Prediction of Sheet Cavitation on a Rudder Subject to Propeller Flow

Abstract

This paper presents two numerical methods, a vortex lattice method (MPUF-3A) coupled with a finite volume method (GBFLOW-3D) and a boundary element method (PROPCAV), which are applied to predict time-averaged sheet cavitation on rudders, including the effects of the propeller as well as of the tunnel walls. The coupled MPUF-3A and GBFLOW-3D determines the velocity field due to the propeller within the fluid domain bounded by tunnel walls. MPUF-3A solves the potential flow around the propeller by distributing the line vortices and sources on the blade mean camber surface and determines the pressure distributions on the blade surface. GBFLOW-3D solves Euler equations with the body force terms converted from the pressure distributions on the blade surface and determines the total velocity field inside the fluid domain. The tunnel walls are treated as a solid boundary by applying the slip boundary condition, and the propeller blades are modeled via body forces. The two methods are solved iteratively until the forces on the blade converge. The cavity prediction on the rudder is accomplished via PROPCAV, which can handle back and face leading edge or mid-chord cavitation, in the presence of the three-dimensional flow field determined by the coupled MPUF-3A and GBFLOW-3D. The present method is validated by comparing the cavity shapes and the cavity envelope with those observed and measured in experiment and computed by another method.

Anisotropy of turbulence at the core of the tip and hub vortices shed by a marine propeller

“…2022 b ) and affecting their interaction with downstream devices, such as rudders (Kinnas et al. 2007; Felli, Camussi & Guj 2009; Felli & Falchi 2011; Felli, Grizzi & Falchi 2014; Badoe, Phillips & Turnock 2015; He & Kinnas 2017; Villa et al. 2018; Hu et al.…”

“…Marine propellers shed large structures, especially from the tip of their blades and from their hub, having an important impact on their acoustic signature (Bagheri et al 2017;Cianferra, Petronio & Armenio 2019;Wang, Göttsche & Abdel-Maksoud 2020;Ebrahimi et al 2021;Razaghian et al 2021;Petris, Cianferra & Armenio 2022;) and affecting their interaction with downstream devices, such as rudders (Kinnas et al 2007;Felli, Camussi & Guj 2009;Felli & Falchi 2011;Felli, Grizzi & Falchi 2014;Badoe, Phillips & Turnock 2015;He & Kinnas 2017;Villa et al 2018;Hu et al 2019bHu et al , 2021Wang et al 2019;Villa, Franceschi & Viviani 2020;Felli 2021;, 2022aZhang et al 2022). A number of studies dealing with the wake of marine propellers are currently available in the literature, including both physical experiments and numerical simulations.…”

A 3-D Viscous Vorticity Model for Predicting Turbulent Flows over Hydrofoils

“…This enhanced version was named with the propeller code PUF-3A. PUF-3A positioned vortex and source lattices on the mean camber surface and employed a well-structured arrangement of singularities and control point spacings to yield accurate results [6]. Later on, it was renamed MPUF-3A, signifying its improved capability to detect midchord cavitation.…”

Numerical Study of a Flap Rudder Based on Turbulence Model LES

“…There have been several studies on the physical phenomena related to the rudder performance. Kinnas et al (2) used an interactive approach of an Euler solver and a vortex lattice method code. The location and extent of the leading edge sheet cavitation on the rudder surface were successfully predicted, along with its inception conditions.…”