Manufacturing the first air cushion vessel in Vietnam

Air cushion operates based on self-lifting surface ships by creating pressure in the form of an air cushion. The ship not only runs on deep water, shallow water, where there are many mosses but also surf on the ground.

At the conference of Science and Technology of the Polytechnic University held last October, the model of air cushion vessel was tested on the internal road of the school with an average speed of 25-30 km / hour. This is the first time in Vietnam, the type of air cushion vessel has been researched and manufactured according to its own design in a methodical and complete way. The author of this study is scientists Le Dinh Tuan, Nguyen Thien Tong of the Department of Transportation Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

Air cushion train made by scientists from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.Photo: TT

The ship glides on the ground

From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Le Dinh Tuan carried out the National University-level scientific research project 'Air cushion construction design' and succeeded in manufacturing a proportional air cushion model. 1/5 with a length of 829 mm to test the principle of operation of the hovercraft and make plans for the hull structure, skirt structure, dynamic layout . Air cushion vessel is composed of the hull, lift fans, push-pullers, air cushion skirts, steering systems . Lift fans provide air for dresses (inflate) and maintain air cushion pressure in the space surrounded by the chamber, rudder placed on the stern of the ship to control the ship. Air cushion skirts are attached to the hull, helping to maintain the air cushion under the vessel. Push thrusters are located far from the stern, contributing to the main thrust of the ship.

A special feature of this type of ship is that when moving, the hull does not touch the water because it creates an air cushion. With this principle of operation, it not only runs on the surface of rivers, lakes, and sea but also . glides on the ground. This type of ship is particularly effective in areas with shallow draft or moss that cannot use propeller vessels.

According to the authors, the hovercraft was invented by British scientist Sir Cockerell in 1959. Air cushion boats are widely used in rescue, water sports, customs, tourism . at many countries in the world. In Vietnam, since 2006, some scientists have started to study the topic of air cushion and since then, there have been 9 topics of graduation thesis related to this field. However, so far there has been no announcement about a complete design and production technology process as well as the fabrication and commissioning of air cushion vessels.

Due to the characteristics of small, fast-moving vessels, there is a lot of interest in both military and civilian. This type of ship can be used for patrol, protection, sports and rescue vessels, ships carrying special duties of the Navy . In fact, in Vietnam, air vessels suitable for training, scientific research in the fields of ship engineering, aeronautical engineering, material technology, automatic control, measurement techniques.

Consistent with reality in Vietnam

Besides, due to being a multi-purpose vessel, operating on a wide area, amphibious (water and co-ordinate), air-cushion vessels are capable of serving rescue and rescue after floods. Scientists believe that if there is support from this vehicle, the loss of people in the past floods will be greatly reduced. This is evidenced by the Hurricane Katrina rescue experience in the United States, in which air cushion ships are used and very effective.

Air hovercraft manufactured by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology is the first generation of air cushion ships in Vietnam, researched and fabricated, stimulated for fast ship lines and co-developing aircraft (ship wigs, parwig, seaplane .) by the pioneering experience of organization and organization.

Dr. Le Dinh Tuan said that within the next 6 months, the first air cushion with the real rate and the first 3 seats of Vietnam will be born. If put into mass production, each such ship will cost from 100-150 million VND, the speed of ships is about 60 km / hour.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thien Tong, producing air mattress with its own design, labor use and domestic materials and technology (thermal cutting, vacuum composite, moldless engineering .) will help cost greatly reduced compared to imports. Moreover, the 'made in VN' hovercraft will be specially designed according to Vietnam's own conditions for more convenient use.