Electric drivetrain thermal management for hydrofoil boats using strut and foil embedded coolant loops

Abstract

A cooling system for an electric hydrofoiling watercraft is described, in which coolant channels are integrated into the hydrofoil struts and wings of the vessel to serve as a heat exchanger with the surrounding water. The system forms a closed-loop coolant circuit that carries heat away from onboard components (such as batteries, motors, and motor controllers) and dissipates it through the submerged struts and hydrofoil. When the watercraft is in water, the hydrofoil wing is fully submerged and its supporting strut(s) are at least partially submerged, providing continuous thermal contact with the water. By pumping coolant through internal channels within these structures, heat is efficiently transferred from the warm components to the cooler ambient water, eliminating the need for external radiators or open water intakes. The system can include multiple independent coolant loops for different components and may utilize auxiliary cooling means when the craft is out of the water.

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