High Performance MPX Foil/Self-righting Trimaran-The Test Model

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Doug Lord, Dec 28, 2010.

  1. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Fire Arrow S---
    I'm nearly done with the D2 and while I want to spend as much time as possible sailing it, the D4Z and the original Fire Arrow this year I'm still investigating the potential crowd funding of the WOLF project-which is not looking good.
    -------
    I'm also considering using some of the tooling left over from the F3 project 19 years ago to make a speed version of the Fire Arrow. The current boat is an exact scale model of a 19.5' sport trimaran carrying the equivalent weight of three 180lb people and 80 lbs of gear. Using the F3 tooling for the new version would save lots of time and weight though there would be some minor mods required of the tooling.
    IF I do it the question is what length to make it-I have the F3 main hull mold (56" LOA)and the F3 ama mold so I'm leaning toward using them. But I'm also interested in the Multi One class since at one meter LOA , the class rule allows a beam of 4' --an oversquare platform is a requirement for the Fire Arrow foil configuration particularly on an RC model designed for speed. Problem with the one meter length is that I'd have to make new tooling or heavily modify the existing tooling to build the main hull light enough- and I'm not sure I want to go through that.
    This Fire Arrow version would use UptiP ama foils like the original except that they wouldn't use wash-in to help the boat with light air takeoff. The new foils would be designed for speed but I would still want to achieve takeoff in a 5 mph wind so, probably, the only other way to do that with UptiP foils is to use a waterproof servo on each ama foil (both operated from a single channel) and shift the angle of incidence between 2.5-3 degrees(high speed, low drag) to 6- 8 degrees(light air takeoff)-in essence doing the same thing "manually" that the wand does for the main foil. A wand would be way difficult to implement on an UptiP foil so that is out. Using the servos to shift the AOI would still allow the ama foils to have automatic altitude control which an UptiP foil is known for.
    It's also possible to simply rotate a single crossarm and that would require just one servo to do both sides simultaneously .
    ----------------
    Just thinking about it at this point....

    D2:
    D2 A rig 1st set up   12-19-2017 003.JPG
    D2 on stand 7-14-16 003.JPG

    D4Z:
    2007-01-25 11.07.08.jpg
    ======================

    MPX Fire Arrow-First Full Flying Foiling on video-7-24-14 012 (1).JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2018
  2. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Foil Control: I learned that the SuperFoiler UptiP foils are electronically controlled in much the same way I described controlling the the Fire Arrow S UptiP foils-they can be varied from near zero AOI to 6 degrees+ using electronic systems "developed by an aerospace Company", see the thread here: post #9,Super Foiler Grand Prix 2018-starts February https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/super-foiler-grand-prix-2018-starts-february.59736/
    This kind of control allows low speed takeoff and will have the same effect on foil lift as a wand does but w/o the drag of the wand. It may be worth considering eliminating the wand from the main foil of the Fire Arrow S controlling it electronically using a servo as well as using a servo on the ama UptiP foils.
    Maybe even experiment with it on the existing boat eliminating the mainfoil wand?

    UPDATE: The servo control of the mainfoil won't work unless the electronic control is not operated manually and is coupled to some sort of electronic altitude measuring system. The reason is that the wand automatically moves the flap to the zero lift position and then to the downforce position as needed. Manual control of a servo moving the mainfoil flap would not allow the skipper to know when to reduce the flap down angle and when the mainfoil reaches zero lift. The only way the skipper could tell is by watching the boat and detecting these positions accurately would be nearly impossible. The probability is that the manually controlled servo actuated mainfoil flap would be in the wrong position much of the time.
    This is not a problem with the ama foils since they don't operate in the same way as does the main foil.
    One of the great advantages of the wand controlled main foil is the drag reduction resulting from the unloading of the mainfoil as the boat speeds up--and its ability to automatically create downforce as needed.


    MPX Fire Arrow-First Full Flying Foiling on video-7-24-14 013.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2018
  3. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Trapeze Power Ballast System-
    Two versions: one the older larger version ,the other the newest ultralight version. The new version is 100% self contained and can be adapted to almost any rc multihull or large rc mono. Just the rack and ballast cart in the pix.....

    D2 TPBS mock up w-rack 2-6-18 005.JPG

    D2 TPBS mock up w-rack 2-6-18 002.JPG

    Super Scow-new-old-picture_002.JPG

    2007-01-25 11.06.38.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2018
  4. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    WOLF daughter of fire arrow-- I've been looking at this and going over it for weeks now since I took these pictures and I really like it with the possible exception of the weight it may cost. But it sure would be comfortable at either "level" and it will easily fold for transport. The angle works since the boat always sails at about a 10 degree angle of heel( to keep the windward ama foil clear of the water without having to retract deploy it every tack or gybe).

