Variable Lift Hydrofoil Wings for Watercraft Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art hydrofoils cause drag in water, limiting the speed of watercraft as they reach high speeds, restricting their performance and navigation comfort.
Innovation Solution
A hydrofoil design with rotatable wings that adjust their angle relative to the fuselage based on speed, retracting into the fuselage as speed increases to reduce lift and drag, utilizing a mobile assembly and compression devices to adapt to water pressure, allowing for a robust and efficient speed-dependent lift/drag ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the wings are deployed perpendicular to the fuselage, then the hydrofoil provides sufficient lift when stationary or moving slowly, but the drag increases at high speeds limiting watercraft velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable-geometry wings that can dynamically change their orientation relative to the fuselage. The wings are rotatable between a deployed position (perpendicular to fuselage) for low-speed lift generation and a retracted position (angled backward) for high-speed drag reduction. This dynamic adaptation allows the hydrofoil to optimize its performance across different speed regimes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining sufficient lift and minimizing drag at high speeds.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wings are fixed in a deployed position, then the hydrofoil maintains stable lift characteristics, but the watercraft cannot achieve high speeds due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed-wing configuration into a dynamic system where the wings can rotate about an axis. The rotatable connection allows the wings to adapt their angle of attack and orientation based on the hydrofoil's speed, maintaining stable and efficient performance across varying operating conditions rather than being constrained to a single fixed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the wing configuration by allowing rotation. The wings transition from a perpendicular orientation (90 degrees to fuselage axis) to a retracted orientation at an angle less than 90 degrees. This parameter change enables the system to optimize the lift-to-drag ratio at different speeds, allowing high-speed operation while maintaining sufficient lift.
3Speed
If the wings are made rotatable to reduce drag at high speeds, then the watercraft can achieve higher velocities, but the device complexity increases with mobile assemblies and connecting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotational degrees of freedom to the wing-fuselage connection, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. The rotatable joints and mobile assemblies enable the wings to automatically adjust their position in response to hydrodynamic forces, facilitating high-speed performance through adaptive drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs compression devices (such as springs or elastomers) that automatically adjust the wing position based on the hydrodynamic forces experienced during operation. The system self-regulates the wing orientation without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing the overall device complexity while still achieving the desired variable-geometry functionality for drag reduction at high speeds.
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 hydrofoil design enhances watercraft speed and comfort by reducing drag and lift as speed increases, enabling higher velocities and improved navigation through adaptive wing positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the two wings are rotatable relative to the fuselage between a deployed position when the hydrofoil is stationary and a retracted position towards a rear part of the fuselage by the water pressure exerted on the wings as the hydrofoil moves through the water
Implementation Method 2
two wings at the front of the fuselage and designed to provide hydrodynamic lift to the hydrofoil when it is moving in the water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrofoil for a watercraft including a fuselage and two wings arranged on either side of the fuselage and designed to provide hydrodynamic lift to the hydrofoil when it is moving through the water. According to the invention, the two wings are rotatable relative to the fuselage between a deployed position when the hydrofoil is stationary, and a retracted position towards a rear part of the fuselage by the water pressure exerted on the wings when the hydrofoil is moving through the water.