Boat Hull Chines for Speed and Payload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional boat hull designs face challenges in balancing hydrodynamic efficiency, seaworthiness, structural integrity, and buildability, particularly in varying weather conditions, due to inherent compromises between attributes such as resistance, lift, buoyancy, and wave-making resistance, which result in energy losses and reduced performance in both displacement and planing modes.

Innovation Solution

The boat hull features a unique configuration of chines that transition from inclined to horizontal, with a V-shaped forward section and a flat aft section, incorporating vertical ribs and air/gas injection systems to reduce frictional resistance and promote lift, while an internal propulsion system optimizes water displacement and propulsion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a narrow entry hull form is used, then form resistance is reduced and speed is improved, but payload capacity and buoyancy are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespeedVSAvoidpayload capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hull is divided into distinct sections with different deadrise angles: a forward section with a first deadrise angle optimized for cutting through waves, and an aft section with a second deadrise angle optimized for planing. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function independently, achieving both speed and payload capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the hull are given different geometric properties: the forward section has a finer, steeper V-shape for wave penetration, while the aft section has a flatter V-shape for planing. This local differentiation of hull characteristics allows the vessel to simultaneously achieve low resistance at speed and high payload capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If a flared bow section is incorporated, then reserve buoyancy and deck area are increased, but wave-making resistance increases when bow buries in swell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereserve buoyancyVSAvoidwave-making resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deadrise angle parameter is varied along the length of the hull, transitioning from a steeper angle forward to a flatter angle aft. This parameter change allows the bow to cut through waves efficiently while the aft section provides the necessary planing surface, reducing wave-making resistance compared to a uniformly flared bow design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If a flat underbody is provided for planing, then lift is improved and planing performance is enhanced, but performance in rough water deteriorates and slamming loads increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveliftVSAvoidrough water performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The underbody is segmented into a forward V-shaped section and an aft flat section. The forward V-section with appropriate deadrise angle absorbs slamming loads in rough water, while the aft flat section provides the planing surface needed for lift at speed, combining the benefits of both hull forms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hull form is locally optimized for different functions: the forward section has a V-shape geometry suited for wave penetration and impact absorption, while the aft section has a flat geometry suited for planing and lift generation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between rough water performance and planing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Force

If variable deadrise is used transitioning from deep V forward to flatter V aft, then slamming loads are reduced and planing performance is improved, but wave-making resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslamming load reductionVSAvoidwave-making resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deadrise angle is changed as a parameter along the hull length, but the transition is controlled and optimized to maintain a smooth hull surface. The forward section uses a steeper deadrise for impact reduction, while the aft section uses a flatter deadrise for planing, with the transition designed to minimize wave-making resistance compared to conventional variable deadrise hulls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances lift and buoyancy, reduces wave-making resistance, and improves energy efficiency, allowing the hull to efficiently operate in both displacement and planing modes, with reduced slamming loads and increased payload capacity, while maintaining a dry deck area and stability in rough seas.

Implementation Method 1

attempts have been made to introduce air bubbles and air films between the hull and the surface of the water with limited practical success

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir lubrication: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3303113B1Boat hull
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 ECOSEA PTY LTD
  • EP3303113B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3303113B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8
  • EP3303113B1 patent drawingFigure 9~9E

AI summary

A boat hull, comprising a plurality of chines extending downwardly from a bow of the hull towards a stern of the hull, each chine in transverse cross section being substantially straight and substantially horizontal and arranged so that a centreline of each chine lies in a plane which is parallel to a central plane of an adjacent chine, wherein collectively the chines in a lower forward portion of the hull are arranged generally V shaped in cross section and wherein an aft portion of a base of the hull is generally flat and each chine terminates at the flat aft portion.