Dynamics augmentation for high speed flying yacht hulls through PID control of foiling appendages

A numerical investigation is conducted in order to identify a PID control loop feedback scheme able to return dynamics augmentation and superior seakeeping characteristics in the application of high speed flying yacht hulls. An existing lumped parameters model based on general unsteady equations of motion is extended and implemented in combination with a regular basic ocean waves model, to conduct parametric studies and predict the overall performances of a specific engine-propelled flying yacht hull, both in calm and rough water conditions. The unsteady behavior of six foiling/maneuvering appendages is investigated, the hydrodynamic characteristics being based on a database generated through the use of computational fluid dynamics methods (CFD) coupled with static/dynamic-mesh schemes. Equations of motion and hydrodynamics are solved numerically by explicit time-integration method. By comparison with control open-loop conditions, the results show the effects of the use of PID controllers in such dynamic systems in terms of seakeeping performances and dynamics augmentation.