Drag Reduction for Submarines

This describes a technique to reduce the drag on watercraft, boats, ships and submarines.

Rather than the traditional approach of boats and ships pushing a “V”-shaped hull or bull-nose hull through the water, watercraft with this approach draw water in at the front and expel it out the back, in concept like moving an open tube lengthwise through the water. The idea is illustrated with a submarine; however, the principle applies to any kind of watercraft.

To minimize drag, water is taken in over as large an area on the bow as possible, and funneled down into smaller pipes that run lengthwise between the inner and outer hulls. Impellers along the length of the pipes move water at varying speed out the stern to provide vertical and lateral steering, and thereby eliminate the traditional rudder and propeller which are reflective to enemy sonar.

The diameter of the pipes, in the middle of the ship, is reduced to maximize interior space for the crew. This requires increasing the speed of the water flow in this area. Water is moved through the pipes using continuously rotating impellers, rather than reciprocating piston pumps, to minimize a detectable signature on enemy sonar.

This is a technology announcement and license offer. Please contact Steve Hines with any questions.

HinesLab

USA

email: [email protected]

ph. 818-507-5812