Hovercraft Vector
Hovercraft Vector – a hovercraft with thrust vectoring
The meeting of bionics with pneumatics is found again and again in the new ideas for using air in the Bionic Learning Network. The hovercraft is a perfect example of highly precise manoeuvring over land and water.
The mode of operation of the thrust control system developed by students of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is reminiscent of the guidance principle of a tracked vehicle. The air produced by the propeller is split into two channels. Each of these channels has a pair of flaps that behave like the thrust-reversing system of a turbo-drive and are able to steplessly adjust the portion of the air discharged backward or forward. Braking manoeuvres and reverse travel are therefore possible without difficulty.
The meeting of bionics with pneumatics is found again and again in the new ideas for using air in the Bionic Learning Network. The hovercraft is a perfect example of highly precise manoeuvring over land and water.
The mode of operation of the thrust control system developed by students of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is reminiscent of the guidance principle of a tracked vehicle. The air produced by the propeller is split into two channels. Each of these channels has a pair of flaps that behave like the thrust-reversing system of a turbo-drive and are able to steplessly adjust the portion of the air discharged backward or forward. Braking manoeuvres and reverse travel are therefore possible without difficulty.
© 2009 Festo AG & Co. KG