Hull Flow Guide Structure for Ship Drag and Wave Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively reduce both frictional and wave-making resistance of ships, leading to increased energy loss and fuel consumption during navigation.

Innovation Solution

A fluid resistance reduction apparatus featuring a fluid flow guide plate with a modified V-shape or U-shape, incorporating a fluid inlet at the bow, outlet at the stern, and a transfer passage, guided by a propeller to redirect seawater flow, minimizing resistance and enhancing propulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a ship travels at high speed, then productivity is improved, but fuel consumption increases and knocking sounds occur due to cavitation bubbles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveship speedVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful cavitation bubbles, which cause knocking sounds and energy loss, into beneficial microbubbles that reduce fluid resistance. By controlling the injection of gas or air into the boundary layer, the harmful cavitation phenomenon is transformed into a useful bubble layer that enhances ship speed while reducing fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the fluid environment by introducing bubbles into the boundary layer. This modifies the density and viscosity characteristics of the water near the hull, creating a low-resistance layer that reduces drag and allows for more efficient high-speed travel with reduced fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a ship travels at high speed, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to cavitation bubbles causing knocking sounds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveship speedVSAvoidknocking sounds
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful cavitation bubbles, which cause knocking sounds and energy loss, into beneficial microbubbles that reduce fluid resistance. By controlling the injection of gas or air into the boundary layer, the harmful cavitation phenomenon is transformed into a useful bubble layer that enhances ship speed while reducing fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If fluid resistance is reduced using gas injection, then ship speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveship speedVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into multiple independent injection holes distributed along the ship hull. Each hole can be independently controlled to inject gas or air at specific locations, allowing for localized optimization of the boundary layer without requiring a complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The injection holes serve multiple functions: they can inject different types of gas or air, operate at various flow rates, and be positioned at different locations along the hull. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system by using a single apparatus type for multiple optimization purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Significantly reduces frictional and wave-making resistance, improving sailing efficiency and fuel economy by redirecting seawater flow to act as a propulsive force rather than resistance.

Implementation Method 1

it has become a major issue that, when a ship travels at high speed, bubbles called cavitation bubbles are generated, and knocking sounds occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

by injecting gas or air into a boundary layer with a bubble generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoundary layer: Boundary Layer

Data Source

PatentEP4098535B1Fluid resistance reduction apparatus for ship
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 PARK LEEN CHUL
  • EP4098535B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4098535B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4098535B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluid resistance reduction apparatus for a ship, and more particularly, to an apparatus for reducing fluid resistance of a ship, the apparatus capable of significantly reducing wave-making resistance as well as frictional resistance caused by seawater during navigation of a ship, thus improving the speed, allowing stable navigation, and saving fuel. According to the present invention, a fluid resistance reduction apparatus is disposed below the draft line of the hull and allows the ship to proceed while seawater is introduced through the bow due to rotation of a propeller disposed on the hull and is discharged through the back of the stern, thereby significantly reducing frictional resistance and wave-making resistance of seawater. In this way, in addition to improving a sailing ability, it is possible to improve the speed and save fuel.