Adaptive Boarding Control System in Surface Effect Ships

Abstract

This paper deals with adaptive regulation of wave induced vertical motion on a Surface Effect Ship (SES) at zero speed. To this end, a SES is equipped with variable vent valves, through which cushion pressure can be controlled by adjusting the air out-flow from the cushion. Model scale test and sea trials have shown effectiveness of such control system. In this paper, we present an adaptive control system which automatically adjust the tuning parameters for the existing SES Motion Control System. A study of the performance of the control system is demonstrated through numerical simulation using a high fidelity model of SES subject to waves.