THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF AN OPTIMISED RIDE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A 102-METRE TRIMARAN FERRY

摘要

A substantial amount has been learned from the design, manufacture and operation of a 127-metre length Trimaran RoPax vessel as well as a similar hull configured as a warship now in service with the US Navy. The trimaran hull shape and layout are carefully designed to work in conjunction with underwater foils in order to maximise passenger and crew comfort, and for the design of the next generation of high-speed trimaran it was decided to develop a new ride control system specifically to suit the characteristics of trimaran motions, which were found to be generally longer and slower than catamarans. Various systems and controlling software were analysed in a numerical simulator, and fully-articulated T-foils were developed to best suit the new design. These were designed and manufactured in-house at the same time as a 40-knot 102-metre length trimaran was being constructed. New controlling software was also developed to suit the long-period motions of the vessel. Extensive trials have proven the success of the system with some noticeable improvements over the performance of the first vessel.