HOVERCRAFT

BY

MUHAMMAD NAEEM KHAN

SYED ZAKI HUSAIN RIZVI

MUHAMMAD QASIM
Acknowledgement
From the beginning we are highly thankful to Almighty ALLAH who
endowed us the will, energy and made circumstances in our favor
to complete the project. We find our utmost duty to express deepest
sense of gratitude to our loving parents who devote their life for the
sake of our bright future, our teacher who provides us support,
encouragement, valuable suggestion and technical guidance in
completing our desertion.

We are very grateful to the administration of our intuition Sir Syed

Science College for their great financial and moral support and
appreciation.
 Table of Contents
Serial No. Description
1 Research Paper
1) Abstract
2) Introduction
3) Purpose
4) Idea Conceived
5) Engineering Goals
6) Data Analysis
7) Data
8) Graphs
9) Energy Suggestions
10) Magnetic Motor
11) Uses
12) Result
13) Conclusion
14) References / Bibliography

2 Data Booklet
1. Abstract
Now-a-days cheap and fast means of transportation is not available
all over the world. The purpose of the project is to show the working
of hovercraft (hovertrain) by fluid flow phenomenon to hover the
craft (train) by using the equation of continuity, the idea was
conceived during class discussion when studying the topics of fluid
dynamics and permanent magnet.

As

(Area) (Speed) = Constant

And Bernoulli’s Relation

Pressure + ½(density)(speed)² + (density)(acceleration due to

gravity)(height) = CONSTANT

A polythene sheet is used to form skirt and air blowers (fans,

propellers) are used for air to enter the skirt. It is made to increase
pressure inside the chamber then outside, to float the craft on a
cushion of high pressure air. The hovercraft works well and can
bear heavy weight. Propellers and batteries are added to small
hovercraft to show high terminal speed.

To make hovercraft self powered, a motor is designed which uses

the available energy of permanent magnets. A special break system
is added to convert its K.E to P.E to save energy source and make
it more economical.

To solve steering problem, a special track is built for hover train,

this hover train can replace “bullet train” having nearly same
efficiency but more economical.
Introduction

Hovercraft works according to the equation of Continuity and

Bernoulli’s Equation.

A Blower fan is positioned to produce a cushion of air underneath

the tightly sealed skirt of the craft thus lifting it up over the surface.

The region of trapped air underneath the craft is called PLENUM

CHAMBER. Air flowing into the chamber creates a ring of
circulating air that keeps the air from escaping. Since more air is
being forced into the plenum chamber all the time, the air
underneath the craft is at a higher pressure than outside the
chamber.

When the gravity is overcome, the craft floats on a cushion of high-

pressure air.

To overcome the steering problem of hovercraft, a special track is

built to run hovercraft just like normal train hence named it
“HoverTrain”.

To power the hovercraft and hovertrain new energy source is

suggested i.e. energy stored within permanent magnets in form of
magnetic field..
2. Purpose

The means of transportation in most of the countries especially in

our country are either very expensive or slow. In order to solve the
problem we proposed an idea of hovertrain using the principle of
hovercraft.

The reason to choose hovercraft is because of its low ground

friction and high weight bearing capacity which will let us achieve
high terminal velocity and efficiency of the vehicle.

The reason to introduce tracks is to overcome steering problem of

hovercraft which makes it impossible to be used it generally in rush
as a public transport. Hence we called it hovertrain.

To make it more energy efficient a special brake system is

introduced to store its kinetic energy into electric potential energy to
prolong its battery timing.

To fulfill hovercraft energy requirement, attempt is been made to

use available energy of permanent magnets.

It is fast because of very less ground friction as it hovers over high

pressure cushion of air above track. Because of its high speed
transportation ability and inexpensiveness as compared to bullet
train.

The hovertrain can be a good alternative of the bullet train.

When considering the source of energy (fuel), energy from solar cell
and when other parameters (like speed, terminal velocity etc) are
being considered it have nearly same efficiency.
Idea Conceived
During the discussion in college we arrived at the facts of fluid
dynamics and mystery of magnets and magnetic field.

By equation of continuity flow rate of non-viscous fluid is constant

so,

Av=CONSTANT

So if cross-sectional area ‘A’ is large then velocity v will be small

and vice versa.

v α 1/A

a) By Bernoulli’s relation,

P₁ + 1/2ρv²₁ + ρgh₁ = P₂ + 1/2ρv²₂ + ρgh₂

As air flows horizontally so,

h₁ = h₂ = h

So P₁ +1/2ρv² ₁ = P₂ + 1/2ρv² ₂

P₂ - P₁ = 1/2ρv²₁ - 1/2ρv²₂

P₂ -P₁ ≈ 1/2ρv₁²

(v₂ ≈ 0 as Area is large beneath hovercraft & v₁ is very high at the

fan end on the upper surface and Area is very small)

Another factor that is responsible for creating the pressure

difference is the compression of air due to which velocity of air
below become slower and pressure further increases underneath
the chamber.

