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The characteristics of the new super-cavitating or super-ventilating sections show that the lift/drag ratio increases very rapidly. In order to maintain optimal performance very rapid and precise control is required involving the use of new actuator types. Ecospeed Marine calls this new control technology ‘MICRO-CONTROL’
The MICRO-CONTROL system includes an integrated multi-channel high band-width Inertial Navigation System which enables the combined use of the hydrofoils and the propulsion system to make rapid and very small responses to variations due to the incoming flow conditions caused by waves or other disturbances.
The MICRO-CONTROL system enables continuous Thrust Vectoring such that the combined for/aft and lateral thrust of the two (or four) stern-mounted propulsion systems enable ‘Point and Go’ and acceleration or braking performance to follow dual axis joystick or navigation system inputs. The braking is an important safety factor. Vibration and Shock Loading have been substantially dampened with Ecospeed’s motion control system
Already in previous testing, tens of Gigabytes of data were collected and analysed per hour. Ecospeed has used algorithms for 10+ years already before the advent of the digital revolution. Selected data was fed back into the CFD, control and motion models to validate them.
This time the data collection rate is well over 10 times greater due to the faster system response and the increased number of sensors with the recent revamp and upgrading of the original advanced software.
Cavitation is normally seen as something to be avoided. Computation of cavitating surfaces is complex and even the best numerical codes are relatively inaccurate and slow, generally requiring supercomputers.
EcoSpeed Marine has developed a proprietary CFD code with integrated stress analysis. The code is extremely accurate and operates very fast. An inbuilt optimiser enables the rapid generation of CAD data.
Ecospeed electric pod is more compact and lighter weight which means less power is required for equal performance. Smaller number of parts and no hydraulics gives increased life between overhauls and of course since it is electric or hybrid, zero or low emissions.
Whereas for most vessels the aerodynamic performance is only of secondary importance, the large increase in hydrodynamic performance means that aerodynamic lift and drag play a primary role
CFD with ground effect is a well-used tool in the motor sport world and is used in the design process to optimise the overall lift and drag of the craft.
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