Detachable Hull Unit With Foldable Hydrofoils for Shallow-Water Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrofoil systems in marine vessels face issues such as increased draft, drag at low speeds, and require substantial modifications to the hull, especially when retractable hydrofoils interfere with propulsion units and storage compartments.
Innovation Solution
A detachable auxiliary hull unit with foldable hydrofoils that are mounted rearward and pivot laterally, allowing them to be flush with the hull in a stowed position to minimize drag and deploy to lift the vessel out of the water, featuring a compact design that does not interfere with propulsion units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fixed hydrofoils are used to increase speed, then the vessel speed increases, but the draft increases making navigation in shallow waters impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil system is made retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted between deployed and retracted positions. When deployed, the hydrofoil provides lifting force to increase speed; when retracted, it reduces draft to enable navigation in shallow waters. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between speed and draft requirements.
2Length of stationary object
If retractable hydrofoils are used to reduce draft, then the draft decreases enabling shallow water navigation, but drag increases at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil is designed to be retractable, allowing it to be positioned according to operational needs. At low speeds, the hydrofoil can be retracted to minimize drag, while at higher speeds it can be deployed to provide lifting force. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between draft reduction and drag minimization.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If rear hydrofoils are made retractable to reduce drag, then drag decreases, but the packaging space for hydrofoil system and control means is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable hydrofoil system is integrated within the existing hull structure, with the hydrofoil nesting into the hull when retracted. This allows the hydrofoil system to be compact when not in use, reducing the packaging space required while still enabling drag reduction when deployed.
4Ease of manufacture
If substantial hull modification is made to accommodate hydrofoil system, then the hydrofoil system can be installed, but the complexity of manufacturing and retrofitting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil system is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be installed independently from the main hull structure. This segmentation allows the hydrofoil system to be added without requiring substantial modification of the existing hull, reducing manufacturing and retrofitting complexity while maintaining installation feasibility.
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 solution reduces draft and drag, enabling navigation in shallow waters and maintaining speed without excessive space requirements, while allowing easy assembly or retrofitting to existing vessels.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrofoil operates in the same way as a wing-shaped air foil to create a lifting force... the hydrofoil elements below the hull develop enough lift to raise the hull out of the water
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary hull unit is detachably mounted to a transom on a marine vessel. The hull unit is mounted at least partially below the water line of the vessel and arranged to extend rearwards parallel to the rearward extension of hull sections adjacent to the hull unit. The hull unit has a rear hydrofoil system for the marine vessel. The rear hydrofoil system has at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils which are pivotable in a lateral direction relative to the hull unit. Each hydrofoil is controllable by at least one actuator for displacement of the at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils in the lateral direction of the hull unit between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hull unit can be provided with a propulsion unit.