PROPULSIVE AIR STREAM DEFLECTING APPARATUS FOR AIR CUSHION VEHICLE

摘要

A propulsive air stream deflecting apparatus for an air cushion vehicle. A deflecting mechanism is provided to the hull of the air cushion vehicle for arcuately deflecting the propulsive air stream from the open rear end of the air duct, mounted to the hull. The deflecting mechanism provides a steering thrust to the air cushion vehicle. The deflecting mechanism is pivotable about a vertical pivot mounted to the hull between a propulsive thrust producing position, where the deflecting mechanism is located away from the propulsive air stream issuing from the rear open end of the air duct, and a forward thrust producing position where the deflecting mechanism is located to fully cover the rear open end of the air duct for deflecting the propulsive air stream to create the forward thrust to the hull. The deflecting mechanism is operatively connected to a controlling mechanism which controls the pivotal movement of the deflecting mechanism to locate the deflecting mechanism at a position between the propulsive thrust producing position and the forward thrust producing position.