    WOLF  high seat idea    11-24-17 002.JPG


    WOLF  high seat idea    11-24-17 004.JPG
     
  5. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    WOLF daughter of fire arrow- Foils from below-note recess in main hull for main foil to retract flush:


    WOLF  plus foils  11-8-17 001.JPG

    WOLF main foil- 005.JPG
     
  6. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    ============================
    Can't stop thinking about this idea........
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2018
  7. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Twin,independent receivers for an RC multihull---- Tested the radio system on the new D2 --a cat- scow- keelboat using a Trapeze Power Ballast System and it worked well. The TPBS has its own separate receiver and LiFe battery, 100% independent of the onboard boat system but both use the same transmitter. I fired it all up today and no glitches, no problems!

    Mock-up of the athwartship pivot of the Ballast System as the weight is moved outboard. The ends of the rack are supported by "Trapeze" wires and the range of pivot is adjustable:

    D2 TPBS trial fit--pivot  2-16-18 001.JPG


    D2 TPBS trial fit--pivot  2-16-18 003.JPG
     
  8. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Easy to Sail Foilers with Extreme Comfort Under 20' ?
    Forget it! Other than the Fire Arrow 19.5 footer and WOLF there are zero foilers- that I am aware of -designed with comfort as a prime requirement.
    I just saw a new boat being introduced by Michi and Quant boats: it's a Moth sized scow using a bi-foil arrangement instead of Hugh Welbourns "Q" foils. I don't get it! The Q foils are the simplest possible foil system with extremely good manners-at least that's what I hear from the people that have sailed them. An extremely easy to sail and extremely comfortable small boat* could be designed using those foils-I wonder why it hasn't been?
    * Q foil singlehander about 12' or so....
    ====================

    Some pictures and lots of Technical Detail on Michi's new boat here: post #3,
    New Monohull Foilers 2018 https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/new-monohull-foilers-2018.59882/#post-825269

    Skeeta by Quant Boats.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2018
  9. luff tension
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    luff tension Junior Member

    Doug i hate to be the one pointing out the obvious here but the Fire arrow 19.5 and the Wolf don't actually exist in anything other than a test model so the actual answer is ZERO
     
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  10. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    I'm sure you do- but you're wrong. Both boats have been designed and the technology behind them has been tested and proven. And as I said above they were:
    "............. designed with comfort as a prime requirement."

    see the next post-----
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2018
  11. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Fire Arrow Foil System was proven initially during testing in June and July of 2014 and subsequently the basic system has been used on the following boats with thousands of miles of ocean testing:

    Maserati: (Guillaume Verdier's design mods to a MOD70)
    Maserati with fire arrow foil system.jpg

    Gitana 17: (Guillaume Verdier-first design application from scratch of the basic Foil System on an Ultim Tri)
    Gitana Foiling!.jpg

    Banque Populaire:
    Banque Populaire no pix credit.jpg

    Fire Arrow Test Model:
    MPX Fire Arrow-First Full Flying Foiling on video-7-24-14 009 (2).JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2018
  12. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Fire Arrow Foiling System Testing and Development

     
  13. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Fire Arrow --TAKEOFF! A rarely seen picture(top) helps to illustrate takeoff in very light air July 24, 2014:

    MPX Fire Arrow-First Full Flying Foiling on video-7-24-14 008.JPG


    MPX Fire Arrow-First Full Flying Foiling on video-7-24-14 009 (2).JPG
     
  14. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    WOLF parts     11-4-17 007.JPG
    WOLF---daughter of fire arrow
    Updated 3/31/18 specs, notes and pictures :
    ==============================================
    Ama UptiP foil twist: One of the main characteristics of Fire Arrow Test Model and the fullsize WOLF is that they use two altitude control systems simultaneously-one wand based system on the main foil and the ama uptip system based on leeway coupling.
    A major priority of both designs is light air takeoff in a 5mph wind for the test model and a 5 knot breeze for the full size boat. There is a problem: the wand automatically changes the lift of the mainfoil increasing it in light air , decreasing it as the wind picks up. But there is no automatic control of the lift of the ama foil(other than leeway coupling) but in the lightest air lift still has to increase on the ama foil for takeoff. The solution so far is to twist the more or less horizontal part of the uptip foil increasing lift in light air and then as the boat speeds up the foil tip can breach the surface reducing total lift.
    Good in smooth water but a tad draggy in waves.
    ----
    So, I was inspired by the electronics being used on the SuperFoiler : suppose the ama uptip foil had a rake control actuator controlled by an electronic system that monitored the wand movement. Then, when the wand calls for max lift from the main foil it would also change the rake of the ama foil substantially increasing lift for early take off. The System would follow the wand so that when it goes to flap-neutral(at an AOI of 2.5 degrees on the main foil), the AOI would change to 3-4 degrees on the ama foil(more than the main foil because when the flap is neutral on the main foil there is a lot more load on the ama foil). The ama foil rake would be able to be tuned independently of the main foil/wand. Cost is a potential problem that could be overcome by manually shifting the rake of the ama foil for takeoff and "cruise".
    ---
    An automatic system (or manual for that matter) would allow the ama foil to be designed untwisted which would increase it's speed potential by reducing drag in some conditions. It could also allow the ama foil to be a bit smaller..
    With research I've done on handicap systems for Crossbow and especially with the new SuperFoiler systems it's clear that there is a new breed of electronics that can work well in a sailing environment which opens up lots of potential for improving control systems. Might be perfect for a boat like WOLF....3/31/18
    ====================================


    NOTE: Changes will continue until(and after) the boat is launched.

