marine diesel was used as the
integrated power system to drive a two-stage axial flow waterjet propulsion with an
impeller diameter of 385 mm. The craft ran at a maximum speed of 30-35 km/h. It
had the advantage of low cost operating economy, and was suitable to be the preferred