Accession Number:

ADD002797

Title:

Negative Air Cushion for Airship Ground Handling.

Descriptive Note:

Patent,

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON D C

Personal Author(s):

• Vaughan,John C.

Report Date:

1976-06-15

Pagination or Media Count:

5.0

Abstract:

The patent relates to a mooring and landing device for aircraft which are capable of vertical descent for landing comprising an inflatable tube-type device, or trunk, attached to the bottom surface of the craft. The trunk is in the shape of a doughnut and the open interior compartment formed by the inflated trunk and the bottom surface of the craft is evacuated to a pressure lower than atmospheric so that the difference between the compartment pressure and the atmospheric pressure moors the craft to the ground. The trunk is inflated to a pressure greater than atmospheric and may be formed with a plurality of holes to provide an air cushion for lubrication purposes.

Descriptors:

• *Aircraft
• *Ground effect machines
• *Landing gear
• *Patents
• Ground effect
• Inflatable structures
• Mooring
• Aircraft landings

Subject Categories:

• Surface Effect Vehicles and Amphibious Vehicles

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE