Hydrodynamic design, system design and control system for a model-scale foiling boat

Abstract

Hydrofoils can help improve the efficiency of naval vehicles but not so many manufacturers are in the hydrofoil boat market yet. This work focuses on designing and manufacturing a system that allows hydrofoil positioning to be variable in three dimensions on a model-scale boat. The designed front wings and struts are analyzed through CFD simulations and compared to experimental tests performed at SSPA’s facilities. Finally, an active control system is installed on the model. It is operated via the firmware Ardupilot. This project is intended as a development project and as a platform for obtaining knowledge towards the installation of hydrofoils on fullscale rescue boats in SSRS’s fleet. This thesis is the first design iteration of many thus improvements are to be done to the model-scale foiling boat.