Vertical-Plane Dynamics of Power-Augmented-Ram Vehicle
Power-augmented-ram vehicles represent novel air-assisted marine craft that can be used for high-speed amphibious transportation of heavy cargo. These vehicles rely on combined hydrodynamic and aerodynamic support that is also augmented by front air-based propulsors. Dynamic models for these craft in the presence of wind gusts and surface waves are needed for confident design of these vehicles, including motion control systems. This study addresses 3-DOF vertical-plane dynamics. The models for unsteady forces are based on the aerodynamic extreme-ground-effect theory and hydrodynamic added-mass strip theory. Modeling of the vehicle motions are carried out for cases of head and following wind gusts and waves of low and high amplitudes. Simulation results can be used for determining amplitudes of the vehicle responses, peak accelerations, and forward speed degradation.