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An Experimental Investigation of Ride Control Algorithms for High-Speed Catamarans Part 1: Reduction of Ship Motions

AlaviMehr, J; Lavroff, J; Davis, MR; Holloway, DS; Thomas, GA; (2017) An Experimental Investigation of Ride Control Algorithms for High-Speed Catamarans Part 1: Reduction of Ship Motions. Journal of Ship Research , 61 (1) pp. 35-49. 10.5957/JOSR.61.1.160041. Green open access

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Abstract

Ride control systems are essential for comfort and operability of high-speed ships, but it remains an open question what is the optimum ride control method. To investigate the motions of a 112-m high-speed catamaran fitted with a ride control system, a 2.5-m model was tested in a towing tank. The model active control system comprised two transom stern tabs and a central T-Foil beneath the bow. Six ideal motion control feedback algorithms were used to activate the model scale ride control system and surfaces in a closed-loop control system: heave control, local motion control, and pitch control, each in a linear and nonlinear version. The responses were compared with the responses with inactive control surfaces and with no control surfaces fitted. The model was tested in head seas at different wave heights and frequencies and the heave and pitch response amplitude operators (RAOs), response phase operators, and acceleration response were measured. It was found that the passive ride control system reduced the peak heave and pitch motions only slightly. The heave and pitch motions were more strongly reduced by their respective control feedback. This was most evident with nonlinear pitch control, which reduced the maximum pitch RAO by around 50% and the vertical acceleration near the bow by about 40% in 60-mm waves (2.69 m at full scale). These reductions were influenced favorably by phase shifts in the model scale system, which effectively contributed both stiffness and damping in the control action.

Type: Article
Title: An Experimental Investigation of Ride Control Algorithms for High-Speed Catamarans Part 1: Reduction of Ship Motions
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.5957/JOSR.61.1.160041
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.5957/JOSR.61.1.160041
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Catamarans; high speed craft; ship motions
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Mechanical Engineering
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1544125
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