Apparatus and method for aerodynamic testing of moving ships
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorJudah H. Milgram
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Example embodiments provide a modeling apparatus comprising a model ship configured for use in a wind tunnel, the model ship comprising a hull and a superstructure, a water surface plane representing a water surface in which the model ship operates, and a resonance control mechanism comprising a support structure, a pitch actuation mechanism, and a pitch control mechanism. The support structure is connected to the model ship and provides a pitch axis about a joint traversing the model ship. The pitch control mechanism tunes the natural frequency of the model ship to a desired value. The pitch actuation mechanism imparts oscillatory pitching motions to the model ship.
Claims12
A modeling apparatus comprising:
- a model ship configured for use in a wind tunnel, the model ship comprising a hull and a superstructure;
- a water surface plane representing a water surface in which the model ship operates;
- and
- a resonance control mechanism comprising a support structure, a pitch actuation mechanism, and a pitch control mechanism, wherein
- the support structure is connected to the model ship and provides a pitch axis about a joint traversing the model ship,
- the pitch control mechanism tunes the natural frequency of the model ship to a desired value, the pitch control mechanism comprising a tensioning system and a flywheel, and
- the pitch actuation mechanism imparts oscillatory pitching motions to the model ship,
- wherein the pitch actuation mechanism is configured to maintain a constant waterplane of the hull as the model ship moves in pitch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.