So Net Upward pressure becomes much greater. And hovercraft

overcome its weight, hence is lifted up the surface, which
definitely reduces its ground resistance to minimum.

We used this whole phenomenon to build a hovertrain. Moreover

we also tried to use the energy stored in the magnetic field of
permanent magnets for the energy problem of the hovertrain.
The idea of this device came into our mind after studying the
chapters about magnets and induced current.
3. Engineering Goals

1. To make special tracks and convert its structure to train like

vehicle.
2. To make body of hovercraft streamline.
3. For steering purpose two or more propellers will be used.
4. To minimize the ground friction as far as possible

5. To increase it’s load bearing capacity and decrease energy

usage.
6. An appropriate energy source is selected for the vehicle
a. Data Analysis
We used the equations of motion, bernoulli’s relation and the
equation of continuity along with Newton’s third law of motion and
some other general equations of physics.

Equations are:
Equation of continuity = (A)(v) = Constant
And Bernoulli’s Relation,
Pressure + ½ (ρ)(v)² + (ρ)(g)(h) = Constant
7. Data

For Large Hovercraft

Net upward pressure at limiting point is;

P =F/A= W/A=mg/A

A = 1/2bc + ax
A = 1/2(1.06)(0.305) + (1.21)(1.06)
A = 1.4412m²
So,
P = mg/A
P = 300X9.8/1.442
P = 2014 Pa
For Circular Hovercraft

Net upward pressure:

A=πr²
A=3.14x(0.46)²
A=0.664m²
P=mg/A
P=1180.72 Pa
For RC Hovercraft

Net upward pressure for maximum weight bearing capacity

m=1.8kg
A=lxb
A = (0.48)x(0.48)
A = 0.230m²
P = m x g/A
P = (1.85)x(9.8)/0.23
P = 18.13/0.23
P = 78.826 Pa
 Propulsion calculations

Mass = __1__kg
Propeller Pitch = _12_cm

(_0.12__m)
Max propeller RPM = _700/V_

(_11.67_cycles/s)
Theoretical Thrust Velocity = __10.1_m/s
Achieved Terminal velocity = __6.3_m/s
Acceleration = _0.778_m/s2
Force = mass x acceleration
Force = __1__x_0.778_ = _0.778_ N
Propeller radius r =_0.04_m => A = πr² = 3.14 x (0.045)2
A = _0.00635_ m2
P = F/A = (0.778)/( 0.00635) = _122.51_Pa

S.No. Time Time Time Time Time Time Time after

after after next after next after next after next after next next
1.22m 1.22m 1.22m 1.22m 1.22m 1.22m 1.22m
Mean 14.62/10= 6.57/10= 5.95/10= 5.19/10= 4.88/10= 4.17/10= 3.80/10=
Value 1.462 0.657 0.595 0.519 0.488 0.417 0.380

Velocit 0.8344 1.8569 2.0504 2.3506 2.5 2.9468 3.2105

y
m/s

Terminal velocity achieved = 6.3m/s

Acceleration 0.6 0.8675 0.711 0.8277 0.688 0.3752 1.25

Average acceleration = 0.627 m/s2

Hovertrain

Propulsion calculations

Mass = __0.525__kg
Propeller Pitch = _10_cm

(_0.1__m)
Max propeller RPM = _1000/V_

(_11.67_cycles/s)
Theoretical Thrust Velocity = __12_m/s
Achieved Terminal velocity = _10__m/s
Acceleration = _0.822_m/s2
Force = mass x acceleration
Force = __0.525__x_0.822_ = _0.431_ N
Propeller radius r = _0.04_m => A = πr² = 3.14 x (0.005)2
A = _0.005_ m2
P = F/A = (0.431)/( 0.005) = _86.2_Pa
Upward pressure calculation

A=lxb
A = (0.302)x(0.22)
A = 0.0664m² (area of one hovercraft)
Total area=0.0664 x 2
=0.1328
P = m x g/A
P = (0.525)x(9.8)/ 0.1328
P = 5.145/0.1328
P = 38.719 Pa

S.No. Time Time Time

after after after
0.61m next next
0.61m 0.61m
Mean 0.9 0.47 0.34

Terminal velocity achieved = 10m/s

Velocity 0.677 1.2978 1.7941

Average acceleration = 0.8m/s2

Acceleration 0.75 1.3208 1.4597

1. Graph

RC hovercraft
Hovertrain
9. Energy Suggestions
The energy source requirement for hovertrain led us to suggest
natural available energy sources. Fossil fuel is expensive and not
environment friendly. The most appropriate should be solar energy
but solar panels are very expensive and can not be used at night.
Another suggestion is to extract energy stored in the magnetic field
of permanent magnets. We made an attempt and designed a motor
to convert this available energy into mechanical. Further this
mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy to drive
the train. In addition to this a special brake system is designed
which converts kinetic energy of hovertrain into potential energy this
additional energy will be stored in batteries this will minimize the
energy loss due to friction.
10. Magnetic Motor
The idea of magnetic motor came in class discussion during study
of energy storage in magnetic field in inductors in earth’s field and
in permanent magnets. The question arises in our minds was:

