Home Page
Hovercraft Plans
Hovercraft
Game
About Hovercraft
Central
|
Using
Centrifugal Blowers for Hovercraft
Centrifugal
blowers have been used in countless applications since their
development. One of these applications is for generating the air flow
needed to operate a hovercraft. Here, the advantages and disadvantages
of centrifugal blowers for hovercraft applications will be briefly
mentioned.
Advantages
Of Centrifugal Blowers
One advantage of
centrifugal blowers is the safety of the enclosures.
Since these blowers are typically manufactured in their own metal
enclosures, they are relatively unlikely to result in ejected debris in
the plane of rotation, even in the event of an equipment failure.
Also an advantage
for improved safety, is the lower rotational speed
typical of centrifugal blowers. This characteristic also increases life
expectancy of the blower.
Centrifugal
blowers can also develop more pressure at a given
rotational speed than a similarly sized propeller at the same
rotational speed.
The simplicity of
installation of centrifugal blowers offers an
additional advantage. Typical installation techniques usually involve
attaching the blower to the craft using the proper brackets with bolts.
Disadvantages
Of Centrifugal Blowers
Centrifugal
blowers do have their disadvantages, however, including a
lower average thrust per horse power ratio. This means that more power
will be required to produce the same thrust as a comparable propeller.
Because of the
additional material that goes into manufacturing the
blower enclosure, the weight of the blower is significantly increased.
The blower wheel is also heavier than typical propellers or fans,
resulting in a much longer response time to any changes in engine
throttle.
Additionally,
because of the lower rotational speed needed for
centrifugal blowers, a reduction in the high rotational speed of the
engine shaft is usually necessary. A common method of reduction drive
applies belt and pulley arrangements, further increasing the weight of
the system.
Conclusion
When deciding
whether or not to use a centrifugal blower for a
particular hovercraft, you should carefully consider the advantages and
disadvantages of these assemblies. If high pressure air flow is a
necessity, the application may fit the charateristics of the device. If
lower weight, or similar requirements are needed, you may need to
install equipment of a different type.
Would
you like to know more ?
Sign up now for the free hovercraft report ! |
|
|
|
The report is free
and we will never sell, rent, or share your information.
|
|
|
