Work

Hydrodynamic Analysis and Drag-Reduction Design of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In order to establish a proper geometry of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) for stable motion control and energy usage reduction, this paper analyzes the hydrodynamic performance of a complex shape underwater vehicle and develops a systematic Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation method to solve the hydrodynamic parameters of the system. Based on the simulation method and their results, the streamlines and pressure distributions of the water flow around the underwater vehicle are analyzed, and the geometric model design is improved based on the drag characteristics. Also, a comparison scheme is designed to evaluate the vehicle model before and after the geometry improvement. Simulation result shows that the design schemes brings 18% drag reductions in surge direction and 32% in heave direction. Moreover, by establishing the physical and mathematical models of the UUV on a physical simulation platform, a complete model of the underwater vehicle is constructed, laying the foundation for further simulations and experiments.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse12081388

Authors: Xuecheng Li, Desheng Zhang, Ming Zhao, Xin Wang, Yu Shen

Institution: Harbin Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955

Funder: Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program