Hydrofoil Appendage Movement Apparatus for Navigation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrofoils face limitations in appendage movement, leading to inadequate control during navigation, especially in sudden turns and adverse water conditions, due to limited configuration variation and mechanical reliability issues with existing hinge and actuator systems.
Innovation Solution
A hydrofoil with a movement apparatus featuring actuator members with three degrees of freedom, allowing appendages to rotate around two orthogonal axes, supported by a rotatable body and connected via connection means, enabling independent and synchronized movement of appendages to maintain the hydrofoil's position and adapt to varying navigation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hinge and actuator systems are used for appendage movement, then the hydrofoil can achieve basic navigation functionality, but the mechanical reliability is insufficient during sudden turns and adverse water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic movement apparatus that allows appendages to move between multiple configured positions (fully immersed, fully retracted, and intermediate positions) rather than being fixed. The actuator members enable continuous adjustment of appendage orientation and depth, providing adaptability for different navigation conditions while maintaining mechanical reliability through controlled movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement apparatus is divided into separate actuator members, each independently controlling specific aspects of appendage movement. This segmentation allows for specialized design of each actuator component, improving overall system reliability while enabling complex coordinated movements for enhanced adaptability during navigation.
2Force
If appendages are kept fully immersed for stable lift generation, then lift force is maintained, but hydrodynamic resistance increases during high-speed navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of appendage immersion depth and orientation through the movement apparatus. During high-speed navigation, appendages can be partially or fully retracted to reduce hydrodynamic resistance. During low-speed or unstable conditions, appendages are immersed to generate sufficient lift force, optimizing performance across varying operational conditions.
3Ease of operation
If appendages are rapidly repositioned for sudden turns, then handling capability improves, but mechanical stress on hinge and actuator systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement apparatus provides dynamic control of appendages for rapid repositioning during sudden turns and adverse conditions. The system is designed with actuator members capable of withstanding the mechanical stresses of rapid movement while maintaining the strength required for safe operation. The controlled dynamic movement allows improved handling capability without compromising structural integrity.
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 the hydrofoil's ability to maintain a stable position and adapt to different navigation conditions, improving mechanical reliability and handling capabilities, while reducing hydrodynamic resistance and lift force variation for efficient foilborne navigation.
Implementation Method 1
such appendages are capable of interacting with a water flow on which they advance, converting the pressure resulting from the relative speed between that of advancement of the hydrofoil and that of the water flow into a lift force directed upward
Implementation Method 2
connection means (10), which are placed as a mechanical connection between the fourth end (9'') of the second actuator member (9) and the support body (7) and are adapted to move the support body (7) around the second rotation axis (Z)
Data Source
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AI summary
Hydrofoil for transport over water, which comprises a hull (2) extended along a main extension axis (X), at least one appendage (4), mounted on said hull (2), a movement apparatus (5) mechanically connected to the appendage (4) in order to move it and comprising at least one first actuator member (6), actuatable for rotating the appendage (4) around a first rotation axis (Y) substantially parallel to the main extension axis (X); the movement apparatus (5) also comprises a support body (7) rotatably constrained to the hull (2), actuatable to rotate around a second rotation axis (Z) and comprising a first hinge member (8) carrying, rotatably mounted thereon, the appendage (4), a second actuator member (9), actuatable for rotating the support body (7) around the second rotation axis (Z), connection means (10), between the second actuator member (9) and the support body (7) adapted to move the support body (7) around the second rotation axis (Z) following the actuation of the second actuator member (9).