Multi-Axis Rotating Hydrofoil Appendage for Boat Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrofoil boats face challenges in achieving high speeds, maintaining control in rough sea conditions, and efficiently adjusting lift forces, particularly at reduced speeds or when stationary.
Innovation Solution
The boat design features a reduced number of appendages projecting from the hull, with each appendage having a support portion and a hydrodynamic portion that can rotate around multiple axes, allowing for improved control and lift adjustment. The propulsion means are housed within the hydrodynamic portion, reducing weight and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple appendages are provided to control turn and pitch, then maneuverability is improved, but movement resistance increases and high speed is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The appendages are made movable around multiple rotation axes (yaw and pitch) to dynamically adapt to sea conditions. The pitch rotation allows the appendages to follow wavy motion, reducing resistance, while yaw control maintains maneuverability. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between maintaining control and reducing resistance for high speed.
2Reliability
If appendages are configured to follow wavy motion freely, then control in rough sea is improved, but movement resistance increases and high speed is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The appendages are equipped with pitch rotation freedom allowing them to dynamically follow wavy motion, improving control in rough sea. Simultaneously, the yaw rotation control enables the boat to maintain course and reduce resistance by optimizing appendage orientation relative to water flow, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
3Speed
If conventional hydrofoil appendages are used, then foilborne navigation is achieved, but lift adjustment at reduced speeds or stationary position is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The appendages are made movable around multiple rotation axes with controlled degrees of freedom. The pitch rotation allows the appendages to adjust their angle of attack relative to water flow, enabling lift adjustment even at reduced speeds or when stationary. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between achieving foilborne navigation and maintaining adaptability across different speed regimes.
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 design enables the boat to reach higher speeds with improved maneuverability and stability, while also allowing for efficient control of pitch and turn angles, and adjustable lift forces even at reduced speeds or when stationary.
Implementation Method 1
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
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Boat comprising a hull (2), at least two appendages (3), projecting from the hull (2) and intended to be immersed in water in order to generate a lift in navigation. Each appendage (3) comprises a support portion (31), mechanically connected to the hull (2), a hydrodynamic portion (32) which is extended along at least one main extension axis (X) and defines, at its own interior, at least one housing seat (S). The hydrodynamic portion (32) is rotatably connected to the support portion (31) around a first rotation axis (Z) substantially orthogonal to the main extension axis (X), and around a second rotation axis (Y) substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis (Z) and to the main extension axis (X). The boat (1) also comprises propulsion means (4), housed at least partially within the housing seat (S) of the hydrodynamic portion (32), first movement means (5), placed in mechanical connection between the hydrodynamic portion (32) and the support portion (31) in order to rotate the hydrodynamic portion (32) around the first rotation axis (Z), and second movement means (6), placed in mechanical connection between the hydrodynamic portion (32) and the support portion (31) in order to rotate the hydrodynamic portion (32) around the second rotation axis (Y).