Propulsion and steering system for hovering models

Abstract

The model having hovering capability includes one or more air cushions that are capable of tilting and rotating simultaneously. By tilting one or more air cushions, the frictional contact with the ground surface is increased and the air bearing effect of that cushion is lost. By rotating that same air cushion while tilted, the model with hovering capability is provided with propulsion and steering capability. The tilting and rotating of the air cushions provides increase propulsion over rougher terrains, and enables the vehicle to be amphibious by traversing both water and land.

1 . A model comprising:
 at least one front air cushion;   at least one rear air cushion; and   a propulsion system connected to said at least one front air cushion or said at least one rear air cushion, said propulsion system causing the connected air cushion to tilt in a predetermined manner and rotate in a user selected direction.   
   
   
       2 . The model of  claim 1 , wherein said tilting in a predetermined manner comprises tilting said at least one air cushion from a flat air bearing condition to an angular disposition with respect to a ground running surface the model is being operated on. 
   
   
       3 . The model of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one front air cushion is fixedly mounted in a horizontal, air bearing position and said propulsion system is connected to said at least one rear air cushion such that said at least one rear air cushion provides steering and propulsion to the model. 
   
   
       4 . The model of  claim 2 , wherein said angular disposition comprises tilting said rear air cushion at an angle greater than zero degrees with respect to running surface of the model. 
   
   
       5 . The model of  claim 1 , wherein the air cushion connected to the propulsion system further comprises a tread having a predetermined configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The model of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined configuration of the air cushion tread comprises one selected from a group consisting of off-road tread, water tread, track tread and an all season tread. 
   
   
       7 . The model of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two rear air cushions; and   one front air cushion operating exclusively as an air bearing;   wherein said propulsion system is connected to said two rear cushions such that rotation of each of said rear air cushions in opposite directions with respect to each other causes said model to move in a straight direction.   
   
   
       8 . The model of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an air compression fan with corresponding ducting configured to provide air to said air cushions; and   a shut off mechanism connected to the air cushions connected to said propulsion system for shutting off air flow to the air cushions connected to the propulsion system when said propulsion system is activated and the air cushions are tilted.   
   
   
       9 . The model of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a front right and a front left air cushion;   a rear right and a rear left air cushion;   a left side gear housing connecting said front left and said rear left air cushions, said left side gear housing pivotally mounted to a chassis of the model;   a right side gear housing connecting said front right and said rear right air cushions, said right side gear housing pivotally mounted to the chassis of the model; and   control means connected to said left side gear housing and said right side gear housing for independently and selectively pivoting said gearing housings, and thereby the respective air cushions to provide at least two different modes of operation for said air cushions.   
   
   
       10 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said control means comprises:
 a right side servo having a right side servo horn;   a left side servo having a left side servo horn;   a right side control arm connected at one end to the right side servo horn and an opposite end connected to the right side gear housing;   a left side control arm connected at one end to the left side servo horn and an opposite end connected to the left side gear housing;   wherein said servos selectively control the operating position of said gear housings in response to user received commands from a radio controller.   
   
   
       11 . The model of  claim 10 , wherein said servos are capable of pivoting said gear housings in a range of more than 90 degrees to provide both a 4 wheel operating vehicle in one mode, and the tilted wheel propulsion system for the model in another operating mode.