Ride Height Control System for a Foiling Sailing Dinghy

Abstract

This thesis aims to present the development of a mechatronic ride height control system for the Chalmers Formula Sailing moth dinghy Saga. Subsequently, the objective has been to create a system capable of riding at a set height above sea level in normal conditions. Energy efficiency within the maritime industry has been a driving force for innovation in the field. Hydrofoiling is an old technology that has gained traction as it has been shown to be an effective alternative. However, as the maritime environment is unpredictable, challenges arise with the construction of a stable, reliable control system. With hydrofoiling not being a widely adopted technology, limited research has been made in mechatronic control systems for foiling watercraft. This thesis contributes to that research by sourcing components, designing and constructing parts, coding a regulator and finally building and testing the control system. The result showed data in which the regulator responded as expected based on the estimated height generated from the sensors. It was concluded that the physical system was sufficient, but further calibration of the controller was needed to reach the objective. It is believed that the project is a good platform for future work for the Chalmers Formula Sailing team.