Optimal design of power generation equipment for autonomous underwater vehicle

Abstract

Autonomous underwater vehicle with the ability to generate electricity is an effective solution for detecting the ocean. In this article, a vertical-axis current generator for underwater vehicle is designed. The blades used for power generation are attached to the surface of the underwater vehicle and can be freely deployed and closed so as not to affect the fluid performance of the underwater vehicle. Comparing the experimental data of an ordinary impeller with simulation data, the initial error of the experiment is obtained. Through the experimental method with adjusting the spread angle and blade curvature, the best configuration of the impeller was eventually obtained. When the radian and expansion angle are both set to 120°, the maximum power of 0.599 W can be provided.