Patent ID: 7306066
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: A63G,B60V

Abstract:
1. An air cushion vehicle comprising: a support body: a skirt body extending downwardly from said support body around an outer perimeter thereof; a lifting fan positioned in said support body to discharge air in a generally downward direction to lift said support body in an upward direction; a thrust fan supported on said support body, said thrust fan directing thrust fan air in a first direction generally rearward to create a thrust flow; a controller for supplying power at a variable level to said lifting fan and said thrust fan; a plurality of fins positioned behind said thrust fan for directing said air cushion vehicle; a plurality of vanes positioned in said thrust flow between said thrust fan and said plurality of fins, said plurality of vanes having a first position for directing the thrust flow in a generally rearward direction to permit a generally forward direction of vehicle travel, said plurality of vanes having a second position for redirecting the thrust flow onto said plurality of fins, and said plurality of fins being positioned to further redirect the thrust flow in a generally forward direction to reverse the direction of vehicle travel; and a turning controller for selectively actuating said plurality of vanes.