Ground effect model

Abstract

This present invention provides an unconventional and proprietary flying “ground effect vehicle” or model. This vehicle features thrust propellers that generate airflow. The airflow is directed to the bottom of vehicle causing it to rise completely off the ground surface and as the airflow increases it is directed rearward so as to achieve and sustain forward “ground effect” flight. This type of flight effect occurs near the ground surface as the vehicle flies on a cushion of air that is generated between the ground surface and underside of the vehicle body with or without auxiliary horizontal stabilizers.

1 . A ground effect model comprising:
 a body having a front, a back, sides, a top and a bottom;   at least one air duct having an inlet at the front of the body and an outlet positioned at the bottom of the body;   at least one propeller positioned in the at least one air duct at the inlet to selectively increase air flow through the air duct from the inlet to the outlet;   at least one motor connected to the at least one propeller.   
     
     
         2 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one skirt positioned along the outlet of said at least one air duct and configured to prevent air leakage from the sides of the body and thereby increase air pressure near a ground surface over which the model flies.   
     
     
         3 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 radio control electronics and a battery power source positioned on the body and connected to the at least one motor to allow wireless operation of the ground effect model.   
     
     
         4 . The ground effect model according to  claim 3 , further comprising at least one pivoting flap positioned in the at least one air duct and behind the at least one propeller, the at least one pivoting flap being initially positioned to direct air downward toward a ground surface upon initial activation of the at least one motor and at least one propeller, and as air pressure in the at least one air duct increases, said at least one pivoting flap pivoting so as to be substantially parallel with the airflow through the air duct thereby diverting air toward the rear of the body for thrust. 
     
     
         5 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rear wing assembly positioned at the back of the body, said rear wing assembly providing balancing control of the model during ground effect flight. 
     
     
         6 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , further comprising horizontal stabilizer wings on each side of the body and for providing lateral stabilization of the model during ground effect flight. 
     
     
         7 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one air duct comprises two air ducts, said at least one propeller comprises two propellers, one for each air duct; and said at least one motor comprises two motors, one for each of said two propellers. 
     
     
         8 . The ground effect model according to  claim 1 , further comprising gearing connecting said at least one motor to said at least one propeller. 
     
     
         9 . A ground effect model configured to fly over a ground surface, the ground effect model comprising:
 a body having a front, a back, sides, a top and a bottom;   a first air duct having an air inlet at the front of the body and an air outlet positioned at the bottom of the body;   a second air duct adjacent said first air duct and being separated there from by a wall, said second air duct having an air inlet at the front of the body and an air outlet positioned at the bottom of the body;   a first propeller positioned in the first air duct;   a second propeller positioned in the second air duct;   a first motor connected to the first propeller;   a second motor connected to the second propeller;   a first skirt positioned on the bottom of the body along an outer side of the air outlet of the first air duct opposite the wall;   a second skirt position on the bottom of the body along an outer side of the air outlet of the second air duct opposite the wall;   radio control electronics and a battery power source positioned on the body and connected to the first and second motors to allow independent wireless operation of the first and second motors.   
     
     
         10 . The ground effect model of  claim 9 , further comprising a pivoting flap positioned in each of the first and second air ducts, the pivoting flap being passively positioned to direct air downward toward a ground surface upon initial activation of the first and second propeller via first and second motors, respectively, to increase airflow against the ground surface and force the model to be raised from the ground surface. 
     
     
         11 . The ground effect surface model of  claim 10 , wherein as air pressure increases in the air ducts as a result of increased propeller speed, the pivoting flap pivots so as to be substantially parallel with the airflow through the air duct thereby diverting air toward the rear of the body for thrust.