Miniature Underwater Glider Hydrodynamic Performance

Abstract

<p>Defining the hydrodynamic properties of an underwater glider is a critical operation that should be properly optimized since it has a great impact on the vehicle’s efficiency. It also defines the allocated budget for the Variable Buoyancy System (VBS) of the glider. This paper describes the work performed to optimize the hydrodynamic forces, represented in the lift and drag forces of the vehicle, as well as optimizing the angle of attack that the vehicle should perform its cycles at. The approach used in the analysis is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) by importing the 3D model of the glider to Ansys software. The best angle of attack is chosen based on the highest efficiency characterized by the lift-to-drag ratio. The polar charts of the vehicle are also drawn based on the vertical and horizontal components of the vehicle’s speed. The results are implemented in the calculations of the VBS of the vehicle, and the definitions of the general operation states of the vehicle.</p>