Wave Pumping and Its Effects on the Design and Operation of Air-Cushion Ships

摘要

Wave pumping is defined as the variation of plenum-air volume and/or pressure caused by the passage of waves through the air-cushion plenum of an air-cushion (or surface-effect) ship. These studies indicate that, to maintain constant deck height (smooth ride) when operating with adverse wave-pumping conditions, a large high-speed air-cushion ship will require a plenum-air-supply system having approximately half the power of the propulsion system. If the plenum-air-supply system does not adequately compensate for wave-pumping effects, the air-cushion ship will experience heave vibrations which may be intolerable for on-board personnel; or it may descend into the water with resulting large increase in drag. (Author)