Soft Fiber Hull Coating for Residual Drag and Fouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for submerged marine objects fail to effectively reduce the overall drag forces experienced, particularly increasing friction resistance and wave drag, and do not address the need for easy cleanability and antifouling properties.
Innovation Solution
Application of soft fiber flock materials with average fiber lengths between 0.3-4 mm and thicknesses of 5-80 microns on underwater structures, optimizing fiber length and thickness to reduce residual drag without increasing frictional drag, and incorporating easy cleanability features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fiber flock materials are applied to reduce drag, then residual drag is reduced, but frictional drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing fiber length (0.5-2.0 mm) and fiber thickness (10-50 microns) to achieve the right balance between residual drag reduction and frictional drag increase. By carefully controlling these parameters, the coating creates a boundary layer that reduces pressure drag while minimizing frictional resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining fibers with specific physical properties (length, thickness, density) to create a coating that exhibits both drag-reducing and low-friction characteristics. The composite structure of the fiber flock allows simultaneous achievement of residual drag reduction and acceptable frictional drag
2Reliability
If short thick fibers are used for antifouling, then antifouling performance improves, but cleanability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting fiber length (0.5-2.0 mm) and thickness (10-50 microns) that optimize both antifouling performance and cleanability. These parameters create a surface that prevents fouling settlement while allowing easy removal of accumulated fouling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aerodynamic flocking results are applied to hydrodynamics, then drag reduction may be achieved, but friction drag increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts aerodynamic flocking principles to hydrodynamics by changing fiber parameters (length 0.5-2.0 mm, thickness 10-50 microns) suitable for water flow conditions. This modification of parameters allows the coating to reduce pressure drag in water while controlling frictional drag increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a fiber coating with specific properties at the hull surface that differs from the bulk water properties. The localized fiber structure modifies the boundary layer characteristics to reduce pressure drag while managing frictional effects
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 fiber-coated materials achieve significant residual drag reduction without negatively impacting overall drag, while maintaining low frictional drag, and provide easy cleanability to prevent fouling, thus reducing fuel consumption and maintenance efforts.
Implementation Method 1
fiber-coated material on the underwater surface of a structure for reducing residual drag
Implementation Method 2
achieve significant residual drag reduction without negatively impacting overall drag
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to the use of an easy-to-clean soft fiber-coated material on the underwater surface of structures to mimic mammal pelage and as such reducing residual drag, wherein said material comprises or consists of fibers having an average fiber length between 0.3 and 4 mm, and an average fiber thickness between 5 and 80 μm. The underwater surface of structure is preferably the hull of a movable or moving vessel, or the underwater part of a static structure such as offshore wind monopiles and off-shore rigs. In some embodiments, the invention pertains to the reduction of fuel consumption of a nautical vessel passing through water.