Let me know if I am insane
02-18-2003, 05:17 PM
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I got these plans off of Ebay to do a hovercraft but I still am not entirely sure how to go about it. I want to do it about 3 feet long with an Astroflight 40 to turn the fan. Does anyone have any comments?
02-18-2003, 07:38 PM
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Search for hovercraft or land speeder on Ebay. I figure it has to be electric because I can't get a starter to the engine. I also wonder if the fan will rumble like an overloaded washing machine.
02-19-2003, 04:44 AM
#6
Krazy!?!?
Personally, ducting is all wrong.
That setup will blow air laterally, then force in downwards, which will cause too much turbulence and you’ll lose efficiency. Re-work it with a 3-blade pusher prop, or invert the engine and use a standard 3 blade prop.
Not sure of your dimensions but get a ‘larger’ prop, and trim to fit. This will increase your thrust and lesson your tip stall (tight to your duct, about 1/8”).
Interested in the experiment. Let me know if I can help.
That setup will blow air laterally, then force in downwards, which will cause too much turbulence and you’ll lose efficiency. Re-work it with a 3-blade pusher prop, or invert the engine and use a standard 3 blade prop.
Not sure of your dimensions but get a ‘larger’ prop, and trim to fit. This will increase your thrust and lesson your tip stall (tight to your duct, about 1/8”).
Interested in the experiment. Let me know if I can help.
02-20-2003, 05:17 PM
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They claim that the stationary vanes increase the efficiency of the fan. The 3 blade prop would be easier but would pretty much change the entire craft.
02-20-2003, 06:41 PM
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How does it really work?
Personally, ducting is all wrong.
That setup will blow air laterally, then force in downwards, which will cause too much turbulence and you’ll lose efficiency. Re-work it with a 3-blade pusher prop, or invert the engine and use a standard 3 blade prop.
That setup will blow air laterally, then force in downwards, which will cause too much turbulence and you’ll lose efficiency. Re-work it with a 3-blade pusher prop, or invert the engine and use a standard 3 blade prop.
I'm not convinced that turbulence would be a problem at all. Turbulence would be a concern if you were trying to move a very large volume of air, yes? But in a hovercraft, how much air is really being moved? Isn't the real chore here to create, (and maintain) a pressure differential, (higher pressure within the confines of the hovercraft skirt) allowing for losses around the perimeter of the skirt.
Assuming the losses are not that great, then air volume flow would not be so great either...
I'm not a aeronautical engineer or anything, (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night).
Just thinking out-loud I guess...
Fever
03-04-2003, 06:17 PM
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I still wonder if I can assemble the fan and have it in a reasonable balance. I also wonder if it would overwork an electric motor.
