Experimental investigation on optimal roll reduction performance based on active-passive coupling mechanism

Abstract Marine equipment experiences significant rolling due to wind, waves, and currents, compromising safety and efficiency. Combining an active gyroscopic stabilizer with a passive anti-rolling tank can substantially improve roll reduction performance. A nonlinear coupling effect exists between the two systems. Through phase matching, the fluid inertia force in the tank and the gyroscopic counter-torque achieve dynamic equilibrium, enabling optimal roll reduction performance via strategic parameter regulation. However, the unclear coupling mechanism between gyroscopic stabilizer and anti-rolling tank has hindered application. This study establishes an integrated active-passive anti-rolling system and experimentally investigates how multi-dimensional parameters affect performance, characterizing their functional mapping relationships. The coupling mechanism within the active-passive anti-rolling system was analyzed, determining anti-rolling enhancement principle and optimal configuration strategy. Results show that with fixed gyroscope speed, roll reduction performance first increases then decreases with water level, peaking at half-tank. At constant water level, higher gyroscope speeds improve performance. Based on dimensionless anti-rolling damping coefficients, optimal performance—974.9 times greater than without anti-rolling measures—97is achieved at coefficient of 0.34, with two-fifths water level and maximum gyroscope speed. In this configuration, the gyroscope contributes 57.1% of the total anti-rolling capacity. Coupling active-passive anti-rolling method and optimal configuration enhance marine safety and operational stability.