Front Hydrofoil AoA Control for Constant-Heave Vessel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrofoiling vessels lack effective control mechanisms to dynamically adjust hydrofoil configurations for stability and performance, especially in varying environmental conditions and speeds, leading to instability and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry that adjusts the angle of attack of the front hydrofoil arrangement based on lift force discrepancies, using data from both the front and rear hydrofoil arrangements, to maintain a constant heave and improve vessel control, stability, and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If variable attack angle hydrofoil system is used to improve performance, then vessel performance is improved, but system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hydrofoil attack angles variable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts the attack angles of front and rear hydrofoils based on real-time vessel state (heave, pitch, roll) and environmental conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining stability through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vessel heave, pitch, and roll angles, then using this information to adjust hydrofoil attack angles. The control system compares current vessel state with desired state and modifies hydrofoil configurations to minimize deviations, ensuring stability while achieving high performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed hydrofoil configuration is used to ensure stability, then system stability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a fixed configuration that requires excessive energy to maintain stability, the patent employs dynamic adjustment of hydrofoil attack angles. The control system optimizes the lift-to-drag ratio in real-time by adjusting attack angles according to vessel speed and sea conditions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the hydrofoil system by varying attack angles based on vessel speed and environmental conditions. At different speeds and in different sea states, the control system adjusts attack angles to optimize hydrodynamic efficiency, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining stable operation.
3Force
If hydrofoils are extended at higher speeds to generate lift, then lift-to-drag ratio is improved, but vessel control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydrofoil control into independent front and rear hydrofoil arrangements, each with controllable attack angles. This segmentation allows the control system to manage complexity by controlling each hydrofoil separately based on its specific contribution to vessel stability and performance, rather than treating the hydrofoil system as a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of hydrofoil attack angles that automatically adjusts to vessel speed and environmental conditions. The control system activates hydrofoiling mode at appropriate speeds and dynamically adjusts attack angles to maintain optimal lift-to-drag ratio, managing control complexity through automated adaptive control rather than manual intervention.
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 enhances vessel stability, maneuverability, and reduces energy consumption by dynamically adjusting hydrofoil configurations in real-time, ensuring optimal performance across different speeds and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
hydrofoiling vessels utilize retractable wings or foils that, when extended at higher speeds, generate sufficient lift to elevate the hull out of the water
Implementation Method 2
generate sufficient lift to elevate the hull out of the water. The hydrofoiling vessel thereby benefits from a higher lift-to-drag ratio
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A computer system (150; 900) comprising processing circuitry (152; 902) configured to: obtain (S1) data indicative of a target total lift force (Ftot) to be generated by a front hydrofoil arrangement (120) of a marine vessel (100) and by a rear hydrofoil arrangement (130) of the marine vessel (100), wherein the target total lift force is associated with a constant heave (y) of the vessel (100); determine (S2) a lift force discrepancy between a current lift force of the vessel (100) and the target total lift force, based on a state of the rear hydrofoil arrangement (130); and adjust (S3) an angle of attack (AoA) of the front hydrofoil arrangement (120) to compensate for the lift force discrepancy.