STEALTH 380 hybrid

objective
The design objective of this craft is to
provide a small, efficient passenger
vessel with the lowest possible Carbon Emissions in anticipation of everincreasing environmental legislation,
whilst at the same time providing
levels of passenger comfort with reduced journey time comparable with
current vessels.
The STEALTH 380 hybrid is based on the
proven efficient HYSUCAT (HYdrofoil
SUpported CATamaran) hull used by
the STEALTH 520 RUV, but extends the
concept further with the introduction
of a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion
system.
This innovative product should not
only serve operators and users alike,

but also avail itself of eco-friendly

technologies that are de rigueur in
todays environmentally conscious
society.

design concept
The most significant factor in reducing operating costs and CO2 emissions is the reduction of the vessels
fuel consumption more specifically,
a reduction in the fuel consumption
per passenger per journey.
Unfortunately, at present, propulsion
systems technology has not developed enough to allow a simple solution to this problem. The design of the
STEALTH 380 hybrid will use a combination of the following design factors
to meet this requirement:

efficient stealth hull technology

The hull design is based on catamaran hulls as these hull forms give
a characteristically soft ride (most
notably in rougher water), a proportionally larger deck area for a
given hull length (for increased
passenger space) and a lower running resistance than a conventional monohull.
Using the HYSUCAT principle, hydrofoils are used to assist in generating a high proportion of the lift
required for the vessel to plane.
As this lift is generated at higher efficiency values than the hull planing surfaces, the overall efficiency
of this hybrid hull/foil combination
is further increased.

efficient low co2 emmisions engine

technology
Virtually all the work done to date on
environmentally conscious propulsion
systems relates to electric-powered
sailing vessels or large, well understood, diesel-electric systems (which
have been in use for 100-odd years)
used in locomotives, large mining vehicles, certain types of tugboats, etc.
The big difference with small-craft is
the requirement to use batteries as a
means of energy storage and PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels as an alternate
energy source which is not possible
on large instillations.

As the first commercial diesel-electric

propulsion systems for small vessels
are now commerically available, this
technology-type will be used for the
STEALTH 380 hybrid - the photo below
shows and example of a Steyr Motors (Austria) hybrid propulsion package consisting of a 7kW electric engine (green) directly connected to a
185kW diesel engine (grey)

The automotive industry has gone another route and use an electric engine for low-power requirements and
a smaller (than normal), conventional
(petrol or diesel) engine for higher
power requirements (longer distance
or higher speed) hence the term
hybrid.
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efficient propulsion technology

STEALTH yachts have extensive experience with the use of large surface
propellers for efficient high-speed
propulsion.
Electric motors produce a high output
torque at low speeds. This requires a
much larger propeller on any electrically driven boat compared to conventional motors. The disadvantage
being that the propeller is over-sized
for higher speeds.
With the use of surface propellers, the
unique requirements for both electric
engine propulsion at lower speeds
and diesel engine propulstion highspeeds can be uniquely combined to
match the power output from a hybrid drive system!

hybrid power concept

The parallel diesel-electric hybrid system backs up the low-emission, electronically-controlled diesel engine with
an independent electric propulsion
motor.
The propulsion motors are connected
together and either independently or
in combination they drive the propeller shaft.
The advantage of this two-tier system
is that it recognizes that the strength of
the conventional diesel engine lies in
its high-end output and does not compete with this it adds a zero-emission,
quiet electric engine to the power
train for use in slow speed maneuvering and motoring when the use of the
diesel engine is inefficient.
The diagram, representing the Steyr
Motors Hybrid Marine Propulsion system, shows the typical components
installation. The chart indicates the
various engines installed in comparative craft.

modes of operation
Electric power only: In low-speed electric propulsion mode, operation will be
quieter with zero CO2 emissions. The diesel engines are not used and power is
drawn from light-weight Lithium-based
batteries. Operational speed will be 6
knots for a duration of two hours. This
mode is intended for harbor use and slow
approach and departure speeds in high
traffic areas or environmentally sensitive
areas.
Diesel engine with electric engine driven
as an alternator to charge batteries: This
is the normal cruise mode at 28 knots in
open water. The diesel engine operates
at its most efficient point (lowest fuel consumption per unit power produced thus
lowest possible CO2 emissions) whilst using the electric engine in reverse mode
as a generator to charge the propulsion
batteries.
Diesel engine only: This mode will occur
if no battery-charging and no additional
propulsive power is needed but will not
be a normal operating mode.
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Diesel engine supplemented by additional power form the electric engine: This
mode can be used where more power
is needed than can be supplied by the
main diesel engine the output from the
electric engine can be added to that of
the diesel engine.

advantages
There is no degradation of cruising
(higher speed) operational performance as propulsion in this mode is
from the normal diesel engines.

Alternative zero or low emission energy sources can be used for battery
charging such as PV solar panels or
shorepower when docked.

Electric propulsion will take over at

precisely the point in the diesel engine power equation where it is becoming increasingly inefficient and
specific fuel consumption in relation
to output power is poor.

A supplementary advantage of this

diesel-electric hybrid system is that
a third auxiliary engine in the form of
a generator is not added to the vessel for powering air-conditioning and
other on-board electrical power systems in the second operating mode
described above (the normal operating cruise condition), electrical energy for these systems will be provided
by the electric propulsion motor operating in reverse mode as a generator.

When in electric propulsion mode,

there will be quieter operation, enhanced low speed maneuverability and other non-efficiency related
benefits.
Propulsion power will always be instantly available as it will be possible
to run the vessel for several hours
with the electric motors using battery
power.

environmental impact

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principle characteristics
Length overall (LOA):
Beam Maximum:
Dry Weight:

11.8m
4.2m
7,000kg

38ft 6in
13 10
15,400 lbs

Power:
Drive system:
Hydrofoil system:
Speed:
Capacity:
Time on electric power:

2 x 280hp (185kW) Diesel plus 2 x 10hp (7kW) Electric

STEALTH surface drive system
Tandem hydrofoil set
Maneuver (Elec) 6 Kts - Cruise 28 Kts - Max 34 Kts
2 Crew and 30 Passengers
2 hours

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contact:

www.stealth-technology.com
This document is not contractual. All descriptions and illustrations are only indicative.
We reserve the right to modify or improve our product without notice. November 2010