Abstract: A system for reducing hydrodynamic drag and vortex-induced-vibration (“VIV”) in a bluff hull. In a bluff hull that is designed to be at least partially submerged in a fluid, such as water, the hull has an internal area for holding or transferring fluid. When the hull is beset by a current present in the water, the surface of the bluff hull has an up-current side and a down-current side. The hull surface has at least one opening, preferably a slot-nozzle, for discharging the fluid from the internal fluid area of the bluff hull out of the hull surface and into the surrounding water at a velocity greater than the current velocity, so as to reduce flow separation of the current on the down-current side of the hull surface. Also, preferably, the fluid is discharged out of the opening at an angle substantially tangential to the hull surface at the location of the opening and substantially in the direction of the current.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 26, 2002
Assignee:
High Seas Engineering, LLC
Inventors:
Neal A. Brown, Victor G. Grinius, Cam M. Shaar
Abstract: A system for reducing hydrodynamic drag and vortex-induced-vibration ("VIV") in a bluff hull. In a bluff hull that is designed to be at least partially submerged in a fluid, such as water, the hull has an internal area for holding or transferring fluid. When the hull is beset by a current present in the water, the surface of the bluff hull has an up-current side and a down-current side. The hull surface has at least one opening, preferably a slot-nozzle, for blowing the fluid from the internal fluid area of the bluff hull out of the hull surface and into the surrounding water at a velocity greater than the current velocity, so as to reduce flow separation of the current on the down-current side of the hull surface. Also, preferably, the fluid is blown out of the opening at an angle substantially tangential to the hull surface at the location of the opening and substantially in the direction of the current.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 16, 1998
Date of Patent:
November 21, 2000
Assignee:
High Seas Engineering, LLC
Inventors:
Neal A. Brown, Victor G. Grinius, Cam M. Shaar