ACTIVE CONTROL OF VERTICAL ACCELERATION WITH T-FOIL AND TRIM TAB SYSTEMS IN A FAST FERRY

Abstract

This study is concerned with the active T-foil placed near the bow on the keel line of the fast ferry and two active trim tab controls placed at the stern to improve the maritime performance of a fast ferry, whilst improving the comfort and safety of passengers and crew. In the scope of the study, the vertical direction of the fast ferry under the random head waves, heave and pitch motions were taken into account. For the control of T-foil and trim Tabs, PID and LQR control methods were used. The purpose of these controllers is to reduce the acceleration of the heave and pitch motions of the fast ferry by changing the operating angles of the T-foil and trim tab wings. A random wave model was created using the Pierson-Moskowitz model, and simulations were done assuming that the fast ferry was subjected to random head waves. Finally, in order to see the effect of vertical acceleration on passengers, the rate of seasickness (MSI) change of the fast ferry in uncontrolled and controlled states was examined. Mathematical models of fast ferry, T-foil and trim tab and their simulations were carried out in MATLAB / Simulink environment. The simulation results show that T-foil and trim tab Active systems can effectively reduce vertical acceleration by improving heave and pitch motions.