Modified Hovercraft and Small Automobile

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Large trucks produce excessive greenhouse gasses due to inefficient reciprocating engines and complicated gearboxes. This hovercraft would be much better because it eliminates friction with the road surface due to flexing tyres and suspension. It can also run on alcohol, a non fossil fuel, which can be produced from corn. (Grapes that are now used for wine must be used to make alcohol; wine can be made at home from any fruit.) There are also problems extracting oil for diesel. This hovercraft can also travel over open prairie, across estuaries, and up rivers. (It may have an agricultural use and also be good for desert areas). It would also reduce wear on a normal road surface. It would be guided by a concrete 'V' shaped groove sunk into the road surface, which would also carry a signal to be picked up by a sensor. This would eliminate driver fatigue on long journeys. It would not pollute the atmosphere.

Braking would be achieved by reverse thrust. To manoeuvre at slow speed it would remain hovering, whilst being towed around by a special tow tractor.

A section of interstate freeway would be closed overnight for testing and if successful whole sections would be used to establish a regular overnight service. The aim would be to get all Interstate Free-way used by hovercraft. Other dual carriageway roads would be used by hovercraft overnight, and be used as normal during the day. So a hovercraft would pick up cargo at night, travel to its destination the next day and then deliver the following night.

This hovercraft could also carry passengers and would rival air transport without the need for airports or other complicated technology. The general public would be allowed only very small 'bubble cars' , suitable for short journeys. A family would need 2 of them. Driving long distances by private car is dangerous, a waste of oil, harmful to health , and probably the cause of many heart problems.

The small auto-mobile is based on a successful German design of the 1950's (Messersmidt). It was noisy due to its air cooled engine. It would now have a water cooled engine, which would also allow for an efficient heater. The heater would warm up quickly, and be far better than the heater in an electric vehicle. The 'bubble car' would be fuelled by alcohol. It would best if it had a metal chassis and a carbon fibre body. The general reduction in road speeds would be of benefit to everyone, and encourage bicycles and walking. Accident rates would be reduced especially pile ups in bad weather.

There are problems with electric vehicles – overloaded national grids, expensive batteries, and poor heaters for cold climates).

Other delivery vehicles, and vans are required to be hybrid types; best for stop/start motoring and speed limited. Medium trucks are to be run on bio diesel.

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  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    David Brown
  • Type of entry:
    individual
  • Patent status:
    none