Introduction- Hovercrafts are useful, interesting, and just downright neat. This is the reason that we selected them for our research topic. Although we ended up changing our initial idea, the end product turned out to be pretty spiffy. Back to Table of Contents

Materials-

1 aluminum plate

2 servos

1 speed controller

1 R/C receiver

1 R/C transmitter

lots of glue, tape and wire
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General Description-We have no Data

Originally, our idea was to have a can, or some other object, hover using a computer fan. We would then ad various weights to the contraption and record how much the ride height changed. We were hoping that our data would result in some type of graph that would show optimum weights for the fan. We also were going to have some different fans that we could attach to the hovercraft, and we could figure out the weight holding graphs for each different fan. Unfortunately, this system posed too many problems to be practical for a high school student.

The main obstacle was that the height the craft lifted up was so small, that we could not accurately measure it. We then came up with the idea of using sheets of paper to measure the ride height. This wouldn’t work due to the fact that the hovercraft would never be exactly balanced, and the height varied depending on the point at which it was measured. We would have needed precisely manufactured fans and plates for this to work at all.

Just when we thought we were going to have to scrap it and build a volcano, we were saved by the genius we only know as Mr. Chris Murray. He suggested that we stop trying to perform the incredible task of collecting data, and just turn our craft into a remote controlled vehicle. This is where the next chapter in our project began.

We started with some scavenged remote control equipment, a few fans, a couple of plates, a power supply, and a few ideas. We already knew that the fan would simply point down through a hole in the plate, therefore levitating the craft. The rest of the components would be then fastened around the perimeter of the plate. The problems that we were dealing with now was how to control the direction that the craft moved and how to distribute the weight of the components.

Our ideas for controlling the model were as follows. The first idea was to have 2 motor w/fans that were set up 90 degrees from each other. This would allow us to push and pull the craft in any direction we needed. The problem we ran into here was the fact that we couldn’t get the radio control gear we had to make it work right. We only had 1 speed controller, and we would have needed 2 for this system to work. The next idea we came up with was to have 1 fan facing back that we could swivel from side to side, allowing us to steer the model. But, after hours and hours of brainstorming and tinkering, we couldn’t figure out any way to make the motor swivel while still looking half decent. The final idea, and the one we used, was to have a fixed fan facing back with a rudder-like device behind it. When we turned the rudder, the flow of air changed direction and steered the craft. We assembled our craft with hot glue and paper clips, and were ready to rock. The fan wasn’t quite strong enough to propel the model at a very high speed, but we were willing to settle.

It was the day of the presentation and we were excited about showing everyone our new toy. However, a small mishap occurred when JOSH MARLES decided it would be a good idea to hook up our poor little craft to a 20 volt A/C power source. This made short work of the main fan, and left us with a pie plate with a dead fan and a bunch of useless wires attached to it.

If we were to do this project again in the future, there are some improvements that could help out a bit. These are:

Increased fan size (both of them)

Increased size of the platform (to allow for more components)

Incorporated power supply (no cord)

I’ll make all the electrical connections
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Conclusion- In all, this project was a learning experience, and was quite enjoyable too. While our craft still worked, it was very neat and fun to play with. I think you just need to know something about hovercrafts before you start. This will make the whole project much easier and it will go a lot smoother. It also would have helped if we had a machine shop to make all of our components custom so they would have would have worked better. (Jury-rigged Radio Shack parts can only do so much.) Back to Table of Contents
 

Related Links:
            1. http://www.hovercraft.org.uk/  -The Hovercraft club of Great Britain
            2. http://www.continet.com/hovercraft/ -Hovercraft kits and designs
            3. http://www.hovercraft.com/ -Custom hovercrafts, kits, and plans
            4. http://www.hovercraft.co.uk/ -Waterside Marine Tech homepage
            5. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ahf/ -The Australian Hovercraft Federation
            6. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~untitled/hover.html -HoverTechnics
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