Device for propulsion on an air cushion for a floating craft including, at the front, a jet engine and, at its middle, an assembly made up of sails, extensible mast and keel which can be adjusted by means of flaps

摘要

The invention relates to a device allowing a floating craft to be propelled more rapidly by simultaneously using traction from the front, on an air cushion, and a greater amount of sail. It is made up of two floats 1, 2 connected by a wing 3 supporting the passenger compartment 4, at the front of which is located the jet engine 5, at the centre of the hull 41 is placed the extensible mast 6 formed of two splined tubes: 61, supporting the sails 7, and 62, supporting the keel 8. The sliding of these two tubes 61, 62 makes it possible to adjust the position of the keel 8, which thus makes use of a large lever arm for counterbalancing the thrust of the winds filling the sails 7. The floating craft is thus propelled at a very high speed on an air cushion 32 by the jet engine 5, and the sails 7, with maximum safety. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for all floating craft whether they be equipped with an engine or with sails. <IMAGE>