| 摘要 |
<p>1,002,572. Buoyancy apparatus. HOVERCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Ltd. June 8, 1962 [June 13, 1961], No. 21275/61. Heading B8B. [Also in Divisions B7 and F2] A body is supported out of contact with a surface by means of a member made of permeable material through which is fed pressurized fluid. The permeable material may be flexible, such as sponge rubber, or may have a flexible bearing face. The porosity of the permeable material may allow the pressurized fluid to flow in one or more directions and the peripheral edge thereof may be sealed. In an embodiment, a member 3, which comprises a hollow top portion 4 and a lower portion 5 of permeable material, is attached to a base 2 of a load 1. Pressurized air, supplied to the hollow portion 4 through a pipe 6, passes through the permeable material 5 and forms a clearance 7 between said material 5 and a surface 8. In modifications, pads or ducts of permeable material replace the permeable layer 5; the pads may be inclined for co-operation with inclined tracks; the air flow is decreased by means of fibres mounted beneath the permeable material; the permeable material is mounted on a flexible tube, which may be inflated by the pressurized fluid or from a separate source, the permeable material may be attached to a vehicle body, for example, by springs or pneumatic or hydraulic rams; a separate air chamber may be included which supports part of the load; and the permeable material, when flexible, may be attached to a duct, which is also flexible. The Specification includes several applications such as take-off and landing aids for aircraft, docking of vehicles, supporting and guiding of loads on conveyers, and supporting a human body or parts thereof. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 935,825.</p> |
