Variable camber hydrofoils in oscillating hydrofoil propulsion - Development of a prototype and a efficiency test setup

Abstract

Flapping Foil is an ongoing development project at NTNU Technology Transfer working on a new way of propulsion for boats. Their goal is to eliminate two of the biggest issues with boats today, the low efficiency of boat propellers and the high friction created when moving in the water surface. Their solution to these problems is a hydrofoil propulsion system that will in addition to propel the boat more efficiently also lift it up out of the water reducing friction.

This master thesis has in collaboration with Flapping Foil looked at the possibility of using a curving hydrofoil for the propulsion system instead of a more traditional hydrofoil with a flap attached to it's rear end. There have been two objectives of this, to develop a prototype for this kind of hydrofoil and to create a test setup for comparing the prototype to a traditional hydrofoil.

Unfortunately because of a failure in an electrical component vital to the test rig no data has been collected, however all planning is completed and testing is ready to be done should the component be replaced. In addition to this a working prototype for a curving hydrofoil has been constructed.