    WOLF Specifications:

    LOA 15.458' (4.7m)
    ---
    Beam max-18.75' (5.72m)changed 3/22/17
    -beam folded-8' (2.4m)
    -main hull beam on deck: 2.625'(.8m)
    -main hull beam at wl: 2.125'(.65m)
    -main hull L/B at wl:7.27/1 (planing)
    ---
    Two Stage Ama-11.5' (3.5m) changed 3/22/17
    -ama hull-7.7' (2.35m)
    -ama hull beam .58' (.18m)
    -ama hull L/B=13.3/1 (planing)
    - curved piece-5.9' (1.8m) changed 3/22/17
    - overlap- 2' (.61m)
    - two stage ama canted bottom out 12 degrees.
    - two stage ama buoyancy(not including crossarms)=252lb(61%)
    -changed 7/27/17 : Note: planing two stage ama is designed for incidental contact with the water. Not to be sailed "on" on a regular basis since foils provide vertical lift. The planing surface is used to reduce drag when the ama does make incidental water/wave contact at speed. Hydroptere adopted stepped,planing amas after first starting with a "normally" shaped ama.
    ---
    Weight:updated 6/12/17
    -boat-target-275lb/ MAX 299lb (135.9kg)changed 6/12/17
    -crew-215lb (97.7kg)
    -sailing/flying weight: target-(215+ 275)490lb. (222.7kg.)
    MAX-(215+299)=514lb(233.6kg) changed 6/12/17
    ---
    Sail Area: updated 6/12/17
    -main + jib= 217sq.ft(20.17sq.m)changed 6/12/17
    - spin/screecher about 150 sq.ft(13.9sq.m)
    -Sail Loading-MAX weight in pounds/SA in sq.ft.:
    --upwind=2.37 changed 6/12/17
    --downwind=1.4 changed 6/12/17
    --max pressure before depowering= 1.76lb/sq.ft.
    --max heeling moment=5402ft.lb.*
    * not including asy/screecher

    ---
    Seating: there are two levels of very comfortable seating on each side of the boat. The upper level has a sliding and removable seat back for great back support while flying. Some degree of adjustment may be incorporated in the lower seating level. See the pictures below for a rough idea of the basic seating plan. added to spec sheet 9/16/17
    ---
    Designed flight angle of heel: 5.5 degrees to 15 degrees. Standard 10 degrees.
    ---
    Main hull flight altitude at centerline: .5'(.15m)---2'(.61m),Standard 1.19'(.36m)
    ---
    Righting moment at target weight(not max weight) : updated 6/12/17
    -crew 215 @14'= 3010ft.lb.( 4081N/m)*
    -boat 275 @ 8.7'= 2392.5ft.lb.( 3243.79N/m)
    TOTAL RM= 5402.5ft.lb (7324.8N/m)
    Downforce
    from main foil(if used) approx. 1500ft.lb.(2033.7 N/m)
    * N/m conversion done from online converter
    ---
    Foils:

    -uptip foil in each ama, adjustable AOI and up/down(mostly retractable). Tentative AOI-3-5 degrees over twisted foil. Asymmetrical section.-- added 3/25/17
    These foils have a "droop" to the tip first used on Fire Arrow which was the first trimaran to combine a droop tip with an UptiP foil on any trimaran ever!9/22/17--see posts 2577 and 2587 for the Fire Arrow "droop", WOLF "droop" and the Gitana 17 ama UptiP foil tip "droop".
    -mainfoil wand altitude control, adjustable AOI(nominal 2.5 degrees),up/down(retracts flush with bottom). Symmetrical section.-- added 7/28/17
    -rudder T-foil, adjustable AOI(nominal zero degrees),retractable.
    -Note that in their smooth water configuration, the uptip foils can be left down at their flying position when the boat is pulled up on the beach! And, of course, as mentioned before these foils do not have to be raised or lowered each time the boat tacks or gybes. This is not found on any other boat using uptip foils.
    The Fire Arrow Type/ WOLF uptip foils are shallow draft compared to most other types of hydrofoil.
    added 3/29/17
    ---
    Planing surface on lee ama hull is designed to be flat when main hull is just clear of the water(6") and that will occur at an angle of heel of 12 degrees.(Depending on foil lift-3/25/17)

    WOLF  plus foils  11-8-17 005.JPG WOLF concept-- 2 001.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2018

  15. Doug Lord
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    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    The D2 project was done so I could learn about Hugh Welbourns "Q" foils. I guess the learning is about to begin though the building was quite an experience! Trapeze Power Ballast System complete for the D2:
    D2 TPBS--3-31-18 mostly done 001.JPG

    D2 TPBS--3-31-18 mostly done 002.JPG

    Dominion 2-HW with my version of "Q" foils:
    D2 on stand 7-14-16 003.JPG
     
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