Roll damping of a surface effect ship with split air cushion

Abstract

This paper considers linear modeling of a surface effect ship (SES) where roll motions are damped by exclusively exploiting a longitudinally split air cushion design. On a SES, the pressurized air cushions can support up to approximately 80 % of the vessels weight. By implementing a separating wall midships in the longitudinally direction, motion control of roll is possible. When the vessel is subject to wave-induced roll motions, the starboard and port air cushion pressures are controlled in anti-phase, reducing these motions significantly. The effectiveness of the scheme is demonstrated through model scale experimental testing carried out in the Towing Tank, NTNU, Trondheim.1