How can we build a tiny hovercraft using a simple fan assembly?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a small hovercraft using a simple fan assembly, focusing on design considerations, materials, and potential sources of information. Participants share their experiences and suggestions related to the project, which involves engineering calculations and practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions the challenges of making calculations and the potential for unexpected results in engineering projects.
  • Another participant references a Mythbusters episode that demonstrated building a hovercraft using a leaf blower and plastic sheeting.
  • A question is posed regarding the use of separate motors for lift and thrust, indicating uncertainty about the design approach.
  • A participant recalls a school project where a hovercraft was successfully built using a leaf-blowing engine, though details about the materials used are unclear.
  • One participant shares a link to a fan assembly that could create a high-pressure area for lift, suggesting that a custom housing could facilitate the hovercraft's operation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various ideas and experiences, but there is no consensus on the best approach or specific design details for the hovercraft.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the need for calculations and design considerations, but specific assumptions and unresolved technical details remain unaddressed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY engineering projects, hovercraft design, or those seeking practical applications of fan technology may find this discussion relevant.

gulsen
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We're trying to build a small hovercraft (around 50x30cm sufrace, we guess). So far we're trying to re-invent the wheel at every step, but this involves many incorrect calculations & huge aprroximations that'd probaby lead many unexpected stuff (welcome to engineering, I hear. Hi there.).

Some electronics details, that are probaby not necessary: The energy to the motors will be supplied by a ~7volts acid battery that can feed up to ~1.2A of current. Our current motors are supposed to work at 12V and 9V, we're going to have a little circuit to feed the motors from our battery.

The question is: where can we find some documents/tutorials that will help us building this tiny hovercraft? Any help will be greatly appreciated!
 
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mythbusters had an episode where they built a hovercraft from a leafblower and piece of plastic sheeting that had holes in it...
 
so i assume you are useing a motor for lift and a sperate motor for thrust or are they both for lift?
 
MK, a member her did that for one of our school projects

he used... some sort of leaf blowing engine i think... and not sure what material you sat on...

but it worked
 
I found found this image in another fourm on this site,

http://www.cincinnatifan.com/PlugFan.html"

if you spin the fan assembely in the right direction, it will "scoop" air into the center of the fan, and create a high pressure area there. if a housing can be built that will cause this high pressure area to expell out onto a surface over a large area, it should work as "air coushion" for it to ride on. you would have to fabricate your own fan assembely because if your hovercraft is as small as the title implies, then the product in the picture is much to big for your purpouse.
 
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