The present invention seeks to reduce the frictional resistance of a vessel through enhanced air lubrication by creating and sustaining a superaerophilic surface underneath the vessel. Air is supplied by two different means: through vents near the bow of the vessel and through the perforated superaerophilic surface underneath the vessel. The air delivered through the perforations in the superaerophilic surface prohibits wetting of microscopic structures on the surface, maintaining the superaerophilic properties of it. Since the superaerophilic surface attracts air close to the hull surface, this invention greatly increases the ratio of air from the bow vents within the boundary layer, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the air lubrication system. Aerophilic effects are enhanced by carbon, which is captured, filtered, and mixed in with the air supplied to the plastron.

The present invention seeks to reduce the frictional resistance of a vessel through enhanced air lubrication by creating and sustaining a superaerophilic surface underneath the vessel. Air is supplied by two different means: through vents near the bow of the vessel and through the perforated superaerophilic surface underneath the vessel. The air delivered through the perforations in the superaerophilic surface prohibits wetting of microscopic structures on the surface, maintaining the superaerophilic properties of it. Since the superaerophilic surface attracts air close to the hull surface, this invention greatly increases the ratio of air from the bow vents within the boundary layer, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the air lubrication system. Aerophilic effects are enhanced by carbon, which is captured, filtered, and mixed in with the air supplied to the plastron.

An air supply apparatus for a ship is described. The air supply apparatus includes a fuel cell and an air lubrication device for resistance reduction of the ship. An exhaust gas outlet of the fuel cell is connected with the air lubrication device via an exhaust gas line for supplying exhaust gas to the air lubrication device. Further, a ship comprising an air supply apparatus according to any embodiments described herein as well as a method of supplying air to an air lubrication device of a ship are described.

An air supply apparatus for a ship is described. The air supply apparatus includes a fuel cell and an air lubrication device for resistance reduction of the ship. An exhaust gas outlet of the fuel cell is connected with the air lubrication device via an exhaust gas line for supplying exhaust gas to the air lubrication device. Further, a ship comprising an air supply apparatus according to any embodiments described herein as well as a method of supplying air to an air lubrication device of a ship are described.

An adjustable cavitator structure has a cavitator disposed at a head end of the underwater vehicle. The cavitator has a cavitator body, a center of which is connected to the head center of the underwater vehicle through a damper. The front end of the cavitator body is detachably connected with a head fairing device. The cavitator body is of a double-layer structure including a first layer and a second layer. A plurality of cavitator disc face retractable sheets are installed on the first layer and the second layer and are evenly distributed around the axis of the cavitator body, and are slidably connected with the corresponding first layer or second layer. A buffer driving mechanism for driving the cavitator disc face retractable sheets to slide in a radial direction of the cavitator body is installed at the head end of the underwater vehicle.

An adjustable cavitator structure has a cavitator disposed at a head end of the underwater vehicle. The cavitator has a cavitator body, a center of which is connected to the head center of the underwater vehicle through a damper. The front end of the cavitator body is detachably connected with a head fairing device. The cavitator body is of a double-layer structure including a first layer and a second layer. A plurality of cavitator disc face retractable sheets are installed on the first layer and the second layer and are evenly distributed around the axis of the cavitator body, and are slidably connected with the corresponding first layer or second layer. A buffer driving mechanism for driving the cavitator disc face retractable sheets to slide in a radial direction of the cavitator body is installed at the head end of the underwater vehicle.

Disclosed is a dual cavity air lubrication system including an air flow splitter with an air inlet pipe branching into a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe, wherein a first passive valve is arranged in the first branch pipe and a second passive valve is arranged in the second branch pipe, wherein the branch pipes are in fluid communication with each other upstream from their respective valves, and wherein the valves are adapted for regulating the flow of air to respective air cavities to compensate for difference in air pressure in the cavities caused by a relative change in level of the cavities due to roll or heel of the vessel.

Disclosed is a dual cavity air lubrication system including an air flow splitter with an air inlet pipe branching into a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe, wherein a first passive valve is arranged in the first branch pipe and a second passive valve is arranged in the second branch pipe, wherein the branch pipes are in fluid communication with each other upstream from their respective valves, and wherein the valves are adapted for regulating the flow of air to respective air cavities to compensate for difference in air pressure in the cavities caused by a relative change in level of the cavities due to roll or heel of the vessel.

The invention relates to a system for providing an air lubricating layer between the hull of a vessel and the water flowing under the hull as said vessel is moving through the water, comprising an air cavity and a wave deflector having a planar bottom surface which faces said interface plane and extends parallel thereto and is arranged in an air cavity of said air lubrication system at a distance of 2-15 cm from the interface plane, wherein said bottom surface has a peripheral edge that is spaced apart from said sidewalls by a gap having a width of 0.5-15 cm, wherein, when viewed in projection onto a plane wherein said planar bottom surface extends, at least 85% of the area of said opening is covered by said wave deflector and/or said planar bottom surface thereof, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.

The invention relates to a system for providing an air lubricating layer between the hull of a vessel and the water flowing under the hull as said vessel is moving through the water, comprising an air cavity and a wave deflector having a planar bottom surface which faces said interface plane and extends parallel thereto and is arranged in an air cavity of said air lubrication system at a distance of 2-15 cm from the interface plane, wherein said bottom surface has a peripheral edge that is spaced apart from said sidewalls by a gap having a width of 0.5-15 cm, wherein, when viewed in projection onto a plane wherein said planar bottom surface extends, at least 85% of the area of said opening is covered by said wave deflector and/or said planar bottom surface thereof, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.