Towards a general design evaluation tool: The development and validation of a VPP for autonomous sailing monohulls

Published in Applied Ocean Research, 2022

本文提出一种面向无人单体帆船的速度预报程序(VPP)框架,用于解决传统方法在适用性与求解效率上的关键不足。通过引入可与 CFD 兼容的水动力建模,并采用带“末位优化”的增强遗传算法(GA)求解器,VPP 在无需先验性能估计的情况下实现约 40% 的更快收敛。进一步地,创新的 NIBO 策略利用状态连续性将计算负担降低约 30%,同时抑制预测波动。数值仿真与海试验证(低风速场景误差 <15%)表明,该工具可在概念设计阶段对非常规船体-帆装-龙骨组合进行定量对比,为无人帆船优化与任务规划奠定基础。

This paper proposes a novel velocity prediction program (VPP) framework tailored for autonomous sailing monohulls, addressing key limitations of traditional methods. By integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-compatible hydrodynamic models and an enhanced genetic algorithm (GA) solver with end-place optimization, the VPP achieves 40% faster convergence without prior performance estimates. Its innovative NIBO strategy leverages state continuity to reduce computational load by 30% while smoothing prediction fluctuations. Validated through numerical simulations and sea trials (error <15% in low-wind scenarios), this tool enables quantitative comparisons of unconventional hull-sail-keel configurations during conceptual design. The work, published in Applied Ocean Research (SCI Q2), establishes a foundation for autonomous sailboat optimization and mission planning.

View on Publisher Site (DOI)

Recommended citation: Yang An, Jiancheng Yu*, Feng Hu, and Zhenyu Wang. (2022). "Towards a general design evaluation tool: The development and validation of a VPP for autonomous sailing monohulls." Applied Ocean Research. 121, 103053.
Download Paper