Q. How we can do useful work using magnetic field of permanent

magnets?
Knowing the fact that electric dipole can be easily be used to extract
energy e.g. in batteries. So we decided to use magnetic dipole
(Permanent magnet).
Finally after lot of discussion we conceived an idea of magnetic
motor to convert this magnetic field energy into mechanical energy.

The 2nd question which comes in our mind was:

Q. Where this energy is coming from if it works as we thought

The abstract of group discussion was;
As we know that origin of this magnetic field is motion of electrons
in orbits around nucleus in atom.
These electrons move in fixed orbits which are quantized. If we
extract energy from it, it should lose energy and fall into nucleus
which does not happens because of such high stability of these
electrons on these orbits.
So the result was a dead end, then how to extract energy from it?
After some more research and discussion we came to know about
zero point energy ZPE (Energy of the virtual particles)

Q. What are virtual particles?

It is according to Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
∆E∆t > 1/2ћ
Virtual Particles:
Spontaneously flash into existence from the energy of quantum
fluctuations
Arise as matter antimatter twins
Disappear within an interval set by Planck's constant
Can interact during their life time
Proof of the Zero-Point Energy
Casimir Effect Casimir Effect is the motion of two parallel plates
being caused by quantum fluctuations in a vacuum
Plates are extremely close together
Only small fluctuations fit in between
Bigger modes are excluded
Bigger modes exert a total force greater than the smaller
modes
Thus plates are pushed together
(Virtual electron positron pair near electron at left below) (Wikipedia)
Q. How they interact with electrons in orbits of atom?

Virtual particles do interact with electrons orbiting around nucleus

as electron slow down due to hindrance produced by them.
Virtual particles are predicted to have a calculable effect upon the
energy levels of atoms. The effect expected is minute - only a
change of one part in a billion, but it has been confirmed by
experimenters.

Q. Can electron retain its energy to remain in its orbit while energy
from orbital motion of electron (from its magnetic field) is extracted?

In 1953 Willis Lamb measured this excited energy state for a

hydrogen atom. This is now called the Lamb shift. The energy
difference predicted by the effects of the vacuum on atoms is so
small that it is only detectable as a transition at microwave
frequencies. The precision of microwave measurements is so great
that Lamb was able to measure the shift to five significant figures.
He subsequently received the Nobel Prize for his work. No doubt
remains that virtual particles are really there. (Barrow & Silk, 1993,
65-66)
The next questions arise in our minds were:

Q. Even if energy if available energy can be extracted it does not

obey thermodynamics 2nd Law?

Q. What are virtual particles (Do not include question again) Can
we apply thermodynamic theory on it or not?
After research we came to know about some theories about virtual
particles including its proof.

The updated information led us to imagine that virtual particles are

just oscillations in event horizon.

So there were two conclusions:

1. If we consider virtual particles part of our universe
within limits of velocity of light then thermodynamics 2nd
law fails.

2. We cannot apply thermodynamics theory on virtual

particles because of their non existence for some time,
when they move with velocity of light and their length
become zero and time stops for our universe. We just say
they are disassociated, when they are slow down during
oscillations they reappear. We just say that they have
emerged from ‘vacuum’ or ‘zero point’.
 After doing practical implementation the final result will improvise
conclusion.
11. Uses

a) Hovercraft can achieve high terminal velocity so as the

hovertrain so it can be used as fast transportation.
b) Hovercraft can bear heavy weight.
c) Power consumption is less as there is no ground friction so
the idea is economical and can easily be put into use.

12. Result

There are many results

I. Weight bearing capacity

The weight bearing capacity of hovercraft is:

• For circular hovercraft

w = 784N

• For large hovercraft

w = 3500N

• For RC hovercraft

w = 18N

• For hovertrain

w = 6.25N

II. High Terminal velocity

• For RC hovercraft

v = 6.3m/s

• For hovertrain

v = 10m/s

III. Acceleration achieved

• For RC hovercraft

a = 0.627m/s2

• For hovertrain
 a = 0.8m/s2

IV. Efficiency achieved in transporting mass (write formula

used)

• For RC hovercraft

• For hovertrain

13. Conclusion
The Engineering goals achieved are:

• High weight bearing capacity achieved

• High terminal velocity achieved

• Steering problem solved by innovating hovertrain idea and

constructing special tracks for hovertrain

• Achieving somewhat good efficiency

This research led us propose a transportation system consist of

hovertrain which will have 4 above properties
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