Foilchemy

Foilchemy — Foil Structural Load and Deformation Monitoring

Inalia deployed INAFoil on Foilchemy’s semi-rigid performance boat, instrumenting the front foil and stabiliser struts to deliver real-time structural loads and deformation under racing conditions.

Need

Measure real-time structural loads and deformation inside the foil struts to characterise foil behaviour and feed the vessel’s control system.

Challenges

• Adaptation of the monitoring system to the strut geometry.
• Fibre-optic installation inside a confined structural section.
• Thermal stresses arising from multi-material construction.
• Temperature compensation to ensure measurement accuracy.

Solution

• INAFoil adaptation to strut geometry and configuration.
• Installation and commissioning across three foil mast struts.
• On-site calibration programme accounting for thermal and material behaviour of each section.
• Real-time delivery of strut deformation and structural loads during operation, with live data feed for control system integration.