Parrots and monkeys

Abstract

Before this series of experiments, Narrow Tank Duck control strategy had been researched by varying damping and spring in the three modes, nod, heave and surge. The justification for using this simple system was that efficiency is most important when the sea is small and the response of the Duck at its most linear. By the time non-linearities are significant, survivability has superseded efficiency as the prime consideration. Parrots and Monkeys represent an experimental approach which can automatically optimize productivity in whatever way, linear or non-linear, is best. We describe the technique and give ways of interpreting the data generated.