HOVERCRAFT

By
SUMANT S KULKARNI
1BI17ME121
Under the guidance of:
Ms Sahana Reddy
Assistant Professor, BIT, Bengaluru

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
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Contents
Introduction
History
Models
Elements of a hovercraft
Principal of working
Operations of hovercraft
Advantages
Disadvantages
 Uses of hovercraft

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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.

Hovercraft on land Hovercraft on water

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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.

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History

 1952 Sir Christopher Cockerell (British Engineer)

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.

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Models
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.

SRN1 during first trial in 1959

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

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Elements of a 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.

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Elements of a 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.

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Elements of a 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.

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Elements of a 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.

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Elements of a 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.

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Elements of a 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.

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Principle of working
The hovercraft floats above the ground surface on a cushion of
air supplied by the lift fan. The air cushion makes
the hovercraft essentially frictionless.

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Operations of hovercraft
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.
Brakes
Hovercraft have no braking system. Simply reduce power until
the craft no longer hovers. Thrust reversers can be used.
Fuel Consumption
This will depend on the speed and other conditions which
the craft is driven under. But it uses less gas as compared to
cars and boats under the same condition.

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Advantages
Can be launched from ship.
Travel over any surface.
Shortcutting routes.
Travel Rivers up as fast as down, irrespective of the current.

Disadvantages
They move a lot of air and can be relatively loud.
Steep grades can be issue.
Potential of skirt damage/puncture.

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Uses of hovercraft
Search & Rescue

Military uses

 Mass transportation

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Thank you

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