Application of model predictive control technique for wave piercing catamarans ride control system

Abstract

Large vertical acceleration induced by sea waves can severely affect the safety and comfort of passengers and crew for wave piercing catamarans(WPC). While WPC sailing in high speeds and high sea states, there are two motions that heave and pitch seriously affect the stability of ship. Under the low sea states and low navigational speeds conditions, the accurate linear ship motions model can be built because of the smaller ship motions. On the contrary, with the increase of the amplitude of the ship motions, the nonlinear characteristic is enhanced. However, the complexity of the non-linear model makes it unattractive for the purpose of designing a controller. As an application, model predictive algorithm is proposed which does not need to establish accurate ship motions model during high navigational speeds and high sea states. The T-foil and two trim flaps stabilizers combination control system is designed with model predictive algorithm controller(MPC). The results from simulations are given to testify the effectiveness of the controller.