초록 ▼

A paravane is described that includes a float member; a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; and a fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit. The fluid is a drag-reducing fluid, which may be a gas. The f

A paravane is described that includes a float member; a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; and a fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit. The fluid is a drag-reducing fluid, which may be a gas. The fluid is flowed to the flow-facing side of the baffle to reduce towing force.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A paravane, comprising: a float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; anda fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit, wherein at least a portion of the fluid ports are nozzles attached to the

1. A paravane, comprising: a float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; anda fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit, wherein at least a portion of the fluid ports are nozzles attached to the baffle. 2. The paravane of claim 1, wherein the fluid ports are disposed through a portion of the baffle. 3. The paravane of claim 1, wherein the fluid ports are disposed through a portion of the baffle and distributed along a length of the baffle. 4. The paravane of claim 1, wherein one or more of the fluid ports are aligned at an angle with respect to a flotation plane of the float member. 5. The paravane of claim 1, wherein the fluid ports are distributed unevenly along the baffle. 6. A paravane, comprising: a float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; anda fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit, wherein the fluid ports are a grill. 7. A paravane, comprising: a float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more fluid ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; anda fluid source coupled to the baffle by a conduit, wherein the fluid source comprises a reservoir inside the float member. 8. The paravane of claim 7, wherein the conduit is disposed through the baffle. 9. The paravane of claim 7, further comprising a support extending from the float member and coupled to the baffle, where the conduit is disposed through the support. 10. A paravane, comprising: a float member having a gas reservoir in an interior portion of the float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more gas ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle; anda conduit coupling the gas reservoir to the gas ports. 11. The paravane of claim 10, wherein the gas ports are distributed along a length of the baffle. 12. The paravane of claim 10, wherein the gas ports are a grill. 13. The paravane of claim 10, wherein the conduit is a plenum inside the baffle. 14. The paravane of claim 13, further comprising a control valve disposed in the conduit and a controller coupled to the control valve. 15. The paravane of claim 10, wherein the gas ports are a plurality of nozzles. 16. The paravane of claim 15, further comprising a support extending from the float member and coupled to the baffle, where the conduit is disposed through the support. 17. The paravane of claim 16, further comprising a control valve disposed in the conduit and a controller coupled to the control valve. 18. A paravane, comprising: a float member having a gas reservoir in an interior portion of the float member;a baffle coupled to the float member, the baffle comprising one or more gas ports disposed at a flow-facing side of the baffle;a conduit coupling the gas reservoir to the gas ports;a control valve disposed in the conduit; anda controller coupled to the control valve. 19. The paravane of claim 18, wherein the conduit is a plenum inside the baffle. 20. A paravane system, comprising: a first paravane having a plurality of foils and at least two fastening points, at least one foil having a plurality of gas openings at a flow-facing side of the foil;a second paravane having a plurality of foils and at least two fastening points, at least one foil having a plurality of gas openings at a flow-facing side of the foil;a tow line coupled to each of the first and second paravanes;a first harness fastened to the fastening points of the first paravane;a second harness fastened to the fastening points of the second paravane; anda spreader cable attached between the first and second harnesses. 21. The paravane system of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second paravanes includes a gas source coupled to the gas openings by a conduit routed through each foil. 22. The paravane system of claim 21, wherein each gas source includes a control valve disposed in a conduit of the gas source. 23. The paravane system of claim 22, further comprising a controller coupled to each control valve. 24. The paravane system of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second paravanes comprises a float member coupled to the plurality of foils, and each gas source comprises a reservoir disposed inside the respective float members.