How does a hovercraft work?

Question

How does a hovercraft work? It is something about downward thrust, please relate this to air and flight. Thanks!

Answer 1

Basically it works by forcing large volumes of air in a downward direction using horizontally mounted fans. This air is trapped inside a semi-flexible open skirt and provides lift to the craft.This is not the same principle as a helicopter which works using a rotating wing for lift.

Answer 2

Not to make anyone angry but a hovercraft works on exactly the same principle as a helicopter, or an airplane or the space shuttle etc. If upward force is greater than downward force you fly. Period
The difference in a hovercraft and a helicopter, by the way the fans in a hovercraft are very similar to a helos rotor, are that the hovercraft never leaves ground effect (look that up) and the shroud contains the force. This allows a great deal of weight to be lifted with a small power requirement. It will also use forward motion to help in the lifting. You will never see a hovercraft hovering while sitting still.

Answer 3

Hovercraft have one or more separate engines. One engine drives the fan on the bottom of the hovercraft,(the impeller) which is responsible for lifting the vehicle by forcing high preassure air under the craft. The air therefore must exit throughout the "skirt", lifting the craft above the area on which the craft resides. One or more additional engines are used to provide thrust in order to propel the craft in the desired direction (these engines help push the hovercraft). Some hovercraft utilise ducting to allow one engine to perform both tasks by directing some of the air to the skirt, the rest of the air passing out of the back to push the craft forward.


See the attached link. It includes the history and theory of operation with diagrams and photos.

Answer 4

a hovercraft creates an air pillow by negating weight over fluid dynamics.