System and method for reducing drag on the hull of a vessel

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of reducing drag on the hull of the vessel by creating a Coanda flow on the hull by jetting a fluid onto the hull or surface continuous with hull at a location above the waterline in the vessel. The Coanda flow extends below the waterline, entraining air below the waterline and adjacent to the hull. The Coanda flows generated by the free jets impacting targets embedded in wear plates can be created in any direction relative to the vessel forward direction. An air cavity is also created by the jetted fluid. A system for reducing drag is also disclosed, wherein the system includes a pump in fluid communication with a source of fluid, power source connected to the pump and at least one nozzle positioned above the waterline of the vessel and oriented towards the hull of the vessel so as to jet the fluid thereon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.