Wave propulsion

[kjell]

Wave propulsion? Have anybody had some information of that the propulsion force is produced by the waves rolling the boat?

[Stumble]

For nonbreaking waves the total motion imparted to a vessel is zero. Of course in certain conditions boats can surf down the face of a wave but this is a very different situation, though when it occurs a boat can easily maintain the same SOG as the wave face.

[kjell]

Mi idea is to make a 2 meter self propelled test boat using Penguin fins. This little boat can travel free around giving information to a resurge station in land. A solar panel provide the power to transmit position and needed information.

[Jenny Giles]

Professor Neil Bose at the Australian maritime college here in Launceston has looked at whale tails and other forms of propulsion. look up some of his papers. they might give u a good start.

[gonzo]

They've had those in operation for a few years now. The system uses flaps.

[kjell]

The question is how to use the rolling movement of the boat to produce thrust for the forward motion.

[jehardiman]

Originally Posted by kjell

The question is how to use the rolling movement of the boat to produce thrust for the forward motion.

Actually, the boat shouldn't roll or pitch. It should be designed to be as stable as practical and extract energy from the wave orbital. Any motion caused by the wave not in the desired direction of travel is lost power. Just Google "wave propulsion" for a handful of examples, both toys and real vessels.