Hull design
Most water vessels are designed for speed and rear drive maneuverability. “The most stable boat hull design is considered that flat bottom hull.” Speed is not the primary design constraint for the InnoBarge barge. A flat bottom boat does have direction hull resistance that increases the energy needed to move in a specific direction.
A barge wave resistance is different that boats with streamlined hulls. The InnoBarge barge design may require two sides have lower resistance. There isn’t a formal “bow” with a boat that can be propelled in any direction. Design maximization may result in having two bow surfaces depending on downstream and upstream inland river operation.
Design maximization results in having two bow surfaces depending on downstream and upstream inland river operation. The effects of river currents are maximized or minimized depending on the direction of travel. The barge pods in travel together in different configurations to maximize (downstream) or minimize (upstream) energy effects of river current. A flock of geese moving through the air have a specific formation to minimize energy use. They change places to stabilize energy use throughout the formation.
The initial hull design is 20 feet wide and 120 feet in length and displace a foot of water for per 148,000 lbs of cargo.
The deck is designed in various configurations to hold:
Four semi-trailers
Drone operations of launch, recovery, and charging
Package handling for drone delivery
Battery storage for barge charging in transit