Performance evaluation of an underwater body and pumpjet by model testing in cavitation tunnel

Abstract

Experimental investigations were carried out on an Axi-symmetric Body Model fitted with Pump-jet Propulsor (PJP) in the Cavitation Tunnel at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL). The tests were intended for evaluating the propulsion characteristics of the body and propulsor. The self propulsion point of the model for two configurations was determined after finding the corrections for tunnel blockage effects and differences in model length at zero trim. The results were found to match closely with the towing tank results. The rotor and stator torques also matched closely over full range of experiment. Further experiments were carried out on the body at 4.5° angle of trim to investigate the propulsive performance and assess the operational difficulties in the sea. The results indicated an increase in resistance and decrease in rotor thrust; but the balance of torques between the rotor and stator was undisturbed, causing no concern to vehicle roll.

Keywords

• Pump-jet
• Cavitation
• Cavitation tunnel
• Propulsion
• Experimental techniques
• Hydrodynamics