Ground Effect Aerodynamics
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Recent papers in Ground Effect Aerodynamics
With the recent third round of site allocations for offshore wind farms in extended UK waters, new challenges for efficient operation and maintenance require new solutions to be provided for technician and equipment transfer out to 200 nm... more
With the recent third round of site allocations for offshore wind farms in extended UK waters, new challenges for efficient operation and maintenance require new solutions to be provided for technician and equipment transfer out to 200 nm from shore. Based on the ongoing work at Cranfield University, a representative methodology for the design of an innovative Aerodynamically Alleviated Marine Vehicle (AAMV) is demonstrated. This process builds upon previous work including theoretical and experimental models, culminating with the summary of a preliminary design for a vessel of similar capability.
Utilising aerodynamic efficiencies of wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, it is shown how a vessel can be equipped with lifting surfaces in order to alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, drag and required power. The design spiral of conventional marine craft is modified to include the relevant considerations to equilibrate the aerodynamic forces and moments. Some areas of current and future work are discussed, with experimental results presented.
Utilising aerodynamic efficiencies of wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, it is shown how a vessel can be equipped with lifting surfaces in order to alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, drag and required power. The design spiral of conventional marine craft is modified to include the relevant considerations to equilibrate the aerodynamic forces and moments. Some areas of current and future work are discussed, with experimental results presented.
As high performance marine vessels with improved performance characteristics are being requested by international governments and commercial operators, the Aerodynamically Alleviated Marine Vehicle (AAMV) provides a solution that combines... more
As high performance marine vessels with improved performance characteristics are being requested by international governments and commercial operators, the Aerodynamically Alleviated Marine Vehicle (AAMV) provides a solution that combines typical speeds of rotary-wing and light fixed-wing aircraft with payload and loitering ability found in current high speed craft. The innovative AAMV hybrid aero-marine platform utilises an alternative implementation of wing-in-ground effect (WIG), a proven technology with a fascinating history of high speed marine operation.
Based on the ongoing research at Cranfield University, a representative methodology for the design of an AAMV is presented, building upon previous work including theoretical models and experimental programmes. Utilising aerodynamic ground effect efficiencies, it is shown how a vessel can be equipped with lifting surfaces that alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, drag and required power. The design spiral of a conventional marine craft is modified to include the relevant considerations to equilibrate the applied aerodynamic forces and moments. A representative design is compared to existing marine and aircraft, indicating favourable performance and powering requirements.
The AAMV architecture can be applied across a range of traditional maritime applications, both military and commercial, advancing functionality and expanding the performance envelope of maritime craft.
Based on the ongoing research at Cranfield University, a representative methodology for the design of an AAMV is presented, building upon previous work including theoretical models and experimental programmes. Utilising aerodynamic ground effect efficiencies, it is shown how a vessel can be equipped with lifting surfaces that alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, drag and required power. The design spiral of a conventional marine craft is modified to include the relevant considerations to equilibrate the applied aerodynamic forces and moments. A representative design is compared to existing marine and aircraft, indicating favourable performance and powering requirements.
The AAMV architecture can be applied across a range of traditional maritime applications, both military and commercial, advancing functionality and expanding the performance envelope of maritime craft.
Several new high speed marine vehicle configurations have been developed during the last two decades, due to an increasing demand for such vehicles for civil and military transportation. At the upper end of the speed range, a vessel can... more
Several new high speed marine vehicle configurations have been developed during the last two decades, due to an increasing demand for such vehicles for civil and military transportation. At the upper end of the speed range, a vessel can be equipped with aerodynamic lifting surfaces in order to alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, with lower hydrodynamic drag and required power.
A general review of the latest research on wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vehicles has been undertaken, highlighting some of the main technological challenges. From the earliest stages of development longitudinal stability has been one of the main challenges to be resolved. Additionally, the promise of increased aerodynamic efficiencies demonstrated at the theoretical level has not been easily achieved, often due to matters of stability, hydrodynamics, structural design and operational practicalities. Hydrodynamically, overcoming hump drag has proven problematic, often requiring significantly higher power during the take-off phase than at any other time in the operational profile. Whilst several general methods have evolved to address this issue, the limitations imposed by various configurations remain impediments to more efficient and effective designs.
The present work includes specific considerations for the preliminary design of a hullform with more favourable waterborne characteristics than existing WIGs. Initial tank testing was carried out to assess resistance performance for a representative operational profile during a take-off phase.
A general review of the latest research on wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vehicles has been undertaken, highlighting some of the main technological challenges. From the earliest stages of development longitudinal stability has been one of the main challenges to be resolved. Additionally, the promise of increased aerodynamic efficiencies demonstrated at the theoretical level has not been easily achieved, often due to matters of stability, hydrodynamics, structural design and operational practicalities. Hydrodynamically, overcoming hump drag has proven problematic, often requiring significantly higher power during the take-off phase than at any other time in the operational profile. Whilst several general methods have evolved to address this issue, the limitations imposed by various configurations remain impediments to more efficient and effective designs.
The present work includes specific considerations for the preliminary design of a hullform with more favourable waterborne characteristics than existing WIGs. Initial tank testing was carried out to assess resistance performance for a representative operational profile during a take-off phase.
In the last few decades, interest in high speed marine vehicles, both in civil and military marine transportation, has motivated the marine engineering community to develop new configurations [1]. Among these, the 'aerodynamic alleviation... more
In the last few decades, interest in high speed marine vehicles, both in civil and military marine transportation, has motivated the marine engineering community to develop new configurations [1]. Among these, the 'aerodynamic alleviation concept' [2] consists of using one or more aerodynamic surfaces to alleviate the weight of marine vehicles. The advantages are: lower hydrodynamic drag better damping of heave and pitch accelerations. At Cranfield University a research programme to study AAMV started five years ago. Firstly, an AAMV equilibrium attitude model has been developed and implemented in MATLAB . Similar to the Savitsky model for planing craft [4], this model is able to estimate the attitude of a given AAMV. Secondly, the vehicle stability has been studied by developing a specific system of equations of motion, using a small disturbances assumption [5]. This article presents a possible AAMV configuration that illustrates the potential of such configurations and how mathematical models can be used as design tools.
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