Dynamics and control of surface piercing hydrofoil craft in longitudinal waves

Abstract

This paper outlines the dynamics and control of a hybrid type hydrofoil craft which is 1.5m length and 11.5kg load suported by surface piercing fore-foil and fully submerged aft-foil with controllable flaps. First, the hydrodynamic lift and drag acting on the foil surfaces are measured by captive model tests and the experimental results are compared with theoretical prediction. Next, the equations of motion required to describe the longitudinal motions of hydrofoil are discussed in detail, together with simulation of the equations. The towing tests of the model are carried out for foil bone condition in still water and regular waves. By comparing measured response with the mathematical model, the velidity of simulation is discussed. Finally, the effect of control flaps on the response are investigated to reduce the heave and pitch motions of hydrofoil craft in longitudinal waves.