9/14/2012

Lift System Calculator for Hovercraft

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Hovercraft Lift Calculator

Calculator created by Alex Olshove and provided here as a courtesy to hovercraft enthusiasts.
Requires Internet Explorer 3.02 or Netscape 2.0 or later.

The JavaScript calculator on this page is based on equations taken from the book HoVercrqfting as a Hobby, by James Perozzo. If you do not know how to use the results, you may want to purchase a copy of Mr. Perozzo's book. It provides complete information on hovercraft design.
Notice: Calculations assume a
rectangular platform with a slope or wedge shape at the front. To use the calculator without returning to this site, save the entire page to your drive. Please do not repost without permission. Calculator is the property of Alex Olshove.

Disclaimer: Neither Robert

Q. Riley Enterprises, LLC. nor Alex Olshove can assume any liability for the proper operation of any hovercraft based on results obtained from this calculator. Calculator provides approximations only.

Step 1: Lift System Calculations

Enter data in the following four fields, then press
http://www.rqriley.com/hc-calc.html

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Lift System Calculator for Hovercraft

the "Calculate" button. Answers will appear in the "Results Lift System Calculations" table below. Enter hull width in feet: Enter required air Enter gross weight in
9

feet: Enter hull length in gap in inches (i.e. 0.5):

1 (Distance between the ground and the bottom of the skirt.) 60 pounds (fully-loaded): 5 Reset Form

Calculat e

Results Lift
System Calculations (Do not enter data in this table.)

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Lift System Calculator for Hovercraft

Approximate Lift Perimeter (ft.) Total Hover Gap (sq. ft.) Total Cushion Area (sq. ft.) Cushion Pressure (lbs/sq. in.) Expected Air Velocity (ft/sec) Lift Air Volume (CFS) Lift Air Volume (CFM) Lift Engine HP Required Estimate Fan Diameter (inches)

23.40000000001 1.950 8.10 0 32.4 0.129 73.8 143.9 8634 8.100 25 15/32

(For maximum service life and reliability , avoid operating industrial

Step 2: Lift Fan Calculations

Enter data in the fields below, then press the "Calculate" button. Answers will appear in the "Results Lift Fan Calculations" table below.
25.47

Enter diameter of lift fan (inches): Enter desired engine power (HP): Enter speed of engine (RPM):
3060 engines at greater than 85% of maximum RPM - normally, 3600 RPM). Enter

number of fan blades

desired: 5
Calculat e Reset Form

Results Lift Fan Calculations

(Do not enter data in this table.) Blade width [mid] Blade Width [base] Blade Width [tip] Tip Speed (ft/sec)
7 3/64 9 5/32

" " "

4 15/64 340.0

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Lift System Calculator for Hovercraft

Metric Metric Units Conversions 0.394 Inches 1 Centimeter 1.093 Yards 0.621 Miles 0.035 Ounces 1 Meter 1 Kilometer 1 Gram

0.0022 Pounds 1 Gram 2.20 Pounds 1 KiloGram 1 Liter American Units

More Information
Tri-Flyer Information Page - A three-place high-performance hovercraft built from plans. Pegasus Information Page - A hovercraft for youngsters built from plans. How to License and Insure Homebuilt Vehicles - Includes info on hovercraft. A complete listing of our plans-built projects Hovercraft Newsgroup - Network with others by visiting the hovercraft newsgroup at alt.rec.hovercraft.

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Lift System Calculator for Hovercraft

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