|
 This
is my largest craft yet. It has been modified from my original design of
being all electric. My plans were thwarted after a malfunction in my
propulsion fan was discovered. This model will hopefully be all gas
powered. The same Homelite backpack blower that was used for the HOVER
II will be used for the lift. A "suped" up weed whacker
engine with a 16", 4 blade, metal fan will be used for the thrust inside a
24" metal duct. As for the steering, 2 to 3 flaps will be attached to the
rear of the duct with hinges. Below you can view the current progress of
the craft's construction...
At
first glance most people say that there is no way possible something like this
could actually be lifted with a leaf blower. I have received so many
questions from people wondering how it works that I have decided to thoroughly
explain it all.
At
this point in time, I am having some real difficulty in the skirt design.
If anyone knows anything about the design of wall-skirts please contact me ASAP
  As
air is forced through a hole in the hull, the weight of the hull pushes the
air to the outside. The air rushes to the outside of the craft, but it
hits a vinyl wall which forces it back into the center of the craft.
When large amounts of weight are placed on the hull, the air rushes faster and
faster causing the air to create a cushion the the craft itself can ride on
about 8" off the ground.
Body Construction
The body (hull) of this
Hull
The hull of the craft was made out of a 3/8" piece of plywood.
All the corners were rounded off. a couple of 2x4's were screwed into the
hull to stop the plywood from warping. A foam tractor seat was anchored in
between the 2x4's with an addition back support.
Skirt Construction
The skirt was by far the most difficult part to build yet. I used a
70" x 70" square of commercial vinyl cut up into 10" wide strips.
These strips were then connected using massive amounts of duct tape. I
used some heavy fishing line to sew a seam at the bottom edge for a draw cord.
The skirt was attached to the craft by means of layering another thing piece of
plywood on top of the skirt and sandwiching it with screws. I have read far too
many stories of failures to know if this skirt will actually work or not.
Propulsion and Lift Constructions
The lift was a relatively easy job. A HomeLite backpack blower was
attached to a couple pieces of PVC and then anchored into the hull with a
screw-fit shower drain. As for the propulsion, A 1.5 hp weed whacker
engine will be mounted with a 4 blade, metal, 16" prop inside a duct that
came from an attic cooling fan unit. 2 flaps will be attached to the rear of the
craft with hinges. A couple nuts and bolts should be able to put together
and arm to swing the flaps.
Cockpit and Control System Constructions
This was the part that took a little more thought. Originally I hade
decided to use foot pedals to control the throttles and two sticks to control
the direction of the flaps. I later decided that a cheaper alternative
would be to make the pedals control the flaps and two lawn mover throttle
controllers for the engines.
| 
