초록 ▼

The invention is gas-filled cavities that reduce drag on the underwater surfaces of marine vehicles. Hydrofoils, struts, boat and ship hulls, pontoons, underwater bodies, fins, rudders, fairings, protuberances, submarine sails and propulsors are underwater surfaces that may be covered by the gas-fil

The invention is gas-filled cavities that reduce drag on the underwater surfaces of marine vehicles. Hydrofoils, struts, boat and ship hulls, pontoons, underwater bodies, fins, rudders, fairings, protuberances, submarine sails and propulsors are underwater surfaces that may be covered by the gas-filled cavities to reduce drag on them. The gas-filled cavities are to be used on underwater surfaces of marine vehicles, such as hydrofoil craft, monohulls, catamarans, SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) craft, SES (surface-effect ships) and WIG (wing-in-ground effect) vehicles. Each gas-filled cavity is formed by ejecting air near the end of each nosepiece. Air is ejected at a speed and direction which is close to that of the water at the local cavity wall. The cavity is formed behind the nosepiece. The nosepiece is adapted to control the shape of the cavity. Cavity length is also controlled through controlling air ejection rates, and through the use of a tailpiece to close the cavity within a limited region near the front of the tailpiece.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hydrofoil vessel comprising a hull, propulsion system, and at least one strut having an upper end connected to the hull and having a lower end connected to one fixed-sweep fully submerged dynamically lifting v-shaped hydrofoil in plan view wherein the one hydrofoil provides hydrodynamic lift du

1. A hydrofoil vessel comprising a hull, propulsion system, and at least one strut having an upper end connected to the hull and having a lower end connected to one fixed-sweep fully submerged dynamically lifting v-shaped hydrofoil in plan view wherein the one hydrofoil provides hydrodynamic lift during operation at design speed, wherein the one hydrofoil has thin vertical dimensions and has a leading edge that is swept back at least 45 degrees, and has a trailing edge which includes has at least one trailing edge flap for controlling vessel pitch and vessel roll.