THE AIR-LUBRICATED HULL

The results of an experiment investigating the feasibility of air injection to reduce hull resistance on a high-speed planing hull are presented. A description of the model used and the tests conducted are also given. It was expected that the air injection would affect the resistance of the hull in several ways in addition to reducing the skin frictional resistance, for example by altering the trim and/or displacement, therefore, tests included 1) fixed displacement, free trim, 2) fixed trim and displacement, and 3) free displacement and trim. The results of the tests are discussed, and it was pointed out that the reduction in resistance was greater with the model free to trim and heave than with either the trim or displacement fixed. Among the conclusions reached were that while a reduced resistance could be obtained, the side effects of the air injection were as beneficial as air lubrication itself, and that at higher speeds, while the percentage reduction in resistance using air injection was not so great, there was an overall reduction in power required for the hull with air injection.

• Corporate Authors:

  Kalerghi Publications

  51 Welbeck Street
  London W1,   England 
• Authors:
  • MILLWARD, A
  • Saeed, M
• Publication Date: 1973-9

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 9-11
• Serial:
  • Hovering Craft and Hydrofoil
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Kalerghi Publications

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fluid resistance; Hulls; Lubrication; Resistance tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Hull resistance
• Old TRIS Terms: Air lubrication; Hull lubrication systems
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052048
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Kings Point
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1974 12:00AM