Volvo Penta Team 1: Hardtop Airfoil

Overview

Volvo Penta has tasked Penn State and Chalmers with developing a semi-foiling hard-top airfoil boat that can be used for leisurely activities. Recently, there have been developments in leisure boat technology. Hydro foiling boats are the latest technology to be developed, Penn State and Chalmers were asked to determine if an Air foiling boat would also be feasible as well. The proposed boat would house 8 people and be 30 feet long while semi foiling using wings to reduce drag and increase lift on the boat.

Objectives

– Design and model a wing profile suitable for a semi-foiling boat.

– Create a SolidWorks model of manually foldable wings that are not obstructive after use.

– Develop a proposed schematic for a controls and propulsion system for a semi foiling boat.

– Increase the boat’s motor efficiency and decrease the overall fuel consumption.

Approach

– Define the limitations of the boat with our sponsor: 30 feet long, houses 8 people, maximum speed of 37 knots, semi foiling, 2200 kgs in total weight, manually foldable wings

– Researched different boating technologies available on the market

– Based on these limitations, a NACA 6409 wing profile was chosen as it has a high coefficient of lift to drag ratio at a lower angle of attack

– Developed a method to calculate the Wing area using the lift force of the boat

– Created a MATLAB code based on the Savitsky Method to find the drag force on the design of planing boat hulls based on a trim angle, draft height, and speed to predict the porpoising ability of the boat.

– Used drag force and lift force calculated from the Savitsky Method to optimize the NACA 6409 profile for the task.

– Verified and edited code and wing profile SolidWorks models with Chalmers students.

– Discussed and redefined parameters in collaboration with Chalmers and the project sponsor in attempt to find a more feasible wing size

– Researched planes with foldable wings currently available to find historical folding concepts

– Created multiple concepts to have the wings manually fold on the boat craft without becoming an obstruction to passengers

– Designed SolidWorks Models of accepted Wing folding mechanisms to sustain a large wingspan and area based on the limitations of the boat.

Outcomes

Our tests determine the project to be infeasible based on the limitations of the boat and safety requirements. The boat at 2200 kgs (about 4850.16 lb.) would have a wingspan of 15 meters or approximately 50 ft and a chord length of 3.75 meters; the wingspan is longer, and the chord length is wider than the boat itself. Even if the weight was reduced to 1700 kgs (about 3747.85 lb.), the boat would have to run at 50 knots to generate lift. However, with changed limitations, an air foiling boat may be feasible, but further research must be developed to determine the possibility.