Hydrofoil & Nautical Applications
Ultrasonic Distance Ranging for Hydrofoil & Nautical Applications
Senix ToughSonic® Ultrasonic Sensors measure distance to target objects or materials through the air using “non-contact” technology that does not touch or damage the target. They are easy to use and reliable, and used in hundreds of applications around the world in all industries.
ToughSonic General Purpose sensors are ideal for Hydrofoil and Nautical Applications. The General Purpose sensors are built in 316 stainless steel housings, and the PUR cable and electronics are protected and potted in, and the sensors have an IP68 rating. ToughSonic sensors are Tough enough to be used on a variety of hydrofoil and nautical applications in either fresh or sea water
For liquid level measurement please see our Tank Level Applications or Water Monitoring Applications or for other Distance and Proximity Applications see our Distance Applications
Senix Sensors Measure Flying Height of Oracle America’s Cup Boat
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Hydrofoil & Nautical Application Stories
The Sensors
Whether used indoors or out, ToughSonic® sensors can take abuse. Solid state electronic components are epoxy potted into stainless steel housings, and there are no mechanical parts to break. IEC compliant electrical interfaces are protected from reversed connections and over-voltages.
These distance measurement sensors connect with all common types of automation and telemetry equipment. Applications range from simple analog connections to sophisticated multi-sensor data networks. Our sensors are cost effective because flexible connectivity is embedded in the sensor’s software – power that you can unlock with the SenixVIEW PC software included with every sensor. Push-button “teach” is also included in many models.
We drive the boat based on our sensor data. We selected Senix ultrasonic sensors after extensive testing in a variety of high-speed marine conditions.
The sensors work like new even after three years of training races in harsh ocean conditions. They have worked perfectly since the very first day. We have never had to touch them.
we are a happy customer!
I am so pleased with the sensors. We are getting excellent wave data. We have been trying to eliminate in-line pressure sensors for a long time.
The sensors have been working flawlessly so far, we’re really impressed by how reliable and rugged these sensors are!
To be honest, we did not expect the sensors to be as reliable as they turned out to be. We’re very pleased with the sensors Senix provided to us!
Marine & Hydrofoil Vessels
America’s Cup Sailboat Racing
Senix ToughSonic sensors show their mettle in the rough and tumble environment of America’s Cup racing. Oracle-BMW racing first used our sensors for their 2013 cup win. As Oracle Team USA Data Analyst and Instrumentation Engineer, Jose Luis Vela commented, “We drive the boat based on sensor data. The foiling requires real-time information that is fast and completely accurate. We selected Senix ultrasonic sensors after extensive testing in a variety of high-speed marine conditions.” Oher teams have since adopted Senix sensors, including the 2017 Bermuda winner, Emirates New Zealand.
Oracle-BMW Boat, 2013 Winner
Senix is a proud member and sponsor of the International Hydrofoil Society.
Emirates New Zealand, 2017 Winner
Hydrofoiling Electric Speedboat
One of Sweden’s hottest tech startups, Candela Speedboat, uses Senix ToughSonic 14 sensors for height inputs to an automated control system to manage the boat’s takeoff, cruise and landing. Founded in 2014 to build an electric boat comparable to gas power the Candela Speed Boat is truly a first in electric vehicle design. Built from 100% carbon fiber and weighing 1300 kg (2866 lb) the craft is powered by a 40 kWh lithium ion battery and 55 kW motor to achieve a maximum speed of 30 nautical knots and a range of over a 50 nautical miles. The company produced it’s first few production boats in 2018 and demonstrated the boat at Sweden’s first electric boat show in Stockholm in May 2019.
Solar Powered Boat Races
The TU Delft Solar Boat Team consists of 20 to 25 students from Delft University of Technology. The team designs and builds a new solar-powered hydrofoil boat every two years and races in the biennial Dutch Solar Challenge, the World Cup in solar boat racing. The previous Solar Boat team finished an impressive third at the Solar Cup in Monaco in July, 2015. The boat unveiled this week will begin sea trials in April in preparation for the Dutch Solar Challenge world championship this summer. See a couple of the current team members describe the boat design process in this short video:
World's First Hydrogen-Power Flying Boat
Who could design, test, and build the world’s first flying hydrogen-powered racing boat – all within one year? The Delft University of Technology’s Solar Boat Team successfully proved up to the challenge and are now putting the results of their hard work to the test in the port of Rotterdam. The 20-member student-led team volunteered to put their studies aside for a full year to make the Hydro Motion project happen. With a mission to inspire the maritime industry to pursue a green future, they have assembled a giant group of partners who share that same vision, like Senix.
Sensor Outputs & Interfaces
SenixVIEW Software
The ToughSonic General Purpose and ToughSonic CHEM product lines all have multiple analog and switch outputs compatible with most industrial equipment, plus a serial data communications interface for SenixVIEW software setup or user applications.
Analog outputs can be proportional to tank level or volume. Switch outputs can control pumps and valves, or indicate low or high alarm conditions. Simple level controls can be created with only a sensor and an external relay option. Outputs are user-configured with SenixVIEW setup software. Setups are permanently stored in the sensor, and can be saved and duplicated in other sensors without re-calibrating. Some models have 5 simultaneous outputs while others have 2 SenixVIEW selected outputs. All sensors have a serial data interface, and all outputs operate concurrently.
Outputs, ToughSonic 30, 50 and CHEM products
