Moveable Hull Vessel Coordinated Turn Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-hulled vessels with fixed hulls are unable to execute coordinated turns at speed due to significant hydrodynamic losses and limited range of controlled roll angles, which restricts the maximum lateral acceleration that can be compensated, making it impossible to maintain passenger comfort and efficiency during turns.
Innovation Solution
A vessel design with a body portion partially suspended above moveable hulls, where the roll attitude is adjustable based on operational parameters such as lateral acceleration, steering angle, and speed, using sensors and fluid actuators to minimize power consumption and maintain the line of action of gravitational and centrifugal forces perpendicular to the deck during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hulls are fixed relative to the deck in conventional multi-hulled vessels, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the vessel cannot execute coordinated turns at speed due to significant hydrodynamic losses and limited roll angle control range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the hulls moveable relative to the deck through suspension systems, allowing the hulls to dynamically adjust their position and orientation during turns. This enables the vessel to execute coordinated turns at speed by actively controlling hull displacement and roll angle, transforming the static fixed-hull structure into a dynamic adjustable configuration that optimizes hydrodynamic performance during maneuvering.
2Productivity
If the hulls are made moveable relative to the deck to enable coordinated turns, then the turning performance at speed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to suspension systems and active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by utilizing the natural hydrodynamic forces and the vessel's own motion to achieve coordinated turns. The moveable hulls respond to the vessel's turning motion and lateral acceleration, automatically adjusting their position to optimize performance without requiring complex external control systems. The system leverages the vessel's inherent dynamics and the interaction between the hulls and water to achieve the desired effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system that enables hull movement serves multiple functions: it allows the hulls to move relative to the deck for coordinated turns, provides roll control capability, and enhances the vessel's adaptability to different operating conditions. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity more effectively.
3Device complexity
If the roll angle is actively controlled in dependence on steering angle only without speed parameter, then the control system is simpler, but the coordinated turn control is not achieved as roll angle does not vary in dependence on lateral acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the feedback principle by incorporating speed as a parameter in the roll control system, which enables the calculation of lateral acceleration (since lateral acceleration is proportional to steering angle multiplied by the square of vessel speed). This feedback mechanism allows the roll angle to be adjusted in real-time based on the actual operating conditions, ensuring that the vessel achieves proper coordinated turn control with the resultant force perpendicular to the deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by transitioning from a control system that considers only steering angle to one that incorporates both steering angle and speed parameters. This change in control parameters enables the system to accurately determine lateral acceleration and adjust the roll angle accordingly, achieving reliable coordinated turn control that adapts to varying operating conditions.
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
This solution enables multi-hulled vessels to perform coordinated turns at speed while minimizing power required for roll control, maintaining passenger comfort, and optimizing efficiency by adjusting the roll attitude to compensate for centrifugal forces, thus overcoming the limitations of fixed hull constructions.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion which is at least partially suspended above at least two hulls
Implementation Method 2
the sum of the gravitational force and the centrifugal (substantially lateral with respect to ground) force acting on the vessel during a turn
Data Source
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AI summary
A vessel is disclosed having a body portion that is at least partially suspended above at least one left moveable hull and at least one right moveable hull, each hull being moveable with respect to the body portion. At least one sensor is arranged to sense at least one operational parameter of the vessel. The roll attitude of the body portion is adjustable and controlled during operation in response to the at least one operational parameter to ensure that the sum of the gravitational force and the centrifugal force acting on the vessel during a turn has a line of action that is substantially perpendicular to a deck of the vessel, i.e. that the vessel executes a coordinated turn.