Retractable hydrofoil on vessel

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are provided for a vessel comprising a retractable hydrofoil. The vessel can include a hull and one or more hydrofoil assemblies connected to the hull. Each hydrofoil assembly can further include a support structure and a hydrofoil operably connected to the hull via the support structure. Each of the hydrofoil assemblies can be configured to retract or extend from the hull such that the hydrofoil of each of the hydrofoil assemblies can move away or move close to the hull. During operation, one or more of the hydrofoils can be submerged beneath a water line. Alternatively, during a cruising speed of the vessel, one or more of the hydrofoils retracted from being submerged beneath the water line.

1 . A water vessel comprising:
 a hull; and   one or more hydrofoil assemblies connected to the hull, each hydrofoil assembly comprising:
 a support structure; and 
 a hydrofoil operably connected to the hull via the support structure, wherein each of the hydrofoil assemblies are configured to retract or extend from the hull such that the hydrofoil of each of the hydrofoil assemblies can move away or move close to the hull. 
   
     
     
         2 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure of each of the one or more hydrofoil assemblies is comprised of a pair of elongated booms. 
     
     
         3 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrofoil further comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, and side portions on opposite ends of the hydrofoil such that the pair of elongated booms are operably connected to the opposite ends of the side portions of the hydrofoil. 
     
     
         4 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a first hydrofoil is submerged beneath a water line when the water vessel is operational at a given speed. 
     
     
         5 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a second hydrofoil can be retracted to a position close to that of the hull such that when the ship is operational at a cruising speed, the at least second hydrofoil is above the water line and the at least first hydrofoil is submerged beneath the water line. 
     
     
         6 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning of each hydrofoil of the one or more hydrofoil assemblies is configured to reduce a submerged plan area and maximize a lift to drag ratio of the at least the first hydrofoil when operational. 
     
     
         7 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein each hydrofoil of the one or more hydrofoil assembles is configured to optimize a stability, balance, and trip of the water vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The water vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning of each hydrofoil of the one or more hydrofoil assemblies is based on at least a velocity of the water vessel, a lift caused by the one or more hydrofoil assemblies during operation of the water vessel, a turbulence experienced by the water vessel during operation of the water vessel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A ship comprising:
 a hull; and   a plurality of hydrofoils operably connected to the ship, each of the plurality of hydrofoils having a plan area, the hydrofoils configured to extend or retract to a distance relative to the position of the hull such that at least a first hydrofoil of the plurality of hydrofoils can be submerged under water when the ship is operational at a given speed.   
     
     
         10 . The ship of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of hydrofoils are operably connected the hull, connected to a structure supported by the hull, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The ship of  claim 9 , wherein at least a second hydrofoil of the plurality of hydrofoils can be retracted to a position close to that of the hull such that when the ship is operational at a cruising speed, the second hydrofoil is above a water line. 
     
     
         12 . The ship of  claim 9 , wherein the positioning of each hydrofoil of the plurality of hydrofoils is configured to reduce a submerged plan area and maximize a lift to drag ratio of one or more of the plurality of hydrofoils when operational. 
     
     
         13 . A hydrofoil system comprising:
 a foil comprising;
 a leading edge; 
 a trailing edge; and 
 two side portions; 
   a first support structure operably connected to one side of the two side portions of the foil; and   a second support structure operably connected to another side of the two side portions of the foil such that the first support structure and second support structure are operably connected to a vessel.   
     
     
         14 . The hydrofoil system of  claim 13 , wherein the width of the beam is substantially equal to the span of the foil. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrofoil system of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second support structures are connected to the vessel at each of opposite sides of the vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrofoil system of  claim 13 , wherein the foil, along with the first support structure and second support structure can operably extend and retract vertically relative to the position of the vessel along an axis substantially perpendicular to that of the axis of a water line. 
     
     
         17 . A hydrofoil comprising:
 a thin, u-shaped, structure comprising:
 a base portion that is substantially flat along a first horizontal axis; and 
 two side portions operably connected to opposing edges of the base portion, each of the two side portions having elongated and substantially flat surfaces suspended perpendicular to the opposing edges of the base portion. 
   
     
     
         18 . The hydrofoil of  claim 17 , wherein the base portion comprises two surfaces that are curved along a second horizontal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The hydrofoil of  claim 17 , wherein the each of the two side portions are operably connected to a vessel. 
     
     
         20 . The hydrofoil of  claim 17 , wherein the two side portions are configured to extend or retract from the vessel such that the base portion can move away or move close to a bottom surface of the vessel.