Tourmaline
2nd December 2009, 08:11 PM
Clear explanation and graphical analysis of the dynamics involved in hydrofoil boats.
"But there's another way to go fast on water. It's been around for a while, but it's coming into its own. Make it fly! In September 2009 the sailing hydrofoil l'Hydroptère broke the world speed sailing record (subject to ratification) with an average speed of 51.36 knots over 500 meters, and hitting a peak speed of 55.7 knots. But underneath this amazing scientific and technological feat lies a mathematical catastrophe.
So what are hydrofoils?
In essence, hydrofoils are wings designed to work in water. As with aeroplane wings, a combination of deflecting the water and altering the speed - hence the pressure - provides a lifting force, raising the boat from the water. The foils themselves create drag, but at speed, there is less drag from the foils than from the hull.
The exact balance of these differing effects is intriguing. So let's have a closer look at it."
Analysis and graphs at:
http://www.penzba.co.uk/Catastrophe/
"But there's another way to go fast on water. It's been around for a while, but it's coming into its own. Make it fly! In September 2009 the sailing hydrofoil l'Hydroptère broke the world speed sailing record (subject to ratification) with an average speed of 51.36 knots over 500 meters, and hitting a peak speed of 55.7 knots. But underneath this amazing scientific and technological feat lies a mathematical catastrophe.
So what are hydrofoils?
In essence, hydrofoils are wings designed to work in water. As with aeroplane wings, a combination of deflecting the water and altering the speed - hence the pressure - provides a lifting force, raising the boat from the water. The foils themselves create drag, but at speed, there is less drag from the foils than from the hull.
The exact balance of these differing effects is intriguing. So let's have a closer look at it."
Analysis and graphs at:
http://www.penzba.co.uk/Catastrophe/