peripheral jet
Quick Summary
A peripheral jet is a system used in air-cushion vehicles (ACVs), commonly known as hovercraft. Instead of pumping air directly into a cavity beneath the craft, the peripheral jet system directs air through a narrow slot around the vehicle's circumference. This creates an external curtain of air that helps contain the air cushion more effectively.1
This method, pioneered by Christopher Cockerell, allows the ACV to maintain a higher ground clearance and pressure compared to earlier plenum chamber designs. The air cushion provides lift, enabling the craft to travel over various surfaces with reduced friction. Power plants for ACVs are typically gas-turbine engines, similar to those used in aircraft, driving fans for lift and propellers for propulsion.2
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