Page 8 - Theory and Design of Air Cushion Craft

Contents

Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii

1. Introduction to hovercraft 1
1.1 Hovercraft beginnings 1
1.2 ACV and SES development in the UK 9
1.3 ACV and SES development in the former USSR 22
1.4 US hovercraft development 25
1.5 ACV and SES development in China 32
1.6 SES and ACV developments in the 1990s 39
1.7 Applications for ACV/SES 41
1.8 The future 45
1.9 SES and ACV design 46

2. Air cushion theory 48
2.1 Introduction 48
2.2 Early air cushion theory developments 50
2.3 Practical formulae for predicting air cushion performance 55
2.4 Static air cushion characteristics on a water surface 66
2.5 Flow rate coefficient method 71
2.6 The 'wave pumping' concept 73
2.7 Calculation of cushion stability derivatives and damping
coefficients 76

3. Steady drag forces 84
3.1 Introduction 84
3.2 Classification of drag components 84
3.3 Air cushion wave-making drag (/? w) 86
3.4 Aerodynamic profile drag 96
3.5 Aerodynamic momentum drag 96
3.6 Differential air momentum drag from leakage under bow/stern
seals 97
3.7 Skirt drag 98