An Experimental Analysis of Active Pitch Control for an Assault Amphibious Vehicle Considering Waterjet-Hydrofoil Interaction Effect

Abstract

The present study aims to reduce the pitch motion of an assault amphibious vehicle system in seaways by waterjet impeller revolution rate control. A series of seakeeping tests were performed in a towing tank with a 1/4.5-scale model. This vehicle is manufactured as a box-shaped hull, and since an appendage that generates lift force is attached, the amount of change in pitch motion is large according to the forward speed. For pitch motion reduction, the impeller revolution rate and resultant pitch moment were controlled through a proportional-integral-derivative controller. Improvements in seakeeping performance were examined in both regular and irregular conditions by the model tests in terms of root mean square of pitch motion. The tuned controller decreased pitch motion by more than 60%.

Keywords

• amphibious vehicle
• motor-driven waterjet system
• pitch motion control
• seakeeping tests