This document outlines a presentation on hovercrafts. It begins with an introduction defining a hovercraft and its ability to travel over various surfaces. It then discusses the history of hovercraft development from early designs in the 17th century to Sir Christopher Cockerell's invention and commercialization in the 1950s. The main sections cover the principles of hovercraft operation using propellers, fans, and skirts to create lift; typical components like the hull, lifting system, thrust system and skirts; and applications for personal use, search and rescue, and military purposes.

1. GOVT. ENGINEERING
COLLEGE BILASPUR
A
SEMINAR
ON
HOVERCRAFT
Submitted to: Submitted by:
Dr.G.K.Agrawal
Havini Sahu
HOD (Mechanical) (3073712030)

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
 Introduction
 History
 Principle of working
 Element of typical hovercraft
 Operation of the hovercraft
 Advantage
 Disadvantage
 Applications of hovercraft
 Future of hovercraft
 conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
 A hovercraft is a vehicle that flies like a plane , float
like a boat, drive like a car
 A hovercraft , also known as an air cushion vehicle or
ACV, is a craft capable of travelling over grass,
water, mud or ice and other surface.

4. HISTORY
 The first design by Swedish designer Emmanuel
Swedenborg in 1716.
 In 1915 Austrian Dagobert Muller built the world
first water effect .
 In 1931 finnish aero engineer Toivo J. Kaario began
designing developed version of a vessel using an air
cushion and built a prototype.

5. INVENTION
1952 Sir Christopher Cockerell (British
Engineering)
He invented the hovercraft and patended in 1955. With
diligent work he was able to bring his idea to reality with the
first commercial hovercraft in 1959. British hovercraft
corporation developed the first commercial hovercraft for
passenger.

6. PRINCIPLE OF WORKING
The principle of working of a Hovercraft is to lift the craft by a
cushion of air to propel it using propellers. The idea of
supporting the vehicle on a cushion of air developed from the
idea to increase the speed of boat by feeding air beneath them .
The air beneath the hull would lubricate the surface and
reduce the water drag on boat and so increasing its speed
through water the air sucked in through a part by large lifting
fans which are fitted to the primary structure of the craft.

7. WORKING 0F PRINCIPLE

8. ELEMEENT OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Propeller:
It pushes hovercraft
ahead by pushing air
Behind
Fan:
Primary purpose is to inflate
the cushion containing within
the skirt beneath the craft as
well as to provide thrust with
which to propel the craft
forward

9. ELEMENT OF A TYPICAL HOVERCRAFT
Hull
 This is where the driver operates the hovercraft and
passengers or cargo are located.
 It is the main body of the hovercraft which act as the base for
attaching of the other parts .

10. ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Lifting system
 This consist of a
centrifugal fan
attached to a motor or
an engine ,which
provides air for the
cavity underneath the
craft (called the
plenum chamber )and
also for filling the
skirts.

11. ELEMENT OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Thrust system
This consist of propeller that
moves air from in front of the
craft and accelerates it out the
back . This accelerated mass
of air then generates thrust
which pushes the craft forwards.

12. ELEMENT OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Skirt
This is the flexible wall
that is attached all around
the bottom of the craft .
The skirts prevents the
pressurized air from escaping
from the plenum chamber .

13. ELEMENT OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Control system
 This consists of a set of rudders that steer the craft by
directing the air from the thrust system toward either
left or right which consequently steers the craft.

14. Control System

15. OPERATION OF HOVERCRAFT
 As the fan continues to force air in to this cushion ,the
pressure under the hovercraft increases.
 When the pressure under the hovercraft exceeds the weight of
the hovercraft, the hovercraft begins to rise off the ground this
can be around 6” to105” The lift fan pushes a large volume of
air under the hovercraft which is prevented from escaping by
the skirts .
 depending on the size of the craft.
 Eventually the hovercraft raises high enough to lift the skirts.
 Air begins to escape through the gap between the ground and
the skirt (called the hovergap)

16. OPERATION OF THE HOVERCRAFT
 Steering
Steering is accomplished by use of the rudders. The
rudders are placed at the book of the craft in the direction
of the thrust air flow. As the direction of the rudders are
changed so is the direction of the craft.
 Brakes
hovercraft have no braking system .simply reduce the
power until the craft no longer hovers .Thrust reversers
can be used .

17. Steering and Brakes

18. OPERATION OF HOVERCRAFT
Fuel Consumption
This will depend on the speed and other conditions which the
craft is driven under , But it uses less fuel as compared to
cars and boats under the same condition.

19. ELEMENT OF A TYPICAL
HOVERCRAFT
Engine
A typical hovercraft typically
uses one engine but larger
sizes can use more sometime
up to six engines .they usually
utilized the typical marine
engines since they are
quieter and fuel efficient.

20. ADVANTAGE
 Travel over any surface .
 Shortcutting routes .
 Travel in dry water beds.
 No collision with debris , logs etc.
 Access to 75% of coastal area instead of only 5%
with conventional vessels.

21. DISADVANTAGE
 They move a lot of air and can be relatively loud
( noise pollution).
 Steep grade can be issue.
 Potential of skirt damage.
 Not exactly agile
 The hovercraft is bulky and its high speed make it
difficult to control while on land.

22. APPLICATION OF HOVERCRAFT
Personal use

23. APPLICATION OF HOVERCRAFT

24. APPLICATION OF HOVERCRAFT

25. CONCLUSION
 The hovercraft is in operation today throughout the
world for a variety of purposes and its use is growing
giving raise to new and improved designs resulting
in greater application.

26. THANK YOU…