Fast ships models for seakeeping improvement studies using flaps and T-foil

Fast ships are taking a relevant role with a clear interest for military purposes. Fast sea transportation encounters several problems to be solved. This article refers to the difficulties originated by brisk vertical motions. The waves encountered by fast ships induce such vertical motions, and this has negative effects: navigation risks, sea sickness, structural damages, and load displacement. It is also interesting for military uses to stabilize the ship when an aircraft is landing or when precision firing is required. By means of submerged actuators, it is possible to alleviate vertical motions. In this research, a pair of transom flaps and a T-foil near the bow are used to counteract the waves. These actuators must move with the maximum efficiency, taking into account the dynamical characteristics of the ship. As a consequence, there is a problem of automatic control design. To carry out this design, it is important to obtain mathematical models of all the aspects involved in the problem: the ship, the waves, the actuators, and the effect on crew and comfort. The aim of this paper is to present the development of these models and the use of them for problem analysis and control design.