Curved Trim Tab Aft-Hinge Design for Marine Vessel Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art trim tabs require significantly more actuation force at higher vessel speeds compared to interceptor tabs, compromising their effectiveness in marine vessel stabilization systems, despite generating larger lift forces.
Innovation Solution
A trim tab assembly with a curved surface and aft-hinge design that reduces actuation force by distributing load and utilizing an actuator connected to a pivotally movable trim tab frame, allowing for efficient adjustment of motion in pitch, roll, or yaw axes, while maintaining high lift performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trim tabs are used to generate larger lift forces and greater vessel attitude control authority, then stabilization performance is improved, but actuation force required increases substantially at higher vessel speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The trim tab is divided into multiple sections along its span, with each section independently adjustable. This segmentation allows the tab to be optimized for different operating conditions, achieving high lift at various speeds without requiring excessive actuation force across the entire tab simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim tab system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where the angle and position of tab sections can be changed in real-time based on vessel speed and sea conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain optimal performance across varying operational regimes without requiring maximum actuation force at all times.
2Reliability
If trim tabs are deployed to achieve greater rotational pitch and roll forces, then vessel attitude control is improved, but the complexity of the actuation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented to control different sections of the trim tab independently. Each section has its own actuation mechanism, allowing for simplified control of individual segments while achieving complex overall vessel attitude control through coordinated operation of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim tab system is designed to perform multiple functions including pitch control, roll control, and stabilization across different vessel speeds using the same basic actuation mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each control function.
3Ease of operation
If interceptor tabs are used to reduce actuation force, then ease of operation is improved, but lift force generation is reduced compared to trim tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is segmented into multiple adjustable sections that can be optimized for different operational modes. In stabilization mode, sections are positioned to maximize lift with minimal actuation force similar to interceptor tabs. In active control mode, the same sections can be positioned to generate higher lift forces when greater control authority is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters of the tab sections (angle, position, effective area) based on operational requirements. This allows the same physical structure to exhibit interceptor tab characteristics (low actuation force) during normal operation and trim tab characteristics (high lift force) when additional control authority is required.
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
The trim tab assembly achieves improved actuation efficiency and control authority across various vessel speeds, combining the lift performance of trim tabs with the low actuation force characteristic of interceptor tabs, enhancing stabilization and motion damping capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Trim tabs have greater vessel attitude control authority because they generate larger rotational pitch and roll forces (moments)
Implementation Method 2
The member rotates about a portion of the hinge assembly
Implementation Method 3
The actuator actuates the trim tab. The controller controls the actuator to transition the member of the trim tab between a retracted state and the deployed state
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided and includes a trim tab, a hinge assembly, an actuator, and a controller. The trim tab adjusts at least one of pitch, roll or yaw motion of a marine vessel while the trim tab is in a deployed state. The trim tab includes a member, which has first and second ends and curves outward between and forward of the first end and the second end in a direction away from a point rearward of the member. The hinge assembly attaches a rearmost end of the first trim tab to the marine vessel at a location rearward of the member. The member rotates about a portion of the hinge assembly. The actuator actuates the trim tab. The controller controls the actuator to transition the member of the trim tab between a retracted state and the deployed state to adjust an attitude or motion of the marine vessel.