AIR-CUSHION AMPHIBIA Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: transport engineering; cross- country vehicles for carrying cargoes and people across water obstacles, heavy terrain, swamps, ice, snow. SUBSTANCE: proposed vehicle has platform with receiver divided into compartments, body divided into compartments, engine fan, transmission, propeller in ring , aerodynamic control surface and air cushion flexible barrier. Vehicle is furnished with resilient brake flaps with guide knives and flap control system. Controllable pneumatic wheeled undercarriage is provided with drive for partially lifting the vehicle when moving on air within 10-30% and for complete lifting when running along motor road. Engine output shaft and fan shaft are coaxial, horizontal and connected by flexible coupling. Axles of propeller and reduction gear are arranged above axles of engine and fan are connected with fan shaft by propeller shaft passing through luggage compartment. Engine compartment is isolated from fan compartment. Engine is cooled by air ejected by propeller through separate channel under fan compartment. Buoyancy units hinge- connected to body along its sides have positions: horizontal working position and travelling vertical position. Safety belt and flexible barrier are hinge-connected to buoyancy units. EFFECT: increased load ratio, improved seaworthiness, maneuverability and safety when negotiating water- covered sections and dry terrain, reduced fuel consumption. 6 cl, 7 dwg