A hydrostatic hovercraft floats on a cushion of air just like a conventional
hovercraft— but that's where the similarities end. In place of a fan would be an
onboard tank of compressed air, needed only to inflate the air cushion and maintain
pressure should any leaks occur. And instead of a rubber skirt, a wall of water vapor
surrounding the craft would serve to contain air pressure. While no energy is consumed in
levitating the craft, a small amount of power will be needed to maintain stability of
the hydrostatic barrier.
Hydrostatic theory has yet to be tested, although preliminary data suggests that such a
system could contain pressure in excess of 13,789 pascals (2 psi). This would enable
hovercars capable of floating several inches above the road without moving parts.
Combined with thrusters on all sides, a hovercar could exceed the performance and
manueverability of a sportscar. Moreover, without the weight of an engine, transmission,
or suspension; hovercars could be built lighter and stronger than their 4-wheel
counterparts. City planners and DOT officials will also appreciate the low impact
hovercars have on roads. This advantage alone would save billions of tax-payer dollars
every year in road maintenance.
Assuming stability issues can be mitigated, a hydrostatic barrier will also have
applications beyond hovercraft such as containerless processing, virtual displays, and
even low-level force-fields.
More about HoverTech's Theories >
