The hovercraft or aeroscoper is a means of transport fueled by one or more propeller and supported by a “air cushion”. It is able to move on different surfaces such as Water, earth and iceand to reach speeds even above 150 km/h. But how does it work? And why isn’t it so widespread?
How a hovercraft works
The operation at the base of a hovercraft is as brilliant as it is simple: a great propeller propeller pushes the air below the hullwhere it is trapped by a rubber skirt or flexible material around the edge of the Hovercraft. This skirt helps to “seal” the edge and maintain an air cushion to high pressure under the vehicle. This pressure comes out just enough to unplug the vehicle from the surface on which it rests, whatever it is, and therefore by enormously reducing the friction. In other words, it is a system that manages to keep the vehicle suspended in the air, so a minimal push will be enough to move. That push is given by fans which are usually placed behind.
However, the very first Hovercraft prototype had a problem: it was enough to make about twenty people rise (equal to about 30% of its weight) to reduce the suspension between the base and the ground to just 10 centimeters. And with so little margin you could not go anywhere, since even a small rock ended up being hindered. Two solutions allowed to solve the problem: the first was to make the air convey not to the center, but but widespread through the entire perimeterso as to create an area of greater pressure just below; the second was that trap the air with a “skirt”as the rubber sheet is called in jargon that you see today under the hovercraft. In fact, this cloth prevents the air from dispersing and – in addition – it adapts much better to obstacles, not being of its nature rigid as the hull of a boat. These precautions have allowed the Hovercraft to become a medium amphibious respectable, where “amphibious”, for those who do not know it, means that it can go from the mainland to the water – and vice versa – without stopping. The direction of travel is given by a part of the generated air which is used for the push forward, addressed through adjustable wings. The most advanced models then have lateral rudders to improve maneuverability, or even the possibility of reversing the push, to reverse.
When the hovercraft was invented and the largest model
The first, true, demonstration of strength of a hovercraft took place in 1959when the SR-N1 model, with its inventor on board, on board, Sir Christopher Cockerllcrossed the sleeve in just two hours. From there he began his climb, which touched the peak with the construction of the SR-N4 commercial model in 1968. Do you think it was almost long 40 metersFor 165 tons weight, and was able to transport 30 cars And 250 passengers. But it did not end here, because 8 years later an even larger, long version was launched 56 metersheavy 320 tons and able to transport 60 cars and 428 passengers. He operated from one side of the sleeve channel and his tickets were booked with months and months in advance.
Technical limits: costs and noise
One of the large limits of Hovercraft is linked to costs: the skirt, struggling with the open sea, needed maintenance interventions After almost every crossing. It was really sewn and touched in some places. Another limit is represented by noise: The large fans who served to operate it produced a noise that made it difficult to exchange a chat on board. And then he could not operate in moved sea situations, forcing the company to cancel several trips in case of adverse time. But the real coup de grace to this giant hovercraft gave it the combination of increase in fuel prices and the opening, in 2000, of the Eurotunnel under the sleevewhich made it completely inconvenient to keep it in business.
How the overcraft is used: military and rescue operations
Despite the highest maintenance costs compared to a boat, the hovercraft still maintains unique characteristics that make it perfect for specific situations. It is perfect in fact to operate in difficult contexts, such as Paluds, lakes or muddy landswhere a normal boat would be run over. And it’s also a great breed: In fact, the movement of the air manages to break the most superficial layers of ice, and can therefore be used to free the road in the navigable rivers. Today it is therefore used above all for rescue operations, from Police and firefightersin particular after floods. For the conduct of a hovercraft, the nautical license is generally requested, as they often operate in aquatic environments. Without forgetting that his being a half amphibian makes him particularly suitable for military operationslike the transport of troops or moral vehicles from the sea to the beach inside.
