Makeshift Hovercraft
Makeshift Hovercraft
Sean Hillmeyer & Dennis Evans
Embedded Systems
"I'll be home in a bit: we just built a hovercraft out of a microwave!"
Extreme boredom usually leads to sudden creative inspiration. In this case, I had nothing better to do one afternoon than rip apart an old microwave (complete with packing materials) and build something amazing. When I pulled out the microwave's circulating fan I realized I had all of the pieces I needed to create a simple hovercraft. The first revision used only parts I could obtain from the microwave itself, a 120V fan, power cord, cardboard box, and packing bag. After realizing that extension cords were quite limiting, the hovercraft employed a weedwacker motor and two drill batteries for lift. In an attempt to control the movement of the now highly mobile craft, a small DC motor with a prop was placed on a directional platform. The thrust produced from this configuration imparted very little movement on the craft. Eventually the hovercraft was given a sturdier body and skirt. The final version worked well on both concrete and water.