Retractable Hydrofoil Strut Layout for Low-Drag Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrofoil boats are prone to damage from collisions with the seabed or floating objects, and existing foldable mechanisms increase complexity and reduce energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A boat design with a strut adjustment arrangement that retracts the hydrofoil strut to a retracted position, positioning the sheltered portion behind the blunt trailing edge to avoid water contact and maintain energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydrofoil is made foldable to protect from collisions, then the protection from damage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to actuators and linkage
Solution Approach 1:
The strut is designed to be retractable rather than foldable, allowing it to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. This dynamic repositioning protects the hydrofoil from damage while avoiding the complex linkage mechanisms required for folding structures
Solution Approach 2:
The strut adjustment arrangement is positioned within cavities in the strut itself, extracting the adjustment mechanism from the external environment. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the protection function
2Reliability
If the strut adjustment arrangement is below the water surface, then the hydrofoil can be retracted, but drag increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The strut adjustment arrangement is nested within cavities in the strut structure, with the sheltered portion positioned within the blunt trailing edge extension. This nesting minimizes the hydrodynamic profile of the adjustment mechanism, reducing drag while maintaining retraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The strut features a hydrodynamic portion with specific local qualities - a rounded leading edge and blunt trailing edge - that optimize water flow. The adjustment arrangement is strategically positioned in the sheltered zone behind the trailing edge where it minimally disrupts the hydrodynamic flow
3Reliability
If the strut is retracted to protect the hydrofoil, then protection from damage is improved, but the ability to operate in shallow water is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable strut provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the system to switch between extended (for shallow water operation) and retracted (for protection) states. This dynamic capability maintains versatility while enabling protection when needed
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
Protects hydrofoils from damage while maintaining energy efficiency by reducing drag and complexity, allowing operations in shallow water and minimizing resistance.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the strut has a hydrodynamic portion forming a leading edge and a blunt trailing edge
Data Source
AI summary
A boat includes a hull (2), a hydrofoil (301, 601) mounted to the hull (2) by means of a hydrofoil holding arrangement (302) that has a strut (3021, 503). The boat also includes a strut adjustment arrangement (310, 510) arranged to retract the strut (3021, 503) from an extended position to a retracted position so as to move the hydrofoil (301, 601) from a deployed position to a restrained position, and/or to lock the strut in the extended position and/or in the retracted position. At least a portion of the strut has a hydrodynamic portion forming a leading edge (5036) and a blunt trailing edge (5037), where a sheltered portion (5101′, 5104, 5108) of the strut adjustment arrangement is positioned.