|
|
Aeromobile Inc. proudly introduces the ultimate design in amphibious hovercraft (air cushion vehicle) technology - Gimbal Fan ACVs. These new revolutionary vehicles will fulfill the great potential of hovercraft.
Please note: we are currently raising money for the manufacturing of this craft, and it is not yet available for sale.
Special Presentations |
|||||
|
Video: |
Video 1: The A-2000 moving at high speed on water This shows several sequences of the vehicle moving at "hump" (high) speed on a lake in Illinois. The two Gimbal fans at the rear of the craft give additionall thrust.
Video 2: The A-2000 traversing airport runways This video shows the craft doing maneuvers on land at an airport in Illionois. This shows the controllability of our vehicles, most unusual for a hovercraft.
|
||||
|
Download |
8 Page Product Brochure for A-2000 craft (PDF format) |
||||
|
Slide Show: |
|
What are Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs)?
Hovercraft (also known as air cushion vehicles or ACVs, a term Dr. Bertelsen prefers) are vehicles that can travel on land, water, ice or any surface by using fans to create a cushion of air beneath the vehicle. The vehicle glides along on this cushion of air. This type of vehicle was pioneered in the 1950s by Dr. William Bertelsen and others as an important advance in ground transportation. These amphibian hovercraft can go where no other vehicle can - from land to water to ice conditions, etc. They are immune to adverse weather conditions and changes in terrain.
These vehicles have great potential for airport water crash rescue, marine fire fighting, search and rescue, Coast Guard patrol, fish and wildlife survey (especially in marshy areas), thin ice rescue, ferrying of passengers and automobiles.
There are a number of different manufacturers of hovercraft in the world today. Almost all are based on a basic design that has not changed since the late 1960s - namely they are stern thrusted with rudders in slipstream. This design has severe limitations because these standard"hovercraft lack stability in cross winds, are not as steerable as boats and land vehicles, and frequently cannot go in reverse. This has limited the acceptance of hovercraft even in the fields of rescue and land to water transportation for which they are uniquely suited.
Dr Bertelsen, the founder of Aeromobile Inc., has solved the major problem of hovercraft design (the "Gordian knot" as he likes to call it) by his invention of The Gimbal Fan . The gimbal fan is the solution to the problem of control that has always frustrated the hovercraft industry. This type of fan is revolutionary because it allows much more controllability to the hovercraft than before. This takes away any drawback to use of air cushion vehicles.
The advantages of the Gimbal Fan air cushion vehicles of Aeromobile Inc. are:
|
1. |
Absolute positive, powerful control of the craft in all directions by the driver in spite of winds, grades, rapids, etc. |
|
2. |
Instant availability of the total propulsion force in any direction, instantly cancelable, reversible and in appropriate force metered to the needs of the driver. |
|
3. |
High speed breaking in any direction, with full steering, is inherent in Gimbal Fan Aeromobiles, whereas this is impossible with "conventional" hovercraft. |
|
4. |
User friendly servo controls anyone can fly with little training. New drivers can be trained easily to be competent and safe operators. |
|
5. |
No vexing weather cocking at low speed or in high cross winds since there are no vertical rearward surfaces as with "conventional" hovercraft. |
|
6. |
Safety of operation despite gusts, uneven surfaces, obstacles, etc. |
|
7. |
The turning circle is smaller and tight turns are possible at high speed by outward thrust of the gimbal fans to provide inward radial force. |
|
8. |
In a twin Gimbal Fan Aeromobile, each end of the craft has 50% of the total thrust force for omnidirectional force to control the bow or stern. |
|
9. |
Road and runway crowns, as well as limited side hill negotiation, are possible by directing gimbal fan thrust appropriately to yield both forward and lateral thrust. |
|
10. |
Pivoting in place is possible with gimbal fans tilted in opposite directions. |
|
11. |
Full sideways or diagonal travel is possible, slow or fast, by tilting both gimbal fans in the same direction, something impossible for "conventional" hovercraft. |
|
12. |
With both gimbal fans untilted with vertical fan shaft at full throttle, 100% of the slipstream is dedicated to lift. This is useful in passing over porous surfaces and for "rocking" the craft off of a "hang up". |
What Gimbal Fan Hovercraft (Air Cushion Vehicles) are Available Today?
Aeromobile Inc. has completed work on the A-2000 Gimbal Fan Hovercraft, a twin Gimbal Fan craft. This vehicle is the latest and most advanced Gimbal Fan Air Cushion Vehicle (please refer to Dr. Bertelsen's page for information on earlier models). A number of important features have been added to the A-2000 to ensure it meets the needs of any customer, anywhere, in any situation. However, we are currently raising money for the manufacturing of this craft, and it is not yet available for sale.
You can view and download our A-2000 product brochure. This PDF formatted document goes into great detail about this marvellous craft. Also, we have available the Amphibian A-2000 Slide Show, which combines text and photos to introduce you to our flagship vehicle.
Some basic specifications about the vehicle are given below:
|
Last update: August 8, 2008
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |