Motorized Hydrofoil Stabilization via Closed-Loop Feedback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrofoil devices lack automatic stability control to effectively respond to destabilizing hydrodynamic effects, leading to instability, especially in waves, as existing control mechanisms are abrupt and inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A motorized hydrofoil device equipped with sensing units and actuating units that communicate through a control unit to generate corrective movements around the longitudinal and lateral axes, utilizing inertial measurement units for closed-loop attitude control, allowing for stabilization by adjusting the hydrofoil's position in response to detected deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional control mechanisms are used for hydrofoil devices, then the device can maintain basic control, but the control becomes abrupt and inadequate, especially in waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensing units continuously monitor the hydrofoil device's attitude and position, and the control unit adjusts actuating units based on this feedback to generate smooth corrective movements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates abrupt control responses by constantly adapting to actual device conditions, especially improving stability in waves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical control linkages with an electro-mechanical control system consisting of sensing units, a control unit, and actuating units. This substitution enables more precise and smoother control responses by using electronic signal processing instead of direct mechanical connections, resolving the issue of abrupt control behavior.
2Speed
If sensing foil is placed close to the controlled foil for rapid response, then control speed increases, but the control becomes abrupt especially in waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary between the sensing units and actuating units. This intermediary processes sensor signals and generates smooth control commands, mediating between the rapid sensing output and the actuator response. The intermediary enables fast response while filtering out abruptness, especially in wave conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control where the control unit continuously receives information from sensing units about device attitude and adjusts actuating units accordingly. This feedback loop enables rapid response to disturbances while maintaining control smoothness through continuous adjustment rather than abrupt single-action corrections.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used by the sailor, then the sailor can directly respond to device behavior, but automatic corrective response to destabilizing hydrodynamic effects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service control where the hydrofoil device automatically detects and corrects its own instability through integrated sensing units and actuating units controlled by a control unit. The device monitors its own attitude and position and autonomously generates corrective movements without requiring constant manual intervention, thereby improving automatic stability control while maintaining manual override capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system automatically detects destabilizing hydrodynamic effects through sensing units and generates corrective responses through actuating units. This automatic feedback loop provides reliable stability control by continuously monitoring and correcting device attitude, supplementing manual control capabilities without requiring the sailor to directly manage every stabilization action.
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 device achieves enhanced stability by automatically generating corrective responses to destabilizing hydrodynamic effects, improving control and reducing abruptness, thereby enhancing the rider's ability to manage the hydrofoil's movement.
Implementation Method 1
The motorized hydrofoil device also may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for a close-loop attitude control
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensing units disposed on predetermined locations on first supporting unit of the first hydrofoil assembly
Implementation Method 3
a pair of first actuating units hingedly located on a trailing edge on both sides of the first hydrofoil... configured to stabilize the hydrofoil device around its longitudinal axis, or roll axis
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized hydrofoil apparatus may include a sailboard having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first hydrofoil assembly having a first hydrofoil and a first support unit; a second hydrofoil assembly having a second hydrofoil and a second support unit; and a propulsion system. The hydrofoil apparatus may also include one or more sensing units disposed on predetermined locations on the first support unit to operatively communicate to a plurality of actuating units on the first hydrofoil assembly and second hydrofoil assembly to automatically generate corrective responses to various destabilizing hydrodynamic effects to stabilize the hydrofoil apparatus.