Optimisation of an electric powered air-gliding skateboard

This study aims to improve the design of a novel air gliding skateboard hoverboard that operates on a cushion of air. It aims to achieve this by reducing the system pressure losses through optimisation of 4 key parameters. The parameters affecting pressure losses through the system are reduced by Buckinghams Pi Theorem to 5 dimensionless Pi Groups which form the basis of a Computational Fluid Dynamics study. This study uses 21 Simulations to define the key relationships between each of the Dimensionless Pi Groups and to propose the optimum skirt configuration for reducing pressure losses. Valid power and flow rate inputs for the CFD study are experimentally determined from an Ozito OZBL 1800WA Leaf Blower. The optimum skirt configuration is found to be 50 outlet holes 0.009m in diameter spaced evenly at 0.0675 m from the centreline of the skirt. The optimum inlet velocity was specified as 4.06 m/s. These results determined that through optimisation of the pressure losses through the skirt the power requirements can be reduced and the height of the air cushion increased. This study will form the basis of experimental validation of the CFD model and lead to the eventual creation of a marketable hoverboard