Design and Construction of an Experimental Test Rig for Testing Segments Similar to Those Found in Air-Cushion Vehicle

Abstract

The lift system of an air-cushion vehicle is the essential component that defines this means of transportation. Currently, the most used flexible skirts as part of such a system are the segmented flexible skirt and the bag and finger skirt. The present work it highlights step by step the design and construction of an experimental test rig as well as 4 segment modules that will be tested later. The experimental test rig is a small open circuit wind tunnel with major modification, adapted to test the mentioned segment modules. Each module contains 3 equal-sized segments and 4 separation walls. The inclination angle of the segments differs from one module to another. These angles are as follows: 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°. The test section contains a mobile horizontal plate with which the running surface is simulated and air clearance height can be adjusted through spacers.